Last summer we went to NYC for a week and then up to Bar Harbor Maine via rental car for a week. Right now there is an incredible flight deal from Austin Tx. to LGA for $123.00 and I'm tempted to purchase it for a Summer trip. We loved NYC and didn't get to do everything there that we had planned(so much to do there). I'm wondering if I planned two weeks again, what are some other good choices of places to visit while we are there. I considered maybe some days in Washington DC or maybe the East Coast again to see some things we had to blow by on the way to Maine. I have until tommorrow to decide on this flight which is so terrific it's hard to pass it by and I'm afraid I'll regret it.This forum has been so helpful in the past in making up my mind, I could just spend the time in NYC . Anyone that can help, I would appreciate it.

It depends on what you are interested in. You could rent a car again and spend a few days closer to the city- maybe driving up along the hudson- great scenery, mansions, gardens, small towns w/galleries, hiking or walks in the country around New Paltz, in the northern catskills and then maybe up into the wilderness of the adirondacks or around lake champlain/vermont.

A second here for New Paltz, great little town w/ beautiful mountains; you could do the rock scramble up to the tower on the grounds of the Mohonk Mountain House or walk the trails around Lake Minnewaska (sp?). Other nice things in the NYC area to do in the summer: wineries in eastern Long Island or visit mansions along the Hudson River. Have you been to Philadelpia? It's only an hour and a half away. Enjoy!

I second Philadelphia as a side trip -- you can visit the historic area with the Liberty Bell, go down to the shops and have a cheese-steak, and visit some of the new Philly restaurants that the NY Times raves about.

If you go up along the Hudson River north of NY (west side), be sure to stop in Nyack. It's a wonderful spot. There are pull offs along the highway on your way up that give you spectacular views of the river and New York.

DC is a good place to visit if you've not been but it is very hot and steamy in the summer. Baltimore and its Inner Harbor are nice, a little closer to NY as well, but also steamy. You will do better to visit them when it's cooler -- unless, of course, you like the heat.

Would you need to rent a car to go to Philadelphia? I haven't been there or Washington DC. We did go through Hudson river and New Paltz in a hurry last Summer . What would you do in Philadelphia? I have a wide range of interests so, any suggestions would be great. Thanks, for your help.

You can get to Philly by train Amtrak or NJ transit to Trenton then get on septa to 30th street station this is the longer way to go but MUCH cheaper. I think Philly is great if you are not from the East coast lots of history and great museums. If you get a car go to the http://www.barnesfoundation.org/. Wlimington, De also has some interesting sightseeing ie Dupont Mansions. Longwood Gardens is nearby.

I also like the idea of the Hudon there is a new museum the DIA Beacon which is supposed to be great. The wineries on the Notrth Fork of Long Island are nice but hotles are pricey.

From Manhattan you can go on day trips via MetroNorth(going upstate) and the Long Island Railroad(going east). You can go to their websites and check into it.

Since its the summer, I'd recommend Cape Cod. It's not real close to NYC - probably about a 4-5 hr. drive, but on the way you can take in Mystic, CT and Newport, RI. I live outside Philadelphia and I'd much rather be in Cape Cod than Phila. in the summer!

You can pick up a car outside the city and drive out Long Island to the end. Sag Harbor and Montauk are especially nice and the Hamptons are worth seeing. Then you can take a ferry from the north shore across to Bridgeport, Ct. and do some of the coast there. I think trying to include Cape Cod is too much, but Mystic and the older coastal towns are worth seeing, maybe even including Newport, RI.

Another vote for Long Island. The East End, besides having some great historic towns to explore and a whole troupe of wineries to see also has some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. There's also Old Bethpage village - a great interactive recreation of colonial/early federal life. And then it's easy to take the ferry to CT if you want.

Newport is beautiful and you could combine it with beach areas/islands nearby in Rhode Island and southern new england.