My 2 most favorite visits to NYC (and I visit fairly often, as my D lives there) were in early May, the tulips and flowers were all in bloom, and mid-September, the heat was dissipating and the city was delightful. That said, my 3rd most favorite visit was the week after Thanksgiving, the Christmas windows were in their glory and the Christmas markets were in full swing.
For both cities my rec would be mid-June and early October.
I love early October in Boston…BUT…check for,when colleges are having parents weekends. Many are in early October…and it’s a scene there at that time. Hotel prices are high…etc.
And avoid Columbus Day weekend…which is a huge busy time in New England in terms of foliage. Getting a hotel between CT and NH could be a challenge that weekend unless you book early. True story…we are from CT, and were invited to a wedding the Saturday of Columbus Day weekend in Providence. We searched and searched for hotel rooms. Most had a 2 day minimum…but it didn’t matter…they were booked. We ended up just driving home at 2 a.m.
Last year, I was in NYC in May… the trees were blossoming… the sunny sky was blue… it was warm but not hot. And I again understood why people fall – and stay – in love with this magnificent city
OP again. Hotels aren’t an issue. Both kids have apartments large enough to host us. Based on the earlier advice we’d decided to shoot for September or October. Then, thankfully I pulled my head out of my arse and remembered that DD’s birthday falls within that time frame, so rather than random dates in those months, we’ve scheduled the trip as a birthday visit.
^Not sure where you are coming from, but this is a good time to see foliage in the northeast. Early October is better. September in NYC is beautiful. Think 911. It really was a beautiful day weather wise. Obviously not, otherwise.
Not directly related to OP’s question but for others interested in NYC travel: In my experience, 4th of July weekend/week are the lowest hotel prices you’ll find all year. The city residents have cleared out, traffic is at a minimum and hotel rates across the board are rock bottom. It’s hot (close to 100 some years) but if you’re interested in a trip for shows and museums you’ll find the smallest crowds/relative ease of getting show tickets/ and less difficulty with good restaurant reservations.
Have fun. NYC is always great !
Now it’s getting interesting. We’re planning on spending one weekend in Boston with one kid and the next weekend in NYC with the other. So now we need to figure out what to during the intermediate M-F when both kids are busy with work. We can hang out in either’s apartment and see the sights in either city, or take a 3-5 day getaway anywhere in the general area.
So far we’ve spent more time exploring Boston so a free week in New York seems tempting. We’d be staying in the UES near Central Park and the museums. But we’re open to alternatives, such as a New England road trip, a quick trip to Canada, or anything else.
Suggestions for the northeast in early October?
You can head into NH, VT, ME to see some leaves in the northern parts. Or coastal trip north along the MA, NH, ME seacoast, or south along the Cape and RI.
Some places in between NYC and Boston to stop at (without going too much out of your way) - Providence RI, Newport RI, the Berkshires in MA, and Cape Cod.
SInce we are talking about fall, I would try and see the most tree color. Take Mass pike eat - stop one night in the stockbridge area (don’t miss the Norman Rockwell museum), then continue east into NY- cross the river and come down the west side (route 9) and stop one night at Poughkeepsie (and visit Roosevelt’s home), then drive down to NYC (NY Thruway). Spend your extra nights in NYC (you can never run out of stuff to do in the city).
Weather has been funny everywhere for the last few years. This spring in the NYC area has been hot (high 70s) and cold (mid 50s) in an alternating pattern. It’s in the low 60s here now, and a good ten degrees colder in the Boston area. I had plans to wear spring dresses to my son’s commissioning events, but I am now rethinking my wardrobe.
I agree with others, fall has a slight edge over spring. Mostly because of the pollen!
If time permits, I’d suggest a Cape Cod visit. After Labor Day the VRBO/Flipkey rental rates are much lower, there’s left crowds/traffic, and the weather is lovely.
Dittoing Kiddie’s ideas but you’d take Mass Pike west from Boston to get to the Berkshires and NYS. There is also The Clark Museum at Williams College and and Mass MoCA in North Adams.
You can also go to Manchester VT which isn’t far from the western Mass border if you like shopping. Tons of outlets but in a very New England-y setting.
You can also drive up Mt. Greylock in Adams Ma and get views of 4 states at the top and then hike a bit of the Appalachian Trail.
In NY along that way to NYC there is Storm King Arts Center http://stormking.org and Walkway Over the Hudson. https://walkway.org
Thanks I meant west - there are also many historic homes along the hudson you can visit - http://www.hudsonriver.com/history/great-estates-hudson-valley I have been to most and the best is Olana (home of the artist Frederic Church)
I appreciate all the suggestions. Initially we were leaning toward hanging out in NYC for the week, but the idea of visiting other sites is appealing too. If possible I’d prefer Amtrak over renting a car. Would a 3-4 day train trip from Boston to New York make sense and, if so, what would be a good itinerary? Thanks again.
I do the Amtrak trip between boston and nyc regularly - it is a means of transportation not a way to sightsee. Besides Providence - none of the in between stops are in places you can see stuff. Rent a car and enjoy the places between the two cities.
It’s a shortish train trip between the two cities. Agree that the only interesting stopping point is Providence. You could take the train to Providence, however, rent a car there for several days and tool around lovely Rhode Island. Then hop back on a train to NYC. Providence is nice but wouldn’t need 3-4 days to explore without car access to get out of the city.
October
OP again, happily resurrecting the thread. I just reread the entire thread and would like to thank everyone for their helpful suggestions We started by visiting my brother, who is recently displaced from the Virgin Islands and regaining his bearings on the mainland. Then we travelled to Boston, where we enjoyed near perfect weather. The highlights were the museum of natural history at Harvard, a nice run along the river with DD, and seeing a few of the kids’ HS friends. We then took the train to NYC, where the weather couldn’t be better and our UES location is wonderful for exploring the museums and Central Park. We saw Book of Mormon tonight and, having lived in Utah for thirty years, understood it on a level most in the audience probably couldn’t. Best of all, DS is taking a couple days off work to hang out with us midweek. I’m not one for superlatives but this is one of my best vacations ever.
Agree with late spring/early fall for weather. Great time to be outside.
NYC can be gloriously empty on an August weekend, so if you are looking for theater tix or dinner reservations, you could be in luck. And if you are a museum goer, weather doesn’t matter.