And just a warning. I don't know how much research you've done, but New York hotels have become insanely expensive
during december. They've gone up drastically in the last few years.
Last year I couldn't find a double for under $400, so start looking right away.
Maybe try some of the NY bed and breakfasts listed on tripadvisor.
Check out Manhattan and Brooklyn.

Thanks all for your imput.
I am taking it all on board.

Yes it is very hectic and I would love the luxury of being a slow traveller, but at this stage of my life it is not possible..... maybe when I retire. I would love to have a year off travelling...., but back to reality.

Thanks Barbara for your suggestion. I really like it. I do need to re think the chicago leg and maybe do Niagra another time.

I have been looking at New York hotels and hope to book once our dates are set.

I hope to enjoy several states of America. It sounds like there is some rivalry between states.. a little like New South Wales and Queensland here in Australia.
Thanks again

It isn't a rivalry - I LOVE the east coast and lots of other places. It is more a matter of what is practical and what isn't in a limited period.

I spend a lot of time on the Europe board and there is a sort of theme - Many form OZ wasnt to see Rome, Venice, the CT, Nice, Paris, Munich, London, Dublin and the Ring of Kerry -- in 4 weeks. Maybe it is in the genes :)

rtccass
Wow, what an amazing gift to afford 4-5 weeks visiting our country. I hope to someday have a similar timeline to visit Australia and New Zealand.

Please reconsider this gift of travel. I am mostly confused by your draw to so many major cities in so few days, so far apart. Could you explain what has drawn you to suggest you immediate itenerary?

In my opinion you are just wasting time trying to take to many places in and I don't understand the draw of Toronto, Niagra, Chicago, although I have enjoyed all destinations, you would be spreading yourself so thin at a dismal weather season.

I'd stick to pacific coast
Fly to Vegas if you must and take a day trip to GC - as that time of year is not ideal....or skip it all together!!!

I get what your looking for in NYC and I get Quebec. I would dump the other cities.....too many with no time to get to know them. Niagra is cool but too secluded and not an ideal part of the year.

As far as Hawaii, I would schedule 9 nights. 2 to see the history of Oahu, and then a week rental in Hanalei on Kauai, But that's just me. However where ever you decide in Hawaii....I think a condo or cottage would be the way to go after all that traveling.

Please take some time to reconsider and evaluate what you'd like to see. Your trip is a logistic nightmare, and I just would love to help make it worth the nightmare in making it the most satisfying trip. If there are parts of your itinerary that have special meaning then please speak up.

Best of luck....sorry if I rambled.

Quoting cidbob on another thread but may be appropriate - thanks cidbob!!!

"My point: on Kauai, doing nothing can be totally time-consuming, so why try to squeeze only a few days into a longer trip and deal with all the hassles of moving from island to island? Find a place and absorb it. "

I must agree, doing nothing can be totally time consuming. I hope you plan accordingly!!!!

I think your idea of Quebec at Christmas is a good one. It is like a fairy tale city, and it generally has a white Christmas.

But, in December, the long train ride from Quebec to Toronto - likely eight hours or more, with the stop in Montreal - will be deary and Toronto itself is generally grey and slushy that time of year. (I know, I live here.) There is not much in the way of interesting scenery between Montreal and Toronto from the train. You will see only a few glimpses of the St. Lawrence or Lake Ontario.

A suggestion for you would be to fly from Quebec to Buffalo/Niagara airport, just a 20 minute ride to the Falls, and then to Chicago from there. Paradoxically, you may end up transferring flights back near NYC or else Detroit!

Flights to Chicago will be cheaper from Buffalo than from Toronto, and at least as frequent. Accomodations around Buffalo/Niagara airport are also a bargain compared to Toronto, only 60% of the cost for a night.

The Falls in winter are nice, if you get a clear calm day. They can be bone chilling on a foggy or windy days. In December there is the added attraction of the international Niagara Festival of Lights, which you can google.

You can easily make your Chicago visit 2 days this way. And with less stress of making so many connections.