The Big Apple can feel like a world away from Boston. But in reality, it is only a 4-hour Amtrak ride from South Station. And when you take the train, the door-to-door commute is not only shorter than if you flew but also a lot less hassle. So, if you are looking for an easy weekend getaway from Boston, consider heading to New York City this winter.
The easiest way to get to NYC from Boston is the train
The easiest way to get to NYC from Boston really is taking the train. Whether you opt for the Northeast Regional or the Acela, Amtrak is the best way to go because if you will be staying in Manhattan, avoiding the trek from JFK or LGA will save you at least an hour on either end of your trip and not to mention all the hassle that comes with going to the airport. And the best part is that right now you can save up to 30% on Acela when you book at least 14 days in advance, which means that fares can be as low as $58 from Boston to NYC. So, save yourself a few headaches and book a train ticket to New York from Boston this winter.
Seeing the sights is a lot easier when there are few tourists
New York City has an abundance of popular sights to see and places to visit. However, in the summer months, most of these will be mobbed with visitors from around the world. However, if you visit in the off-season, i.e., the wintertime—many of these attractions will be crowd free. However, we still recommend that you pace yourself, NYC is a lot bigger than Boston and getting from one end to the other will take it out of you no matter how crowd-free it may be.
There are amazing places to stay
Obviously, New York City has an infinite number of places to stay, from hostels to boutique hotels all the way to ultra-luxe 5-star resorts. However, if you are looking to visit some of the popular sights, you may want to invest in a hotel near the bucket list items on your itinerary. If this will be your first trip to NYC in a few years, try something different and head to Lower Manhattan. Many tourists skip this part of the city, thinking it is just for finance pros working on Wall Street, but this is a dynamic, fun area to make home base for your weekend getaway from Boston. We recommend checking out the Four Seasons Downtown. When you book a stay at the Four Seasons Downtown, you are not only steps from the 9/11 Memorial and the One World Trade, but also just a short Uber ride from the funky bars of the Lower East Side or the trendy restaurants of Greenwich Village.
Expect the level of service the Four Seasons is known for at the property—from being greeted as soon as you arrive to the plush furnishings in the rooms to the first-class concierge service—a relaxing getaway is possible this winter when you visit NYC from Boston. (Especially if you take the train, as there will be no TSA, no lines and no hour long rides from the airport.)
There is an unlimited number of restaurants to visit
As Bostonians, sometimes we forget the glory of the NYC food scene and its unlimited options. Here are a few lower Manhattan spots worth a visit, especially if you are staying at the FS Downtown, they are within 30 minutes of the hotel!
Etérea – This East Village Vegan Mexican restaurant has a cool diner vibe (in the best way) and is very affordable, especially when dining with a group; all the plates are great for sharing!
Amor y Amargo – If you booked Etérea be sure to swing by their sister bar around the corner, Amor y Amargo. Specializing in “everything bitter and stirred”, you won’t find trendy drinks here—they do the classics only and they do them well.
CUT – Obviously if you are staying at the FS Downtown, you have to make time to dine at their on-property restaurant, CUT. This sexy steakhouse has all the vibes you want when you visit NYC, the stunning bar, intimate lounge and buzzing dining room make for a fun date night or dinner with friends before hitting the town!
Quality Eats – One of the great things about staying at the FS Downtown is that you are surprisingly centrally located in terms of Lower Manhattan, for example, Quality Eats West Village is equidistant to the hotel as Etérea in the East Village! Head to Quality Eats for a trendy night out while dining on quite literally some quality dishes.
Ernesto’s—Last but not least, Ernesto’s is another Lower Manhattan must try. The gorgeous interior combined with the expertly prepared Spanish tapas makes for a night to remember.
As much as we all love Boston, getting out of town is a great way to refresh and recharge. And we are so fortunate to have to have one of the world’s great cities right on our New England doorstep. So be sure to add New York City to your list this winter and book your Acela tickets early to save!
Check out our guides to the best weekend getaways from Boston and the best day trips from Boston for lots more ideas on how to beat cabin fever this winter.