Questions about visiting the US over winter

[Ms. Shuttergirl]

Has anyone here visited the US, most particularly New York and Washington, over winter? Particularly late December?

I'm just wondering whether the charm of cold weather and possible snow would wear off very quickly? And does it then just become hard work getting around and battling freezing temperatures?

Or is it just as wonderful as I hope it would be?

Bear in mind my family like cold weather but obviously we aren't used to the kind of temperatures they get in the above cities.

And what about WDW, how are the crowds from beginning of January?

 

[shushh]

We were in New York and DC this past December. In New York from Dec 21-28 and Dec from Dec 28 to Jan 2. We loved it.

I, personally, prefer the cold to the heat. I hate being hot and sticky! I also like to walk around a lot so I often find that its more bearable with cooler weather. It snowed, well there was a blizzard on boxing day. Although it only snowed for one day, the snow lasted for days. I was told that this was the worst one they've had for years. If you don't have a stroller, it would have been fine even with all the snow.

The only hard thing would be to have to carry your coats whilst shopping! We invested in good coats and most of the time, we only wore 1 layer under out coats. Whilst we were in New York, the average temp was -8 to 0 and it was ok. I put thermals on the children and they kept taking their jackets off complaining that it was hot!

I think we also enjoyed New York a lot because of the Christmas atmosphere. It really was special.

We were in WDW before NY and returned after DC. In early December, crowds were really low and it was fantastic. It was noticeably worse the weekend before school broke out for Christmas. By the time we returned in early Jan, it was quiet again.

We bought our down jackets online via Land's End and had them delivered to our hotel. They were cheap compared to jackets of a similar quality at Kathmandu.

I hope that helps. Let me know if you have any specific questions. Or feel free to browse my blog for the NY/DC sections.

 

[Ms. Shuttergirl]

Shushh, I could kiss you. This is exactly what I was wanting. I'm off to reread your blog (had forgotten you were there then).

I will definitely have some more specific questions but just need to have a bit more of a think about what I want to ask.

Love Land's End by the way.

 

[PrincessInOz]

Is there another trip in the off-ing?

California is just brillliant in the winter time. Love it!

Just in case you were thinking about Vegas....We've also been to the Grand Canyon and Vegas in mid-January; plus driven round the Southern Utah National Parks and into Mesa Verde and down Arizona way during this time. We were lucky in that there was snow on the ground but it didn't snow (that heavily) on us...and we were able to do all the sightseeing things we planned to do without being impacted by the weather. We rugged up lots!

 

[shushh]

Shushh, I could kiss you.

Ok, I'm puckered ready for the kiss. Could do with some lovin. Another cold ...third one in May.

 

[areweindisneyyet]

Yes, is there another trip in the making....

Loving the advice...

 

[PrincessInOz]

Shushh, I could kiss you. .

Ok, I'm puckered ready for the kiss. Could do with some lovin. Another cold ...third one in May.

And YOU thought I was RISQUE?????!!!!!

 

[Ms. Shuttergirl]

No, not really another trip. Not exactly. Well maybe if I can get hubby to think it was his idea.

He turns 40 in January and I can't think of anything he would like as a gift more than more time in NYC .

It will depend what the next 2-3 months bring workwise for me, well should I say word/money/wise.

It's a really cheap time accom wise to go, I'm a little shocked at how cheap. We could stay at the Hilton in NYC where we were last time for the same amount of time (we would prob stay longer if we went again) for 2k less. Found a nice Hilton in Downtown Washington for $405 for 4 nights and the first week or so of Jan is value season at WDW. And last year they offered free dining for around then too.

August is when the cheap WDW offers came out so I think that is what would be the clincher for me trying to convince hubby.

As I said, with us beginning to build prob Feb 2012, the chances and honestly the sanity to do another trip are low, but I always think it doesn't hurt to plan and hope it works out.


Mwahhhhhhhh Shushh.

 

[Ms. Shuttergirl]

What is everyone's opinion on this:-

Keep saving and do Europe in April 2013, figure between 30-35k to see what we would hope to see. I'm thinking between 3-4 weeks of:-

England/Ireland/Scotland
France
Italy

This would definitely just be a highlights trip to give our kidlets a taste. DH and I plan to return for a mega trip when the children are older.

Or

While the dollar is so good and travel in the US is still cheap, do another trip this Christmas, as mentioned above probably just NYC/Washington/WDW, although I have to say I'd love to spend a quick 5 days in Canada but wonder if it's just tooooooo darn cold and hard to get around at that time of year. Because it would be January, we could afford to probably take 4 weeks off. If we just did the US portion (bearing in mind my DH's shopping fetish) I'm thinking 18-20k without scrimping a cent with the research I've done. Not sure how much it would cost to add a Canadian leg, maybe another 3-5k? Not even sure how it would be best to get to Canada if we threw that in?

Okay, that is me just spewing out my thoughts, I would welcome people's thoughts...

 

[WAMUMOF4]

What is everyone's opinion on this:-

Keep saving and do Europe in April 2013, figure between 30-35k to see what we would hope to see. I'm thinking between 3-4 weeks of:-

England/Ireland/Scotland
France
Italy

This would definitely just be a highlights trip to give our kidlets a taste. DH and I plan to return for a mega trip when the children are older.

Or

While the dollar is so good and travel in the US is still cheap, do another trip this Christmas, as mentioned above probably just NYC/Washington/WDW, although I have to say I'd love to spend a quick 5 days in Canada but wonder if it's just tooooooo darn cold and hard to get around at that time of year. Because it would be January, we could afford to probably take 4 weeks off. If we just did the US portion (bearing in mind my DH's shopping fetish) I'm thinking 18-20k without scrimping a cent with the research I've done. Not sure how much it would cost to add a Canadian leg, maybe another 3-5k? Not even sure how it would be best to get to Canada if we threw that in?

Okay, that is me just spewing out my thoughts, I would welcome people's thoughts...

My vote would definitely be for the USA whilst the $ is so good the opportunity to have such a cheap trip now rather than saving for 2 years

 

[queenie82]

I'd research both and work out your highlights for each trip. Obviously with the dollar so good the US makes perfect sense. But I would still work on Europe so you know where you want to go and wha you want to see. So if you see a bargain airfare a any time you can grab it.
We were planning a little relaxing jaunt to Hawaii....and ended up going around the world. Why??? Because going to Hawaii was ridiculous prices an we got a round the world fare including Hawaii for under $2000. 6 stops.
No we then suffered with dollar drop shock....yes.....remember where the dollar was in Jan feb 09??? No???? You go google it....
BUT...
That was when we went to Tokyo and although the accommodation cost about 3 times what it was when we booked.....yes......go google what the yen was then.....I'll wait...
Look what has happened in the world. I got to visit Tokyo before this awful earthquake and Tsunami.


Sorry I'm rambling. I'm on the train home

but my point is be ready for both.
Yes make hay while the aud usd is good. But I do also love Europe.

I love winter but I will say you can't predict what will happen. The US can have early winter snaps and late ones. Looking year to year the US and Canada can be unseasonably cold or warm in January.
You won't get to do maid of the mist if you go to niagara in winter (no loss in my eyes) and it might be cold and miserable. But I still loved it.

Just referring to your comment in the "how do you afford it"
I think you took the kids at a good age. I was your sons age my first trip and I remember enough. But not much. Going before 6 is as much for the parents as anyone else.
Not saying it's bad. Just saying I think you went at a good age.

Anyway. Look at itineraries for both then watch the airfares!!!
And good luck.

 

[PrincessInOz]

Shuttergirl - you know your finances better than the rest of us do. If you want to go and have a trip to the US whilst the dollar is excellent, then you should work it out and go. The Euro exchange is also pretty good.

But then you're talking to a travelholic here.

Irrespective of where you go and what time of year you go, there is always lots to see and do because it is different to home.

 

[Ms. Shuttergirl]

I'd research both and work out your highlights for each trip. Obviously with the dollar so good the US makes perfect sense. But I would still work on Europe so you know where you want to go and wha you want to see. So if you see a bargain airfare a any time you can grab it.
We were planning a little relaxing jaunt to Hawaii....and ended up going around the world. Why??? Because going to Hawaii was ridiculous prices an we got a round the world fare including Hawaii for under $2000. 6 stops.
No we then suffered with dollar drop shock....yes.....remember where the dollar was in Jan feb 09??? No???? You go google it....
BUT...
That was when we went to Tokyo and although the accommodation cost about 3 times what it was when we booked.....yes......go google what the yen was then.....I'll wait...
Look what has happened in the world. I got to visit Tokyo before this awful earthquake and Tsunami.


Sorry I'm rambling. I'm on the train home

but my point is be ready for both.
Yes make hay while the aud usd is good. But I do also love Europe.

I love winter but I will say you can't predict what will happen. The US can have early winter snaps and late ones. Looking year to year the US and Canada can be unseasonably cold or warm in January.
You won't get to do maid of the mist if you go to niagara in winter (no loss in my eyes) and it might be cold and miserable. But I still loved it.

Just referring to your comment in the "how do you afford it"
I think you took the kids at a good age. I was your sons age my first trip and I remember enough. But not much. Going before 6 is as much for the parents as anyone else.
Not saying it's bad. Just saying I think you went at a good age.

Anyway. Look at itineraries for both then watch the airfares!!!
And good luck.

You make many good points Queenie. I think it's a good idea to begin researching the Europe portion so that should something come up we could move quickly, although to be honest, April school holidays would be roughly where we would want to go and next April is the Olympics in England so it's out until 2013 anyway.

I'll keep looking for some cheap flights to the US, hoping something will come out in a few months. I wonder what would be considered good value these days?

I think in many ways you are right about the kids being good ages for remembering. And you are also right on the money with why I would've wanted my kids to be younger. It was purely me wanting see my little girl dressed up as a princess in Fantasyland .

I would love to hear more about your winter trip to Canada one day if you have time. What cities did you visit? Was it hard to get around?

I'd be disappointed about Maid of the Mist but it wouldn't be a deal breaker.

 

[Ms. Shuttergirl]

Shuttergirl - you know your finances better than the rest of us do. If you want to go and have a trip to the US whilst the dollar is excellent, then you should work it out and go. The Euro exchange is also pretty good.

But then you're talking to a travelholic here.

Irrespective of where you go and what time of year you go, there is always lots to see and do because it is different to home.

True, very true PIO. We could afford the trip, but it will be less money for new furnishings, etc. and less money to pump into the new mortgage etc. I don't really care about the mortgage so much but yeah, its finding a balance and I'm just going back and forth.

Hmmmm, lots to think about.

Canada - did you drive from city to city when you were there or travel by train? We wouldn't want to drive, most esp not at winter time so our options would be either a guided tour or trains from city to city. The old me loves the idea of a total guided tour from NYC to Canada, and not having to worry about getting ourselves places, but then now that I have done a couple of trips, I like doing my own planning and working out what my family would enjoy.

 

[PrincessInOz]

We flew into Toronto, hired a car and drove to Niagara. I didn't even look into how you would get from either Toronto or Buffalo to Niagara Falls but I believe that there are bus services that would take you there. But we did use the car in and around Niagara, even though we used the shuttle for the day that was part of our Adventure Pass.

We flew out of Toronto and went to Quebec City. We chose to stay in the heart of the Walled Old Town and walked everywhere. From Quebec City airport into Old Town, we caught a taxi. The fare was capped at either $30 or $35 in 2007 for a cab ride from the airport to anywhere in the city or old town.

We caught the train to Montreal and used the public transport system in Montreal to get around.

I would recommend the train service between Montreal and Quebec City anyday. The trip takes about 3 or 4 hours one way and it is an easy 3 or 4 hours in a very comfortable and clean train. And the Montreal public transport system was pretty good and easy to get around.

 

[Ms. Shuttergirl]

That's great info PIO. I've looked into day bus trips from Toronto to Niagara and it is approx. $79 per person return. Does that seem a little steep? How long is the drive? We could also stay the night in Niagara and then catch the bus back the following day at an additonal cost of $27 on top.

Would we want to stay the night in Niagara? Since at that time of the year we couldn't do Maid of the Mist, after having a look at the falls and a wander, is there much else to check out?

How come you didn't train it from Toronto to Quebec? Is it too far and much wiser to fly?

Last question for now, how long would we need in each place for a quick highlights trip? I know everyone is different but it would be good to hear what you and Queenie think since I have no clue as yet what we would want to see and do.

 

[PrincessInOz]

That's great info PIO. I've looked into day bus trips from Toronto to Niagara and it is approx. $79 per person return. Does that seem a little steep? How long is the drive? We could also stay the night in Niagara and then catch the bus back the following day at an additonal cost of $27 on top.

Would we want to stay the night in Niagara? Since at that time of the year we couldn't do Maid of the Mist, after having a look at the falls and a wander, is there much else to check out?

How come you didn't train it from Toronto to Quebec? Is it too far and much wiser to fly?

Last question for now, how long would we need in each place for a quick highlights trip? I know everyone is different but it would be good to hear what you and Queenie think since I have no clue as yet what we would want to see and do.

I think you need to compare the price of the bus ride x 4 people against the cost of hiring a car. Driving on the other side of the road isn't that bad in an automatic car. It took us 90 minutes to get from Downtown Toronto to Niagara. From the airport, it would be about an hour or so.

It just depends on when you are going and how much snow is on the road.

The Clifton Hill area is a little touristy tacky...it just depends on whether you like wax museums, Ripley's Believe it or Not...or not.

I've been to Niagara twice - both times in summer and both times with heaps of other things to do. You might want to ask Skier Pete that question about what else to do in Niagara in the winter. Just pose the question on my TR and hopefully he'll see it and respond.

I can't remember exactly why I didn't train it from Toronto to Quebec. I suspect that it might have to do with the airpass I bought. I think we bought a minimum of 4 flights in the airpass and we used one to get from San Francisco to Toronto. We also used one to get from Boston to LA; and a third to get from LA to San Francisco. We probably had an extra pass to burn and this seemed like the most logical leg to use it in.

Your last part...I would recommend that you might want to consider 5 - 7 days for these 3 bits of Eastern Canada.

Toronto - maybe 1/2 to 1 day? In winter, you wouldn't be able to get out to Toronto Island. So, for Toronto, you would want to head up the Tower...and then check out what other things are in Toronto that you might want to do. It really is another city.

Niagara - you would see the falls in 20 seconds. After one minute...you'll be going "NEXT!". Well...maybe 5 minutes for your photography shots. It just depends on what else is opened and whether you want to do any of it or not.

Quebec City - 2 to 3 days. I loved Quebec. There's a bit to sightsee and shop there. Besides, you'll want to have dinner at two different restaurants in QC.

Montreal - 2 to 3 days. There is definitely much more to see in Montreal that I got round to seeing. I think Queenie made it out to the Biosphere, which is in the Olympic precinct side of things.

 

[PrincessInOz]

Just another thought - Your other option is to go to NYC and drive up into either upstate NY or to head to the New England side of America.

I'll be posting shots of Boston and some of the coastline in the next couple of weeks in my TR...but I'll open photobucket and post some here shortly.

 

[PrincessInOz]

Boston

Harvard

Salem

Kennebunkport

Our room view...

Coastline...

 

[skiingfast]

About weather.

I myself don't like the thought of the middle and north east coast in winter. Not because it's so cold, to me it's not, a warm New Years eve for me is -5C, it's because it can be around 0C out there. And you can be freezing and wet in the same day. Also it is usually gray, and where I live blue as can be.

So you really have to dress for it. Shoes that have grip if its icy, stay dry if it's slushy. Wear a jacket that can keep you dry and warm. But as pointed out by Shushh when inside you will be carrying that jacket around a lot. For NYC lots of indoor time, DC lots more of outdoor time.

Christmas is a great time to be in NYC. Lots of decorations, lots of cheer and crowds missing because of the school holidays. They go to somewhere warm.

Just after New Years WDW has it's only true offseason. While it may only be 10-15C the lines are great. But rehabs, big ones, begin.

Also travel can be difficult. There are always stories of holiday travel delays. Fog is common when it cools off and major airports get closed and effect flyers in the whole region. But that is hit or miss.

You might piggy back Europe onto the US. Sometimes the flights are cheap from NYC to Paris or London. Of course future airfare will all depend on oil prices.