Gidday all. My Father-in-law and his wife are going to the USA to celebrate his 70th birthday. They have been to LA, and Florida so we are sending them to Washington DC and also New York. They have about 11 days on the ground between the two cities. He likes history and learning things, my Mother-in-law is more into experiences, shopping and such.

We are not sure how much time we should allocate to each location and what there is to see in these places. Any suggestions or hints would be very much appreciated.

The Aussie dollar is at 96 cents now so its quite cost effective to go now. Thanks all. Rick

You have chosen two splendid American cities. These are the best for museums and the two with the most diverse foreign popualtions, NY due to immigration, in one borrough of NYC, Queens, there are over 170 languages spoken and DC becuase of the interantional diplomatic corps.

And you can choke on the amount US and interantional history, individually and combined.

Full disclosure-I am a NY'er but I would spend a day or more in NYC there is more to explore on foot, the broader arts selections, deeper selection of restaurants, and shopping. And while there are monuments in DC that are purely American such as the Lincoln and Washington Memorials, the Vietnam is moving for all. And when you are by the reflecting pool, you cannot but think of Martin Luther Ling and the civil rights and anti-war movement which are universal.

DC, however, after all is said and done, is a company town, in that either you work for the Federal government or you do something to support or influence the Federal government.

The architecture in DC is much more classical while architecture in NYC is more diverse.

I would purchase a guide book for each, as to get a feel for each. Whatever you do, you will have a spectacular time.

When are they visiting?

Washington is a wonderful city for visitors, however in mid to late summer the weather can be so horrid - hot, humid - so as to limit severely the time that can be spent outdoors.

New York can also be oppressively hot, but the "indoor" options are much more plentiful. However, New York is much bigger physically than people realize sometimes, so if your inlaws are planning several days there it would behoove them to learn where their destinations are located, and group their activities accordingly, rather than spending an inordinate amount of time going up and down into subways, spending a fortune on taxis, or doing forced marches in congestion or heat.

I would start with a perusal of our hosts' (Fodors) recommendations for the two cities and move on to other concerns then.

I've been to both cities many times (I live in San Francisco, but I grew up in New York). With 11 full sightseeing days, and if they truly only want to stay in the two cities, I'd split it up 4 full days in Washington and a week in NY. In 4-5 days in Washington, they can see all the monuments, take all the important tours, and see all the important museums. 3-4 days for the museums and tours, 1 day exploring the neighborhoods (Georgetown, DuPont Circle, Adams-Morgan, U Street Corridor, etc.) There are certain tours/museums for which they should obtain tickets/times in advance -- the Holocaust Museum, the National Archives, the Spy Museum (I can't recommend or not -- haven't been there). I hope they're going after the Museum of American History reopens in the fall -- its a fantastic "things" museum.

I would spend more time in NY than DC because there's more to "experience" just by being there. Plenty of museums, obviously tons of shopping and eating, every neighborhood is different from the one next door.

All that said, if they're in NY for a week and find themselves with a little extra time on their hands (!), there are several side trips they could take - Philadelphia is a 2-hour train ride away, for example.

I live near DC, and I used to live in Connecticut, and went to New York regularly.... For DC - I would plan on 5 days here. Have them take one of the Trolley tours (do an internet search) - GREAT way to get around and see everything and determine what they want to spend extra time on... The Memorials are great - your FIL might be especially interested in the Korean and WWII Memorials - and my total favorite in all of DC is the Franklin D. Roosevelt Memorial (near the Jefferson Memorial). I didn't see in your post when this trip is planned, but it is pretty hot and humid here in the summer, and frankly - so is NYC. Anyway, I digress...back to DC. If he's a history buff, there's the normal Government buildings, but definitely spend a bit of time in the Smithsonian Museums (there are 2 Air and Space Museums). Also, if he has an interest in the US Civil War (when we got real stupid), just a bit out of DC is Manassas, Fredericksburg, etc - you can't throw a dead possum and not hit battlegrounds... Also, a place I really recommend - because it's quite touching - is Arlington Cemetary. It's beautiful, and of course, quite sad... There are ALL kinds of tours - and I recommend you sign them up for some. Now - for NYC - taking the Staten Island Ferry to the Statue of Liberty, Rockefellor Center, Madison Avenue shopping (I think it's a law that you have to go in Tiffanys if you go to NYC), go to the Italian section for dinner, DEFINITELY get tickets for a Broadway Show (some of the older ones are awesome - Lion King is amazing....), if they like art - Guggenheim Museum. You did pick two great cities..... Tell your FIL we said Happy Birthday - and have a GREAT time....

Thanks for your help everyone. I forgot the most important detail though. They arrive in NYC on Oct 13 and depart the USA on Oct 24. I understand it might be a bit cool then but not too difficult with a good coat.

You will a need a light coat unless some freak weather sneaks up.

The weather is never completely predictable, but figure highs in the sixties and lows in the forties in NYC, and DC five to ten degrees warmer. And I highly recommend Philadelphia if they have the time and inclination.

If your Father is very interested in US History...you can't beat Philadelphia. Very centrally located, Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, The Betsy Ross house, the Constitution Center and so much more. Might be worth a night or 2.

I would also take the Greyline to to Gettysburg(from DC)...fantastic
experience!

I am an Aussie too. New York is a fantastic place to visit - a bit more difficult to live there from my experience though - LOL. History is easy and abundant - just follow the lists that appear in guidebooks like Fodors and Texts. The Downtown area is particularly fascinating to follow the Dutch history, Fort etc and the early years. The Cemetery and Church near to Ground Zero contains many interesting stories. Other random thoughts : a slow walk across Brooklyn Bridge from Brooklyn after taking subway or cab there, Central Park of course, walking the street fairs on Sundays, the Markets in the Park near Union Sq, Retail is Century 21 and Bloomingdales, Zabars Deli, Dean and De Luca,J&R Music and Computer: Walks around Broadway near Time Sq (Time Sq particularly at night)down to Macys, SOHO and Greenwich Village. Many great restaurants according to taste. Village on the Green is a bit corny in some ways but a must. Central Park is wonderful and dont be scared to use subways. I find NYC as safe as Sydney Australia in most respects. Not sure about budget but good base is to stay around midtown - I usually stay at Algonquin but maybe the price has increased since refurb. As for split it has to be 6 or 7 days in favour of NYC. As for Washington, the approach to planning a visit is similar to visiting our Canberra, but the history is older and richer with the monuments, parks and Smithsonian being a must do. Good area to stay is around Foggy Bottom.

Oct in NYC ad DC is not winter - it's early fall - the leaves won;t even have changed yet.

And while it may be chilly at night it's too soon for a winter coat. Oct is actually a beautiful time to be here - usually not too much rain and crispy days - so you don't wilt in the 90+ temps and humidity of summer.

The should bring light jackets or raincoats and a couple of sweaters - but a winter coat would be overkill.

I agree that NYC has more of a variety of things to see/do - although DC has plenty. With 11 days on the ground I would do 4/5 in DC (Let them look at a checklist of sights), then grab Amtrak to NYC for the rest.

But - do get hotels as soon as possible. October is well into high season in NYC and decent hotels at semi-reasonable prices are being snapped up NOW. The longer you wait the fewer choices you'll have.

As to the major sights- have a look at the destinations section above. NYC has much better shopping and 2 of the great museums of the world (the Met and the Ellis Island Immigration Museum). Don;t misunderstand - the Smithsonian is wonderful - esp Air/Space - but the two in NYC are unique.

And NYC has better dining - esp with lots of sidewalk cafes in the residential areas - of every possible cuisine.