Quan_Le

Hi, there. My wife and i are planning a trip to north east states for this coming winter season. We will fly in and out from Philadelphia. We are hoping that can any one recommend anything. i already have a place to stay and having a car so the only thing left to figure it out is what to do, where to go, what to eat. I had been in Philly for a few time, but never been to other close states, NY, CT, MA....i really want to drive to Maine for lobster / oyster, but people told me winter is not the best time for lobster (more expensive in winter then summer)....So, now i am thinking about Boston and Virgina ??? Are there any recommendation ? Thanks you so much for your advice.....

Quan_Le

We are planning for 2 weeks there, so i guess we going to have plenty of time to spend...Thanks you.

yk

When in winter time are you planning this 2-week trip? Bear in mind that many businesses geared for tourists in smaller cities and towns in NE close for the season in winter (mid-Oct thru April/May), except of course ski resorts. Boston is open all year round, and you'll find accommodation cost much lower in the winter months. Are you used to driving in wintry weather?

dfrostnh

First, what month? December can have some decent weather and there's lots of Christmas festivities going on but driving, esp from Philadelphia could be terrible in Jan and Feb. This past winter CT seemed to get more ice and snow that we had here in NH. I'd say it wasn't worth the drive. You should be able to get lobster in CT. I don't see oysters on the menu at ever seafood restaurant.
Last week the grocery store had a sale on lobster because they were soft shell. Some prefer hard shell which you would get in winter.
Portsmouth NH (very good restaurants is only about an hour from Boston. The Maine state line is right across the bridge.
If you are coming in March, you might be able to combine lobster and maple sugar weekend.

nytraveler

When are you planning n coming. Road trips in winter can be a real bear - esp if in the snow belt (about 100 mies north of NYC). We get a little snow some winters and a lot others - but the snow belt gets a LOT of snow almost every winter. And if you'renot used to driving in snow and ice this can be very dangerous - as well as incredibytime-consuming - a 4 hour trip can take 10 or 12. And while major highways are kept clear - except for major storms, side roads can be dicey most of the winter.

At that time of year I would consider going from city to city by train instead.

bachslunch

yk is entirely right about the seasonal nature of many New England area attractions outside of cities. A significant number of restaurants, tourist attractions, places to stay, and shops in this part of the US don't open until May and close for the season on Columbus Day (and a few have even shorter opening times). Agreed also that if you ski, that's a different story -- ski resorts are open for as long as there's snow on the trails. I'd research anything you want to do before finalizing plans.

And nytraveler is right about the weather and the hazards you may encounter if you drive. Public transportation is a good way to go if it's available.

You're probably better off sticking to larger cities like Boston under these circumstances. Or spend time in New York City.

rmw555

Quan, you mentioned you already have a place to stay - does that mean you have accommodations in Philly for all or most of your stay? If that is the case then are you looking for ideas for day trips? The drive to Boston can take 6-7 hrs from Philadelphia depending on rush hour traffic in NJ, NY and outside Boston - snow, sleet and ice will add more time. You could do Amish country, Baltimore, Atlantic City as day trips relatively easily.

New York and Washington DC are also within driving distance and have tons of things to do (museums, shows, shopping) that are not weather dependent. Keep in mind that cars are a hassle in these and any other big East Coast city - parking is expensive and many visitors find the driving stressful and confusing to get around. Tourists are much better off taking public transportation when in town - in addition you can easily get to all these places from Philly via Amtrak or by bus, if you are on a budget. And again, if the weather is bad, someone else is doing the driving. So you may not need the car much.

Lobster will be on the menu year round at any decent seafood restaurant. Most of these places will also have oysters - in years before refrigeration, most places would only serve oysters in winter (months with an "R" was therule of thumb). Happy travels!

Bowsprit

If you split your 2 week winter stay between Philadelphia and NYC after the holiday season you'll be able to find some great discounts on New York City hotels.

If it's a wintry mess out there the N.E. states will look nearly identical as their varied terrains can be covered in a uniform blanket of white and their roads lined with slushy, dirty old snow. Living in CT was for the hardy and hale last winter and no place for sissies. (just kidding)

If you enjoy winter sports such as skiing, snowboarding or snow shoeing you can make your way to some winter resort but otherwise you have scheduled your trip to be able to enjoy NYC during a less crowded, more affordable time. You can eat anything you want in New York City, including lobsters.

nytraveler

Just noticed you said "a place to stay in Philadelphia". I hope you understand that's fine for visiting Philly but won't work for many of the other places listed.

NYC from Philly is a long day trip - but take the train - don;t drive. (Car or bus can be VERY slow if the weather is at all bad.)

DC from Philly is a VERY long day trip and won't give you much time at all to see things.

The other places you mentioned are not doable from Philly in a day - except by air - and again you will have VERY little time to see anything.

If you want to really see any of these places you will have to get a hotel in each of hte cities you want to see.