Flying in and out of NYC - itinerary for 2 weeks?

[EmmaStone]

I'm idly thinking about planning our next Easter holiday. We usually go to Florida, but we're thinking of doing something a bit different this year now the kids are a bit older and more curious. They'll be 11 & 13. For reference, we like a bit of winter sun, but Easter is later next year, so hoping might not be too bad further north of Florida.

So, thinking of flying into NYC and spending a few days here - kids keen to see NYC. DH has suggested Boston, I've suggested Washington DC. Don't think we'd want to do both, and I think we'd be open to driving, and possibly doing an open jaw flight into NYC and out of Boston / Washington. We happily drove Miami to Savannah this year (and then back down through Florida and flew back out of Miami - so quite a lot of driving over 2 weeks)

Any ideas of must places to see/do? I wouldn't want to just do 2 big cities, it would be nice to get some downtime in as well, possibly beach time, but not sure how practical that would be for the time of year.

For better weather I would head south from NY. Easter is a bit hit and miss weather wise. I've been in NY at Easter and it's been quite cold and then another time it was boiling. If you're up for driving you might consider the Outer Banks in North Carolina. Lovely beaches there! Washington is on the way too.

Washington has a lot more to offer than Boston.

The Great Smoky Mountains is a great place for kids in your age bracket, and a beautiful 7 - 8 hour drive from Washington (with places to stop on the way).

Thanks both, will be investigating your suggestions!

I think that is a bit early for sunny Boston but it is a supberb city and there’s great scenery around Boston if you drive up the coast and take some time to discover “New England”. It might depend when Easter is. If it’s March it might be chilly but April is ok. Ditto NYC. However I think NYC and Washington in the heat and humidity of the summer are not pleasant!

However, Washington is excellent for teens. The American History museum and The Museum of Flight are not to be missed. Also Calitol Hill and the Library of Congress. You can drive out of Washington of course and another great place to visit is George Washington’s home at Mount Vernon. It’s posdible to get from NYC to Washington via train, as it is possible to get to Boston from NYC via train too. You will be impressed with any choice you make.

Boston is a lovely city. Particularly in aummer and especially in autumn, but after a day or so you've done it. plus the weather may still be cold at Easter (it has v cold winters). Washington has much more to see, museum and building wise. My friend took her 10yr old there for a week last summer- they did tourist things in the morning and spent the afternoon at the hotel pool. She said it was a good balance for a family holiday.

Washington DC is amazing, Baltimore not a great city but teh aquarium is fantastic. From DC we headed into Virginia and Busch gardens which isn't too far and well worth it.

You could consider this:
5 nights in NYC.
1 night at Finger Lakes. Discover one of the highest waterfalls east of the Rocky Mountains, Taughannock Falls. Take a hike to explore this beautiful area on foot, rent a kayak or paddleboard, or just relax by the lake.
1 night at Niagara Falls
1 or 2 nights at Sandusky (Cader Point Amusement Park is known as 'roller coaster capital'). On the drive between Sandusky and Chicago, you could stop for lunch in the Amish town of Shipshewana.
4 or 5 nights in Chicago which is probably one of the most family friendly cities in the US. There's so much to do.