New York / Boston / Washington DC?

**Closed Account 2** · 02/01/2007, 4:18 PM

Hi,

Work is sending me to New York (about 1 hour from the city) for 3 days in a few weeks. Im taking 2 days holiday (and with the weekend will have 4 free days to myself).

I was in New York in 2001 and it was good, and I could spend another 4 days there, or could go to Boston (havent been there for 15 years) or Washington DC (never been there). Which is the best place to go, both DC and Boston are about 3 hours by bus or Amtrak/

Anyone got any tips ? Also what's the sales tax rate like in Boston and DC ? is it similar to New York City (I think upstate New York has less tax than New York City), is that right ?

Also do they take passports as ID in bars there ?

Cheers for the advice.

**pete** · 02/01/2007, 5:19 PM

Originally Posted by cfdh_edmundo

Also do they take passports as ID in bars there ?

I am no expert but I believe passports only acceptable form of foreigner ID.

From what I can remember DC only has museums to recommend. Long time since I was there but if thats what you looking for few better places. Smithsonian is top class.

**Dodge** · 02/01/2007, 5:26 PM

UPsate New York is cheaper sales tax than city (by about 2% I think). Washington has the highest sales tax in the US. Its something like 11% (Friend of mine lived there). City's meant to be OK. Never been to Boston. I think Philadelphia is close by and a travel agent friend of mine reckons thats the city to visit

**Metrostars** · 02/01/2007, 5:53 PM

As Pete mentioned, DC is great if you're into Musuems and such. The Georgetown area is nice too. If you're into the Irish bar scene, Boston is good, plus it is not too big and is easy to get around. NY as I'm sure you are aware has great stuff for everyone.

Sales tax rates:
NYC: 8.375%
NY: 4%
MA: 5%
DC: there is a Washington city sales tax of 5.75%, as it has most of the responsibility for the district. The rate is 9% for alcohol consumed off-premises, 10% for restaurant and take-out meals, rental cars and calling cards, 12% for commercial parking, and the 14.5% lodging tax for hotels and motels. Groceries and all medicines are exempt, as are residential public utility services.

From here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sales_t..._United_States

**NY Hoop** · 03/01/2007, 10:10 AM

DC is a great city for the tourist. Boston sucks you cant fart without being asked for ID.

NY best city to visit/live etc.

KOH

**Ash** · 03/01/2007, 10:28 AM

Originally Posted by NY Hoop

DC is a great city for the tourist. Boston sucks you cant fart without being asked for ID.

NY best city to visit/live etc.

KOH

I was in Boston and New York about 2 years ago and was never asked for
ID in any bars.

Cant actually remember exactly what bars I was in but, in Boston,
one was near Fenway Park (I think) and then the Cheers bar among others.

In New York I drank in a couple around by Maddison Square Garden and
Greenwich Village. Actually I think one in Greenwich had a theme of
American Werewolf in London.

No bother in any of them!

**pete** · 03/01/2007, 10:48 AM

Originally Posted by Ash

I was in Boston and New York about 2 years ago and was never asked for ID in any bars.

Picture of Ash....

**Drumcondra Red** · 03/01/2007, 11:28 AM

Going to NY in March fo rthe first time ever, any tips would be appriciated!!!

**Ash** · 03/01/2007, 12:07 PM

Originally Posted by pete

Picture of Ash....

... and that was when I was a young buck

**Dodge** · 03/01/2007, 5:11 PM

Originally Posted by Drumcondra Red

Going to NY in March fo rthe first time ever, any tips would be appriciated!!!

Walk the Brooklyn Bridge at night (get the subway to Brooklyn and walk into Manhatten)

Loads to do, all the usual touristy stuff. You know most of it already

**jebus** · 03/01/2007, 6:35 PM

Originally Posted by Drumcondra Red

Going to NY in March fo rthe first time ever, any tips would be appriciated!!!

If you still haven't got anywhere to stay than check out a hostel called 'Jazz on the Park', it's on West 125th St and is a great place for just having a laugh. It's clean, the staff are friendly and they throw rooftop all you can eat and drink bbqs where its $5 in for the night

**Closed Account 2** · 04/01/2007, 10:28 AM

also was hoping to catch a match out there, but it looks like the MLS is finished until April...

do the teams do any preseason matches at all ???

it doesnt say much on their website

http://redbull.newyork.mlsnet.com/t107/

**NY Hoop** · 04/01/2007, 11:01 AM

Check out www.bigsoccer.com

Forum like this but with better mods.

KOH

**Metrostars** · 04/01/2007, 6:58 PM

Originally Posted by cfdh_edmundo

also was hoping to catch a match out there, but it looks like the MLS is finished until April...

do the teams do any preseason matches at all ???

it doesnt say much on their website

http://redbull.newyork.mlsnet.com/t107/

First NY Red Bulls league game at home is April 15. The season starts away on April 7. They usually play a few friendlies before the season starts. Also there are rumours that the US will play Ecuador at Giants Stadium on March 25 that I will probably go to if it's on.

The only other local football before then is the Concacaf Champions Cup that DC United/scum are qualified for. They are in the quarter finals Feb 21/March 28 and the semis are March 14/April 4.

**paul_oshea** · 05/01/2007, 8:53 AM

been to all 3 cities, and I have to say the most impressive undergound I have ever been to is washington dc, its like a whole city undergound in some of the stations. seriouslly for that alone its worth seeing!!! If you are into museums and stuff DC is definately a place to see, in terms of modern architecture its also worth seeing. I noticed its a very clean city also. However nightlife isnt great, but if you are on your own you wont really be going for that reason.

Boston, great city loved it. quite a bit to see and people are generally quite friendly. New york, again so much to see and the skyscrapers are really something to get worked up about. village area is where a lot of people stay/go out but I would recommend just visitingthere during the day and staying in one of the boroughs, get more of a real feel for the city.

**NY Hoop** · 05/01/2007, 10:47 AM

Originally Posted by paul_oshea

been to all 3 cities, and I have to say the most impressive undergound I have ever been to is washington dc, its like a whole city undergound in some of the stations. seriouslly for that alone its worth seeing!!! If you are into museums and stuff DC is definately a place to see, in terms of modern architecture its also worth seeing. I noticed its a very clean city also. However nightlife isnt great, but if you are on your own you wont really be going for that reason.

Boston, great city loved it. quite a bit to see and people are generally quite friendly. New york, again so much to see and the skyscrapers are really something to get worked up about. village area is where a lot of people stay/go out but I would recommend just visitingthere during the day and staying in one of the boroughs, get more of a real feel for the city.

You'd get a better feel for the city if you stayed in it. Keep away from the oirish places like Woodlawn and Woodside.

Agree about the subway system in DC. Forgotten about that.

KOH