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Forum Thread
What are the best things to do on a road-trip between Boston-CT-NYC-PA
June 22, 2012 at
09:37 AM
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Travel & Vacations
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Thread Details
Last Edited by the.J129 June 23, 2012 at 06:30 PM
My fiance is flying over for a week from London, and she's never been to the east coast.
So I figured, I could do a road-trip- Boston-hartford-NYC-Philadelphia-Washington DC.
And I'm trying to squeeze in the best of everything. Once she finishes her doctorate, she plans to move here anyway, so she is going to get more chances to explore New England properly.
But I was hoping for suggestions for some rare treats along the way that are not usually advertised on the travel websites.
This is gist of what I've come up with so far-
Thanks!
So I figured, I could do a road-trip- Boston-hartford-NYC-Philadelphia-Washington DC.
And I'm trying to squeeze in the best of everything. Once she finishes her doctorate, she plans to move here anyway, so she is going to get more chances to explore New England properly.
But I was hoping for suggestions for some rare treats along the way that are not usually advertised on the travel websites.
This is gist of what I've come up with so far-
- Boston- Quincy, the boat ride along the coastline, Freedom Trail, Cambridge.
- CT- Hartford, Mark Twain's house, Groton-USS Nautilus, Mystic- the aquarium.
- NYC- the usual- Central Park, Times Square, SoHo, United nations, Statue of Liberty.
- (6 flags and Atlantic city if time permits)
- Philadelphia- a whole bunch of museums, the rocky steps at the Museum of Art, Liberty bell, Philadelphia Cheese steak, Longwood gardens
- A visit to Centralia (the place Silent Hill is based on)
- Skydiving (Groupon deal bought)
- Washington DC- Smithsonian museums, White House, Lincoln Memorial (that entire area), Georgetown.
Thanks!
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http://www.longwoodgar
http://www.longwoodgardens.org/TheGardens_1_3_2.html
Thanks for reminding me! Yes, I've heard that it's really beautiful and it was in my list, just forgot to mention it.
I was really hoping to catch this [longwoodgardens.org]. But it will be over by the time she gets here.
Thanks though!
That's why I've added Centralia,PA. Seems spooky as heck!
Also searching for some good spots to get some beautiful sunrise and sunset photos along the way, as we're both photography enthusiasts(though complete amateurs
Will definitely do so!
Great places listed there, I went to Atlantic City, Niagara Falls and the Poconos this year (with Six Flags Jersey tomorrow and Philly down the stretch). My question would be what kind of things are you both into besides regular tourist stuff? I.E. If she loves a particular type of food there are many hidden gems along the way!
Also, this portion is just my advice from experience but once the list is made it might be a good idea to cut it in half and only do the top rated things you want to enjoy. She's working hard at school, shes traveling overseas and it will be harder to enjoy the trip with so much driving. Cut it down from Boston -> CT or NYC -> Philly, there is more than enough to keep you guys busy for an entire week. It will be more relaxing for her, less time stretch on you and you maximize your time together.
Most of our arguements came in the car where frustration kicks in from traffic, taking a wrong turn somewhere etc etc.
If you do decide to go the smaller drive route, trip advisor has a list of things to do that gets rated by people who have visited the area and you can find really cool things you normally wouldn't have done before. I went to a Butteryfly conservatory in Canada which was amazing, relaxing and would be a great place to practice your photo skills (they have them in other areas as well). Took a trip into a coal mine in Lansford PA which was a blast especially since it got us into a cooler climate during this past heat wave.
Hope you trip turns out to be great!
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Great places listed there, I went to Atlantic City, Niagara Falls and the Poconos this year (with Six Flags Jersey tomorrow and Philly down the stretch). My question would be what kind of things are you both into besides regular tourist stuff? I.E. If she loves a particular type of food there are many hidden gems along the way!
Also, this portion is just my advice from experience but once the list is made it might be a good idea to cut it in half and only do the top rated things you want to enjoy. She's working hard at school, shes traveling overseas and it will be harder to enjoy the trip with so much driving. Cut it down from Boston -> CT or NYC -> Philly, there is more than enough to keep you guys busy for an entire week. It will be more relaxing for her, less time stretch on you and you maximize your time together.
Most of our arguements came in the car where frustration kicks in from traffic, taking a wrong turn somewhere etc etc.
If you do decide to go the smaller drive route, trip advisor has a list of things to do that gets rated by people who have visited the area and you can find really cool things you normally wouldn't have done before. I went to a Butteryfly conservatory in Canada which was amazing, relaxing and would be a great place to practice your photo skills (they have them in other areas as well). Took a trip into a coal mine in Lansford PA which was a blast especially since it got us into a cooler climate during this past heat wave.
Hope you trip turns out to be great!
Thanks for the suggestions. I'll probably cut DC out of my trip. It's too much time wasted driving from PA.
She's landing in Boston and taking off from JFK. and since we've already bought groupon deals for Sky-diving and other stuff in PA, we'll have to go to PA. and as such end up doing Boston-NYC-Philadelphia.
I may or may not skip CT. I really want to stop by Mystic. I've heard it's a very nice place. Let's see how it all works out. I still have time.
Oh and about our interests. We're both into photography, hikes (which we don't want to do this time...) and just long walks by the beach, finding new places, things like that. We both like trying new cuisines and I've promised her some Russian food this time around. (I lived in Russia for 6 years)
Above all, we just want to spend some quality time together doing stuff.
We get to see each other once a year...twice if we're lucky.
Fun fact: The aquarium is also home to penguins which were used to shoot Mr Poppers Penguins which came out last year.
I am a rookie when it comes to Russian food so apologies there but any questions around CT ill be glad to go more in depth.
She's landing in Boston and taking off from JFK. and since we've already bought groupon deals for Sky-diving and other stuff in PA, we'll have to go to PA. and as such end up doing Boston-NYC-Philadelphia.
I may or may not skip CT. I really want to stop by Mystic. I've heard it's a very nice place. Let's see how it all works out. I still have time.
Oh and about our interests. We're both into photography, hikes (which we don't want to do this time...) and just long walks by the beach, finding new places, things like that. We both like trying new cuisines and I've promised her some Russian food this time around. (I lived in Russia for 6 years)
Above all, we just want to spend some quality time together doing stuff.
We get to see each other once a year...twice if we're lucky.
Hey,
I just came back from DC and I had an amazing time. I went to the Smithsonian museums, the Zoo, and the White House. I live in NYC and I find DC to be a wonderful tourist spot - you will not be dissapointed. Keep in mind that most of the attractions in DC are FREE.
http://www.capemaylewe
Actually Do cape May first, as well as Wlidwoods (ride the tram there), then take the Ferry.
In PA I like Hershey Park, Gettysburg, various potato chip and snack food factory tours (including Wolfgang Candy and Harley Davidson in York, Herr's kind near Philadelphia, Utz and Snyder's in Hanover).. Various other Civil War sites (Ft Delaware State Park, Antietum, Monacacy). Boat rides from Annapolis, MD and St Michaels. I've only been to Philadelphia once to the main touristy area there and recommend the duck ride. I'll be going back and I want to see the mint, among other things, plus I might go back to Lancaster to see some of the other stuff there I missed..
.
I'm a CT resident too...but having just moved here, I don't know the area too well.
Mystic definitely sounds interesting.
The thing is that she's arriving in Boston. And we have common friends in PA, so we're visiting those 2 places whether we like it or not...
CT is going to be half day visit at best and we'll spend 2 days or so in NYC.
I just came back from DC and I had an amazing time. I went to the Smithsonian museums, the Zoo, and the White House. I live in NYC and I find DC to be a wonderful tourist spot - you will not be dissapointed. Keep in mind that most of the attractions in DC are FREE.
So sadly I'm going to have to cut DC out.
http://www.capemaylewesferry.com/
Actually Do cape May first, as well as Wlidwoods (ride the tram there), then take the Ferry.
In PA I like Hershey Park, Gettysburg, various potato chip and snack food factory tours (including Wolfgang Candy and Harley Davidson in York, Herr's kind near Philadelphia, Utz and Snyder's in Hanover).. Various other Civil War sites (Ft Delaware State Park, Antietum, Monacacy). Boat rides from Annapolis, MD and St Michaels. I've only been to Philadelphia once to the main touristy area there and recommend the duck ride. I'll be going back and I want to see the mint, among other things, plus I might go back to Lancaster to see some of the other stuff there I missed..
Thanks! Since we're going to be spending 3-4 days in PA, I'll see which of these she'd be interested in seeing and fit them into our itinerary. Thanks for the suggestions!