New York plus road trip?
Discussion
4 days in Manhattan might be too little, depending what you plan on doing.
6 days exploring Upstate New York seems reasonable though, head up the Hudson Valley and then head over to Niagara.
I believe the area around Niagara itself it a bit dull, lots of blue collar post-industrial towns like Buffalo.
6 days exploring Upstate New York seems reasonable though, head up the Hudson Valley and then head over to Niagara.
I believe the area around Niagara itself it a bit dull, lots of blue collar post-industrial towns like Buffalo.
As above - 4 days in NYC might be cutting it fine if you've not been before/dependent upon what you plan to do in that time frame.
As stated - Niagara US side is a dump. How about driving out along Connecticut / Providence ? Even catch the ferry over/from Long Island (Montauk)
If fall - you may start to see the leaves turning. Plenty of lovely BnB's out along that route/maybe tag a few days in Boston (catch train in) ?
Maybe post rough dates and any planned itinerary/must do's ?
As stated - Niagara US side is a dump. How about driving out along Connecticut / Providence ? Even catch the ferry over/from Long Island (Montauk)
If fall - you may start to see the leaves turning. Plenty of lovely BnB's out along that route/maybe tag a few days in Boston (catch train in) ?
Maybe post rough dates and any planned itinerary/must do's ?
seyre1972 said:
As above - 4 days in NYC might be cutting it fine if you've not been before/dependent upon what you plan to do in that time frame.
As stated - Niagara US side is a dump. How about driving out along Connecticut / Providence ? Even catch the ferry over/from Long Island (Montauk)
If fall - you may start to see the leaves turning. Plenty of lovely BnB's out along that route/maybe tag a few days in Boston (catch train in) ?
Maybe post rough dates and any planned itinerary/must do's ?
Niagara is defintely a dump. Vegas with a waterfall. And yet Niagara-on-the-lake is lovely.As stated - Niagara US side is a dump. How about driving out along Connecticut / Providence ? Even catch the ferry over/from Long Island (Montauk)
If fall - you may start to see the leaves turning. Plenty of lovely BnB's out along that route/maybe tag a few days in Boston (catch train in) ?
Maybe post rough dates and any planned itinerary/must do's ?
I think 4 nights in NYC is just right tbh. Instead of upstate NY for the trip though, I'd recommend heading either South West to Washington DC, via Philadelphia or North East to Boston and call in at Providence & Cape Cod. Both Washington and Boston are 4 hour drives from NYC, so neither trip is too much of a stretch.
Alternatively, stay the full stretch in NYC and take day trips by coach from mid-town to each of Washington, Boston and Philly. They're all early starts/late finishes, but great ways to see the major sights in each place.
Alternatively, stay the full stretch in NYC and take day trips by coach from mid-town to each of Washington, Boston and Philly. They're all early starts/late finishes, but great ways to see the major sights in each place.
4 nights in NYC is 3 too many for me.
A drive to Niagara is a fair shlep. Fly from Newark to Buffalo.
We flew in to NY, spent 2 nights there, flew to Buffalo and spent a couple of nights there. Picked up a car and drove round several NE states, before spending three nights in Boston and flying home from there.
We took 3 weeks rather than 10 days, but you can cut out the driving around, and just do NY and Buffalo/Niagara.
I hate NYC; it's like living in a cave. But I'm in a minority.
A drive to Niagara is a fair shlep. Fly from Newark to Buffalo.
We flew in to NY, spent 2 nights there, flew to Buffalo and spent a couple of nights there. Picked up a car and drove round several NE states, before spending three nights in Boston and flying home from there.
We took 3 weeks rather than 10 days, but you can cut out the driving around, and just do NY and Buffalo/Niagara.
I hate NYC; it's like living in a cave. But I'm in a minority.
I live in Westchester area New York, and use to live in Manhattan, so i would say..
Are you a Manhattan virgin or been before?
If you have been before then 4 days to revisit old places and explore more less touristy things sounds about right, if its your first time, then tag another day on, however your idea of a road trip is def good
Firstly car hire, check but i believe your get a cheaper hire out of somewhere like White Plains as opposed the airport, its about a 30 minute train journey from Grand Central, alternatively also try Manhattan itself if your brave on the driving front!
From car hire (where ever you decide to pick it up from) go to Watkins Glen national park, about a 4-5 hour journey north west. Explore the park (19 water falls) plus all the other water falls and wine yards in the 'finger lakes' area for 3 or 4 nights, then on to Niagara (Canadian side of course) for 1 night
Back to Manhattan the next day for 1 more night before flying home (7 -8 hours drive so you can stop off somewhere for the night if your not happy driving that long and skip the final night in Manhattan, and save money on the accommodation difference)
Note if your timing is good Watkins Glen international a great race track they have NASCAR and other racing series visit, so could squeeze in that too
Otherwise, if less time , loads of places in New York and Connecticut you can goto that no tourist has ever heard of, from Cold Springs or Kent Falls to Mystic and New Haven, all interesting places to go, a lot can be access via train from Grand Central
Other notable trip places wi Washington ,especially if your into museums, Rehoboth Beach, Delaware if you want to unwind or Lancaster in Pennsylvania if you want to gawk at the Amish, or go up the east coast to Bar Harbor stopping on the way at the cute seaside 'murder she wrote' style villages whilst eating lobster rolls
Honestly, America has so much to offer , I absolute love Manhattan and after spending several years living there it was only the wear and tear on my bank account that got me to move, but to my delight, there are so many places outside of Manhattan that are (almost) equally awesome to see and experience!
All depends the time of year and what you enjoy/ looking for
Are you a Manhattan virgin or been before?
If you have been before then 4 days to revisit old places and explore more less touristy things sounds about right, if its your first time, then tag another day on, however your idea of a road trip is def good
Firstly car hire, check but i believe your get a cheaper hire out of somewhere like White Plains as opposed the airport, its about a 30 minute train journey from Grand Central, alternatively also try Manhattan itself if your brave on the driving front!
From car hire (where ever you decide to pick it up from) go to Watkins Glen national park, about a 4-5 hour journey north west. Explore the park (19 water falls) plus all the other water falls and wine yards in the 'finger lakes' area for 3 or 4 nights, then on to Niagara (Canadian side of course) for 1 night
Back to Manhattan the next day for 1 more night before flying home (7 -8 hours drive so you can stop off somewhere for the night if your not happy driving that long and skip the final night in Manhattan, and save money on the accommodation difference)
Note if your timing is good Watkins Glen international a great race track they have NASCAR and other racing series visit, so could squeeze in that too
Otherwise, if less time , loads of places in New York and Connecticut you can goto that no tourist has ever heard of, from Cold Springs or Kent Falls to Mystic and New Haven, all interesting places to go, a lot can be access via train from Grand Central
Other notable trip places wi Washington ,especially if your into museums, Rehoboth Beach, Delaware if you want to unwind or Lancaster in Pennsylvania if you want to gawk at the Amish, or go up the east coast to Bar Harbor stopping on the way at the cute seaside 'murder she wrote' style villages whilst eating lobster rolls
Honestly, America has so much to offer , I absolute love Manhattan and after spending several years living there it was only the wear and tear on my bank account that got me to move, but to my delight, there are so many places outside of Manhattan that are (almost) equally awesome to see and experience!
All depends the time of year and what you enjoy/ looking for
Edited by satans worm on Friday 14th July 20:09
A few years ago we drove from NYC to Prince Edward Island (Canada) and back in 14 days. Within that time we had 3 nights in Manhattan.
There were a couple of long driving days in that time, but otherwise it shows that 10 days, with some spent in NYC means you can still see a fair chunk outside the city.
You could comfortably get to Lubec and back (and nip across the bridge to Campobello Island) and still see NYC. It’s beautifully quiet up there - a real contrast from Manhattan.
There were a couple of long driving days in that time, but otherwise it shows that 10 days, with some spent in NYC means you can still see a fair chunk outside the city.
You could comfortably get to Lubec and back (and nip across the bridge to Campobello Island) and still see NYC. It’s beautifully quiet up there - a real contrast from Manhattan.
I've been to NY loads of times, including 4 holiday trips. Also been to Cape Cod, Niagra Falls, Boston and Washington.
My advice, you need 2-3 days in New York if you want to hit a lot of the main sites, but they are big walking days and tiring in the heat.
I would not choose Niagra in preference to any of the others. The waterfall is obviously good to see, but better from the Canadian side and the whole area is a massive tacky tourist trap. We went on a day-trip when staying in Toronto and would not go again, although happy we had seen it. It's also 400 miles from NY and there's not a lot in between.
Boston is ok, but is also really another big US city but with an Irish flavour and more history and may be too similar to NY.
Washington is great and has amazing museums, but is also a big city.
Cape Cod on the other hand is beaches and smaller port towns and boat-trips to either Nantucket or Marthas Vineyard.
Cape Cod and Washington are also much nearer than Niagra.
Personally I would recommend Cape Cod, with Washington DC second, but it does depend on your interests.
My advice, you need 2-3 days in New York if you want to hit a lot of the main sites, but they are big walking days and tiring in the heat.
I would not choose Niagra in preference to any of the others. The waterfall is obviously good to see, but better from the Canadian side and the whole area is a massive tacky tourist trap. We went on a day-trip when staying in Toronto and would not go again, although happy we had seen it. It's also 400 miles from NY and there's not a lot in between.
Boston is ok, but is also really another big US city but with an Irish flavour and more history and may be too similar to NY.
Washington is great and has amazing museums, but is also a big city.
Cape Cod on the other hand is beaches and smaller port towns and boat-trips to either Nantucket or Marthas Vineyard.
Cape Cod and Washington are also much nearer than Niagra.
Personally I would recommend Cape Cod, with Washington DC second, but it does depend on your interests.
Edited by Guyr on Saturday 15th July 15:21
I'd recommend the Adirondack mountains in upstate, Vermont is beautiful especially in fall, Cape cod is beautiful, Boston is worth it IMO. Mt Washington and surrounding areas are amazing. I really should post up some pictures from my trip way back.
We did Boston to Boston over 14 days. 2 nights Boston then NH, Maine, NH, Vermont, Upstate NY with a day trip to Montreal, back down through Mass into Connecticut, along the southern coast to RI and Cape cod, then last night in Boston with a Red Sox game
We did Boston to Boston over 14 days. 2 nights Boston then NH, Maine, NH, Vermont, Upstate NY with a day trip to Montreal, back down through Mass into Connecticut, along the southern coast to RI and Cape cod, then last night in Boston with a Red Sox game
Guyr said:
I've been to NY loads of times, including 4 holiday trips. Also been to Cape Cod, Niagra Falls, Boston and Washington.
My advice, you need 2-3 days in New York if you want to hit a lot of the main sites, but they are big walking days and tiring in the heat.
I would not choose Niagra in preference to any of the others. The waterfall is obviously good to see, but better from the Canadian side and the whole area is a massive tacky tourist trap. We went on a day-trip when staying in Toronto and would not go again, although happy we had seen it. It's also 400 miles from NY and there's not a lot in between.
Boston is ok, but is also really another big US city but with an Irish flavour and more history and may be too similar to NY.
Washington is great and has amazing museums, but is also a big city.
Cape Cod on the other hand is beaches and smaller port towns and boat-trips to either Nantucket or Marthas Vineyard.
Cape Cod and Washington are also much nearer than Niagra.
Personally I would recommend Cape Cod, with Washington DC second, but it does depend on your interests.
We used to live in Bermuda and have done all of the east coast gateway cities.My advice, you need 2-3 days in New York if you want to hit a lot of the main sites, but they are big walking days and tiring in the heat.
I would not choose Niagra in preference to any of the others. The waterfall is obviously good to see, but better from the Canadian side and the whole area is a massive tacky tourist trap. We went on a day-trip when staying in Toronto and would not go again, although happy we had seen it. It's also 400 miles from NY and there's not a lot in between.
Boston is ok, but is also really another big US city but with an Irish flavour and more history and may be too similar to NY.
Washington is great and has amazing museums, but is also a big city.
Cape Cod on the other hand is beaches and smaller port towns and boat-trips to either Nantucket or Marthas Vineyard.
Cape Cod and Washington are also much nearer than Niagra.
Personally I would recommend Cape Cod, with Washington DC second, but it does depend on your interests.
Edited by Guyr on Saturday 15th July 15:21
I much preferred Boston to NYC as it just seemed a lot more laid back.
We once flew into Boston and drove to Cape Cod, staying in P-Town. That place is mad (in a good way).
Highlight was probably the Bette Midler/Morphing into Elton John drag act one evening !
Upstate New York is beautiful and you can spend a long time driving around there, you can head south down the turnpike to any number of gorgeous, long sandy and pristine beaches that are nature reserves, Sandy Hook is beautiful (not that one!) Cape May is a lovely old New Jersey style town by the sea as well.
Niagara is a bit crap, but you can go to the thousand islands close by there and back and that’s beautiful too, especially in the summer. There’s a ton of amazing places you can get to basically! Live locally so happy to help if I can, HoBo on here as well is close by and can chime in if he sees this.
Niagara is a bit crap, but you can go to the thousand islands close by there and back and that’s beautiful too, especially in the summer. There’s a ton of amazing places you can get to basically! Live locally so happy to help if I can, HoBo on here as well is close by and can chime in if he sees this.
Boozy said:
Upstate New York is beautiful and you can spend a long time driving around there, you can head south down the turnpike to any number of gorgeous, long sandy and pristine beaches that are nature reserves, Sandy Hook is beautiful (not that one!) Cape May is a lovely old New Jersey style town by the sea as well.
Niagara is a bit crap, but you can go to the thousand islands close by there and back and that’s beautiful too, especially in the summer. There’s a ton of amazing places you can get to basically! Live locally so happy to help if I can, HoBo on here as well is close by and can chime in if he sees this.
I think this thread demonstrates how Americans have access to some incredible places a Niagara is a bit crap, but you can go to the thousand islands close by there and back and that’s beautiful too, especially in the summer. There’s a ton of amazing places you can get to basically! Live locally so happy to help if I can, HoBo on here as well is close by and can chime in if he sees this.
I wouldn’t bother with Philadelphia. DC is educational as it has many places to visit but that might not be what you are looking for.
We recently drove up to Montreal (6 hours). The directions for Montreal from NYC are “turn right on I87. Drive for 6 hours and park”. I87 goes from NYC to the Canadian border and turns into the 15 which goes into the center of Montreal.
You could break up the drive by stopping off on the way at a lake house. Or, you could stay at the Mohonk Mountain house which was the inspiration for dirty dancing and the location where Upload was filmed. Stephen King stays in room 666 when he writes.
Mohonk is close to I87 and on the way back you could stop in at any of the mountain towns of Vermont.
Mohonk Mountain house
Boozy-I tried sending you an email but it doesn’t appear to be getting through. My wife works at the same place you do (as did I) so might drop you my details.
Gassing Station | Holidays & Travel | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff