• Travel to New York City in January--it's the cheapest time of year to go.nyc skyline 09 image by John R. Amelia from Fotolia.com
  
  January provides a number of cheap travel options for people looking to get away without spending a lot. Many people avoid traveling in January due to financial strains left over from the holidays. Others choose to travel in January to take advantage of low rates, escape the cold or hit the ski slopes.
  
  

New York City

• New York City is typically more expensive than most other cities in the U.S. However, if you want to visit NYC and save money, go in January. Hotel rates and flight prices drop significantly on January 2, after the New Year's celebrations end. The weather is often brutally cold, which causes tourism, and prices, to drop. Stroll around the city and pop into shops and restaurants to warm up. Grab a hot coffee or hot chocolate for the road to help stay warm. Museums are all open, as are most other indoor attractions. If you like to shop, take advantage of retailers' post holiday sales to save even more.
  
  

San Francisco

• Winter is the cheapest time to visit San Francisco. The weather gets cold and it rains sometimes, and hotel and airlines drop their rates for San Francisco trips after the holidays. Food and attraction prices remain the same, but since hotel and airfare are typically the most expensive items on your travel budget, you will save considerably if you travel to San Francisco in January as opposed to June. While the weather is cold, it is not too cold to get outside and explore San Francisco. Stroll through the Mission District for some shopping, and take a walk through Golden Gate Park or Delores Park to enjoy beautiful scenery.
  
  

Washington DC

• January, particularly early January, is a great time to visit Washington DC if you are looking to save money. Congress is still out on holiday leave until mid-January, and schools are not in session, so many residents are not in town. The weather can get cold, but likely not as cold as NYC. Since tourism is down and the town is less crowded in January, many hotels offer discounts and attractive prices. Save even more money by staying at a hotel that is not located downtown; stay on the outskirts of town or in nearby Alexandria or Georgetown. You will find smaller crowds at attractions like Washington DC's national museums and monuments. The cherry blossoms will not be in bloom, but you will still be able to experience the Washington DC history without spending nearly as much as a trip in the spring.