Hi all, I am planning a short family trip to US. I am travelling with my husband and a small kid. Our base will be near Newyork city. What are the important places to be seen in and around Newyork? Already have few places in mind - 1.Times square 2. Central park 3. Empire state building 4. Rockefeller center 5. Brooklyn Bridge 6. Statue of Liberty Found out that the National parks in the US are very beautiful. Please suggest any nearby Newyork. What would be the easiest mode of transport for tourists? What other cities could we travel near by Newyork? We wish to see Washington, Las Vegas, likewise. Is it difficult to travel to these cities from Newyork in a short trip? What dressing would be best for tourist? Any information or tips would be appreciated.
Las Vegas is too far from New York. Covering other states takes time depending on the number of days you have. You can take flight and move from one state to other easily. You have subway which covers almost entire NYC
Wax muesum is right in Times Square. Night life around Times Square Self driving is easiest if not you can look for tours travels that run from NYC to Washington D.C. and or Niagara falls. If you want to explore national parks Acadia is 10 hrs drive from NYC. Check this. Any scenic spots are located inland ( North - New Hampshire Maine Vermont etc) It’s summer now and so any summer outfits work. Have a light cardigan or sweater for night.
Wear comfortable sneakers or shoes because u will have to walk lot. Have light weight stroller if your kids is younger than 5. Jeans and tops should be good enough. New York is very casual not dressy. You can see new jersey, Massachusetts, Connecticut as they are close by. There are tours available for Washington DC, NIAGARA falls etc. Google for more information. Some english words are different in u.s and India. E.g car dicky is called trunk in u.s. If u want to save money on hotels u can book bed and breakfast. They are private houses who rent rooms for tourists. You can read reviews online.
New York Hop on Hop off Bus Tours | NYC Hop on Hop off Bus Map Its a good option. I have used it before. Its a chain of buses, you can get down, visit the place and wait at its bus stop for the next one. Its relatively cheap. Also very comfortable while traveling with kids. You can use subway or taxi to reach their locations. This way you can cover NY in two days. Washington is not too far and has lot of museums & interesting places. Hopon-hopoff buses are also available there. It summer time . Any casual dress (eg: Jeans & top) with comfortable shoes will be ok. Check weather before you decide your dress. Have a great trip.
Upstate New York is very scenic. Finger Lakes region, Lake Placid, Lake George, Thousand Islands, Corning glass factory. Depending on how many days you are in US you can drive to Washington D.C., Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine.
How short is short? Planning activities for such a trip may be easier if you work out what you like and the kind of traveler you are. Do you like art? Theatre? Museums? History? Architecture? Food? Are you a relaxed ambler or a strike-this-off-my-list travel fiend? Complex schedules mean you get more done per unit time, but at the cost of being hyper-aware of your watch. How old is your child? How fussy? Figure out your travel personality first, and that of your companions, based on your past trips. Only then work on your itinerary. Washington DC, Boston, and Philadelphia are all close to New York. Convenient trains make day trips possible, although I would recommend an overnight minimum for DC and Boston. Philadelphia is only two hours away, so an easy day trip. Washington, DC, is a great destination. Lots to see, the city is well connected by public transportation, easy to navigate, and most of the museums are free. So, for example, if you are not an art fiend, then skip the NYC museums and save your art/Natural History visits for the museums in DC - there are many, most are free, all have first-rate art covering the entire gamut from the ancient to the modern across almost all cultures. As for Natural History, there's more to see at the Smithsonian than time to see it - I mean in your life, not just this trip. So, you may not see absolutely everything, but you certainly will see one of everything without taxing the budget too much. But then, if you must see the Temple of Dendur, then it has to be at the NY Met. The National Air & Space Museum in DC (free!) is one-of-a-kind. You might also consider Colonial Williamsburg, Mt. Vernon, and Monticello. In New York City, you might enjoy the iconic views of the Manhattan skyline from the water - do take the Staten Island ferry (free!); add a free people-watching walk along the High Line, and of course, a ride up to one of the observatories on top of either One WTC or the Empire State building (not free, alas!). If you just hit your local bank and are on the lam, then take one of the helicopter rides over Manhattan!
In addition to all the inputs you have received, as you plan your trip I encourage to look at Amtrak train services for destinations that are close. I believe there are some bus services (far cheaper but takes longer) and we have used Amtrak and it is not bad at all especially between NY and DC and perhaps NY and Niagara! If you google amtrak for your destinations, you should be able to get enough info and plan your trip well. Enjoy your stay in the US!
Thank you ladies for taking time and helping me out. Got a lot of inputs from you all. I felt vague about planning the trip. Now got a better clear idea.
Hi Don't miss battery park area where bull resides.. You have World Trade center also over there. From there via ferry you can go for liberty statue tour. If you want to see casino, Atlantic city is best which is nearby. Caesers hotel might be good in Atlantic city for board walk, restaurants and shopping. Of course DC and Niagara Falls. Dresses you can wear anything comfortable including salwar. Since climate is hot can wear sandals as well. But try to buy fruits,beards,milk and ziploc from super market. So you can prepare some handy snacks while going out. In NJ terr is a wild safari. if you can drive then can go over there with closed car windows.
