Boston, NYC or Chicago for 3rd weekend in March?
 

I know, the weather isn't idea anywhere at that time, but we're celebrating a milestone birthday with a quick 3-day trip somewhere. It has to be a non-stop flight from Richmond (due to the short length of the trip and dh doesn't want the hassle and time of connecting), and those three are the top choices after we eliminate places that are too far for only three days and places in Florida.

Your chances of mild weather are much better in NYC. I would go to NYC.

It is winter in all of these places - you may get decent weather or you may get a major snow storm - you will know about 4 or 5 days out.

Your best chance of not snow is NYC since it is about 100 miles south of the snow belt - but do expect it to be cold and be prepared for anything. Also be aware March 17 is St Patrick's Day - and the parade will be a major source of traffic delays - since there are well over a million spectators on Fifth Avenue along with a couple of hundred thousand marchers. So if you will be in the city then do make plans to get around underground.

I would LOVE to see Sue at the Field Museum in Chicago.

She must be really something to see.


Thin

They are all great cities, so it really depends on which place has the things that interest you. As said, NYC has the best odds of better weather, but that's a shot in the dark. Boston is the smallest, so offers you the best chance of feeling like you really got to know the city,if that matters to you.

You may want to research the sites in each place to determine what best suits your interests. I also might see where I could get the best hotel deal... all of these are expensive cities, but NYC will likely be the priciest. This is a fun choice... You can't go wrong with any of them!

When I saw your dates, my first reaction was that you'll be able to attend a St. Patrick's Day parade in all of them. I don't see that as a negative!

Delta and Southwest have non-stops to Atlanta. It's not Florida but likely to be warmer than NYC or Boston

I'd go to New York. Chicago is still bitterly cold being situated on the lake. I live there I know. Boston is one of my favorite cities but I think it's more of an outdoor city. It's lovely to walk and enjoy the parks, but not when it's still covered in snow. In New York you can walk, but you also aren't short on underground (warmer) transportation as well as a hundred things to do indoors. It's pricey, but so are the other cities and at least in New York you won't be paying to get frostbite.

I was hoping that since St Patrick's Day is on Tuesday, that all the celebrations would be the weekend prior rather than the weekend we'd be going!

We'd find something we'd want to see in any of the cities, and all are locations for longer trips in the future. For this short getaway, it's more about having some good (casual, non-foodie) food, toasting the years in a nice place, and just enjoying something different.

I've pretty much counted out Chicago because of the lake, as noted, but dh wants to keep it on the list for now.

Thanks!

<i>Your chances of mild weather are much better in NYC.</i>

Nonsense. The average highs and lows in March for all 3 cities are within 3 degrees of each other. The probability of abnormally high or low temperatures is the same for all 3 cities. The average chance of precipitation is within 2% for all 3 cities. The average weather (all that you can go on) is, in virtually every respect, remarkably similar in all 3 cities.

There is absolutely no reason to think NYC will have materially different weather than either Chicago or Boston.

All that being said, I'd still consider New York if you can get a good price on a hotel. There is just so much to see and do that you can fill 3 days no matter the weather. Boston is nice, but it isn't at New York's level for indoor pursuits. Chicago is a great time too, but still not New York in terms of diversity of options. It would likely be the cheapest of all of the options, however, particularly for hotels.

In NYC St Patricks' is celebrated day of - not on a weekend. The 17th is a Tuesday - if you will be gone by then you will miss the parade and the hideous traffic.

<I>I've pretty much counted out Chicago because of the lake</i>

Huh????

<Chicago is still bitterly cold being situated on the lake. I live there I know.>


According to weatherspark.com:
March 11 average high/low
Chicago: 44, 30
Boston: 44, 30
New York City: 46, 32

March 21 average high/low
Chicago: 49, 34
Boston: 48, 34
New York City: 49, 35

This does not strike me as bitterly cold and certainly not frostbite weather.

Don't know why this is tagged IL, MA and NY - I didn't tag it as such!

As one can see - the temps are quite similar in all 3 places - and agree this is not bitter cold - already headed towards spring if the high is near 50. (Bitter would be highs below freezing and lows near zero.)

I'd shop hotels and restaurants, then choose.