aussie_10

Thanks Nelsonian & SueNYC for your replies.
Yes there does seem to be some good train options and also bus options to get to major cities like Boston & Washington. I am looking at different mixes.
I will also look at a tour to add to the plan, definitely if our friends dont come along. We have done a lot of independent travel but sometimes it is nice not having to think it all through.

Thanks for your suggestions

maitaitom

Here is our 2011 trip report with photos on our week in NYC. Maybe it will help give you some ideas. Our hotel was full of Aussies (from Perth), and the price is affordable (for NYC) and the location is great. Terrific service, too. Hotel is a little funky, but...well you'll see in the report. Have fun!


http://www.travelswithmaitaitom.com/...City_2011.html

aussie_10

Hi Maitaitom
I have just finished reading your excellent France report (we were actually in the Loire, Normandy & Paris at the same time)

I will now read your NYC report, an affordable hotel in NYC would be most welcome!

Kwaussie

We've just come home from a wondrous 8 weeks in the US, including many of the spots you're intending to visit. Unfortunately we were just too late for most of the Autumn foliage, maybe next time. My trip report is ridiculously long but if you skim through to the Boston/ NYC bits there may be something useful for you.
Be sure to visit the Quincy Markets in Boston, the chowder was brilliant!

aussie_10

Thanks Kwaussie I will check out your trip report.

Thanks for sharing I know from experience, trip reports take lots of time and effort.

POMAH

Vermont and Connecticut you could skip; unless you are _really_ into Fall foliage.

Add Philadelphia, Atlantic City, Pittsburgh, Virginia, Maryland.
In NYC spend 10 days, other cities 2-3 is fine.

bennnie

You truly have picked a great time to visit our neck of the woods. Boston in October is great - if you time it right you might see the Head of the Charles, the largest crew regatta in the US.

Other things to see and do in Boston include the Museum of Fine Arts, the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, the JFk Library, shopping on Newbury St (nice but nothing compared to NYC.

Our gardens/parks are very nice too - Public Garden, Boston Common, Esplanade. Harvard Square in Cambridge is worth the trip on the Red Line.

The most recently developed area of the city is the Seaport - there are a number of nice trendyish restaurants there. The view from Sam's at Louis is really great, though its a bit removed from most of the "scene". Legal Seafood has an outlet there and I hear the rooftop deck offers great views. By the time you arrive Ming Tsai's Blue Dragon (asian bistro pub) should be opened.

Have a wonderful trip!

bennnie

And I should add that other than Boston, DC is my favorite East Coast city (I find it more accessible to a visitor than NYC for some reason). I love all the Smithsonian museums and monuments. Had a very nice dinner in Oct. at DC Coast on K St NW.

In DC, NYC and Boston the subway/transit systems are great. Don't be afraid to use them.

travelerfromtx

Definitely try to visit some of Maine. Like ozgirl, Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park was our favorite part.

http://www.acadiamagic.com/

aussie_10

Pomah yes we would like to see fall foliage, hence picking that time of year to visit. But we do want to see as much of the East Coast cities and towns as we can. So the fall foliage is only part of the trip. Thank you for the tips of other cities

bennie thanks for the Boston ideas, Boston is definitely on the list. As well as DC. We like to catch the local transport and walk a lot. Soaking up the atmosphere. Thanks for the eating ideas.

travelerfromtx. I must admit I didnt know much about Maine but have been reading quite a lot of trip reports & websites and it is definitely on the list!

It is very hot here in Oz 44C and lots of bushfires, so its hard to imagine it being cold over your way at the moment.

For some reason I tried to post this 4 days ago and it didn't post. I wanted to let you know I was still interested and appreciated your suggestions

bennnie

aussie_10 - I think a number of people were having trouble posting a few days ago.

And I'm going to add to the chorus of fans of Maine. We have a vacation home there and adore the coast. We started going to Acadia a few years ago and really enjoyed our trips up there. Haven't been that far north (or as the locals say "downeast") since we bought a place in Kennebunkport as we've been exploring that area.

We love Winter Harbor and the Schoodic Pennisula, the popevers at the Jordon Pond House, the hike around Jordon Pond, and the Blueberry pancakes as Jordon's in Bar Harbor.

Portland has a lot to offer as well but our favorite thing are the Portland SeaDogs minor league bseball games. Campy fun combined with good baseball.

POMAH

Would Miami and Orlando and Key West fit in? Be aware after Sandy(the hurricane) the coast is not yet clear in NYC. Many people are still freezing, and havent showered in months.

Teacherfish

You might look at a short cruise 3/4/5 nights up to Canada and back from NYC. It would almost surely be more reasonable than the cost of hotels, food and gas and a nice break from driving in a multi-week vacation. I think the seven day cruise includes Maine and Boston as well.

Teacherfish

You might look at a short cruise 3/4/5 nights up to Canada and back from NYC. It would almost surely be more reasonable than the cost of hotels, food and gas and a nice break from driving in a multi-week vacation. I think the seven day cruise includes Maine and Boston as well.

aussie_10

I thank you all for your great ideas and suggestions.
Sadly we may have to put this trip on the backburner until next year as our friends who will be joining us, now have a wedding to plan this year (exciting for them). As we would like to share the trip with them it will now be put off until next year.
But you have all given me lots of ideas to research.

nytraveler

POMAH -

I'm afraid you're exaggerating. Although there are a couple of neighborhoods - right by the water - which are still in bad conditions - since a siagnificant number o fhomes were destroyed or suffered major damage - the parts of the city most frequented by tourists are by and large 100% and have been for a couple of months.

Granted the South Ferry subway station is still being worked on and Liberty Island need repairs - but there is nothing esle that would affect tourists.

Sadly, many of those people whose homes are gone have to face a difficult decision and the city has offered - and many accepted - the value of the home to move somewhere else - that is not subject to major flooding. One of my work colleagues is such. And while they wanted to rebuild where their home had been they discovered that the new house could never be insured against floods - and have now bought a house elsewhere. The property they lived on will not become part of an area built into dunes to protect other areas behind them

POMAH

Pier17 is not yet back to normal. Bars are closed, and the place looks empty.
Also, Rockaway beach is gone. Oh, and the Coney Island pier is shut down as the right side has collapsed. It will possibly be condemned and re-built.
Gravesend section of Brooklyn has lots of businesses shut down, as does Manhattan beach. But Brighton Beach looks back to normal.

nytraveler

The city has said the beaches will be usable by Memorial day. But the boardwalks are gone - and perhaps only small parts would be back by then. None of the buildings or services will be reconstructed - but temporary modular buildings for basic services will be put in place - no one knows how many.

A lot more work will be necessary before the beaches are back to the way they were - if ever - and then new cement "boardwalks" will be constructed, then new building with services. Who knows exactly when - not all expected for this summer.