The way we travel has changed over the last few years. With travellers more thirsty for experiences, knowledge and authenticity than ever before, staying in one destination just doesn’t have the same appeal it once did. Instead, it’s the quest for discovery combined with eye-opening experiences, culinary adventures and stumbling among hidden pockets of big cities that has us enthralled.
The USA is one particular destination where travel is only hotting up, with many realising the diversity of the destinations within. Where you can feel like you’re hitting many different countries in one, from sweeping desert landscapes to lush greenery, glittering skyscrapers and glittering lakes. In 2022, New York welcomed 56.7 million visitors alone – a substantial amount, yet hardly surprising so many people want to visit the USA. These stats about New York are a true testament to what a fantastic city it is to visit, but why just head here? When flying across the pond, why not couple it up with other destinations? Where you can have your cake and eat it too. We suggest flying over to Boston, the cultural and financial centre of New England before heading to Rhode Island for stretches of pristine beaches, fresh-from-the-ocean seafood and an old school feel. Round off your trip with the buzz and excitement of the big apple and there’s little more you could wish for in a trip away. In this article we take you on a journey of three cities, ideal for any time of year.
Getting there
When heading on a memorable trip you want to start it in the right way. Fly with JetBlue Airlines, upgrading to their Mint experience to really elevate your journey. Stretch out with more space and privacy than ever before, sipping champagne from your fully-enclosed suite complete with a sliding door and supremely comfortable seats. Flick through an enviable selection of movies while scrolling on your phone utilising their free wifi. Dine on mouth watering dishes and snacks while watching the world pass you by from below, then fully recline your seat when you fancy a doze. You can find out more about Jetblue Mint experience here.
Stop 1: Boston
Stay:
The Godfrey Hotel
The Whitney Hotel
Get:
A Boston City Pass for access to attractions and some public transport
Do:
Boston really is a city that has something for everyone and is great to visit any time of year. With a charming history, take your time to wander through cobblestoned streets while admiring the quaint architecture. It’s cosy and unassuming, with a diverse food and drinks scene and a myriad of hotels to make your base. Get your culture fix in the artist studios and galleries, check out their vintage market and if visiting in the summer months, head to the SoWa Open Market where you can find local artisans, farmers and food trucks selling their wares.
The New England Aquarium is a must, particularly for families, while solo travellers and groups alike can get lost in the Boston Public library, the air heavy with the scent of thumbed-through pages. When the sun shines, wander through the Freedom Trail in Boston Common – the oldest public park in the US, and any visitor to Boston can’t miss a game at Fenway Park – the home of the Red Sox.
Dine on Peruvian-Japanese-Chinese food at RUKA in the Godfrey, sample the oysters at Union Oyster House – America’s oldest eatery, or tuck into an Italian at Bricco in North End. Boston is a city you should take at your own pace, wandering without being afraid of getting lost. It’s the ideal spot to just walk the streets taking it all in and marvelling at what you come across.
Whether staying in Boston for one day, three days or a week, when it’s time to head to Rhode Island, we recommend either driving or taking the Amtrak. With an average ticket price of £18 and a trip duration of 32 minutes, it’s a simple way to get there if you don’t have a car or don’t want to hire one.
Read:
How to spend 48 hours in Boston
Stop 2: Rhode Island
Stay:
The Brenton Hotel
Ocean House Hotel
Get:
A Rhode Island City Pass for access to attractions and some public transport
Do:
There’s just something special about Rhode Island that’s hard to put your finger on. It’s somewhere that feels welcoming and calm and offers a truly tranquil retreat from the buzzing cities it’s so well connected to. With long stretches of beach that lead way to breathtaking sunsets, stunning architecture (there’s a reason celebrities from Taylor Swift to Mark Whalberg reside here) and plenty of fantastic restaurants, there are countless reasons to add this destination to your trip.
Known as the Ocean State, Rhode Island is framed by 43 kilometres of coastline and unparalleled views. As the seasons change, golden leaves crunch underfoot and crisp mornings beg for walks through quaint villages, where Colonial-period houses border the pavements. It’s a destination steeped in culture and endless activities, where you can make of your break just what you fancy. You can dine on fresh seafood, soak up culture in the museums and cycle down winding coastal pathways.
Experience the freedom of the outdoors on a rail explorer, a unique two hour tour on pedal-powered rail bikes, or why not head to the skies with a helicopter ride over the South County coast? Step back in time with a visit to Breakers a Gilded Age mansion from the 1800’s that was the residence of the Vanderbilt family.Enjoy a naturalist tour at Weekapaug Inn, get nautical at the National Sailing Museum and be sure to visit the Tennis Hall of Fame for your sports fix. Food-wise, be sure to sample Rhode-Island style calamari – they’re known for their seafood over here and this dish doesn’t disappoint! There are bagel shops, fine-dining restaurants and everything in between.
To get from Rhode Island to New York, we recommend the train. The journey time is around three hours, but the trains are comfortable and there’s plenty to see out of the windows!
Stop 3: New York
Stay:
Moxy NYC Lower East Side
Romer Hell’s Kitchen
Get:
A NYC City Pass for access to attractions and some public transport
Do:
Whether you’ve been to New York countless times or if this is your first venture to the big apple, it’s a destination that will never fail to impress. Step out of New York Penn Station located beneath Madison Square Garden and be in the heart of the city. You can either check in your bags or head straight out and explore depending on the amount of luggage you have with you.
We recommend getting a city pass when in New York as this gives you access and discounts to a myriad of attractions as well as covering public transport, great for when you have a lot of ground to cover! Head to the Empire State Building, Edge at Hudson Yards and take the ferry to the Statue of Liberty. As well as these attractions, you need to watch a game of basketball at the Barclays Centre where you can cheer on the Brooklyn nets. You could opt for a Big Bus tour to see all the main sights in one day too!
Visit Times Square for shopping, to attend a Broadway show, to just to sit down with a coffee and take in the vibrant atmosphere that’s quite unlike anywhere else in the world. Head to the High Line – an elevated public park built on an abandoned railway line, visit Chelsea Market and make time to dine in Katz delicatessen, one of the city’s most iconic eateries thanks to its cameo in When Harry met Sally. Head to the city’s many museums and art galleries, from the Metropolitan Museum of Art to the Museum of Modern Art and the American Museum of Natural History. Food wise, you’re spoiled for choice in NYC, with everything from intimate eateries tucked down side streets, to large, bustling restaurants in the thick of the action, bakeries, coffee shops and sandwich deli’s. This really is a city with something for everyone to enjoy and the ideal way to round off your trip from Boston.
Read:
How to spend 48 hours in NYC
Over the past few days (or even weeks!) you would have ticked off everything you could possibly wish from your trip. From adrenaline-inducing activities, to eating and drinking a wide array of delicious cuisines, to just taking in views from the coast to the beating heart of the city. Will you plan a trip like this? Where are you going to head? Let us know in the comments!
