Philadelphia or New Yotk - which would be best for a week long stay?

[haggisaggis]

We have 2 weeks planned on Cape Cod again in July. We have another week before our 2 weeks on the Cape.
dh is booking the flights today - air miles - has been offered Boston via Philadelphia (so could stay there for a week before going on to the Cape) - or would it be better to fligh straight to Boston then drive to New York for a week?
2 kids - 5 and 8.

Have been to both and would say there is more to see and do in New York.

New York is best for a week long stay having stayed in both cities.

I'd fly direct to Boston on either Virgin or BA then either drive or look at taking the Amtrak train to NYC.

Would not accept the air miles offer of a flight to Boston via Philadelphia - making a same day internal transfer to a domestic flight from an international one is a PITA even at the best of times particularly with children in tow. Also you will need bags of time to transfer as you would need to clear US immigration and customs in Philly, checking yourselves in at the domestic terminal along with your luggage and then going through security at the domestic terminal.

God, New York - Philly is not that exciting .

It's quite a drive Boston - NYC; Google maps reckons 4 hours but it has taken me 6 in the past. So the train may well be the best option - and fun too!

definitely has to be NY. Loads for DC to do; visit the zoo, central park (during the day), disney store (window shopping only - otherwise you'll come back bankrupt!)not to mention the museums, theatre shows, the list is endless.

Would agreed with previous message about Amtrakm,plus it adds a bit more excitement for the DC.

New York definatley. There is so much to do/see/take in. You can spend hours walking around and really get to know your way about in a few days. As manhattan island is a lot smaller than you think.

New York definatley. There is so much to do/see/take in. You can spend hours walking around and really get to know your way about in a few days. As manhattan island is a lot smaller than you think.

Or you could fly to Philly, hire a car, drive N to NY for 2-3 days, then drive to Boston for your 2 weeks; then drive south again, past Philly, to DC for a couple more days, then finally back to Philly for your flight home. You would see a lot more of the country. American cars are v comfortable and American freeways are quite restful (if slow compared with UK motorways).

(We used to live in NY and happily drove to DC for a weekend, so that distance isn't bad; not sure why we never did Boston, but local friends would drive to Buffalo for a weekend too and I think that's further than Boston)

The only drawback is that it will probably be pretty stifling in all the Southern places in July.

Definitely NY for the week, but no reason not to fly into Philly, you could even spend a couple of days there, it's a great place to wander around, and MUCH closer to NY than boston. It's only an hour on the fast amtrak train (the metroliner) to NYC from Philly, it's at least 2.5 from boston to NYC. If you go to Philly I highly recommend the sofitel in centre city, very convenient location and very nice people.

The Amtrak train from Boston to NYC is really good - reliable (unless the entire East Coast has a blackout as has happened in the past) and quick. The drive could easily be 5 hours and it's not even a pretty drive or anything.

If you're taking the Amtrack I strongly recommend buying food and snacks before you get on board. We took the train from NYC to Washington in September and the menu consisted of crisps/chocolate and these dire microwaveable omlelette rolls.

However, the seats in standard class are very comfortable and you get loads of legroom.