New York, Boston, Washington? Need more help please!!!

dmg24

Hi guys,

Things have all gone a bit wrong - see post #14! x

Further to my previous thread on the subject, I have decided to split my time in the US between NY, Boston and/ or Washington.

So my question is, how do I split my time between the three? I arrive at JFK mid afternoon on a Thursday, and fly home from JFK at 10pm the following Thursday.

I've been to NY before, and much as I love it, I do want to explore elsewhere. Also, it may be possible to go to NY later in the year. That, combined with the cost of accom (even at Priceline/ Hotwire/ MarkyMoo rates), is making me question whether I should go into NY at all!

Another suggestion has been that I just concentrate on Boston, and spend a few days at Cape Cod?

So my options are:

* Boston Thurs pm - Mon am (3 days), Washington Mon - Thurs (3 and a half days) ... or vice versa?

* Boston Thurs - Tues am (4 days), Cape Cod Tues - Thurs (2 days)

* Boston Thurs - Mon, Cape Cod Mon - Wed am, NY Wed - Thurs

* Boston Thurs - Mon am, Washington Mon am - Wed am, NY Wed am - Thurs pm

I am concerned about fitting too much in, and my feeling is that the last option will be pretty pointless (I need lots of rest, and if I get tired, I will just do nothing!).

Thank you! x

blindman

What month are you going?

1. Cape Cod at the summer weekends can be HEAVING with traffic, try to go during the week. It can also be foggy:rolleyes:

2. Boston IIRC is fairly compact and has a good metro, you could spend 3 days here.
I would say go to Boston for a weekend, hotel prices should be lower as the 'suits will be out of town.
Check for graduation ceremonies at Harvard or MIT as these fill hotels etc with parents etc.

3. Washington is spread out quite a bit and with the Smithsonian museums, Arlington, White house,Capital building , Monument, Vietnam memorial, etc you could easily spend the WHOLE week here.

How are you getting from JFK to BOS or WAS?

I used the China bus a couple of years back. Cheap.
Then there's Amtrak which is quicker and more comfortable.

IMHO I'd go to Washington for the whole week.

M4RKM

dmg24 wrote: »

Hi guys,

Further to my previous thread on the subject, I have decided to split my time in the US between NY, Boston and/ or Washington.

So my question is, how do I split my time between the three? I arrive at JFK mid afternoon on a Thursday, and fly home from JFK at 10pm the following Thursday.

I've been to NY before, and much as I love it, I do want to explore elsewhere. Also, it may be possible to go to NY later in the year. That, combined with the cost of accom (even at Priceline/ Hotwire/ MarkyMoo rates), is making me question whether I should go into NY at all!

Another suggestion has been that I just concentrate on Boston, and spend a few days at Cape Cod?

So my options are:

* Boston Thurs pm - Mon am (3 days), Washington Mon - Thurs (3 and a half days) ... or vice versa?

* Boston Thurs - Tues am (4 days), Cape Cod Tues - Thurs (2 days)

* Boston Thurs - Mon, Cape Cod Mon - Wed am, NY Wed - Thurs

* Boston Thurs - Mon am, Washington Mon am - Wed am, NY Wed am - Thurs pm

I am concerned about fitting too much in, and my feeling is that the last option will be pretty pointless (I need lots of rest, and if I get tired, I will just do nothing!).

Thank you! x

I've never been to Cape Cod, so can't comment on that, but I have been to New York (obviously!) and also Boston. You can either drive from NYC to Boston, and that'll take around 4 hours, or go to LaGuardia, or JFK, and get a short flight up, should be less than £80 IMO, and you'll be there in an hour (plus an hour travelling each side!!!)

Boston is lovely, picturesque, and there is loads to do, I only spent about 4 - 5 hours there, just wandering around, and got some lovely photos, and can't wait to go back.

NYC IMO is a better going out city, so personally, i'd stay there Thurs - Sat, and then head to Boston.....

A week is a short time when you're on holiday, and time will fly. Don't try cram too many things in, and think about your travel back from BOS to get to NYC in plenty of time to either change airports, or traverse terminals at JFK, it can be hellish sometimes, and a MIN 3 hours is if changing at JFK. It's just one of them airports!!!

M

simonSE15

Ive been to Cape Cod twice and realy like it. We stayed at a great B&B in Provincetown. Both times I went it was out of season, so not loads to do but I kind of liked that. Martha's Vineyard is down there too. "Jaws" was filmed there, as was "Stuck on You"

getmore4less

Why fly into NY if not planning to stay there? I would see if you could change to Boston

If you have to fly NY get a car and drive up to Boston do Cape Cod bit on the way up or on the way back, perhaps put in another stop on the other trip or stay south of Boston to do stuff down that way and a day in the city reducing travel times.

Central Boston can be a nightmare for driving/parking but plenty of places around that have easy access by public transport for a day or two in the city.

North of Boston get real nice especialy up into Maine but this would be stretching it too far for a week.

Dijoy

The cruises are cheaper in America and it is lovely sailing out of new York harbour
Diane

dmg24

Thanks very much guys, as ever lots of great ideas ...

I have decided to go to Boston and Cape Cod, and then focus my next trip on Washington (next time Delta offer stupidly cheap flights ).

I'm still not sure how I'm getting to Boston, but will probably fly just for the sake of convenience. I'm going to get the ferry to Cape Cod, because I like to challenge myself when I'm away, and I'm afraid of boats!

Thanks for the links blindman, will all add to my planning ... it's half the fun of going!

Thanks for the PM mm, I'm going to give Delta a call as no decent seats were available online.

I don't tend to go out that much at night when I'm away on my own (except maybe a walk to McDonalds!), so will be going back to NY with my girlfriends!

getmore4less, I'm flying into NY because I got a fare of £158 including taxes!

Dijoy, a good idea about cruises, I did look at them, but nothing is available for the dates I am there.

simonSE15, where did you stop in Cape Cod?

Thanks again! x

dmg24

Atomised wrote: »

Wow! The cheapest I have found for my New York trip (admittedly during high season in November) is £920 for 3 people:eek:
£158 makes me so jealous! :money: :money: :rotfl:

April is high season for NY too (crazy hotel prices show that)! The flights were booked through a special offer (which was quite possibly a pricing error) on here a while back, needless to say it lasted less than 24 hours!

Just to update, I am now going to Boston for three nights, then Washington for three nights, then back to NY for the last night. I have booked my hotels for Boston and Washington, both Westin hotels, and both through Priceline, for approx £60 a night (bargain!).

Now I'm just looking for a hotel for my last night in NY, but I want something special (am thinking of The Benjamin?) ... if anyone sees any bargains for April 30 for one night I'd be happy to know! x

Murphy_The_Cat

I really enjoyed Washington DC, it felt like I was stepping into a filmset - so many places seemed so familliar to me. Its a really compact city and very easy to get around. The only disadvantage is that there was SOOOOOOO much to do.

simonSE15

dmg24, I'm just reading Time Out article on Boston and it mentions that sales tax is less in Massachusettes than NY. might be worth bearing in mind.

Sam_Bee

Yes - sales tax is less in Boston.

Just to add though get the train from New York to Boston, it's a really pretty journey (once out of NY metropolis!), and quicker overall (about 3 hours if I remember). You can get tickets easily from above Amtrak link.