Labilana

Dear Fodor community,

together with my daughter I will visit the US in August for 19 days. We arrive and leave at New York airports. We have made plans for the first half of our trip, the second is somewhat unclear. I would appreciate, if you could give us some kind of advice what to see. We love to visit cities, as well as natural parks and are also quite good at going to the mountains.
First half:
NYC (5 days, actually 3 full sightseeing days)
Philadelphia 3/4 of a day
Amish Country (2 days, probably staying at Lancaster)
Washington (3 days)
Great Falls 3/4 of a day
overnight stay, probably Hagerstown

Second half:
The original idea was to go to
Cleveland
Buffalo
Niagara Falls
back to New York (airport La Guardia)

However I am not sure, if this is the right choice. All Europeans say, that the Niagara Falls are a must, but I agree with most of the comments on this forum that say that the drive is not necessarily worth it.

The trip to Washington (including Great Falls) is somewhat fixed. The rest isn't. We have still 7 days to travelexcluding the arrival at the airport. I already hired and paid a rental car for my trip.

Thank you for your advice

Lana

sf7307

Putting aside for a moment the question about Niagara Falls, why Cleveland?

If it were me, and I had an "extra" 7 days in the Northeast U.S., I'd choose to spend it in New England.

nytraveler

Agree that Cleveland and Buffalo are very odd choices - and while Niagara Falls is dramatic IMHO not worth a visit unless you are going someplce nearby. I'm a native New Yorker and saw the Falls for the first time about 5 years aog when we drove to Toronto.

I agree that it's a better idea ot spend time in Boston, other parts of New England (the Maine coast) - or upste New York - the Appalachians and Lakes Placid and George are beuatiful.

Labilana

I am from Slovenia and had the idea to visit Cleveland, because most Slovenes live there in the US. It's interesting to see how your folks live abroad. However, this was just an idea. I don't know anyone in Cleveland and haven't found so far any specific places that would be typically Slovene, except for events.

What would you suggest in New England?

sallytakemyhand

Is Philly just part of one day? I'd do Amish Country as part of a day going from Philly to DC. Add more time to Philly.

Or stop off in Amish country from NYC to DC since the days there are fixed. On the way back, spend a few days in Philly. Maybe a day in Baltimore on the way from DC to Philly.

sf7307

New England - Boston, the coast of Maine, Cape Cod, Mystic Connecticut, Newport Rhode Island, Old Deerfield Massachusetts, and any number of quaint little towns....Here's a report I did of a very short driving trip we took last summer starting and ending in New Haven, Connecticut. Keep in mind that we've been in Boston before (including last year), so we only spent half a day there this time.

http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...ew-england.cfm

HappyTrvlr

If you want to visit a city where many Slovenes have immigrated, perhaps Chicago, a beautiful and interesting city with much to offer, would be a better choice. Chicago is city of neighborhoods and there are many ethnic enclaves.

stumpworks73

Just west of Cleveland is an amusement park named Cedar Point. Famous for great roller coasters. You can enjoy in one day. It's in a beautiful setting on Lake Erie. You can do out and back from Cleveland in one day, or you can travel over and stay at a lake front hotel.

In this same area are islands in Lake Erie; Kelly's Island, Put-in-Bay that you can take a hydro-foil to an island for lunch, biking, dinner.

Just north of Niagara Falls is a city named Niagara on the Lake. This is a beautiful city with fine hotels and pleasant restaurants. The nicest place to stay when you go see Niagara Falls in my opinion.

As you are coming or going from New York City, the Finger Lakes area includes Lake George and a famous resort named Sagamore worthy of a visit. Beautiful natural setting.

Labilana

Thank you all for your advice. I will probably leave out the Niagara falls and consider some of your suggestions.

You are right, NYC and Washington are fixed visits with hotel bookings. Some forums in Germany and Slovenia suggested that one should just pass through Philadelphia, therefore I intended to stay there less than one day and stay at a cheaper lodging in Amish county. But maybe, I'll do it the other way round and try to find something cheaper in Philly.

Thank you for now. I may get back to you, if I will have additional questions.