Here are tips on how to enjoy New England's less-expensive pleasures:

—Hiking and camping in New Hampshire's White Mountains rather than spending several days at an expensive country inn resort.

—Taking a day-cruise along the Maine coast rather than a multi-day voyage aboard a Maine windjammer.

—Taking the ferry to Cape Cod, Nantucket or Martha's Vineyard for a day-trip rather than staying the night there (unless you can reserve a bed in a hostel).

—Eschewing the pricey Italian restaurants of Boston's North End, gathering picnic supplies in one of its Italian groceries.

—Attending weekday music and dance performances at summer arts festivals (such as in Massachusetts' Berkshire Hills) rather than the more-expensive performances on weekends.

Here are more specific tips:

Lodging

Hostelling International has fine travelers' hostels in Bennington VT, Bethel ME, Boston MA, Cape Cod MA (Eastham, Hyannis & Truro), Littleton MA (west of Boston), Martha's Vineyard MA, Nantucket MA, and White River Junction VT.

Larger cities (such as Boston) and the most popular resort areas (for example, Bar Harbor ME) may have other independent hostels and budget hotels as well.

Reserve your bed(s) in advance, particularly in super-popular destinations such as Boston, Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket, as these will always fill up in high season.

Here's how to find and use a New England campground.

Food & Drink

Think picnics! New England has an endless variety of places to picnic, from organized picnic areas in parks to sidewalk benches and rock walls looking out to sea. Take advantage!

Important: bring your own water bottle, fill it at taps, and always have it with you, even in restaraunts. You'll save lots of money if you do.

Transport

With good planning you can go by bus between New York City and Boston for $1. Yeah, one buck! Okay, that's an exceptional bargain, but there are lots of other deals. Don't just buy a ticket, look for the breaks, like the Amtrak Regional train that speeds you between New York and Boston at nearly the same speed as the Acela high-speed, but at a much lower fare.

Attractions

Bostix, selling same-day half-price tickets to theaters, concerts and other events in Boston is a good example of what to look for.

Many museums have discounted or even free admission at certain times. For Boston's superb Museum of Fine Arts, Youth (7 to 17) admission is free on weekends, holidays, and on weekdays after 3 pm.

Lots of cities, towns and even villages sponsor free concerts and plays in parks during the summer.

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