North America Travel Forum

Hello There.

I am going to the US this summer. It is my second time in NYC. But the first to the rest of the family.
We are a family of four (2 adults+2children).
We are planning to stay from 9th August to 14th August in NYC and then hire a car and go south to the cities above from 14th August to 20th August. We have a plane to catch then in Newark airport.
The questions are:
1- will the time (6 nights)enough for visiting all those cities?
2- it is ok driving in NYC just from Times Square? (with a gps help, I hope).
3- Places worth a visit, places to stay, Things to pay attention to, etc
4- Alternatively, could we travel in circle, I mean going NYC, Was, Niagara Falls, Newark airport, or should we go down to baltimore and up again to Newark airport?
Any tips will be appreciate.
Thank You ver much

Regards
AJ

AJ, some thoughts..

NYC, Philly, Baltimore, and DC are all in more or less a straight line down the East Coast; however, Niagara Falls is way to the northwest of NYC and not at all on the way to anything else (that you have listed anyway).

I understand the convenience of having the car with the 4 of you (and luggage). Do note, however, that this listing of cities describes the best rail corridor in the US (which isn't saying much by European standards, but oh, well...). This means that if you drive down to Philly or even Baltimore, at any point, you can leave your car and luggage and take the train down to DC and back for a day trip (not that Washington doesn't deserve more then a day). Well, this may not be a good idea, but I wanted you to know that there are actually transportation options along this route.

For example, in theory (and if you are traveling light), you could drive down through Philly (stay a couple of days), Baltimore (stay a day), and DC (stay 2 or 3 days), then return the rent car in DC at Union Station, then take the Amtrak train back up to Newark Airport (there's a station at the airport) - at the end of your trip, trying to catch a flight, it might be nice to know that you're not having to make the 4? 5? (whatever) hour drive yourself when you are bound to be tired.

Oh, you can drive from Times Square out south...at the right time of day...frankly, I'd rather do it on a weekend. Otherwise, traffic will be intense. Some people might chose to take a taxi or the train (from Penn station) out to Newark airport and rent the car there - and this already puts you miles in the right direction...

Bill

AJ, to Qu 1; Yes, you can see the major sights in NYC, Phila, Balt & Wash in five days, but if you want to spent time in Museums etc. it is tight.
to Qu 2: The drive from mid-town (42 St area) NYC to Washington takes +/- 5 hours straight driving. You would go onto the Westside Highway North to and across the George Washington Bridge onto I 80 West/I 95 South (New Jersey Turnpike); cross the Delaware Memorial Bridge and continue along the Delaware and Maryland Turnpikes (I 95)until you reach the Washington Beltway (I 495) from which drive locally into the city. It is easy to find yourself out of New York and into Washington. You should not encounter too much rush hour traffic driving Northbound out of New York. You'll pass Phila (could drive into the city)and go through Baltimore (only need to exit the highway)
Qu 3: I cannot help you on places to stay, but NYC hotels are very expensive; suburban, across the G.W. Bridge in NJ are lower priced. What to see? The options are vast and depend on what you and your family are interested in. Consider among others the inexpensive NYC ferry ride from the Battery past the Statue of Liberty to Staten Island (turn back)in Phila the Liberty Bell and in Baltimore the Inner Harbour and the Aquarium as well as in Washington the Smithsonian Institute at the Mall and possibly further out at Dulles Airport the "new" Air & Space Museum. Kids will enjoy these places. I do not understand your reference to Niagara Falls -it is, yes, about 580 miles from NYC.
I would also suggest that you consider a return flight from Washington or Baltimore and you may wish to give consideration to the excellent train service which goes from center city New York to center city Washington.

Well, you'll have a lot of planning ahead of you. If I can be of further help, feel free to contact me.

Henry
higgarny@yahoo.com

AJ, to Qu 1; Yes, you can see the major sights in NYC, Phila, Balt & Wash in five days, but if you want to spent time in Museums etc. it is tight.
to Qu 2: The drive from mid-town (42 St area) NYC to Washington takes +/- 5 hours straight driving. You would go onto the Westside Highway North to and across the George Washington Bridge onto I 80 West/I 95 South (New Jersey Turnpike); cross the Delaware Memorial Bridge and continue along the Delaware and Maryland Turnpikes (I 95)until you reach the Washington Beltway (I 495) from which drive locally into the city. It is easy to find yourself out of New York and into Washington. You should not encounter too much rush hour traffic driving Northbound out of New York. You'll pass Phila (could drive into the city)and go through Baltimore (only need to exit the highway)
Qu 3: I cannot help you on places to stay, but NYC hotels are very expensive; suburban, across the G.W. Bridge in NJ are lower priced. What to see? The options are vast and depend on what you and your family are interested in. Consider among others the inexpensive NYC ferry ride from the Battery past the Statue of Liberty to Staten Island (turn back)in Phila the Liberty Bell and in Baltimore the Inner Harbour and the Aquarium as well as in Washington the Smithsonian Institute at the Mall and possibly further out at Dulles Airport the "new" Air & Space Museum. Kids will enjoy these places. I do not understand your reference to Niagara Falls -it is, yes, about 580 miles from NYC.
I would also suggest that you consider a return flight from Washington or Baltimore and you may wish to give consideration to the excellent train service which goes from center city New York to center city Washington.

Well, you'll have a lot of planning ahead of you. If I can be of further help, feel free to contact me.

Henry
higgarny@yahoo.com

AJ, Correction: NYC - Niagara Falls is "only" 380 miles
Henry
higgarny@yahoo.com

First Thank You all.

Thank You Bill for the alternatives to the rent car.

Thank You Higbyny. Since Niagara Falls are only 380 miles away, how about going NYC, Niag Falls, DC , Philly and Newark. How that sounds to You? To much drive for the time available? The only reason I suggest Niagara Falls is because to me, since I hardly know the States, going down to DC thru Philly and then drive back to Newark thru Philly again, it does not make sense!
Regards
AJ

I'm a native New Yorker, and I have also been to the 3 other cities you've mentioned. I have several good friends in Philly. with all due respect, what is there to see in Baltimore and Philly, especially as compared to NY and DC?! IMHO, I would spend 4 days in NYC, and take the Amtrak to DC for the remaining 2 days. Baltimore has 2 decent neighborhoods in it; the rest of it is boarded up. Unless you're an Edgar Allan Poe fanatic, I don't see the attraction. and, no, Niagara Falls is a separate trip of its own. For that, I suggest flying into Buffalo, renting a car, seeing the falls, then driving West to Toronto, then driving clockwise around Lake Ontario to Montreal, and flying home from there. If you pack 4 cities into 6 days, you are watering down the soup.

AJ, this is in reply to your latest questions. "Only 380 miles" ---As other respondents have pointed out Niagara Falls can not be easily incorporated into a circular route including NY-Phila_Balt-Wash. Niagara Falls is about 380 miles (not km) NW of NYC wheras Phila, Balt. Wash. are South West. 380 miles requires with rest stops one full day; you would have to either go back straight South largely on local (not Interstate (Autobahn) roads or go on Interstates back to the Phila area which is 90 miles from NYC. Yes, it would be a scenic route which NY-Phila-Balt. Wash. is not. In other words with only one full day at Niagara Falls, the trip to the falls would cost you three days out of six; that leaves you three days to see NYC, Phila and Wash. Can it be done?
Yes, I had German business friends who where in the US on a two week trip, spent two days in NYC; drove cross country, flew to Hawaii and from there back home. Upon my question "what have you seen?" They answered "we got an overall good impression how vast this country is". Europeans fail to recognize this.

Now to "then drive back to Newark thru Philly again". You don't drive "through" you stay on the NJ Turnpike which passes Philly and the Newark Airport.

I would consider after a visit NYC to drive to Baltimore, spend 1/2 day there then drive to Washington which is one hour further and on the return trip leave the New jersey Turnpike for a brief visit to Phila and then continue to Newark Airport (about one hour +/- from Philly). Another alternative is to cover NYC and go leisurely to Niagara Falls and conclude your trip at Newark Airport.

Henry

higbyny@yahoo.com

Thank You Henry.

I will do that. I mean I will visit Niagara Falls next time.

You Know, I prefer to visit everything in a city, to feel the pulse of a city than going here and there and see all superficial.

Regards

AJ

AJ - Congratulations! Have a safe trip and enjoy your visit to the USA

Henry