OT: Miami, Boston, NYC & Washington DC

[Kath2003]

Offtopic I know but...

On August 1st (a week Tuesday!) I leave for Miami!

Staying near Lincoln Road Mall. Any suggestions for things for 2 21-yr-old girls and a 25-year-old guy to do for a couple of evenings in South Beach? Bars? Restaraunts? etc.

After 4 nights in Miami, my friend and I (2 girls, 21) head up to Orlando for our 9-night stay.

On August 14, we fly up to Boston. Staying in Cambridge, near Harvard. Again, any suggestions of things to do, places to go/see, places to eat and drink etc? So far all we have is the Freedom Trail.

After 4 nights in Boston we head on the train to NYC where we're staying for 5 nights. Here we plan to eat cheesecake and pizza, visit Central Park, Top of the Rock and to take a boat tour around the Statue of Liberty. Otherwise, suggestions welcome! We are staying in the heart of the East Village.

Then we head on the train to Washington DC where we're staying a couple of blocks from the White House. Suggestions here very welcome because short of seeing the big sites (White House, Lincoln Memorial etc.) we've no idea what to do.

Please remember that this is a budget trip. We don't have very much money, we REALLY don't, but this isn't to say we don't have ANY - we would just rather spend our money wisely rather than making typical touristy-mistakes.

Many thanks for your help.

 

[Claire L]

You must go up the Empire State by dy and night, two totally different perspectives of the city and Staten Island Ferry is very inexpensive for a great view of the Statue. Oh and Grand Central Station is a must see

Claire

 

[freckles and boo]

You will have no trouble staying within your budget in D.C. because the Smithsonian museums along the mall are free. I recommend the National Air and Space Museum and the Art Museum. Free, free, free! Here is a link to 25 free things to do in Washington DC.

http://www.districtcolumbia.com/DC_Twenty_Five_Free.html

 

[TracyK]

I've stayed in Washington DC, Boston and New York but can't help with Miami. Freckles and Boo has given you some good advice about Washington, loads of great museums etc. I would recommend going up the monument for great views. This is free also but you need to arrive early in the morning and queue at a booth nearby, they then give you a ticket with a time to come back. I would also recommend a walk round Georgetown, we had to go there so we could see the Exorcist house and the famous steps.

Boston is a fantastic city, known as the walking city. The Freedom Trail is a good idea because you will walk to many of the good attractions. We also went whale watching when we were there which I would definitely recommend. I don't think it was that expensive. You must pay a visit to the Cheers bar and there are some good places to eat near Faneuil Hall. We got the Go Bostoncard which included so much and we thought it was really good value. We got 2 days trolley travel and many other attractions including the whale watch. www.gobostoncard.com We also got the local train, not the T, over to Salem which was fun.

New York was also wonderful. I would definitely recommend a trip out to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, really interesting. Central Park is lovely to walk round with plenty there to keep you amused. One of the highlights for us was getting the subway over to Brooklyn then walking back into Manhattan over the Brooklyn Bridge. I also bought a New York Pass which saved us money on the big attractions, details here www.newyorkpass.com Another great thing you can do is hire the services of a Big Apple Greeter, this is a free service where a volunteer shows you round a particular district. You may not have time to request this as you are going soon. We loved the helicopter ride round the Statue of Liberty which wasn't too expensive.

Here are some more useful inks

www.dcvisit.com
www.bostonusa.com
www.nycvisit.com
www.nyctourist.com

Hope you have a great time

Tracy

 

[jns]

Sounds like a great trip

will we be getting a trip report

 

[Kath2003]

Thanks everyone,

If I ever have time to write up a 31-day trip report, I'll do it

 

[Kilted_Yank]

Kath,

The link for things to do in Washington, DC is spot on... with the exception of Voice of America, which is rather boring, but there we are.

I would add, as you are all young people, I would take a moment to vist my favorite pub on Capitol Hill, called The Hawk 'n Dove, which is just a few blocks from the Capitol, and the Library of Congress. That place is a DC landmark, and a favorite of the people that actually live in that neighborhood (I lived three blocks from there when I was single). They serve interesting beer and good burgers.

About 5 blocks away is the Marine Barracks (where I was stationed in my youth) where there is an evening parade every friday evening. There is also a retreat parade (you would call it a tattoo, I reckon) at the Marine Corps war memoria (which is the most beautiful monument in town... yes, I'm biased).

Don't forget to visit "Harry's" which is a bit of a hole in the wall, but it is what truthfully passes for a neighborhood bar, in the middle of Downtown yuppiedom. It is also heavily populated by local coppers. I used to have a few there from time to time, after my shift when I was still in patrol.

Oddly enough, our paths may cross in Florida as well as when you are in DC. We'll be in Orlando from the 6th through the 20th, after which, we will be back in the DC area when you are here.

I'll give you contact information should you need a good word.

Bill

 

[Kath2003]

Kath,

The link for things to do in Washington, DC is spot on... with the exception of Voice of America, which is rather boring, but there we are.

I would add, as you are all young people, I would take a moment to vist my favorite pub on Capitol Hill, called The Hawk 'n Dove, which is just a few blocks from the Capitol, and the Library of Congress. That place is a DC landmark, and a favorite of the people that actually live in that neighborhood (I lived three blocks from there when I was single). They serve interesting beer and good burgers.

About 5 blocks away is the Marine Barracks (where I was stationed in my youth) where there is an evening parade every friday evening. There is also a retreat parade (you would call it a tattoo, I reckon) at the Marine Corps war memoria (which is the most beautiful monument in town... yes, I'm biased).

Don't forget to visit "Harry's" which is a bit of a hole in the wall, but it is what truthfully passes for a neighborhood bar, in the middle of Downtown yuppiedom. It is also heavily populated by local coppers. I used to have a few there from time to time, after my shift when I was still in patrol.

Oddly enough, our paths may cross in Florida as well as when you are in DC. We'll be in Orlando from the 6th through the 20th, after which, we will be back in the DC area when you are here.

I'll give you contact information should you need a good word.

Bill

Thanks for your help. Harry's wouldn't happen to be at the Harrington Hotel would it? Since we're staying there, that would be rather convienient!

We'll definitely cross paths since I'm in Orlando August 6-14, and Washington DC August 23-27.

 

[MAH4546]

Offtopic I know but...

On August 1st (a week Tuesday!) I leave for Miami!

Staying near Lincoln Road Mall. Any suggestions for things for 2 21-yr-old girls and a 25-year-old guy to do for a couple of evenings in South Beach? Bars? Restaraunts? etc.

Lincoln Road is an awesome area. Just to clarify, it is a mall by the old definition - an outdoor promenade - not the new definition (an indoor mall).

Go to David's Cafe II (open 24/7) and grab a Colada for $1.20.

Go to Van **** Cafe and have dinner there, one of the most famous resturaunt's in the city, and affordable. When you are in Miami you must try a Cuban steak sandwhich, and Van **** does it best.

Walk down Hispanola Way, the Italian area, at night. It is two blocks south of Lincoln Road.

Don't eat dinner before 9PM. Nobody does in Miami Beach.

Grab a slice of Miami-style pizza at Pizza Rustica.

Flannigan's on Lincoln Road is a local bar hang-out.

If you are there on a Sunday night, splurge and go to Nikki Beach, the "it" spot on Sundays, open until 6AM Monday morning. There will be a big crowd to get into the club, which is located on the beach, so snake your way to the front and speak Italian to get in (get the hostess attention and say something like "Ciao, con lui" (loo-y) while pointing to your guy friend, which means "Hi, I'm with him.").

Shopping is excellent in SoBe, everything you can ask for right there, from department stores to designer names to local shops.

South Beach is a 24-7 town, so don't go to sleep early, because the city doesn't get kicking until past midnight.

 

[Kilted_Yank]

Harry's is indeed in the Harrington.

 

[Kycha]

Thanks for your help. Harry's wouldn't happen to be at the Harrington Hotel would it? Since we're staying there, that would be rather convienient!

My brother and his family stayed at the Hotel Harrington 2 summers ago. They loved it! The rooms were clean and the staff was helpful. You are also right in the heart of the city. Very easy access to the metro and the attractions. Sounds like you will have a wonderful time!!

 

[Kath2003]

Thanks for all the help guys - I'll print this thread

I leave in the morning