Quest into the north-east USA

[Drakecula]

Some of you may recall last year's trip to Vegas came about thanks to a generous offer for MrD to attend Flight Sim Expo. Fast forward to now and that offer has been extended once again, except this year Flight Sim Expo is being held in Providence, Rhode Island.

I immediately pulled up a map because my geography knowledge is pretty bad and engaged 'holiday research mode'.

I was excited to see that it's not that far from New York City. I've wanted to go to New York forever. I've read about it in books, seen it on TV, I just have always wanted to visit. Plus we're big Broadway musical fans. So it's being tacked on the end of this trip. We're definitely going to see Death Becomes Her and Smash. We have time to fit in a third show, but I've not locked anything in yet. We're going to be staying in a hotel I've dreamed about staying in for over a decade - Library Hotel! The ten floors of rooms are divided into the Dewey Decimal classifications, which each room on that floor dedicated to a particular topic within that classification. It's perfection.

In my research it became clear that Boston was likely the best airport to fly into (Providence does have its own airport, but it seemed easier and more cost effective to target Boston as the larger airport). And while Boston in its own right has things I'm interested in seeing (Harvard Libraries anyone?), there's another destination not too far away that caught my eye. Salem! Salem = witchy things in my mind and so I knew I needed to tack on a visit there too. It has historical significance of course, but pop culture too. Anyone a fan of Hocus Pocus??

So thus forms our USA adventure for 2025.

Day One = CBR-SYD-SFO-BOS (all in Y. QF, then UA)
Day Two = Whirlwind visit to Salem, before heading to Providence
Day Three = potential day trip back to Boston with or without MrD, depending on Expo requirements as this is set up day
Days Four-Six = Flight Sim Expo! AKA, me entertaining myself by exploring Providence and maybe another trip to Boston
Day Seven = Train to New York City
Days Eight-Nine = NYC + Broadway
Days Ten-Twelve = EWR-LAX-SYD-CBR (again all in Y and UA then QF)

 

[RooFlyer]

I've dreamed about staying in for over a decade - Library Hotel! The ten floors of rooms are divided into the Dewey Decimal classifications, which each room on that floor dedicated to a particular topic within that classification. It's perfection.

 

[RooFlyer]

You may be able to get a (free) itinerary of your particular interests in NYC via

Big Apple Greeter - A Free Welcome-Visitor Service from NYC Volunteers

Big Apple Greeter - A Free Welcome-Visitor Service from NYC Volunteers

www.bigapplegreeter.org

Including, or separately, the library of JP Morgan:

Post in thread 'RTW to no-where in particular'

Feb 24, 2020

Just a couple of blocks away was once place I did plan beforehand on visiting - the ( JP) Morgan Library and Museum.

Those who don't remember J Pierpont Morgan (other than being the namesake of the Fin Review's 'Pierpont' mining mogul of the '80s ), check him out:

J. P. Morgan - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

I read this some time ago and have never forgotten the story:



So, with a 'student discount', I got in for US$7 - a bargain. The Library and museum houses JPM's fantastic book and manuscript collection, together with various other (priceless) trinkets...

• RooFlyer

• 
• 

 

[Drakecula]

You may be able to get a (free) itinerary of your particular interests in NYC via

Big Apple Greeter - A Free Welcome-Visitor Service from NYC Volunteers

Big Apple Greeter - A Free Welcome-Visitor Service from NYC Volunteers

www.bigapplegreeter.org

Including, or separately, the library of JP Morgan:

I'd forgotten about Big Apple Greeter, I'll look into it. I'm hopefully meeting up with a friend or two while over there so I could be okay.

And yes, the Morgan Library is on the list!

 

[I love to travel]

Some of you may recall last year's trip to Vegas came about thanks to a generous offer for MrD to attend Flight Sim Expo. Fast forward to now and that offer has been extended once again, except this year Flight Sim Expo is being held in Providence, Rhode Island.

I immediately pulled up a map because my geography knowledge is pretty bad and engaged 'holiday research mode'.

I was excited to see that it's not that far from New York City. I've wanted to go to New York forever. I've read about it in books, seen it on TV, I just have always wanted to visit. Plus we're big Broadway musical fans. So it's being tacked on the end of this trip. We're definitely going to see Death Becomes Her and Smash. We have time to fit in a third show, but I've not locked anything in yet. We're going to be staying in a hotel I've dreamed about staying in for over a decade - Library Hotel! The ten floors of rooms are divided into the Dewey Decimal classifications, which each room on that floor dedicated to a particular topic within that classification. It's perfection.

In my research it became clear that Boston was likely the best airport to fly into (Providence does have its own airport, but it seemed easier and more cost effective to target Boston as the larger airport). And while Boston in its own right has things I'm interested in seeing (Harvard Libraries anyone?), there's another destination not too far away that caught my eye. Salem! Salem = witchy things in my mind and so I knew I needed to tack on a visit there too. It has historical significance of course, but pop culture too. Anyone a fan of Hocus Pocus??

So thus forms our USA adventure for 2025.

Day One = CBR-SYD-SFO-BOS (all in Y. QF, then UA)
Day Two = Whirlwind visit to Salem, before heading to Providence
Day Three = potential day trip back to Boston with or without MrD, depending on Expo requirements as this is set up day
Days Four-Six = Flight Sim Expo! AKA, me entertaining myself by exploring Providence and maybe another trip to Boston
Day Seven = Train to New York City
Days Eight-Nine = NYC + Broadway
Days Ten-Twelve = EWR-LAX-SYD-CBR (again all in Y and UA then QF)

Sounds great (except for the Y flights) Lots of people have been to NY, given your interest in flying you might like this for starters

https://intrepidmuseum.org/plan-your-visit/experiences/public-tours/concorde-experience

 

[newmarket]

If you can, try to spend some time in Boston. It’s by far my favourite east coast US city.

 

[NoName]

If you can, try to spend some time in Boston. It’s by far my favourite east coast US city.

Agree. Really enjoyed Boston when we were there in late December.

N

Post in thread 'NoNames Xmas Vacation 2: Some Things Old + Some Things New'

Feb 25, 2025

Day 8









Pretty early start to day 8 as we had a 7:57am train leaving Penn Station that we have be on. We were off to the first of our “new” destinations – Boston – for a few days. Only needed to be at the departure hall approx. 30 minutes prior from memory but being the paranoids that we are when it comes to a new mode of transport we wanted to make sure we were there will before this. Up at 6, quick shower and change then down to the lobby to check out. Left 2 of 3 bags with the bellman as we were returning a few days later. Figured that all we needed for 3 nights was 1 of...

• NoName

• 

 

[Drakecula]

Agree. Really enjoyed Boston when we were there in late December.

N

Post in thread 'NoNames Xmas Vacation 2: Some Things Old + Some Things New'

Feb 25, 2025

Day 8









Pretty early start to day 8 as we had a 7:57am train leaving Penn Station that we have be on. We were off to the first of our “new” destinations – Boston – for a few days. Only needed to be at the departure hall approx. 30 minutes prior from memory but being the paranoids that we are when it comes to a new mode of transport we wanted to make sure we were there will before this. Up at 6, quick shower and change then down to the lobby to check out. Left 2 of 3 bags with the bellman as we were returning a few days later. Figured that all we needed for 3 nights was 1 of...

• NoName

• 

I did read through your trip report on Boston and NYC. I've added the Tea Party Museum to the list if I get the chance

 

[VPS]

Very envious of you staying at the library hotel. I did look at it but the prices when I was there were expensive.

I think I may have discussed this in the book thread but this book about Morgan’s librarian was excellent

The Personal Librarian - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

 

[Drakecula]

Very envious of you staying at the library hotel. I did look at it but the prices when I was there were expensive.

I think I may have discussed this in the book thread but this book about Morgan’s librarian was excellent

The Personal Librarian - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

I'll have to look that one up.

And yes, it's a splurge, but I figure I may not get another chance for many years. Carpe diem!

 

[VPS]

I'll have to look that one up.

And yes, it's a splurge, but I figure I may not get another chance for many years. Carpe diem!

Oh absolutely splurge when you can. I splurged catching the QM2 from New York to Southampton for the Cheltenham literature festival at sea so that’s why I didn’t want to spend too much in New York.

 

[Drakecula]

Am looking into options for travel money. Ubank? Wise? Another credit card? We did have the 28 Degrees card but turfed it earlier in the year. I've probably currently got too many cards out in my name at the moment to go for another credit card (yay sign up bonuses) so I'm thinking ubank might be best and just have a debit card.

I also still need to book/buy a bunch of things. Train tickets, travel insurance, Broadway tickets, etc. This Easter weekend will give me the time to sit down and round out our itinerary.

 

[I love to travel]

Am looking into options for travel money. Ubank? Wise? Another credit card? We did have the 28 Degrees card but turfed it earlier in the year. I've probably currently got too many cards out in my name at the moment to go for another credit card (yay sign up bonuses) so I'm thinking ubank might be best and just have a debit card.

I also still need to book/buy a bunch of things. Train tickets, travel insurance, Broadway tickets, etc. This Easter weekend will give me the time to sit down and round out our itinerary.

i like Macquarie. If you are looking for a traditional travel card that you can load USD onto, the Commbank one is the lowest in fees

 

[RooFlyer]

Am looking into options for travel money. Ubank? Wise? Another credit card?

You'll get as many opinions here as there are cards! I have Wise, but all the usual suspects sound OK.

 

[VPS]

Am looking into options for travel money. Ubank? Wise? Another credit card? We did have the 28 Degrees card but turfed it earlier in the year. I've probably currently got too many cards out in my name at the moment to go for another credit card (yay sign up bonuses) so I'm thinking ubank might be best and just have a debit card.

I also still need to book/buy a bunch of things. Train tickets, travel insurance, Broadway tickets, etc. This Easter weekend will give me the time to sit down and round out our itinerary.

I use Wise and have a NAB that was Citi as a back up - I don't think about earning points when I'm overseas

 

[Drakecula]

You'll get as many opinions here as there are cards! I have Wise, but all the usual suspects sound OK.

Yep, reading through the forums there seems no one favourite option so I'll just pick one.

 

[jase05]

Going to follow this TR as in a few months time we are making a slight detour to visit an old friend in Mystic CN and will have a few days spare in the region and have a rental car

 

[Aeryn]

Yep, reading through the forums there seems no one favourite option so I'll just pick one.

Pick 2 always good to have a back-up.

Boston has a lot history and good public transport. My partner and I walked the Freedom Trail which takes you to all the significant sites and also did a student guided tour of Harvard.

We spent an arvo on Rhode Island in Providence but TBH there is so much to see NYC it worth considering travelling ahead of your partner to have the time to check out more NY neighborhoods. You could stay somewhere else i personally love the LES and then move to the expensive hotel when your partner arrives.

 

[Drakecula]

Going to follow this TR as in a few months time we are making a slight detour to visit an old friend in Mystic CN and will have a few days spare in the region and have a rental car

Maybe we'll miss each other by mere days! I had thought about trying to get to Mystic to see the maritime museum, but it seems the public transport options aren't great to facilitate that.
But, plenty of other things to do.

 

[jase05]

Maybe we'll miss each other by mere days! I had thought about trying to get to Mystic to see the maritime museum, but it seems the public transport options aren't great to facilitate that.
But, plenty of other things to do.

I’ll be there mid to late July.
She lives right in Mystic and it’s been over 20 years since we have seen her in person.
Only there for a few days as we then head to Chicago and catching the California Zephyr to see if it’s any good