missjanna

I was just given the permission to take Monday off, and therefore want to get away for the weekend. I'm from NYC and debating between DC and Boston. I know both are about the same driving time (4-5 hour range) both have history, nightlife, and other things.

Just wondering if anyone here who has been to BOTH cities would say which one they would pick?

I can get a room at a Wyndham in either city close to the action for under $100 right now. What my boyfriend and I are looking for is nightlife, some "historical" things to check out, some good dining and maybe catch a ballgame.

Any help would be appreciated!

carte005

DC actually reminds of Boston in a lot of ways, especially the Georgetown and Dupont Circle areas of DC. If you have never been to DC, I think there might be more things to see (Capitol, White House, Supreme Court, Lincoln Memorial, etc.). Boston also has a lot to offer. I loved walking around the North End and eating Italian food there. You might consider the weather. I live in DC and it has been very hot lately.

If you do come to DC, I highly recommend spending one evening at the Georgetown Harbor, either at Sequoia's or Tony and Joe's. If the weather is pleasant it will be packed with very beautiful and ambitious 20-somethings. The people watching is great.

djkbooks

I'd head for Boston. The weather forecast is excellent (and not nearly as humid as DC).

Boston is a much more "walkable" city than DC...

applejaxs

I would choose Boston. It was so humid on Sunday you need a towel on your walks. I loved it, but Boston is great too. Maybe save DC for another time of the year. If you do go to DC make sure to visit the Terrace up on the Washington Inn. What a great view at night!

kalmia

I lived in Boston for 2 years and have visited D.C many times. Would definately go for D.C for the museums.

cigalechanta

I'd say Boston, not only because I live here. It's walkable some of the best rated restos by Saveour and Food and Wine, and the history, ball park(that I personally could care less)bu a great selection of foreign films shown at theaters. A beautiful river you can walk the circle, Boston to cambridge and back, along the banks. This daily run I do is never boring, so much to see.

Jen

Both cities are great-- however, based solely on your desire to maybe catch a baseball game, I'd suggest Boston... in DC you'd have to travel to Baltimore to catch a game. Check out the Red Sox website to see if they're in town.. you could probably scalp tickets.

gc

It's August and the Sox are in the hunt for the playoffs. The only way you'll get tickets is to scalp them.

Fineburg

Having been to both cities, I would choose DC. Boston seemed rough around the edges to me and the people were not that friendly. DC on the other hand was very clean. Even the Metro Subway system was spotless. When I was there I stayed at the Hamilton Crowne Plaze near Franklin Park. Beautiful centrally located hotel.

bettywang

I live in D.C. and have been to Boston. I would go to Boston for this weekend and visit D.C. during Thanksgiving (the museums stay open on Thanksgiving day) or Christmas when the weather is much milder than Boston.
Betty

rb_travelerxATyahoo

Is this the Monday that "missjanna" had off?

If so, I don't think she's reading any of these suggestions .... but I'd also go to Boston now and visit DC again when it's cooler.

missjanna

Yup, thanks for all the suggestions, even the ones that came in AFTER I left for work and ran home and packed....and we headed for Boston.
Had a lovely weekend, got a good rate at the Chelsea Wyndham only 5 min away through Expedia, and wandered the city on foot. (My boyfriend did not want to take any tours or the subway to explore which kind of upset me). However, the main frustrating thing about downtown Boston with a car is the streets! I've never seen so many one way streets that cross into each other in my life!
I plan on hitting DC in either October or November, and will most likely just take Greyhound in for $20 as opposed to paying $130 for a flight or $230 for Amtrak. Debating on the Hamilton Crowne Plaza or the Holiday Inn on the Hill.
Anyway, thanks all, I will return to Boston next year to do all the things my now ex-boyfriend did not want to do!

Anonymous

Ex-boyfriend? Yikes, you did have an eventful weekend. Regarding hte driving, congratulations on merely surviving! I tihnk we don't have any more one-way streets than NYC, it's the randomness that gets ya.

That price for Greyhound can't be beat, but your price for Amtrak looks awfully high. I took a group of 3 people from Boston to DC last April for about $250 RT. Avoid the Acela, and check out the discounts; they always offer discounts for AAA, etc., plus they have a link for specials on their home page and another one called "Rail Sale" at the top of the first Reservations screen.

uhoh_busted

hey - if you're from NYC, and want to get to DC you might want to check out the China Town buses -- it's like $13 each way and you leave very early in the AM, but takes you from city center to city center (and both are perfectly safe). We live outside DC and our NYC daughter (25) is planning on using this mode to get home & back when she visits us. (she's done the train and cheap airfares but this beats them all for sure)

Anonymous

That's why Greyhound is so cheap -- they have some real competition. The Boston-NYC Chinatown buses have a reputation for breaking down.