New York, Washington DC and Philadelphia (31Dec21 - 8Jan22)
Origins:
The area where New York is located today was inhabited by Algonquian peoples, especially the Lenape, who organized villages and trade routes around the mouth of the Hudson River.
Middle Ages:
There is no equivalent Middle Ages in this territory; during this period the region continued to be populated by indigenous communities with their own social structures, separate from European historical development.
19th Century:
In the 19th century, New York transformed into a key economic center thanks to mass immigration, industrial expansion, and the opening of the Erie Canal, which consolidated its position as the main gateway for goods and people into the United States.
Present:
Today it is one of the world's most influential cities in finance, culture, technology and media, with iconic neighborhoods such as Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens, and a prominent role in the global economy.
Origins:
Before European arrival, the area where Washington, D.C., is located today was inhabited by Algonquian peoples who lived in villages along the Potomac River. The region was a strategic point for trade and river routes between different Native communities.
Middle Ages:
As in other parts of the American continent, there is no Middle Ages equivalent to the European framework; during this period, the territory remained occupied by indigenous societies with their own political and economic systems.
19th Century:
Washington, D.C., was founded in 1790 as the capital of the United States, but during the 19th century it experienced crucial events, such as the War of 1812—when the Capitol and the White House were burned—and urban expansion linked to the growth of the federal government. After the Civil War, the city began to modernize and consolidate its role as the political center of the country.
Present:
Today it is the administrative capital and one of the world's most influential political centers, home to institutions such as the White House, the Capitol, the Supreme Court, and numerous international organizations. It combines historic neighborhoods, iconic museums, and a burgeoning cultural and technological scene.
Origins:
The area where Philadelphia is located was originally inhabited by the Lenape, an Algonquian people who lived in villages along the Delaware River. In 1682, William Penn founded the city as part of the Pennsylvania Colony, envisioned as a place of religious tolerance and peaceful coexistence.
Middle Ages:
There is no equivalent Middle Ages in this territory; during that European historical period, the region was still occupied by indigenous communities with their own social structures, without influence from Western medieval development.
19th Century:
In the 19th century, Philadelphia established itself as a key industrial center in the United States, experiencing significant growth in manufacturing, transportation, and commerce. The city also distinguished itself as a hub of innovation and political activity, playing a significant role in social movements such as the abolition of slavery.
Present:
Today it is a historically and culturally significant city, known for iconic landmarks such as the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall. It is an educational, healthcare, and technological hub, as well as one of the most populous and dynamic urban centers on the East Coast.
Express trip, that is, like many of the ones we take, we don't have time to prepare because of the kids and sometimes we book them 1 or 2 weeks before, with the drawback that the price obviously isn't the best, but, well, it is what it is 🙂
New YorkA very expensive and dirty city. I didn't see it in much light, perhaps because of the skyscrapers; it looked gray compared to the West Coast.
There's a lot of homelessness, and it's not very friendly; people relieve themselves anywhere, anytime, and in any situation. Public transportation is good.
Washington DC: Impressive, white, walkable even in the snow, we explored it on our own and had time to enjoy it. The people are friendly. The White House is smaller than we imagined.
Philadelphia: We only had time to climb the stairs of our beloved Rocky; we arrived at night because of a storm that caught us on our way to Washington and stole nearly three precious hours from us. But we remember that moment as very emotional.
General summary: We have to go.
This is my second time in New York, although it's my first time on New Year's Eve. New Year's Eve is difficult to experience because they close the main roads very early, creating massive crowds and making it feel overwhelming without seeing anything. So, we had to go back to the hotel to eat the grapes.
New York is a very big city and definitely worth seeing (even though you've probably seen almost everything in the movies). It's also a very expensive city.
At the New York Public Library we enjoyed a free live concert; it was very relaxing and they played beautiful songs.
As a curious detail, something we didn't know the first time…: street food stalls (especially since we don't frequent restaurants much because of the prices) have signs about the size of a sheet of paper with letters assigned by the Health Department. If it has an A, go ahead without a problem; with a B, it's best to look elsewhere; and with a C, walk past as fast as you can if you don't want to get a cockroach.
We came back with Covid, the worst in history, and even though we wore masks and gloves everywhere, we still had to get infected on the bus on the way to the excursions or at Madison Square Garden.
Hotel: It's right in the heart of Manhattan, next to the Empire State Building. The room was small but comfortable, although the carpeting was quite unpleasant. The staff was friendly, though we hardly saw anyone. The downside was that our room faced the inner courtyard, so we couldn't see the Empire State Building, and it was a bit dirtier.
Just outside, on the left was a top-rated food truck with excellent service, and on the right was a subway stop. It's a 5-minute walk from Fifth Avenue, Rockefeller Center… and everything else worth visiting.
Very good option.
The hotel price is for accommodation only.
Recommendation: Don't miss the restaurant's shows Ellen's Stardust Diner (Reservations required). While you eat (burger style), they're constantly serving food, and each course is better than the last.
Or for example, a basketball game, it doesn't matter if you like it or not, but the atmosphere is amazing:
Skating on the famous Central Park rink is just like skating anywhere else, but since it's so incredibly famous, we had to experience it for ourselves 😁:
If you're here on New Year's Day, it's really interesting to visit Coney Island to see this January 1st swimming tradition and the huge party that goes on:
You might be on the beach or covered in snow up to your neck…
Flight: €1,448 for both of you (round trip).
Hotel: The Hotel at Fifth Avenue: €953 for 2 (7 nights).
New York Knicks vs. Tickets Indiana Pacers: €65/person. We don't know anything about basketball, but we fancied catching a game 🙂 We really wanted to go to a hockey game, but the prices were way too high. Whether you know about the sport or not, the atmosphere alone makes it worthwhile.
Excursion Civitatis Washington DC and Philadelphia: €116/person (Highly recommended)
Information obtained from the web https://www.exteriores.gob.es
Passport: It must be electronic and have a minimum validity of 6 months from the date of entry into the U.S. and at least two blank pages. The passport must have been issued after 2006.
ESTA form: Spanish citizens must complete the ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) form at least 72 hours before their flight. This allows stays of up to 90 days without a visa. 40,27$/Person. LINK.
Return ticket: You must present a return ticket dated within 90 days to prove that you will leave the country within that time.
Travel insurance: It is recommended to have adequate travel insurance due to the high cost of medical care in the USA. The best known and most complete are Iati y Heymondo, If we don't need very comprehensive insurance, we'll get it with Globalfine which is much cheaper.
Vaccines: There are no mandatory vaccinations for entry.
International driving permit: There's no need.
Payment card/currency exchange: we always go with Revolut definitely.
Roaming: NO There is, so if you have data enabled you can take a nice little gift back.
GPS: Maps.me Download the maps for Spain and they work great offline, whether you're on foot, by car, or on public transport.
Special conditions: If you have traveled to certain countries, such as Cuba, Iran, or Syria, after specific dates, you may need a visa instead of an ESTA.
Click here to download the guide.
The guide also includes links above each map. Simply tap them on your mobile device to open them in Maps, with all the points already marked, so you don't have to search for them one by one.
If you want it in Word format for your notes/modifications, just ask us.
December 31st: free arrival since in our case we arrived at night.
Day 3 (2/3): Excursion to Washington DC and Philadelphia.
Day 7: A little relaxation to rest from previous days and a nice dinner.
Practical tips for traveling to New York, Washington DC and Philadelphia
If you're traveling to New York, Washington D.C., and Philadelphia, one of the most convenient options is to travel by train from New York City. You can connect all three cities in just a few hours without needing a car, a benefit often overlooked compared to other modes of transportation. Furthermore, the short distances allow you to plan a comprehensive itinerary in just a few days. This combination is ideal for combining culture, history, and major cities on a well-organized trip along the East Coast of the United States.
