Vacation to NYC, Niagara falls, Washington DC

[returning_indian]

We are planning a trip to northeast from south with a 1yr old. It will be close to 5-7 days trip. 3 days NYC, 1 day Niagara falls, 1 day Washington DC. Goal is to do all the touristy stuff at affordable budget.

NYC:
Central park
Times Square
Liberty statue
Bridge
We are not much of museum or theater people.

Niagara:
I guess not much except fall

DC:
White house
Lincoln memorial
Maybe one of the Smithsonian

Hotels in Manhattan area are really expensive. What are the other affordable areas to stay and still be closer to city square?
Any other stuff to see in NYC, Niagara, DC?
How to go from NYC to Niagara, then Niagara to DC? Train?
Any other pointers?

[DrJ]

After you've seen the Niagara Falls, and completed the Maid of the Mist, make sure to visit the Niagara Whirlpool. The Whirlpool is located a little bit downstream on the Niagara Gorge. It has a very interesting geological history behind it. Also, there are two state parks on each side of the Whirlpool. A cable-car connects them and travels across the gorge. We took a guided tour last year - otherwise we wouldn't have known about these!

[kumarreturn2ind]

Try staying near Journal Square Ramada or near by indian square area , there are lot of hotels in tonnelle avenue in Jersey heights and that would be economical as far as staying is concern and also its path train trip to nyc and a sub way to all the places that you have mentioned and as you would be aware its very expensive to stay in nyc.

In NYC, try Times square wax museuem also its worth for around 2 to 3 hrs and there wont be coupons like 1+1 offer all the time.

I have visited once niagara , washington dc via gotobus from nyc in a 3 day trip and its worth for 3 days since they wud cover all most the same places that you have mentioned and it would be around 100$ per person including 2 nights accomdation. Try in their website(gotobus)

[suba]

While visiting for NYC, you can stay in Jersey City if you're looking for not-so-expensive hotels. Here is a link for the hotels. I remember staying in the Holland hotel which is also at walking distance from the subway stations (in other words you don't need a car to visit places in NYC).

Since you're going to be in Niagara just for a day, you may be able to visit only two places there. The main attractions are Maid of the Mist where you go in a boat/ferry under the falls, Cave of the Winds, Journey Behind the Falls and iMax theater (and possibly Niagara Gorge suggested above - I have never visited or heard about it though). IMO, you can choose to visit Maid of the Mist and Cave of the Winds. If you go on weekends the line will be very long for all these attractions. They sell tickets for individual attractions as well tickets which cover all attractions. Get the ticket for individual attractions if you plan to visit only two attractions. Go to Maid of the Mist first and then go to the Cave of the Winds by the bus/trailer ($2 ticket) though it's at walking distance it might be a bit difficult with the kid.

If you have a GC/US Passport and a car, you can go to the Canada side of the waterfall and have a better view of the falls. It takes just 5 minutes to drive to that side but while coming back it might take more than 30 minutes as you have to pass through the immigration post.

Maid of the Mist:



Cave of the Winds:

[farfromhome]

RI,

Take a look at this thread. It should give you lot of pointers.

http://www.r2iclubforums.com/forums/showthread.php/11671-Travelling-with-10-month-to-NY-Niagara

[cronydude]

Check this link for extensive NY info and guide. Don't miss the second page :-)

http://www.r2iclubforums.com/forums/showthread.php/18638-Request-itinerary-suggestion-Newyork

[Lakshya]

We are planning a trip to northeast from south with a 1yr old.

You have one year old with you. If you stuck somewhere in NYC during your trip PM me for my cell number.

Have fun!