Use a website like cheapostay.com that will guarantee low rates, and you can see the hotel on a map before you book. It will help you see what other hotels are in the area for similar prices.

Another great trick is to use Google Maps/Google Earth. Don't trust the hotel's pictures and websites. Plug the hotel address into Google Maps and you then click street view. You will be able to see what it really looks like around the hotel. And in some cases you can even get real pictures of the views from the hotel. It's a great tool if you learn to use it right!

Just to answer your question about the Yankee game at 1:00 - I thin you would be done there by 4:00. Tho I haven't watched a pro baseball game in years. You will be done there in plenty of time to see fireworks. It will get dark about 9PM which is probably about when the fireworks start. I would think a cruise on the 4th of July in the evening would have to be bought now, if it's not too late.

When my dh has gone to Yankee games and was staying in Manhattan it can take a while in transit from what I remember due to the crowds...anyone local have any feedback on that?

The average American League game is 3 hours. Assuming an average game, you will be heading to the subway at 4:00 but given the large # of people taking the train from the game, in addition to the horde of people going to the fireworks, it could be a while to get on a train. There is very little parking near the Stadium right now due to the construction.

This is why I said that you will be best served to head straight towards the fireworks after the game. Check the cruise info but I believe you will find that you need to be checked in around 6(this is just a guess though). At which point, it will be very tight given that the # of people on the subway will be excessive.

An average baseball games takes 3 huors but if it goes into extra inning it can be more. You shoul plan on geting to the Stadium at least 2 hours in advance ( it takes a long time to get 55,000 people through ticket lines and seurity - no large packages and your bag will be searched) and that give syou a chance to see batting practice and oriet your self to the game. Similarly it takes a while for the Stadium to empty - so figure being back in midtown Manhattan about an hour after the game ends.

The fireworks will be viewed by about a millin people around the edge of the east river and harbor - and many start coming hours in advance. Major roads start closing at about 4 in the afternoon and you need to get there at least a couple of hors before the 9pm start to be close enough to see anything. Be aware that you need to bring water with you to stay hydrated - it's often very hot and humid - and there are no port-a-potties - so use facilities where you have dinner.

You will pobably be back in midtown no earlier thn 5 pm - so don;t really have time for a boat ride before having dinner and heding out to the fireworks - unless it's only a one hour tour.

I agree with Doug_Stallings - my husband and I were in NYC last September, and paid a bit (alot) more for a slightly better hotel. It wasn't worth it. We didn't get back to the hotel til around midnight each night (we went to a Yankees game, a couple of plays, and took a "nite tour"). We were so tired that we fell into bed and were up early the next morning. We barely paid any attention to our surroundings in the room.
We are going back in May and have a room at the Comfort Inn Times Square (so i could certainly tell you more about it when we get back).
I find (as tourists) the Times Square area the best place to stay. It is a good starting point to go almost anywhere, and you are so close to the theatres, Rockefeller Centre and 5th ave. Its also easily walkable to Macy's/Empire State Building as well as Central Park.
We didn't really eat in Times Square at all - we tend to stay away from chains, and there were tons of delis and cafes around the city that we could grab a bite for (surprisingly) cheap.

Wow, so much information.. Thank you.

Yes, we have our Yankees tickets, so that is all good.

You are all correct of course, we'll not be in our room for any length of time to enjoy the view. I like views however, because of the perspective they give you of the area you are in, even late at night and early in the morning you see a lot about the place you are in.

We'd like to be as Budget Conscious as possible, in order that we can splurge at other times. I'm even considering using priceline :) whereas before I've been sacred to.

Is it the opinion of you knowledgeable people that if I used priceline I'd be likely to find a better deal (in terms of location mainly) than the Comfort Inn Times Square for between US150 an US170?

If we can't get on a boat trip after the Yankees game, we're considering a room at the Millenium UN Plaza, as they talk about them having views?, any opinions here?

Thanks, Melissa

I booked a 4* hotel in Midtown, 3 blocks south of Central Park, on Priceline and got it for $105/night. We are staying in August for 4 nights, and loved this deal. I had heard it was impossible to get anything that cheap, and was really happy with my bid. Definitely recommend using Priceline.

I love a view, too. And, I used to be one of those who urged everyone to stay in Manhattan.

But, over the last year or two, I've gotten some amazing bargains in Jersey City with Priceline. (From there, you can even see the July 4th fireworks over the skyline and the Statue of Liberty.) "Commuting" into Manhattan is not nearly the hassle or inconvenience I anticipated. (We originally booked there just as a stopover on our road trips from New Hampshire to Baltimore/DC and back.)

We've enjoyed many stays at the Hyatt Regency Jersey City for $100 and less. From our room to a show in the Theater District has never taken more than 45 minutes. Rooms are brand new, enormous, and those views!

Recently, I bid $90 for a 3.5* in Jersey City on Priceline over July 4th weekend (the Hyatt Regency being the only known 3.5*) and could not have been more thrilled when I was "upgraded" to the 4* brand new Westin in Jersey City (even better in that the NJ Path runs from there to either WTC or Midtown).

For sure, I'd prefer to wake up in Manhattan and head straight out...but not for the difference in rates!

I've been using Priceline and Hotwire for many years for Manhattan and have never been disappointed (and have saved a bundle). But, you do have to do your homework, including studying the information on www.betterbidding.com and www.biddingfortravel.com, particularly recent winning bids, the pinned hotel lists, and so forth. And, ask for assistance - those administrators are experts.

I've also had intermittent very good luck with www.easyclicktravel.com - you do have to prepay, but depending on the property (read the cancellation policy before you book), you can usually cancel up to a few days ahead of arrival date.

Thank you for all your help with this, we booked at the Millenium Broadway for $175 including taxes for the first five nights (held with ccard. We'll find our other four nights down the track. THanks, Melissa

Cheers Lissa..
Just checked Expedia.com for the dates and there are some great 4* hotels for around $165+ or less..
Grand Hyatt in Midtown across from Grand Central is $139 for a standard room.
I always stay at the Benjamin Hotel across from the Waldorf which is an all suites hotel with a small kitchenette and living and dining room and that was only $212! It's usually way more than than.
All the best!