My GF & I are planning trip for dates above - the week leading into Memorial Day weekend. I have been to NYC before but only briefly (long ago and With others making arrangements); this will be her first time ever. For budget reasons, we plan to drive rather than fly, so the major decision is where to stay. Having done some reading here and elsewhere, it seems that if Manhattan isn't in our price range, then SOME Metro-friendly locations in Long Island City/Queens or Brooklyn might be agreeable (or maybe New Jersey, but with greater concern about spending too much time "commuting" into the city each day). 4 nights, 1 room, 2 adults. Prefer private bath. Will need parking for the duration (do NOT need in-and-out, just 4 days at a location secure enough for peace of mind). Budgeting $750-1000 total for Lodging AND Parking combined (including taxes) - with the higher figure more palatable if it means a Manhattan stay. Given the above, my initial questions: Is the plan achievable at that budget? (and if only partially, what seems our "sweet spot"?) What implications do our constraints offer for Bidding vs. more conventional booking? (e.g, Should we avoid Priceline for anything off-Manhattan?) Would you advise for/against NJ/Brooklyn/LIC options? Avoiding the illegal (and dark-gray) options of private apt rentals, are there options we might consider in the B&B type realm (e.g., have seen a few Brooklyn listings which seem like neighborhood B&B with free parking, etc., which seem too good to be true)? And, naturally, if Priceline bidding remains an advisable option, what specific strategies and tips would you offer? I'm familiar with your zone bidding strategy (at least as it relates to Chicago zones circa 2009), but don't know its value/applicability for this situation. If you convince me to make NJ a focus, I can post in that forum too. Did I omit any crucial information? Just ask! (Oh, our specific planned activities are mostly mid-town or Central Park area, aside from a Stat Lib tour and weather permitting walking the Brooklyn Bridge, hence a willingness to pay a little more to stay closer to there). Thanks