Dreams64

Hello, can anyone recommend a short (3 or 4 days) tour from either Boston or New York to see both of these destinations at once. From what I can see through research is it will be cheaper to visit both places on a tour preferably bus however some seem awlfully cheap and therefore I am hesitant at the condition of hotels etc. I would like to visit the Canadian side of the falls and can pay up to around $400 AUD for this part of my trip.

Many thanks - I seem to be running around in circles looking at so many options but without really knowing what is good or worthwhile. I am travelling twin share with a girlfriend.

tomfuller

I would suggest a flight from either Boston or NYC to Buffalo. See the falls from both sides and maybe even take the Maid of the Mist boat. Take another flight from Buffalo to either Reagan National or Baltimore-Washington and see Washington DC.
Travel back to NYC (or Boston) on the train (Amtrak). If you have the time, stop for a night in either Baltimore, MD or Philadelphia, PA. The hotels in the Niagra Falls area have been catering to honeymooning couples for decades.
Don't forget your passports to cross to/from Canada.

nytraveler

I don't think you want this type of tour - since there just isn't time to see much of anything. From either NYC or Boston to the Falls is one full day, then one day at the Falls then another full day to get to DC. If a 3 day trip you're done, if a 4 day trip you have one day in DC - and then still have to get back to NYC or Boston.

I know many foreign visitors want to see Niagara Falls, but IMHO it pretty but just a lot of water falling downhill. (I'm a native New Yorker and didn't see it until in my 40's on a road trip to Toronto. And I definitely wouldn;t go all that way unless I were seeing something else.)

DC is in a completely differnt direction, much closer to New York and has enough to keep you busy for a week - spending one day there makes no sense.

So - I would either allot more time to see these 2 places - and fly from NYC to Buffalo, then from Buffalo to DC - or forget the Falls and just visit DC (IMHO 3 nights there is a minimum).

Also, you don;t mention when you're coming. The Falls are in our snow belt and for at least 5 months of the year are snowed in and many of the attractions - including the Maid of the Mist boat tour - are not running/open.

tchoiniere

I would skip one or the other. Id skip the Falls personally but that is up to you. Too much to see in DC.

Kealalani

Are you a fan of this type of bus tour travel? For me that is way too much bus time and not nearly enough exploring time. But some people like these kind of hands off tours. I personally find it covers way too much ground. I'd choose one or the other and do them on your own.

Option 1 - Niagra. Drive the 9 hours on your own and visit both sides and take it in. Add the Berkshires - Stockbridge, Great Barrington, Lenox, North Hampton, maybe even a stop in at Sturbridge Village for a little history. It is pretty much a straight shot up the Mass Pike/ Rt 90. Or you could head to Toronto from Niagra. We have done that, about another 2 hours from Niagra.

Option 2 - If you don't want to drive take a one way flight to DC and then take the train back, with maybe a stop in NYC for a 24 hour whirlwind on your own tour before hitting the train back to boston.

Again, if the bus tour thing is something you enjoy, go for it. Just not my cup of tea. I would find it way too much highway driving with little bang for the buck time wise.

Good luck whatever you decide!

mclaurie

I'll agree with everyone else-these 2 locations are too far from each other to sensibly combine them, especially on a bus tour. By bus, you'll spend most of your time on the bus seeing nothing but boring highway. From either NYC or Boston pick ONE of these destinations. To see the Falls, FLY to Buffalo, NY. For Washington, there are inexpensive buses like megabus.com and boltbus.com or take the train amtrak.com You can get tours of the falls from the Buffalo airport. You can find trolley tours of Washington once you arrive.

capxxx

Niagara Falls is not snowed in for 5 months of the year. It might be snowed in for a few days, in some years, most likely in January or February. Even though the boat trip is closed in winter, the falls are spectacularly beautiful when frozen. Many attractions remain open in fall and spring, and the tourist crowd is much reduced.

Dreams64

Thankyou guys - you have given me a lot to consider. I most probably will take the train from NYC and do a couple of days in DC at this stage. Sounds like there is plenty to do down there. Many thanks for your input! Dont worry I am travelling in the Fall which is why I am going to Boston then up to Vermont and New Hampshire before NYC for a week.