What are the American Cities worth visiting from New York City?

The most visited are Washington DC, Boston and Philadelphia, all easily reachable by bus or train. Distances are "relative" in the United States, everything seems near, and at the same time, far away.
During the summer season destinations like Canada with Toronto and the 1000 Islands, the Niagara Falls and the Hamptons with Sag Harbor are also Must-Visit places loved by thousands of people. Here are some bus routes departing from New York: SEE THE ITINERARIES

VISIT WASHINGTON DC FROM NEW YORK

At a distance of "only", so to speak, 226 miles (363km) we have the farthest city of the three and probably the most visited one as well --Washington DC capital of the United States. The importance of Washington is certainly linked to the presence of the President of the United States in the White House and the site of the US Federal Government, aka Capitol Hill, along with all the historic Memorials dedicated to former Presidents and all of those who fought in Wars during the last 2 centuries. Arlington Cemetery and the lively Georgetown neighborhood are also not to be missed to get a comprehensive tour of the city.

Let's see how we can plan our stay in NYC to have one or more days available to visit the capital from New York City and choosing between train and bus. The train can be more expensive however knowing how to choose the cheapest and most convenient fare ahead of time is certainly the least stressful way to reach the capital, especially if done as a 1-day gateway. All trains leave from Penn Station (34th Street & 8th Ave.) Trip duration and cost vary from the choice of the train and the time of departure, the morning trains, the best choice so you will have the entire day available to explore DC with a return ride planned for the same evening are clearly the most expensive. The fast trains (Acela Express - trip duration 2:58 h) can cost you from $ 150 to $ 400 round-trip depending on the dates/hours selected and sometimes even more, but there are also the Regional Trains (Northeast Regional - trip duration 3:30h) from $80 to $ 300 round-trip also depending on the time/date.

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Washington DC by Train with your Tour Guide

It is one of the best solutions for those who want to personalize their visit to Washington DC. The guide will meet you at your hotel and stay with you for the duration of the tour. Together with her, you will decide the program and itinerary for the day, what to visit, routes and attractions. Plus, no delay due to traffic! Return to New York in the evening. For more information and quote:  Email me!

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Hop on Hop off, The PASS in Washington DC valid 24-hour

Once arrived at the Train Station (Union Station), the easiest and recommended solution is jumping aboard one of the Hop on Hop off Buses that will allow you to get around the city visiting all to the most important sites without losing anything.
There are 3 Itineraries available that will take you to the Memorials, the White House, the Capitol, the Arlington Cemetery and the National Cathedral with Georgetown. (Pass Cost starting from $54 for adults and $33 for children 3/11 years).

Just the Mall with the Reflecting Pool and the Lincoln Memorial are definitely worth the trip, impossible not to remember the 1963 Washington March when Martin Luther King delivered the famous "I Have a Dream" speech right on the Lincoln Memorial Steps speaking to 250,000 souls. Therefore, consider a program that includes a departure around 7:00 am from N Y with a return ride from Washington DC scheduled around 6:00 pm and arrival in NYC at 9:00 pm. Times are tight but it can be done. As already said, this solution leaves you completely free to decide what to see and how much time to dedicate to the sites. Plus, it is always possible to book a hotel for one or more nights in DC and extend your visit!

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The Alternative is the Escorted Tour by Bus

One-day Excursion with daily departures from Times Square at 7:00 am. Visit the most important Memorials, Washington, Lincoln, Korean and Vietnam Wars; White House and Capitol Hill to learn about American politics, the Arlington Cemetery, and the Aerospace Museum. Expected return to NYC in the evening depending on traffic. For those of you with two days available, the tour gets even longer and fuller and includes overnight accommodation with continental breakfast, the Martin Luther King Memorial and the Thomas Jefferson Memorial and also a visit to the city of Philadelphia and the Amish County. The evening in Washington DC is at leisure and you are free to enjoy the city at night and maybe grab dinner in one of the local eateries. (1-Day Trip to DC $169 and 2-Day Trip to DC $ 330 per person in double room - including Hotel + breakfast.)

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VISIT PHILADELPHIA FROM NEW YORK

Similar to many other colonial cities, the "birth of Philadelphia" is characterized by several dates and uncertainty, however, as we know it today, it's officially set as of 1682, although we have evidence of some first Swedish settlements as early as 1637. The Dutch arrived shortly thereafter and from 1655 they took administrative control of the region.

Its position had great importance, halfway between north and south, perfect as the main meeting place of the various Congresses. The most important American documents have been written in Philadelphia -- the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of the Confederation and the Constitution of the United States of America.

Philadelphia is located only 95 miles from NYC which is relatively close and it can be approximately 2-hour driving or 1:30h with the train. Also, train prices will be a bit cheaper than going to DC, you can find fares as low as $60 round trip from Penn Station.

The number of historic buildings still existing in Philadelphia is staggering, and also, Philly eclipses Boston in this regard (the other historic town linked to those pre-revolutionary years). Once you arrive in Philadelphia, you can join a city tour, or take the double-decker buses, the Hop On Hop off that will take you to visit the most important places -- The Liberty Bell - Philadelphia City Hall - Elfreth's Alley - The 'LOVE' Sculpture - Independence Hall - Boathouse Row - Independence Seaport Museum - Museum of Art also known as Rocky Steps, - Row Houses - Carpenters' Hall and many others.

Depending on how you decide to get to Philly, to get to the nearest Hop on Hop Off Stop you may have to walk for about 20 minutes. The city is not huge and you can walk very easily around the historic center. On the map, you will find all the information you need to orientate yourself (valid for 48 hours at $ 28.80 for adults and $ 9.00 for children). Like for DC, the alternative is the Escorted Bus Tour, the one-day tour combines the visit of the city of Philadelphia to the County of the Amish people and a buggy ride in . their peculiar country-side, as wells as the same two-day Tour that we mentioned earlier that includes Washington DC.

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VISIT BOSTON FROM NEW YORK

Certainly the most fascinating, European-style city and the oldest of the three. Reachable by train but it takes a bit longer (than DC) despite being "only" 213 miles away from NYC. The fast train (Acela Express - Trip duration 3:30 h) the cost varies from $300 to $ 460 round-trip, and the Regional Trains (Northeast Regional - Trip duration 4:10 h) the cost varies from $148 to $225 round-trip, always depending on the time and day selected.

Its origins date back to the 1630s when the first Puritan Settlers arrived from England. By American standards, we are talking about the oldest history in our country, and you can find it and see it in buildings as well as in the many city's historic districts. If you want to organize a private Train Tour with an Italian guide we can help you, for more information and a quote -- Email me! 

Old cemeteries, such as those at Copp’s Hill, can be seen from the sidewalks, colonial architecture blends with modern skyscrapers, such as the Old State House, which dates back to 1713 and is considered the oldest public building in the city.

The best way to relive the history of Boston is to follow the Freedom Trail. It is free and well marked along the city sidewalks. The trail starts near the State House, another architectural marvel designed by Charles Bulfinch in 1798, and winds through the North End neighborhood and across the Charles River and Bunker Hill Battlefield. Visiting Boston in one day can be challenging, especially if you don't know the city, but the Trolly that works like the Hop on Hop off buses can help you a lot.

Arriving at the Boston station, South Station, be sure to exit on the Summer Street side (south side) to walk to the MBTA bus stop, the stop is #17, is the site of the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum and the Trollies stop at the Seaport District.
From here, you can take your tour down to the famous Freedom Trail on foot. (Trolly ticket is valid for 48 hours Adult $ 40.95 and Children 4/11 $ 38.85) with this ticket is included free admission to either the Tea Party Ships & Museum or the Boston Bay Cruise.

Alternatively, from New York City, every Sunday, Wednesday, and Friday you have the Boston Bus Tour with professional Tour Guide which includes the City Tour in Boston with the Quincy Market and a visit to Cambridge with the famous Harvard University and MIT. Walk to the Freedom Trail and Boston Harbor. Return to New York is scheduled in the evening.