Starting in Boston, ending in NYC - where to go in between?

[LollipopViolet]

OK, it's looking fairly likely I'm going to be working at a US summer camp this summer, just outside Boston. My visa will have a 30 day grace period after camp finishes, and I want to do a little travelling (2 weeks max, I think). I don't drive so will be using Megabus, Greyhound, Amtrak etc. Will get around $850 pay from camp, and will take some money with me - any suggestions on how much? I'm hoping I meet some travel buddies while I'm there - will make life easier!

But, where can I go, if I start in Boston, and need to end in NYC to fly home? I was thinking Boston, Philadelphia, Washington and NYC, but as I'll be able to go to Boston on days off, maybe I could swap that for somewhere else, or spend a shorter amount of time there?

Help!

Was just coming on to suggest Philadelphia and Washington. We did both last summer and they were both totally worth it. I'm not sure which other cities to see in the NW, but have you thought about travelling upto Niagara Falls? The resort is a bit cheesy and dated but the Falls themselves are amazing.

Ooh yes I've always wanted to see the Falls! I'm a history lover so think these cities will appeal for that.

Wow it's a long journey to get to Niagara from New York. Maybe I'm putting these places in the wrong way round! Anyone got any suggestions? I've just looked at Megabus for a lot of journeys and for similar journey times to Amtrak trains, it's a lot cheaper!

megabus may be cheap but cheap is not always cheerful.

Given a choice I would use Amtrak instead.

That's what I'm thinking tbh, just been doing some reading about buses in general and they aren't always in good areas.

I'm hoping to find some people to travel with and hopefully go by car, tbh! That'll be cheaper and easier because we can go where we want.

The trains are much, much nicer than the buses. Bus stations are often in not-great places but it's more the onboard experience. Amtrak do a pass for 14 days or a month (I think) which would probably suit you.

It's a lovely time of year in that part of the world. I loved Plymouth in Massaschussets - the town where the Pilgrims landed. It's not very busy but there's lots of history there. A couple of nights there would be quite relaxing. Niagara Falls are interesting to see but there's nothing much else there, beyond incredible tat. Maybe you could go up to Montreal, which is a really fun city?

Philly is a nice, friendly city with loads of history, and the museums in DC are just knock out, so both of those would keep you busy.

My warning is wherever you decide to go, book early, especially in NYC. Those 30 days are very, very busy in hostels and cheap hotels as so many people do what you're planning to do after a summer in camp.

Oooh, I've just looked at Cape Cod, there's a train from Boston and it looks so pretty! Plus, I like the idea of a beach.

Once my camp dates are confirmed, I'm going to start looking at hotels/hostels - I've seen a few with low/no deposits so if plans change I won't lose money, and then I've at least got things booked.

Cape Cod, the Berkshires, New Hampshire, Maine

How old are you OP? I did this 3 times, at 19, 20 and 22 years old. absolutely the best experience of my life so far! I am jealous! This advice may not apply if you are a different age/in a different situation, but I would honestly advise not to make any concrete plans at all! maybe a back up so you know what you will do if you don't find any like minded travel buddies, but imo one of the best parts of camp was making friends and then subsequently making plans with them! I could never have predicted how far I would have travelled and who with!
some colleagues at camp already had plans, eg with friends working elsewhere or boyfriends flying out to meet them etc.
but the majority of us just had time on our visa and a tiny bit of cash - it was great! of course I am so ancient now that this was largely pre Internet so we poured over amtrak paper timetables that we phoned up for and got sent to camp.
These days you could have everything booked before you leave the UK, but I'd be wary of tying yourself down too soon.
of course some people didn't fancy travelling with the people they'd worked with and were happy to head off alone - if you think you might do this then a rough plan would obviously be good to have!

Cape Cod is great so I'd agree with that suggestion.

more info

I'm 25 so I've come to the whole thing a little later than most :)

Yeah I'm not setting anything in stone, but I like at least havinga back up plan in my head.

I thought you might be a wee bit older - only based on my particular camp but they did prefer older staff (I was the youngest at 19), I think just so it didn't descend into an 18-30s type situation! so I'm sure you will find people to travel with. also things cropped up, like us based staff invited us to stay with them for a few nights so we based our route round that. Or you met someone who's parents had a timeshare etc etc. All sorts of possibilities! If you get a 2 day break from camp also remember that Cape cod is accessible for a wee road trip.

whose!