Planning a trip to US Dec16/Jan 17.
 

DH and I, my son, DDIL, and two grand-children are intending to spend Christmas in New York city with our DD in 2016. We will be leaving NZ around the 20th Dec, probably have three days or so in San Francisco, the fly to NYC 23rd Dec. We will spend 10 days or so in that area, and then have a week at Orlando (Disney World, Universal Studio) before flying home.

Just wanting some ideas of day trips or overnight trips from NYC. Is it crazy to think of going to Niagara Falls. I keep forgetting it will be mid-winter this time of year. Our two grandchildren will be age 9 1/2 and 7.

Any suggestions appreciated.

Sounds like you have a nice trip planned for you and your family.I would not recommend you think about an overnight trip to Niagara. I think it is probably possible but the two places are a LONG way apart. Also I suspect the falls may be frozen over at that time but others may comment on that aspect. 10 days in NYC will be great and I believe the lights and decorations in the stores are lovely. There is so much to do there ( I know you won't be going to the Ball Drop ! LOL ! ). Have fun planning.

That is NOT the time for Niagara Falls. That area is subject to very harsh winters (much more so than NYC, which is about 100 mies south of the snow belt). You can expect below freezing temps (possible below zero - yes, F) and there is the possibility of a lot of snow (as in feet). In any case many of the activities close for the season in late October since it is just too cold.

Day trips from the area would depend on both your interests and the weather.

In terms of driving, I would not if there is any snow or ice (unless your daughter is willing to) - so you may have limited options. Also you need to understand that the countryside will not be at it's best - trees leafless, grass brown and crunchy and no flowers. Also some places (obviously all of the beach resorts) are closed and other outdoor places may be open only on weekends.

You might want to consider taking a day trip to Philly by train - not much more than and hour and a lot to see.

Also there is an air and space museum on Long Island that you might consider but I think renting a car is necessary.

I usually reco driving up the Hudson Valley - which is lovely most of the year - but at that time there are still towns for antiquing but not much outdoor stuff. I believe the various mansions/houses to be toured - FDR's Hyde Park and Rockefeller's Kykuit - are open limited days and hours. West Point (US Army Military Academy) is also in the area - but not sure when open for visitors. Again, these would require car rental and you would have to google to find out when/if these places are open.

Just checked on Kykui and it is open only until early November. You woulddefinitely check each place to see if open.

But remember that NYC has a huge number of activities - outdoor as well as indoor when the weather is decent. Central Park still has a lot to explore as does the Bronx Botanical Gardens, the Bronx zoo (not the small one in central park), several skating rinks and exploring lots of quaint neighborhoods.

Be sure everyone has proper clothing - not just warm coast, but hat, gloves, scarves and boots good for snow and ice with non-skid soles (not leather fashion boots).

Note that the time you are there is usually not the worst part of winter - but in recent years we have had a foot of snow on Christmas Eve (and have had 8" at Halloween one year) but you are more likely to get a couple of inches and might get none at all. Once you get to the snow belt - about 100 miles north - there is a much grater chance of substantial snow.

It will icyass at Niagara Falls that time of year.

The Christmas train exhibit at the Bronx Botanical Gardens is worth a trip. I think you need timed tickets. And then you go over to Arthur Avenue for some fine Italian-American meals and provisions.

Also be sure to go the Met Museum and see the most elegant Christmas tree.

Also do not stay or eat in or near midtown, some streets become literally impassable.

I don't think you realize how far away Niagara Falls is, not a good idea in winter.

YOu could easily do Philadelphia, washington DC or Boston from NY by train. Boston and DC would have to be an overnight, though, the train ride takes at least 3 hours or so.

I do realise how far Niagara Falls are Christina, which is the reason we haven't done it in the past. It is interesting though if you go to a Niagara Falls website and Trip Advisor they say it is amazing to see at winter time due to the lights etc there around New Year.

I agree though not a good idea to go there just because we are not used to very cold temperatures, and the Maid of the Mist is not operating.

We may do a trip to Boston, and will spend two or three days in Washington DC on our way to DisneyWorld.

If you consider Niagara Falls a must, fly to Chicago about 21 Dec. See some of Chicago and then take the Amtrak Lake Shore Limited out at 9:30PM. Take it to Buffalo arriving in the morning (before 10AM). See Niagara Falls and then fly to New York from Buffalo.
If you can get a good deal on a direct flight to Buffalo from San Francisco take it instead of the train.

Your other option is to fly SFO to Toronto to see the falls from there. The Canadian side is best anyway.

You would have night or more in Toronto, which is always worth visiting.

Unless you are set on New Years Eve in NYC, you should consider Orlando from Toronto and New York after. Hotel prices are very high for the holidays and much lower after January 1.

I had read the Canadian side has the best view of the falls. Hopefully our DD will still be in NYC and we will be able to stay with her. Her house-mate goes back home to Australia over the Christmas period, so should be enough room for all of us, some may have to sleep in the lounge area!!

DisneyWorld is crowded before Christmas and New Year, it is considered low season after the 1st week in January.

Thanks for the suggestions it is great to get different options.

If you haven't been to Philadelphia it does make a lovely day trip from New York. (Of course, I'd recommend much longer than a day, but even in a day you can do a lot!)

There are many, many paths to take depending on your interests: it's definitely not just all colonial American history. There are some lovely Christmas traditions that go on for the week in addition to the usual ideas. http://missalg.tumblr.com/

Megabus is easy and very cheap, but of course a bit more weather-dependent than the train. Either way, public transport is the way to go, and Philadelphia itself is very walkable and easy to get around in.

Hi! You just replied to one of my posts and said you were reading my trip reports. We loved our trip. Please ask me any questions if you have them after reading the reports :-)

what a great trip! Christmas time is magical in NYC - one of my favorite times of they year and the weather can be mild (not what you are use to but not too bad either!)

DC is a wonderful place to visit for a few days and SO many cool things for your grandchildren to do - I would try to make that happen.... (on your way to Orlando.... what fun to take them to Disneyworld! Do either of them like Harry Potter? Universal Studios is a great place to visit as well - esp. if they like Harry!

Excited for you!

10 days in NYC! Sheesh! 3 days in NYC. :)

Philadelphia is worth maybe 2 days. DC is worth more. 3-4 days. Boston is worth maybe another 1-2 days. (ok, maybe this is for adults. I can't speak to what kids like, sorry).

But if you want to go to Niagara Falls, and you're planning on spending 10 days in that area, I would definitely do Niagara Falls!

Have fun in the US!

With the kids, spend a day or two at the Museum of Natural History.

Niagara Falls isn;t "in the area" - it; at least 8 or 9 hours away - probably more at that time of year. And most everything will be frozen solid and major activities are closed for the season.

Our trips still 18 months away but Air NZ is now flying direct flights to Houston. This could be a better option than a stop-over in San Francisco, but the flight will be longer obviously. Just trying to decide whether we should do this, or maybe it would be better to fly from Houston on the way back. Our last stop in the US will be Orlando.

Any suggestions on things to do for two or three days in Houston before we fly on to NYC for Christmas Eve.

Niagara Falls is 8-10 hour drive from NYC, depending on weather and road conditions and how often you need to stop for fuel, food, toilets etc

It will be pretty cold, at least 10 degrees colder than NYC and it can be snowy. The falls do not freeze over very often, but you will feel frozen. None of the boats operate in the winter and other than viewing the falls you will find it pretty deserted except for the casino in Canada.

I would not go in winter unless you have the proper cold weather clothing, and are prepared for a long trip in perhaps lousy traveling conditions

Are your grandchildren boys or girls?

If you have to pay for a hotel room (not staying with your daughter) I recommend arriving in NYC on the 25th or 26th. Rates drop significantly, for hotels and for shows. The city is still decorated for the holidays so it's still fabulous. The week between Christmas and New Years is just less expensive. It would also be good to wait to go to Disney World after schools start again in the US. Far less crowded. There will still be Europeans in the park, but the US school kids will be back in school.

That may mean you stay somewhere in between SF and NYC if you want to save on hotel fares, if needed. There are lots of options.

Obviously, the further south you go the warmer it will be. Niagara Falls would be great to see when frozen, but not as impressive as in the summer - IMO anyway.

I'm not sure about your route between NYC and Orlando. Flights will be the quickest option.

In case you are interested, there are a couple of AMTRAK routes that may be interesting to you.
The Crescent goes from NYC to Atlanta (and continuing on to New Orleans)
http://www.amtrak.com/crescent-train

The Silver Service/ Palmetto goes from NYC to Charleston, Savannah and Orlando.

There are discounts and deals available. It's a much longer option, but you can see the countryside roll by. You could rent a car in Atlanta after taking the Crescent and sight-see along the way to Orlando. Ditto for Charleston and/or Savannah - or just take the train all thw way.