Not exactly the best advertising
for Miami
Photo: Showtime

by Beata Loyfman

These days we all need a little escape from the doom-and-gloom. But as we watch our savings disappear, shelling out for a trip to a deserted island is just not feasible.

So why not do the next best thing and escape to the land of make believe? No, not Disneyland--TV land! Some of our favorite shows are set in US cities well worth exploring, and you won't have to sell vital organs to afford the travel. Here's a rundown of the best options right now:

Seattle, Washington - The residents of Grey's Anatomy's Seattle Grace Hospital may spend more time sewing their wild oats in the broom closet than stitching in surgery, but there's plenty for you to do in their hometown. In November's issue of Condé Nast Traveler we featured a great, affordable loophole in the hotel market: Urban B&Bs. Seattle has two, the Shafer Baillie Mansion and Pensione Nichols. Both of these cozy spots will set you back just under $150, so you'll have enough left over for a romantic dinner with your own McDreamy.

Las Vegas, Nevada - The original CSI exposed the dirty underbelly of Sin City, but you don't have to work a crime scene to experience the best of Vegas. We've done the hard work for you. Check out September's special 22-page rundown of the strip, conveniently organized into the Seven Deadly Sins. Yours truly spent 5 days trolling the hottest spas, hotels, and nightclubs for the Sloth and Lust categories--it's a sacrifice I was willing to make.

Miami, Florida - Showtime's Dexter manages to make a serial killer sympathetic. But it's the show's setting that brings the heat. And for good reason. As we've reported in the past, Miami is the watering hole for celebs and non-famous hip, young things. But you don't have to make $100K per episode to afford this balmy retreat. The Penguin Hotel is right smack on South Beach and rates in December start at $89 per night (compare that to The Tides' $340 starting price).    

Check out next week's Boldface for Part 2 of Travels in TV Land.