[GioFX]

Heya guys!

I think this is the most appropriate forum, if not I gently ask the mods to move it were it should be.

So, finally i'm coming to the US next spring, with two friends of mine.

I'm planning a visit of about 10 or 11 days (including flights). The idea was to visit NYC in about 6 days, covering the following destinations: Manhattan (Uptown with Harlem), Midtown and Downtown with all the major neigboroughs, Brooklyn (with Brooklyn Heights and the Promenade, Williamsburg, Greenpoint, Prospect Heights and Park Slope), South Bronx and the Yankee Stadium zone.

For the remaining 3 days I was considering a one-day trip to Philly (moving by train from and back to Penn Station) and/or a 2 days visit to Boston (the old downtown area and the Harvard/Mit Campus).

I'd like to know from "local" members here if it could be feasible or not... btw, I've just no idea on how much time it will take to visit the MET and the AMNH...

[volguus zildrohar]

It's perfectly doable. Though you may want to put aside two days for Boston and Philadelphia if you really want to see both cities. The train is the best way to get between all three places though it is pricey.

[GioFX]

thanks volguus zildrohar... btw, JetBlue fly FJK-BOS for around 60 bucks...

what about the accomodation? i was checking both hotels and apartmens/B&B solutions. I came up to www.nyhabitat.com. Could it be a valid alternative to an average 3-star hotel?

[Dac150]

You'll only need a day in Boston and in Philly to see everything that is worth seeing. I wouldn't blow two days in either.

If you want to cover all the ground you want in Manhattan, I suggest getting out after 10am on the weekdays. With the rush our crowd, the city can get pretty hectic between 6am-10am and 5pm-7pm. You want to time your travels in the city right so you don't spend half the day in large crowds. You may think that on a normal day the city is always crowded, but during the weekday ruch hours, it's a different ball game.

You should also:
-Avoid anyone on the streets trying to hand you or sell you stuff.
-Bundle up, it's cold.
-Plan your destinations the night before and know where you are going.
-Plan to visit Harlem and the Bronx during the early day. Regardless of how times have changed it can still get sketchy in some parts when the sun goes down.
-Visit Downtown during the evening or on a weekend. During the week it's a mad house, but once the closing bell rings is becomes vacant quick.

[GioFX]

Thank you so much, Dac!

I'd like to do a nice visit to Boston, but for a first time it could be enough just one day. It will ease the hotel reservation, etc... but I just wasn't sure to have the time to do the Freedom Trail, see the USS Constitution (if there of course) and do a quick visit (external only) of the Harvard/MIT campuses.

I'm going to take a JetBlue flight from JFK to BOS in the early morning (no lowcost flights from LGA it seems), with return on evening. I just hope to have enough ours in Boston.

I'd love to see the Greater Boston area (at least the Cape)... but I read its quit a pain in the ass the traffic out there, expecially in the weekends. Oh well, maybe next time (I'm planning a coast-to-coast in 3 years time).

[GioFX]

@ Dac: for NYC I was just planning accordingly (visiting SoBro and Harlem in the early in the day). Thanks for remainding me to visit downtown and the financial district on the week-end!

If you'll see a guy with a Lonley guide and a Pentax K10D, its me, lol!

[Dac150]

@ Dac: for NYC I was just planning accordingly (visiting SoBro and Harlem in the early in the day). Thanks for remainding me to visit downtown and the financial district on the week-end!

If you'll see a guy with a Lonley guide and a Pentax K10D, its me, lol!

Well glad I can help, and enjoy your trip.:yes:

[volguus zildrohar]

You'll only need a day in Boston and in Philly to see everything that is worth seeing. I wouldn't blow two days in either.

If you want to cover all the ground you want in Manhattan, I suggest getting out after 10am on the weekdays. With the rush our crowd, the city can get pretty hectic between 6am-10am and 5pm-7pm. You want to time your travels in the city right so you don't spend half the day in large crowds. You may think that on a normal day the city is always crowded, but during the weekday ruch hours, it's a different ball game.

You should also:
-Avoid anyone on the streets trying to hand you or sell you stuff.
-Bundle up, it's cold.
-Plan your destinations the night before and know where you are going.
-Plan to visit Harlem and the Bronx during the early day. Regardless of how times have changed it can still get sketchy in some parts when the sun goes down.
-Visit Downtown during the evening or on a weekend. During the week it's a mad house, but once the closing bell rings is becomes vacant quick.

You wouldn't, Dac. But considering he's crossing an ocean to see these places a two day budget is quite reasonable. Particularly if he's doing tours of any kind. Two days isn't enough time to see everything in cities like these.

[GioFX]

your right too, volguus... but for a first timer I think we should have more days in NYC... and do a full broad visit to the Greater Boston area, as well as Philly-Baltimore-DC on a next trip. Well, I'm still planning it so I'll let you know! :p

Btw, I splitted the visit to Midtown as follows

Midtown - Day 1:
- Times Square and the Theater District
- Bryant Park and The New York Public Library
- Rockfeller Center and The Radio City Music Hall
- St. Patrick's Cathedral
- Visit the MoMA

Midtown - Day 2:
- Lexington Ave. e Park Ave. (Citycorp Center, Central Synagogue, The Lever House, Seagram Building and The Waldorf=Astoria)
- Grand Central Terminal
- Chrisler Building
- United Nations Plaza
- Herald Square and Macy's
- Empire State Building
- Madison Square Garden and Penn Station
- Union Square, Flatiron District and the Flatiron Building

Or should I split it differently, eg. Midtown and Midtown East on a day, and Lower Midtown/Flatiron District on the other?

[pj3000]

...

[pj3000]

You'll only need a day in Boston and in Philly to see everything that is worth seeing. I wouldn't blow two days in either.

Now that's one of the most ridiculous and utterly false statements I've ever read on this forum.

[Dac150]

You wouldn't, Dac. But considering he's crossing an ocean to see these places a two day budget is quite reasonable. Particularly if he's doing tours of any kind. Two days isn't enough time to see everything in cities like these.

Just throwing out some different options. When you take into account how much larger in size Manhattan is than Philly or Boston, there is indeed more ground to cover. With proper planning and the willingness to move at a respectable pace, you can cover all the sites in 1 day in either Boston or Philly.

[Dac150]

Now that's one of the most ridiculous and utterly false statements I've ever read on this forum.

If you know where you are going and move at a good pace, you'll be able to cover everything that is worth seeing within a day. Spare the dramatics.

[Dac150]

Or should I split it differently, eg. Midtown and Midtown East on a day, and Lower Midtown/Flatiron District on the other?

I think you should break it up like this if you want to see it all (for Manhattan):

1 day in West Midtown
1 day in East Midtown
1 day in Uptown
1 day in Dowtown/Flatiron District (be prepared for a busy day ;) )
1 day in Boston
1 day in Philly

If you have any additional time left, I would spend some time in Central Park. Just be prepared to move quick and have your agenda planned. It's very easy to get side-tracked.

[ctman987]

As a New Yorker here im going to list some neighborhoods/attractions you should definitly consider visiting. Im going to stress hear you visit the city outside of Midtown (Times Square, Grand Central, Columbus Circle)...there is much more to NYC then this. Also going to suggest using the subway system. Very effective and will get you anywhere, $2.00 per trip and beats the traffic.

- SoHo - cast iron buildings, tiny streets, world reknowned shopping, packed with people, so much better then Times Square

- Brookyln Bridge - if the weathers good start your trip by City Hall in Lower Manhattan and walk across the Brooklyn Bridge into Brooklyn. Youll get a great view of Manhattan and once in Brooklyn youll be near the DUMBO neighborhood and Downtown Brookyln (a city unto its own).

- Columbia University - great architecture and an amazing campus for one of the nations top universities. (116th & Broadway - take the #1 train to 116th Street)

- Museum of the City of New York - great museum located on Museum Mile on 5th Avenue that has great exhibits on the history of the city. Located around 103rd & 5th Avenue near El Museo del Barrio

[GioFX]

And what about the new Skyscraper Museum in Battery Park City?

As for the Brooklyn Bridge and DUMBO/Brooklyn Heights/Downton... the Lonley suggest taking the subway, going to DUMBO and coming back to Manhattan...

[Dac150]

And what about the new Skyscraper Museum in Battery Park City?

From what I've heard it's small and not worth it. But I've also heard it's cheap. I figure it's ok to kill and hour or so, but not worth it of you're here on a timeline.

[pj3000]

If you know where you are going and move at a good pace, you'll be able to cover everything that is worth seeing within a day. Spare the dramatics.

No. Sorry, but there is nothing "dramatic" about me responding to your ridiculous, and simply untrue, comment that you can see all there is to see in Boston or Philly in one day.

Let's see... Boston and Philadelphia, arguably the two most historically significant cities in the history of our nation, and one only needs a single day to see everything that is "worth seeing"? I guess your defintion of "worth seeing" is probably a bit different from mine then... like if you have absolutely no interest in any major aspect of American history whatsoever.

Your comment is the one that is "dramatic" and also, completely absurd.

[Dac150]

No. Sorry, but there is nothing "dramatic" about me responding to your ridiculous, and simply untrue, comment that you can see all there is to see in Boston or Philly in one day.

Let's see... Boston and Philadelphia, arguably the two most historically significant cities in the history of our nation, and one only needs a single day to see everything that is "worth seeing"? I guess your defintion of "worth seeing" is probably a bit different from mine then... like if you have absolutely no interest in any major aspect of American history whatsoever.

Your comment is the one that is "dramatic" and also, completely absurd.

:haha: Settle down now, your taking this too far and being too dramatic.

[pj3000]

Whatever man... You're the one that replied with your cute little "spare the dramatics" line. You got called on being wrong and now you can't take it.

[Dac150]

Whatever man... You're the one that replied with your cute little "spare the dramatics" line. You got called on being wrong and now you can't take it.

I'm not wrong, that's what's so funny. I think our versions of tourism are slightly different. I am someone who visits places just to get a few looks and move on to the next thing on the agenda. You seem like someone who visits places and disects as much from them as you can, which is fine.

For what Gio is trying to accomplish though it would be more practical by him just viewing the key places, taking a few photos, and moving on to what is next. If he was to spend long periods of time at these locations (in Boston and Philly) then of course what you were saying is correct. It would take days.

Didn't mean to start anything with you, our definitions of travel just conflict.

[GioFX]

Dac is right.

Since I just have 9 full days and it will be my first time there, I realized the best thing to do is visit NYC as best as we can and just have a quick trip to Phil and Boston. I'll do the rest of the middle atlantic (Philly, Baltimore and Washington) and New England/Greater Boston area on a next (longer) vacation.

PS: I'm probably gonna reserve @ the Helmsley Middletowne Hotel (a good budget hotel near Park Ave.), the other possible solutions being The Red Roof Manhattan, Hotel 57, Beekman Tower Hotel and Park Central (which is a bit more costly).

[Dac150]

All good choices, but I would also consider the Sheraton New York on 7th and the New York Hilton on 6th. Both good hotels (not sure about the prices), but I've been in both just to poke around and they both are nice. They're also smack in Mid-town, walking distance from all the hot-spots; Times Square, Rock Center, Central Park, Grand Central Station, Bryant Park, Broadway, etc. You should look into them and price them out for the heck of it.

[pj3000]

I'm not wrong, that's what's so funny. I think our versions of tourism are slightly different. I am someone who visits places just to get a few looks and move on to the next thing on the agenda. You seem like someone who visits places and disects as much from them as you can, which is fine.

For what Gio is trying to accomplish though it would be more practical by him just viewing the key places, taking a few photos, and moving on to what is next. If he was to spend long periods of time at these locations (in Boston and Philly) then of course what you were saying is correct. It would take days.

Didn't mean to start anything with you, our definitions of travel just conflict.

No, you didn't start anything with me... it's not like I'm mad or something. It was just that your original comments about not "blowing" more than a day in Boston or Philly, as if they offered nothing of any interest, that kinda struck me as a bit of NYC arrogance. But I get what you're saying now.

[Dac150]

No, you didn't start anything with me... it's not like I'm mad or something. It was just that your original comments about not "blowing" more than a day in Boston or Philly, as if they offered nothing of any interest, that kinda struck me as a bit of NYC arrogance. But I get what you're saying now.

Oh, no, of course not. I apologize if I came off that way. Boston and Philly are a pair of amazing cities that have been key players in the development of this nation. Never would I say they offer nothing of interest. Again, sorry I came off the wrong way.

[GioFX]

All good choices, but I would also consider the Sheraton New York on 7th and the New York Hilton on 6th. Both good hotels (not sure about the prices), but I've been in both just to poke around and they both are nice. They're also smack in Mid-town, walking distance from all the hot-spots; Times Square, Rock Center, Central Park, Grand Central Station, Bryant Park, Broadway, etc. You should look into them and price them out for the heck of it.

They are very good hotels, but a bit off budget... btw all the hotel I mentioned are in central midtown.

Thanks Dac. :tup:

[GioFX]

I'm closing the choice between The Chandler Hotel (www.hotelchandler.com) and the The Elmsley Middletowne Hotel (http://www.helmsleymiddletowne.com).

[Dac150]

I'd go with the Helmsley.

[GioFX]

Helmsley does offer continental breakfast included and a slightly larger double king size room, while Chandler has not breakfast but its has been recently renovated and have a better bathroom (so it seems).

It also have better reviews on Tripadivsor. :hmmm:

[Rail Claimore]

I'd also hit up DC on the Philly-leg of the trip, to be honest. That'll take care of the Northeast for ya.

[GioFX]

I'm going to do 2 one-day trips from NYC, but thanks anyway Rail.

Finally i'm going with Chandler, considering also the proximity with Penn Station (being just 2 blocks away).

JetBlue has two good flights from JFK to BOS: 7:40AM-9:00AM or 9:40AM-11:00AM /7:30PM-8:40PM or 7:55PM-9:13PM. Delta has a flight with the following schedule: 9:15AM-10:47AM / 7:00AM-8:34PM.

How much time do you need for check-in on a regional route in the US? i'd have to depart very early in the morning from Midtown... and I'm assuming a ~40min trip time from Penn to JFK via the Jamaica hub with LIRR / Airtrain Combo.

[Chriss]

GioFX, can I ask what your own goals are for this trip? If you just want to see buildings and get a feel for the streets in the CBDs, I'd say a day for BOS or PHL. Oaybe you could rail down to PHL one morning, Fly a discount airline to BOS the next afternoon, and rail back to NYC to fly out the day after. I wouldn't go all the way to DC unless you're seriously interested in visiting museums, which are excellent and free, but not dramatically different from those in NYC or many European cities.

If you want to really explore everything, for example architecture, history, current development, dining, performance arts, etc, you need more days almost anywhere. If that's your goal I'd stick to NYC or perhaps make a one day trip somewhere else, for perspective. (I suggest PHL because Philly is awesome!)

Edit: I'm coming to this late, obviously.

[Echo Park]

i would skip philly and do DC. not slagging on Philly, but DC I think is a lot more interesting from a tourist/foreign visitor perspective.

[Dac150]

i would skip philly and do DC. not slagging on Philly, but DC I think is a lot more interesting from a tourist/foreign visitor perspective.

I agree, if you have the time I'd just go for it if your looking for American history. DC though is a weeks long trip in itself, so if you decide to go, plan what you want to see and when. Much to see in DC between all the monuments and museums.

[donybrx]

Since you live in Europe, museums might not be your highest priority. If you do, now or in the future, make time for the east coast beyond NYC be sure to include Philadelphia. It's the epitome of American history given its role in the foundation of the USA, being the first US capital, home to Wm. Penn, Ben Franklin, temporary home to Washington, Jefferson et al, Edgar Allen Poe among others; it's older than Washington DC and comprises the nation's first:
bank, zoo, stock exchange, commodities exchange, art school & museum among others;the nation's oldest street in continuous use, opera house in continuous use, theater in continuous use and more.

In short, there's much to choose from in addition to an vibrant skyline, charming streetscapes, old neighborhoods, great food from ordinary to extraordinary.....

Not to slag on DC, but you'd be missing so much by skipping Philadelphia even if it's just James Joyce' original Ulysses manuscript at the Rosenbach, or one of the best collections of early American art at the Academy of Fine Arts and/or Phila. Museum of Art (nation's 3rd largest after the MET and the Brooklyn)or even some of the Wyeths' art (Jamie,NC and Jamie) out at nearby Chadds Ford......)

In aany case, wherever you go, enjoy! Bet you're excited!

[GioFX]

Chriss, Echo and DAC... I considered DC but soon realized that a one day trip would make too much sense, since I'd have barey enough time to see Capitol Hill, The Mall, The Lincoln Memorial (the main monumental attractions).

I'll have 9 full days (arriving on Thursday, April 24 @ 3PM and departing Sunday, May 4 @ 4PM).

Whily I wouldn't like to "sacrifice" NYC, I intially thought I could do one or two one-day trips to BOS and PHIL (via train and/or plane). As I said, I'd love to see Boston, even only the main landmarks on the Freedom Trail and Harvard Campus. Arriving in the morning from JFK and departing on the evening, I thought there would be the time (wheather and other issues permitting, of course).

Philly, a true American city I'd love to see, its closer (just approx 1,5hrs away by train) and "less demanding", and the old town could be visited more easily, arriving from NYC.

That said, I'm still a bit unsure about the timings and other things, such as how much time it would need in NY to see the 3 museums (MET, MoMA and ANMH) and keeping an afternoon for shopping!

Btw, while the NYC visit progam is not ready yet, I'm scheduling as follows:

- 2 days for Uptown (Upper West/East Side, Columbia University Campus and Harlem)
- 2 days for Midtown (including West/East Village, SoHo, Chelsea)
- 2 days for Downtown & Brooklyn (including Liberty and Ellis islands)
- 1 day for museums (distribuited over the other days) and shopping, plus some hours on the arrival and departure days.

So, 1 or 2 days are left!

[GioFX]

Since you live in Europe, museums might not be your highest priority.


Do I look that dumb? :sly: :haha:


If you do, now or in the future, make time for the east coast beyond NYC be sure to include Philadelphia. It's the epitome of American history given its role in the foundation of the USA, being the first US capital, home to Wm. Penn, Ben Franklin, temporary home to Washington, Jefferson et al, Edgar Allen Poe among others; it's older than Washington DC and comprises the nation's first:
bank, zoo, stock exchange, commodities exchange, art school & museum among others;the nation's oldest street in continuous use, opera house in continuous use, theater in continuous use and more.

In short, there's much to choose from in addition to an vibrant skyline, charming streetscapes, old neighborhoods, great food from ordinary to extraordinary.....

Not to slag on DC, but you'd be missing so much by skipping Philadelphia even if it's just James Joyce' original Ulysses manuscript at the Rosenbach, or one of the best collections of early American art at the Academy of Fine Arts and/or Phila. Museum of Art (nation's 3rd largest after the MET and the Brooklyn)or even some of the Wyeths' art (Jamie,NC and Jamie) out at nearby Chadds Ford......)


Damn... that sound so appealing! Philly Tourism Agency should hire you... :haha:


In aany case, wherever you go, enjoy! Bet you're excited!

You betcha!!! :banaride:

[bryson662001]

i would skip philly and do DC. not slagging on Philly, but DC I think is a lot more interesting from a tourist/foreign visitor perspective.

Philadelphia and Boston are just smaller versions of New York. I would skip them both and spend 3 days in Washington, DC (two nights) because 1. It's the capital and 2. It's pretty unique among world cities. Also if you drive rent a car there quite inexpensivly and get out into the suburbs where the real America lives.

[donybrx]

Do I look that dumb? :sly: :haha:



Damn... that sound so appealing! Philly Tourism Agency should hire you... :haha:



You betcha!!! :banaride:

NO! Not dumb. Just museum weary since Europe has so many! Many incomparable.....

[GioFX]

NO! Not dumb. Just museum weary since Europe has so many! Many incomparable.....

Just j/k mate... I got the sense. ;)

[donybrx]

Just j/k mate... I got the sense. ;)

...and. it seems, a great sense of humor!

Allow me to prolong my stay just once more; should you never set foot in Philly, you can still become intimately/unusually acquainted with it through the superb imagination/ writings/photos and explorations within the website of one B. Maule, a native of small town Western Pennsylvania who's lived in Philadelphia for about 10 years. Rooting around his consderable website/ and subtexts you'll discover someone whose love for and dedication to 'his' city is nearly exquisite.

Add to that the rather brilliant writing/observations of one Nathaniel Popkin whose archive is within the main website and you, as a city enthusiast should come away with great satisfaction........so, here it is. Yo......

http://www.phillyskyline.com/


ciao!

[GioFX]

Great site indeed, thanks dony!

btw... on this vacation or a next one, I'll definitely go to Philly cause its seems such a brilliant city!

Ciao!

[Aylmer]

To Continue:
My family and I are going to NYC(Manhattan) for three days (I know, not enough)
What should we do that isn't tacky and really gives a NYC experience?

Ps: I've been to NYC four rimes before.

:)
:)

[GioFX]

What day is more preferable for visiting downtown, saturday or sunday? And for Libety/Ellis islands?

It would be cool to see some work going on at the WTC site... and doing some shopping at Century 21, eh! :yes:

[donybrx]

I suppose that Sunday would be the quieter day, notwithstanding tourists bound for Liberty Is., etc.

When I lived in NYC the streets downtown were virtually empty. You could ride bicycles from Canal Street to Battery and see nary a moving car on most side streets. Sublime! We rode the Staten Island ferry (cheap! if not free) on hot summer days for a long round trip across New York Bay and all the vistas, including that of the Verrazano Bridge.

Times have changed and the area is more populated, of course, since people actually live in lower Manhattan. A walk onto or across the Brooklyn Bridge is exhilharating....reachable from the Lex. Avenue subway/City Hall stop.

Some folks like the Circle Line (boat tour) circumnavigating all of Manhattan, originating on the West Side in the 40s......takes around 2.5 hours if I recall

[GioFX]

Some folks like the Circle Line (boat tour) circumnavigating all of Manhattan, originating on the West Side in the 40s......takes around 2.5 hours if I recall
I got the 2 hours tour in the Citypass, dunno if its possible to "upgrade" it to the 3 hour long roundtrip...

[seaskyfan]

To Continue:
My family and I are going to NYC(Manhattan) for three days (I know, not enough)
What should we do that isn't tacky and really gives a NYC experience?

Ps: I've been to NYC four rimes before.

:)
:)

Have you been to the Lower East Side Tenement Museum? I thought it was fascinating.

http://www.tenement.org/tours.html#confino

[seaskyfan]

Chriss, Echo and DAC... I considered DC but soon realized that a one day trip would make too much sense, since I'd have barey enough time to see Capitol Hill, The Mall, The Lincoln Memorial (the main monumental attractions).

I'll have 9 full days (arriving on Thursday, April 24 @ 3PM and departing Sunday, May 4 @ 4PM).

Whily I wouldn't like to "sacrifice" NYC, I intially thought I could do one or two one-day trips to BOS and PHIL (via train and/or plane). As I said, I'd love to see Boston, even only the main landmarks on the Freedom Trail and Harvard Campus. Arriving in the morning from JFK and departing on the evening, I thought there would be the time (wheather and other issues permitting, of course).

Philly, a true American city I'd love to see, its closer (just approx 1,5hrs away by train) and "less demanding", and the old town could be visited more easily, arriving from NYC.

That said, I'm still a bit unsure about the timings and other things, such as how much time it would need in NY to see the 3 museums (MET, MoMA and ANMH) and keeping an afternoon for shopping!

Btw, while the NYC visit progam is not ready yet, I'm scheduling as follows:

- 2 days for Uptown (Upper West/East Side, Columbia University Campus and Harlem)
- 2 days for Midtown (including West/East Village, SoHo, Chelsea)
- 2 days for Downtown & Brooklyn (including Liberty and Ellis islands)
- 1 day for museums (distribuited over the other days) and shopping, plus some hours on the arrival and departure days.

So, 1 or 2 days are left!

If you're still planning your Boston trip here are a few ideas.

I'd suggest checking out the MBTA site - it's the transit agency in Boston and you should be able to use the subway to see most of the things you've mentioned. Here's the link: http://mbta.com/schedules_and_maps/subway/

You can get the Blue Line from Logan to the State Station - this station is located under the Old State House which is on the Freedom Trail. From here you can head towards Faneuil Hall and into the North End where you can see Paul Revere's House and the Old North Church. It's also the Italian neighborhood so it's a great place to get lunch. You can continue into Charlestown to see the USS Constitution and the Bunker Hill Monument but it would take a while.

If you go on the Freedom Trail in the other direction from the Old State House you'll hit the Old South Meeting House, King's Chapel, and gradually head over to the Common. I'd suggest a walk through the Common and the Public Garden. You'll be near two great neighborhoods - Beacon Hill and the Back Bay - either of which is worth exploring. From Park Street Station you can get the Red Line over to Harvard Station to see Harvard and to the Kendall Station to see MIT.

[seaskyfan]

^ Oops - missed that you were from Padua. Italian food in the North End of Boston may not be as much of an attraction. Have a bowl of chowder instead (and not with the tomatoes they add in NY).
:)

[GioFX]

Thanks for the precious tips, seaskyfan! I checked the MBTA site in the past but still had to finalize a plan!

:)

[seaskyfan]

^ Best wishes for a great trip!

PS - You can also use the Silver Line to/from Logan.

[donybrx]

^ Oops - missed that you were from Padua. Italian food in the North End of Boston may not be as much of an attraction. Have a bowl of chowder instead (and not with the tomatoes they add in NY).
:)

...no 'toes' in Manhattan clam chowder.......hopefully not, anyway...:)

[seaskyfan]

...no 'toes' in Manhattan clam chowder.......hopefully not, anyway...:)

From the perspective of a native New Englander the toes would be no more horrifying than the tomatoes.
:)

PS - I was at a restaurant in Seattle that serves "New Jersey Clam Chowder" which is somewhat pink. I didn't order it.....

[GioFX]

A question about Liberty and Ellis Island... i was reading the security guidelines at the National Park Service website:

http://www.nps.gov/stli/planyourvisit/things2know.htm

I have a DSLR camera on a backpack (with lenses and other stuff). Can I take it with me or not? It seems backpacks and other "large" packages are forbidden but those for camera equipment are exempted.

Is it right?

[donybrx]

Please note that there are no locker storage facilities at the ferry terminals. Lockers, for small items, are available at Liberty Island. Backpacks, strollers, parcels etc. will not be allowed inside the monument. (cameras, handbags, and small personal items are exempt). Please keep in mind that there is no eating, drinking, or smoking inside the National Monument.

LARGE* packages, backpacks, suitcases, carry-on luggage and other large parcels will not be permitted on the ferry systems or at Liberty and Ellis Islands. *(Anything that cannot fit into a standard plastic milk crate).

It seems as though it's okay if it fits within the abovementioned Plastic milk crate......

You'll run into the same thing if you visit Independence Hall in Philly, operated by the National Park Service as well.....

I think you'll be okay within the stated restriction.....

[GioFX]

ok, now i got what a milk crate is... thank you dony!

My camera bag is the Lowepro Micro Trekker 100, so I think it will fit it:

http://products.lowepro.com/product/Micro-Trekker-100,1962,14.htm

;)

[GioFX]

Mmhh, and what's the best day/part of day to do the tour at Liberty/Ellis? I'm currently planning for a tuesday/wednesday morning.

[GioFX]

wth... I have tried to buy 2 tickets on the new Statue Cruises site (http://www.statuecruises.com) with 2 different cars (VISA). I got an authorization error but the transaction has been accepted by the bank.

So now I got THREE authorization pending (which will be hopefully be canceled) and no tickets!

Since a friend of mine has got the same error with another VISA, I was just wondering if they have communication errors with VISA, maybe a timeout... damn, I need those tickets!

[GioFX]

Can I buy the tickets for the Amtrak train to Philly at Penn Station or its just better to buy them online? It shouldn't be hard to find a couple of seats on the regional train...

And btw: 10 days to go!

[donybrx]

Can I buy the tickets for the Amtrak train to Philly at Penn Station or its just better to buy them online? It shouldn't be hard to find a couple of seats on the regional train...

And btw: 10 days to go!

You can get tickets either way: at Penn Station or online. There are trains every hour, sometimes more frequently. 30th Street Sta. in Philly is quite something to see, too. Penn Station, not so much......after the
destruction of the glorious original one......

anyway, have a wonderul US trip! Really exciting!

[GioFX]

yep, thanks dony!

[GioFX]

I'm departing tomorrow... yepppaaaa!!!