lhenry

We will be visiting New York City for our 6th time this March, and are thinking of doing one more city either after or before NYC. We will be flying from Portland or Seattle, and plan on staying in NYC for about 4 nights. Also, we have already seen a lot of what D.C. has to offer so don't suggest that. We don't mind flying or taking the train so what ever you suggest we will take into consideration. We are foodies, like museums, shopping, sightseeing, and traveling in general.

nytraveler

Well you must know that you are traveling in late winter to places that get a lot of snow (Boston and Chicago - and cold - all 3). If you are prepared for that (possibly mostly indoor sights and weather delays at airports).

I would do Boston - just grab Amtrak up - it only takes 4 hours - and is less subject to weather than plane or car.

lhenry

Yes we are well aware of the weather at least in NYC. We have visited twice at the end of March and end of December once including 11 degree with snow. Anyways, yes Boston would be more weather resistant with the train.

travelgourmet

Either Boston or Chicago would be good options. Chicago has the better food scene. Boston is more intimate and a more dramatic counterpoint to NYC to my mind. Both have good museums, but Boston has more historic sites. Shopping decent in both, but maybe a little better in Chicago.

Myer

In 2007 (NY / Philadelphia) and 2008 (NY - Boston) we took two double city trips.

After spending a few days in New York we trained to the second city.

The train was a great way to get from one city to the other without the hassles of getting to/from the airport and the amount of time required before and after the flights.

I don't know your age but Amtrak has great senior discounts.

bear900

For outdoor and walking, Boston.

For indoor, museums,etc,. Chicago.

Consider the weather.

lhenry

I was also considering Toronto?

nytraveler

Toronto is a great city but even more likely still to be in the grip of winter - and would really require a flight (train trip is about 10 hours - possibly more with passport delays at border).

lhenry

I think we've decided on Boston, it's more convenient, closer, more "quaint" and we won't have to deal with the airports

tomfuller

Why not fly to Boston first then take Amtrak down to NYP?
You could also fly to Chicago and take the Amtrak Lake Shore Limited to either Boston or NYP. The train splits in Albany.

travelgourmet

You could also fly to Chicago and take the Amtrak Lake Shore Limited to either Boston or NYP.

That is a 20+ hour train journey. Seems a bit ridiculous when there are dozens of flights per day between Chicago and New York or Boston.

nytraveler

Taking the train from Chicago to NC or Boston is a ridiculous waste of time and money. The train is extremely tedius, the food ghastly and while more comfortable than plane seats - 3 hours is a whole lot less than 20 or 25 on the train.