Hi! I will be visiting New York City at the end of February for a week. I was thinking of adding 2-3 days to my trip to visit somewhere else not too far from NYC. Do you have some recommendations? City-wise, I was thinking Boston, Washington DC, or Philadelphia (somewhere reachable by train)—which one do you think is better to visit? I’m also open to natural spots. Thank you!
Washington DC would be my recommendation. If you take the Acela train, it’s not a bad trip and you’ll find many iconic sights to see.
Gael said:
Washington DC would be my recommendation. If you take the Acela train, it’s not a bad trip and you’ll find many iconic sights to see.
This is the best choice for someone visiting from Brazil—definitely DC. The sheer number of national museums in the DC area warrants a 2-3 day trip. Plus, you have all the Federal monuments and the Capitol. These sights are intriguing beyond just US history.
Boston & Philadelphia are likely more interesting to US tourists due to their connections to the nation’s founding. However, DC allows you to include a quick stop in Philadelphia since almost every Amtrak train from NYC to DC stops there, giving you flexibility to see some sights before continuing.
If you’re up for walking, both the Liberty Bell/Independence Hall (just a 45-minute walk) and the Philadelphia Museum of Art (25 minutes, featuring the ‘Rocky Steps’ and statue) can be accessed on foot, or you can take a quick cab ride.
@Kim
I missed the Brazilian connection but I’d definitely double down on DC, especially since I currently live in the Philly suburbs.
Philadelphia. It’s a short train ride away and is the first UNESCO World Heritage City in the US.
Drew said:
Philadelphia. It’s a short train ride away and is the first UNESCO World Heritage City in the US.
Philly’s a good choice—easy to reach and has a lot to offer. Also consider your interests: Boston is rich in history and charm, DC boasts monuments and museums, and Philly lives up to its reputation for great food and a gritty atmosphere. Decide what you want to experience, as February will be chilly, so pack accordingly!
You can’t go wrong with either Philadelphia or DC. In Philly, try the Reading Terminal Market and Franklin’s Fountain. In DC, use the Metro to explore must-sees like the Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument, and American History Museum (depending on your interests). Both have hop-on/hop-off buses that let you cover a lot of ground in a day.
If you’re from Brazil, you might consider skiing by taking the train to Vermont. It has amazing skiing opportunities that time of year.
Alston said:
If you’re from Brazil, you might consider skiing by taking the train to Vermont. It has amazing skiing opportunities that time of year.
I wouldn’t recommend this if you’ve never skied before. Renting gear, buying a lift ticket, and getting lessons can get very pricey, especially for beginners. The first few attempts can be pretty tough. I say this as an avid skier!
Philly is super easy to visit—great museums and excellent food.
NYC, Philly, DC— I love all three! No matter what you choose, it’s going to be a great trip!
My recommendation is to visit both Philadelphia and Washington DC. During my last trip to the US, I spent two days in DC, which was plenty of time to see the city.
You could go to Philadelphia for a day and then continue to DC. But you’ll need a rental car for a smooth trip. I used CarJet for my rental.
If you’re relying on public transport, visiting two cities might be too much. In that case, I’d recommend focusing solely on DC!
@Kellan
You should have researched better: Amtrak has several direct trains from NYC to DC that stop in Philly. A quick cab ride (or even walking) can easily take you to major sites in both Philly and DC. Amtrak’s stations are generally very central, making it convenient to reach main attractions.
I recently went to NYC and took a weekend trip to DC—it was fantastic! The city is beautiful and very walkable, with great restaurants. If you’re into fine dining, I recommend Pascual!
DC and Boston are fine, but they’re often the go-to picks. For a more chill and underrated weekend trip, Philly is the way to go, especially in February. The train ride is short, the city is walkable, and the food scene is impressive—much more than just cheesesteaks. There are plenty of cozy spots to enjoy while it’s cold, and the history permeates every corner without feeling overly monument-heavy like DC.
All three cities are great options! However, Philadelphia is particularly underrated. It’s the shortest trip, or you might consider exploring NYC’s outer boroughs—many treat NYC as if it’s just Manhattan. Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island all offer unique experiences and can feel quite different from Manhattan.