Boston or Philadelphia?

easoweno on 04/04/2019 - 14:15

I am travelling to America in late June - July. I will be spending 6 days in NYC, and end in Washington DC before flying to Canada. So between NYC and Washington I am planning to visit either Philly or Boston. Has anyone been to these 2 cities?

Logistically speaking Philly is so much closer than Boston from NYC and it's sort of on the way to Washington DC. However I am just not sure whether it would be a double up with DC since they are all about museums and history. If I go to Boston, would it be a very different feel to NYC and DC? If it's you, where would you go? I am travelling with my parents in their 60s and my 5yo son. Thanks.

Travel North America United States

Comments

  • spackbace on 04/04/2019 - 14:27
    +3

    That depends, how bad do you want to run up the steps like Rocky…?

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rocky_Steps

    • easoweno on 04/04/2019 - 15:41

      I certainly will if I go to Philly, but that's not the deal breaker lol

  • Fergy1987 on 04/04/2019 - 14:32
    +1

    I haven't been to either - But I don't think anything compares to New York or even Washington DC. New York is all hustle and bustle and awesome. And Washington DC is pretty relaxed and most of it is all about the monuments and stuff.

    I would just go to Philly because its not out of the way - That and I am a 76ers fan. I don't think you are going to miss much going to one instead of the other. Plus you can see the Rocky stairs in Philly :P

  • beeawwb on 04/04/2019 - 14:46

    I was born just north of Boston and visited Boston last year. I've never been to Philly, however if you're thinking that Philly is about museums and history… I'd say Boston is a lot of this as well. They take great pride in their revolutionary heritage (e.g. Tea Party Museum) and there's a lot of historic sites around the city. Both cities are going to be just as easy to get to and from NYC/D.C. if you're planning on flying.

    • easoweno on 04/04/2019 - 15:41

      Was originally planning to bus to Boston from NYC and then fly to DC from Boston…. flights are so exxy.

      • beeawwb on 04/04/2019 - 16:56

        Yeah, I realised after I posted that there's probably more efficient ways of travelling. Originally my partner and I were planning on taking the train to/from Boston (we landed in NYC and then flew to Boston where we started a 10 day road trip around New England) but the timetables didn't align with our arrival flights so we flew to Boston and took the train back to NYC.

      • Donaldhump on 04/04/2019 - 17:51

        amtrak is cheap between boston and nyc

        • easoweno on 04/04/2019 - 17:59

          I must be on the wrong website… last time I checked it's over US$100 one way? which website do you use?

  • sydneybargainer on 04/04/2019 - 14:59

    I recommend Philly and i have been there last year. I stayed in old town and i was surprised overall vibe of the city.
    Independence hall is must to visit - very good guided tour. it was worth it. there are other museums too.
    I took megabus - from dc to philly and philly to nyc. i think it was $5-10 each.

    • easoweno on 04/04/2019 - 15:42

      that's cheap, how long is the ride between philly and DC?

      • sydneybargainer on 04/04/2019 - 17:42

        Bus took around 3 hrs.

      • jjjaar on 04/04/2019 - 17:57

        Train was about 2. Book in advance it’s super cheap.

        • easoweno on 04/04/2019 - 17:59

          I must be on the wrong website… last time I checked it's over US$100 one way? which website do you use?

          • meowmeowmeow on 04/04/2019 - 18:47

            @easoweno: The Amtrak website will give you the price for all of you, so if booking for 4 people it will show about $150 one way. That's not per person. Although I suppose $150 is still a little expensive for a 2 hr trip…

            https://m.amtrak.com/h5/booking

            Bonus is the trains leave and arrive in the middle of the city, compared to airports which have transfer time etc. You only really need to be there 15 mins before your train leaves, although arrive earlier to make sure you find where to go!

          • jjjaar on 05/04/2019 - 03:50

            @easoweno: Washington to philly cost me about $35USD four years ago and I just checked a random day and the cheapest I can get now is $44 per person. (But when I said super cheap I meant in comparison to booking the same time train for today which could be as much as $120 per person).

            Yes the bus is cheaper than the train but you may also notice it. I went at the same time as some friends and they took the bus and said it was very cramped. This also may have changed.

            Ps if you do go to philly be sure to go to the Reading Terminal Market for lunch and dessert, it’s amazing.

  • Nalar on 04/04/2019 - 15:02
    +1

    Boston: it's main attractions is schools, American civil war history and Americans thinking they are Irish

    • 87percent on 04/04/2019 - 15:06

      don't forget the sporting heritage in Boston (Celtics, Redsocks, Bruins, Sort of Patriots) but i guess Philly has 76ers, Eagles, Flyers)

  • GG57 on 04/04/2019 - 15:06

    I would go to Boston.
    But that is my opinion, based on my likes / dislikes, and not having any real connection or want to see Philly. I decided this by viewing what each city had to offer on Trip Adviser and a couple of other sites.
    If I was travelling with others, I would discuss it with them and come to some agreement about which to visit.

    • easoweno on 04/04/2019 - 15:44

      My parents say go with your guts, but my guts not giving me a clear yay or nay.

      • Cliche Guevara on 05/04/2019 - 10:07
        +2

        Boston Bun or Philly Cheesesteaks - your gut can decide…

  • branners on 04/04/2019 - 15:08
    +1

    If you are just going to the cities, I would recommend Boston. Lots to see, great pubs and friendly people, but keep your eyes open for traffic. For some reason, people tend to drive aggressively, and I know people from nearby who refer to them as 'Massholes'.
    Philly is interesting too, but for some reason, I never quite felt safe there. The suburb of North Philly is somewhere to stay clear of, so do not find yourself there. Even commuting through it to one of the better burbs, like Germantown, takes some planning.
    But if you are taking in some countryside, I would stick with the trip to Philly. Amish country is really worth seeing IMO, so if you can arrange transport that is flexible, do it.

  • meowmeowmeow on 04/04/2019 - 15:09

    How many days will you have in either Boston/Philly? I've been to both, neither need more than about 3 days. Your parents might like Boston as it's a bit more aesthetically pleasing, nicer scenery, has a nice harbour etc, but Philly has the liberty bell and independence hall (and the rocky steps haha)

    • meowmeowmeow on 04/04/2019 - 15:15
      +1

      On further thought, and depending on how many days you have, is there an option to do both? Go to Boston for a few days, and then spend a day in Philly on the way back to DC? In a day you could easily do independence hall/liberty bell and a quick jaunt up the rocky steps.

    • easoweno on 04/04/2019 - 15:40

      I have 12 nights in America, so far I have planned 6 nights in NYC, last 3 nights in DC, and 3 nights in either philly or Boston. Won't do both because travelling with young and elderly we can't rush and really don't want to…. do you think 6 nights in NYC is way too long?

      • meowmeowmeow on 04/04/2019 - 16:07
        +4

        There's so much to do in NYC - you could easily just add your extra 3 days to NYC, or add 2 days to NYC and 1 to DC since you are travelling with people who won't want to rush. I've been to NYC 3 times and there's still things i haven't had time to do. Honestly, if there's not something in either Boston or Philly that you are really keen on doing, i would just add the time to NYC and DC.

        • beeawwb on 04/04/2019 - 16:58
          +2

          Seconded, there's so much to do in NYC you could find 6 nights is too short.

          • easoweno on 04/04/2019 - 17:57
            +1

            @beeawwb: Now I am starting to think maybe stay longer in NYC and washington only, then take a day trip to Philly from NYC one day….

            • meowmeowmeow on 04/04/2019 - 18:41

              @easoweno: This would be a lot less hassle…Philly is pretty small. You have to book the independence hall in advance if that's what you plan to do, but you can see the outside without booking from memory. Amtrak train shouldn't be too expensive to get there and back, you can book this in advance also.

            • fantombloo on 05/04/2019 - 05:37

              @easoweno: Or take a day trip to the Hamptons for a change of pace.

        • DamonT on 05/04/2019 - 07:50

          Agreed, I spent 11 nights in NYC and I never got bored. There is so much to do and see. DC is great too esp all the Smithsonian museums. 3 nights is rushed but just choose the ones you care more about. Enjoy.

      • branners on 05/04/2019 - 19:29
        -1

        I have posted this before on other threads, so I hope veteran OzBers will excuse me. I wrote it for a website some years ago, so it needs and update, but there are some decent ideas, I hope.

        New York City. The Big Apple. If you can make it there, it’s the Top of the World, Ma!
        In between dazzling the senses and prompting tourists to assassinate metaphors, New York is best at holding visitors to ransom. It’s one of the most expensive cities in the world, and everything there costs just this side of the oh-my-goodness.
        Well, almost everything. Some things are cheap and some – whisper it – are free. As in, no cost. Zero buck rogers. Butkus.
        You can go a whole week in New York doing free things. I know; I did it, and I am as cheap as chips. So, after months of literally priceless research, here are 10 things to do that will keep you entertained, show you a great deal of one of the world’s great cities, and let you come away with change.

        The Brooklyn Bridge
        One of the world’s most recognisable landmarks, the main route between the boroughs of Manhattan and Brooklyn is an 1800m haven for pedestrians, cyclists and skaters. All three share a two-way walkway that seemingly floats 11m above the six lanes of vehicle traffic crossing the East River.
        Actually, the 45-minute stroll across the Bridge is two things to do. As picturesque as the span is during the day, it is truly spectacular at night and provides a great view of the Manhattan skyline from the Brooklyn side. Pack a camera and good walking shoes.
        http://www.nycroads.com/crossings/brooklyn/

        The High Line
        When London’s Olympic Village is returned to the city some time after the 2012 Summer Games, it will become one of the coolest places in the world. But until then, New York’s Meatpacking District is the barometer of all things cool, and the High Line is a great way to see it. The elevated railway line sat abandoned for decades until 2009, when it reopened as a pedestrian walk.
        The first section of the green oasis above the city, which is 2.3km long, winds alongside, and through, some historic buildings and offers great views of the city and over the East River. The park closes early during winter months, and the mega-hip Standard Hotel that straddles the walk at West 13th St is a must-see – even if its rooms are way too pricey for us cheapskates.
        http://www.thehighline.org/

        Big Apple Greeters
        Psst! Want your own personal tour guide, to show you exactly what you want to see in New York, for nothing? Forgeddaboudit!
        Big Apple Greeters started 15 years ago to give visitors the chance to see the city through the eyes of the locals. You get to choose what you want to see, when you want to see it and BAG will try to match you to someone who specialises in the neighbourhood you choose.
        And ‘free’ means ‘free’. You cannot even tip – almost unique in the world epicentre of capitalism – but you may buy lunch for you guide. Tours can take up to six hours (so pack good walking shoes or better yet, buy them in New York) and your guide will even give you a free Subway pass to get you back to your hotel. For anyone who believes New Yorkers are not friendly, this is an experience that will change your mind.
        http://www.bigapplegreeter.org/

        On the telly
        So, you want to see a show in New York, but you don’t want to pay Broadway prices? The answer is to take a seat in the audience of a television show, for free.
        Like, The Late Show with David Letterman, which is taped at the famed Ed Sullivan Theater on Broadway. Late night legend Letterman has a great guest list, but the theatre is like an icebox, so dress warm, even in July. I can confirm that the house band does play all the way through the ad breaks – and they really cook.
        If your tastes run to political satire, Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert may be a better choice. The Daily Show with Jon Stewart and The Colbert Report are gaining a big audience, even if they are a little US-centric, but you soon pick up the vibe and join in the laughs. Stewart inhabits a studio on 11th Ave on the West Side, while his protégé Colbert is on West 54th.
        The ladies might prefer something a little more conversational, and that’s where The View comes in. Whoopi Goldberg leads the gab-fest, which lives on W.66th Street.
        All the shows require that ticket applications are lodged well in advance, and there is no guarantee that you will be successful. You will need to be at the venue early in the afternoon, and don’t plan on getting in and out quickly. But the chance to see some of the biggest names on TV do their schtick, up close and personal, for nada, is irresistible.
        www.cbs.com/late_show/tickets/
        www.thedailyshow.com/tickets
        http://www.colbertnation.com/tickets
        http://theview.abc.go.com/tickets

        Staten Island Ferry
        Manhattan Island is, well, an island, surrounded by water on all sides, so there are plenty of ferries to take you to the sights.
        The best one is the Staten Island Ferry because it’s free. Compared to Manhattan and the other boroughs, there is a not a lot to see in Staten Island (and what is there is worth seeing) but the trip to and from the Island is worth a lot more than free. From the starboard side on the outbound trip, and from port on the way home, you get a great view of Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty, so make sure that there are plenty of spare, um, digitals in your camera.
        In winter, rug up. No matter how cold you think you have been in Australia, nothing compares with a fresh ocean breeze in NYC in January.
        www.siferry.com

        The Forbes Galleries
        Publishing legend Malcolm Forbes led a full life, travelling to faraway places on epic adventures, seducing fabulous women and, along the way, he became an inveterate collector of many items.
        In spite of his substantial family and business responsibilities, Forbes’s collections more closely resemble those a little boy who never grew up than what you might expect of a media baron. Toy boats and toy soldiers, and classic board games (like, the prototype of Monopoly) lie alongside the trinkets one might associate with the bric-a-brac of the seriously wealthy; fine art and photography, the odd Faberge egg and stunning jewellery.
        The Galleries are open from Tuesday to Saturday, though Thursdays are reserved for group bookings.
        http://www.forbesgalleries.com/
        Cnr Fifth Ave and 12th Street, Greenwich Village
        10:00am-4:00pm

        The Abyssinian Church
        Harlem’s sorry days as a no-go area are in the past, and the borough is transforming into a multi-cultural, redeveloping neighbourhood.
        At the centre of its revitalisation is The Abyssinian Church, and its Sunday services are a riot of music and celebration. As such, the 87-year-old Baptist church has become a big tourist attraction – and that means that it is difficult to get into.
        There are two Sunday services, at 9:00am and 11:00, and no more than 100 visitors can get into the church with the locals. To even have a chance, you need to be in line well before 7:00am – which in winter can be an uncomfortable experience.
        Oh yes; The Abyssinian’s congregation embrace the term ‘Sunday Best’. The regulars dress beautifully, so either take something decent to wear, or hit the sales on Saturday…
        www.abyssinian.org
        174 W. 136th Street,
        Harlem

        Central Park
        You want free? Central Park gives you lots of free. Like, stage shows, concerts and guided walking tours. The tours, which run from 30 minutes to two and a half hours, are conducted in all weathers other than extremes of heat or cold, and experienced volunteer guides from the Central Park Conservancy Walking Tour Program will highlight different parts of the 280 hectare island of green, in the middle of Manhattan.
        Central Park, which opened in 1857, is bordered by West 110th Street and West 59th Street, and byEighth Avenue and Fifth Avenue.
        http://www.centralparknyc.org/visit/tours/guided-tours/
        212-360-2726

        Grand Central Terminal
        Why would you want to see a train station? Well, to start with, Grand Central is a terminal, not a station, as train journeys begin and end there, rather than travel through it. The restored glory of the Terminal, which was rededicated in 1998, is truly beautiful. Jackie Kennedy Onassis led the fight to stop the Terminal from destruction, and the six million people who pass through each day owe the former First Lady a great deal.
        Every Friday and 12:30pm, a free walking tour of the building begins. The tour starts across the street from Grand Central, on 42nd Street in front of the Altria/Whitney Museum at 12:30 sharp. You can make a donation if you wish, but the Blue Point oysters at the famed Oyster Bar may be just too tempting. For more information call 212-697-1245.

        New York Public Library
        Every city has a library, so touring aisles of books may seem a bore – but New York’s library is just breathtaking. It contained a million books when it opened 90 years ago, has many more than that now, and it is fun to watch New Yorkers take their lunch on the famed steps that take you down to 42nd Street.
        There are a number of free tours available. Cheapskates will go for the one-hour tours of the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building, which begin at 11am and 2pm Monday to Saturday, and 2pm on Sundays. Tours of exhibitions in the Gottesman Exhibition Hall run Monday to Saturday at 12:30pm and 2:30pm and on Sunday at 3:30pm.
        http://www.nypl.org/
        Cnr 42nd Street and 5th Ave
        212-930-0830

  • EFC94 on 04/04/2019 - 15:25

    I went to Philly a few years ago, without a doubt the most boring city I've ever been to. Not a whole lot to do there and absolutely nothing happening. Go to Boston instead.

  • Ryanek on 04/04/2019 - 15:36
    +2

    I prefer Sixers over Celtics so that's my answer!

    • Donaldhump on 04/04/2019 - 17:52

      charles barkley still playing for them?

  • Nalar on 04/04/2019 - 15:37
    +2

    Watch Always Sunny in Philadelphia, good travel guide for there

  • Skramit on 04/04/2019 - 19:26
    +1

    I went to both a couple years ago. Loved both so you’re good either way. The history stuff in both cities is fantastic and we loved doing the free walking tours in both.

    Philly has heaps of art places and stuff if your into that. Boston and philly both have great food scenes. Philly is really beautiful, but Boston has a vibe of its own.

    Really hard to split. I reckon just pick whichever one suits your itinerary or travel better and you can’t go wrong.

  • [Deactivated] on 05/04/2019 - 21:28

    Never been to Philly.

    Been to Boston. It's an amazing city.

    Aquarium.

    USS Constitution (Old Ironsides). The oldest warship still in use.

    Museum of Science.

    Amazing old Churches.

    Copley Place Tower virtually every upmarket retailer is there.Tiffanys has a guard at the door with a magnum. There is a lookout on the top floor overlooking the entire city.

    And many many other places to visit.

    If you like Clam Chowder it's the only place to get it.

    A warning…stay away from the "combat zone".

  • irishgal on 08/04/2019 - 09:46

    We went to New York last July, loved it and would go back in a second. We took the greyhound bus to Philly and walked to our hotel We stayed at the Courtyard. We loved Philly and its galleries and food plus it was a bit of a break after all the hustle of New York. There is an excellent food market a cross the road from the Courtyard.We did also travel to Boston and loved that too. Its hard to say which I prefer but if you want a slightly slower pace go with Philly. The bus was so cheap and easy to catch. Either way you will have a super time.

    • easoweno on 08/04/2019 - 22:31

      Thank you. How many days did you stay in Philly? Do you think 2 days enough?

      • irishgal on 09/04/2019 - 00:41

        We stayed two days but could easily have stayed a third. Its smaller than Boston which I think will suit your 5 year old and your parents a bit more after leaving N.York and before heading to D.c. We also went to D.C and loved it there too. No matter where you go you will have an awesome time.Only place I don't need to visit again is Indianapolis.

Login or Join to leave a comment
Login Join