East Coast USA Road Trip 2018 Itienrary

Salam to my readers. Hmmmm... adakah? atau aku syok sendiri jerr... Tak apalah asalkan aku dapat share hasil kerja aku bermalam-malam tak tidur study camner nak buat road tour kat negara uncle ku UNCLE SAM hihihi.

Oleh kerana bumi Amerika ini tersangatlah luas dan distance antara satu teramat jauh maka aku ambil keputusan untuk sewa kereta. Ini kerana aku dah kaji - jika aku naik flight (JetBlue paling murah), banyak tempat2 menarik yang aku bakal missed. Naik train (Amtrak) pun mahal juga. Bas? murah tapi bila baca  reviews sangat menakutkan. selalu lambat  etc sedangkan masa aku bukan banyak. Bukan selalu dapat ke USA ni oiii... sudahlah kos flight dari Kuala Lumpur ke JFK NY ni rata2 RM4500++, accommodation pun mahal. AirBnB murah sikit tapi aku tak suka extra charges yang tidak ditayangkan. Cleaning charges rata-rata USD$50-USD$/night.

So, di bawah ni sample ITI aku nanti sebagai guidence jerr

USA EAST COAST TRIP SEPT 2018

FLIGHT : CATHAY PACIFIC

DAY 01 : 09/09 (SUN)  KLIA - HK - NEW YORK JFK

KUL - HK ETD : 10.10AM     ETA HK T1: 14:25 (2:25PM)

HK (T1)  - JFK NY(T8)  :  ETD : 16:05 (4:05PM)  ETA JFK : 20:18 (8:15PM) SAME DAY

• Check-in time 8am
• Make sure all relevant things are with you i.e passport / visa / money / medicine
• HK transit -> go to transit control
• Arrived in JFK : Declare if you bring foods
• Go to Hotel Sanctuary Hotel NY (Cheaper than BW JFK Hotel)
• Arranged hotel shuttle transfer  
• Find out which area for shuttle - Outside T8
• Go to the ROOF TOP BAR before SLEEP (tired like crazy!!!) to take picture of NYC at night
• Breakfast included
• BTW - hotel can’t be cancel (very cheap for NY standard. The Taxes make it more expensive otherwise only RM500++)

DAY 02 : 10/09 (MON) NEW YORK CITY

• Checkout from hotel 12PM. Leave luggage and walks around nearby hotel

The Sanctuary Hotel is within 2 km of Madison Square Garden and the Empire State Building. Rockefeller Center is 483 m from the property. This is our guests' favourite part of New York, according to independent reviews. This area is also great for shopping, with popular brands nearby: Apple, Tiffany & Co, H&M, Prada, Nike.

• Go To Hotel Edison Times Square 
• The original price is only RM700++ but taxes and services skyrocket the price. Thats NYC for you… lol even 1* hotel expensive during this time
• Check-in at 3PM and walks around Times Square and nearby.
• Times Square is not really a square. What is technically Times Square is the four quarters created where 7th Ave. and Broadway intersects in Midtown Manhattan.  However, most New Yorkers refer to the larger neighborhood as Times Square, which stretches north and south from 40th St. to roughly 52nd St. and east and west from  8th Ave to 6th Ave.  

• Watch https://www.earthcam.com/usa/newyork/timessquare/?cam=tsrobo3
• Within the Times Square Commons, the City would create 3 distinct zones that protect the diversity of people and activities in the area.      
• Experience the Midnight Moment. Every night from 11:57 pm to midnight, you can witness the world’s largest digital art exhibition where the huge billboards in Times Square are synchronized resulting in three fabulous moments of the same whimsical  imagery. 
• Take picture with the Naked Cowboy (lol hahaha). He is often found on an island created at the intersection of 7th Ave and Broadway (map).  Broadway is now pedestrian only, so look for him on Broadway between 44th and 45th Streets. This is the best place to look first.  He will roam about the area looking for guests to entertain. 
• See a Broadway show Times Square is pretty much synonymous with Broadway shows. With dozens of theaters with box-office hits to smaller, high-quality shows, there are so many choices. Don’t be put off by the cost of tickets. We have lots of suggestions on how to get discount Broadway tickets and if you are flexible with time, you will surely have no trouble seeing a show for an affordable price. Also, read about the TKTS both below. 
• If enough time go to “The Rock” or next time (19-21st Sept).

Hours: 

Top of the Rock is open every day from 8 am until midnight.  The last elevator goes up at 11 pm. TIP: Because your entry is timed, try to go a little before sunset.  That way you can get day and night views on one trip!

Getting there: 

The closest subway is the B, D, F and M trains to 47-50 St, Rockefeller Center.  The main entrance to Top of the Rock is on 50^th Street in between 5^th and 6^th Avenues.  Please use  Google map for directions to Rockefeller Center.

Cost: 

• $34 – Adults 
• $32 – Seniors ( 62+ years of age)
• $28 – Children (age 6-12)
• Children (under 6): FREE

PLACES TO EAT

Cheap  ($5-10 per person)

• Maoz Falafel & Grill   558 7th Ave at 40th St.  Middle Eastern veggie fare, pita sandwiches, and salads.
• Shakeshack  691 8th Ave at 44th St.  Counter service at this location of a small chain of the best burgers in the city. 
• Chipotle  129 W 48th St bet. 6th & 7th Aves. Fast-food Mexican chain with space to sit down.
• Patzeria Pizza 231 W 46th St. bet. 7th Ave. & Broadway.  Real New York pizza by the slice. To go only. 

Inexpensive  ($10-20 per person)

• Schnippers 620 8th Ave bet. 40th & 41st Sts.  American diner classics, sandwiches, soups and, salads. 
• Piccolo Cafe  274 W 40th St at 8th Ave.  Breakfast, Paninis, Salads, in this cozy, counter service.
• Pongsri Thai  274 W 40th St at 8th Ave.  Authentic Thai food, noodle dishes, vegetable and meat entrees. 
• Times Square Diner  807 8th Ave bet. 48th & 49th Sts. Hundreds of choices served 24 hours a day.
  

Moderate ($20-40 per person) 

• Toloache  251 W 50th St bet 8th Ave. & Broadway   Festive environment with traditional Mexican food.
• John’s Pizzeria  260 West 44th St bet. 7th & 8th Aves.  Great coal-oven pizza. Served by the pie only. Fun for families.
• Carmine’s 200 West 44th St bet. 7th & 8th Aves.  Italian-American cuisine in large family-style portions. 
• Virgil’s 152 West 44th St. bet. Broadway and 6th Ave. Huge portions of savory barbeque. Reservations recommended.

Expensive ($50 and above per person)

• Hunt & Fish Club  125 W 44th St. bet Broadway & 7th Ave.  New American, Steakhouse. Elegant decor, delicious food.
• Aureole  135 W 42nd St bet. 6th Ave & Broadway  New American cuisine emphasizing traditional dishes with unique twists. 
• Sushi by Bou  1 32 W 47th St bet. 7th Ave & 6th Ave. Incredible, super fresh sushi served in a ‘speakeasy’ style basement hideaway.

DAY 03 : 11 SEPT 2018 (TUESDAY) NEW YORK —> PHILADELPHIA —> BALTIMORE

• Check-out around 10AM. Breakfast not included. To Penn Station to catch AMTRAK Train to Philadelphia.

Bought In Advance (Online)

Travel time around 1hour 35 minutes.  This price was booked in advance 3 weeks before departure. Buses are cheaper but well known for its delayed. Don’t have time to be wasted waiting. 

• Depart 12:35PM from PENN Station (NY)
• Arrived 2:05PM. (Renting car from Philadelphia). 
• Pick car and tour Philadelphia for few hours (until satisfied) then proceed to Baltimore

Philadelphia, PA 

• One of the most historically significant cities in the United States, Philadelphia was the original American capital. The City of Brotherly Love draws history buffs and lovers of culture from all corners of the globe!
  
• Liberty Bell. The famously cracked Liberty Bell is a sign of American Independence and spirit. Located at Liberty Bell Center in Philadelphia, PA, this symbol of the American Revolution was crafted in 1752-- more than 250 years ago.
• Sleep In Baltimore
• Drive around Baltimore at night 

DAY 04 : 12 SEPT 2018 (WEDNESDAY) BALTIMORE —> WASHINGTON DC —> GETTYSBURG PA

• Start early - breakfast included.
• Drive to Washington DC 
• The capital of the United States of America sits on the scenic Potomac River. Monuments, museums, and Americana characterize this historic city, which is located in the District of Columbia between the states of Maryland and Virginia.

Washington Monument Trivia

• It is the world’s tallest freestanding stone structure, and the tallest obelisk, at 555 feet 5 1/8 inches.
• There are taller monuments but they are either not all stone, or not a true obelisk, or both.
• When it was opened in Oct 1888, it was the tallest structure in the world.  For about 6 months, until the Eiffel tower was finished.
• It was closed in August 2011 after an earthquake rocked DC and the surrounding areas, causing damage to the top of the monument.  There were several cracks and loose stones, and the monument was encased in scaffolding for almost 2 years to repair the damage.
• White House Tour? Needs to plan at least 6 months in advance through your embassy. 
• White House Visitor Center Open To Public and FREE
• Location — The Visitor Center is located a few blocks from the White House, on the corner of 15th and E, which is the ground floor of the Department of Commerce building. The address is 1450 Pennsylvania Ave. For 8:30am - 4PM 

WHITE HOUSE HISTORY AND TRIVIA:

So many people want to see where the President and the First Family live, and why not?  It’s a beautiful home, but it’s actually so much more than that.  The White House is also an office building, a tourist attraction, an entertainment venue, and a fortress.  Yes, fortress, more on that in a minute. The White House is a mansion, by any definition of the term.  There are 132 rooms, 35 bathrooms, 147 windows, 28 fireplaces, 3 elevators, and 5 full time chefs among much else.  There is a swimming pool (indoor), with a Jacuzzi, a bowling alley, movie theater, tennis court, and a putting green.  Outdoors there is a basketball court and a large garden, plus a fountain and a lawn large enough for a marine helicopter to land on.

Plus, it’s a fortress.  Did I mention that? The Secret Service provides round the clock, state of the art security for the President, his family, and his staff.  The most visible example of this security from the outside are the snipers on the roof of the White House, but as a visitor, you will be subjected to additional security, even above and beyond the normal level for Washington.

Some White House trivia:

The House itself is really neat, above and beyond the colorful men who have lived here and the politics that happen inside it.  It was built by James Hoban and was actually designed to look like a Georgian-era Irish country home. Specifically, Hoban based it on Leinster House in Dublin which later became the seat of the Irish Parliament.  George Washington actually picked Hoban to design the building after liking some of his other buildings, even though Washington did not live to see or occupy the White House.  It is made out of sandstone, which is both porous and tan color, and was whitewashed to give the house a more dignified look – a common practice in those days.  In its 200 years, the White House has survived fire, numerous restorations, at least 42 different families, and millions of visitors.  One more trivial fact – it was among the very first wheelchair accessible buildings in Washington, DC.  Ramps and other related modifications were made in the 1930s, to accommodate President Roosevelt.

Capital Hill

HOW TO TOUR THE U.S CAPITOL BUILDING TOUR & GET TICKETS

Taking a tour of the Capitol Building requires a ticket, which is free but reservations are the only way to guarantee a spot (well, there’s our tour as well).  

Recommend that you book up to 3 months in advance if you are planning to visit during the peak Spring/Summer touring months.  

Tours run every 10 minutes from 8:30 am – 3:20 pm, but this schedule can be changed for any of a number of reasons.

There are 4 options to get tickets:

• (Option 1) – Take a tour with a Capitol Visitor Center docent.  These tours are staffed by professional tour guides, who have extensive knowledge of the building.   These tours are more formal than the next selection.  Guests are organized in groups of 20 and listen to their guide through headsets.  Book here.
• (Option 2) – Book a tour through the offices of your representative or senators.  Tours are staffed by office personnel, usually interns. The advantage here is that the groups are usually smaller, sometimes just your family.  Also, your guide is likely to be from your area or state, and it’s always interesting to hear about their life on “the Hill”.  This option may give you the chance to meet your representative or senator.  One potential drawback is that your guide may be pretty fresh and not as knowledgeable as the docents.  We think this option is worth a try. Book here.
• (Option 3) – Walk up.  We do not recommend doing this during March, April as well as the peak summer months.  All other times are likely to be OK.  The advantage here is that you have more flexibility in when you decide to take the tour.  Walk up tickets are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis and are given out only for the next tour time slot, so you won’t be able to grab tickets for later in the day.
• (Option 4) – Join Capitol Hill Tour, a walking tour of the Capitol Building campus that visits the Library of Congress and ends with timed tickets for a tour with a docent of the Capitol Visitor Center.  You can also take our DC Inside Out 6 hour tour which includes tickets to visit Washington Monument and tour the Capitol Building. (The DC Inside Out tour is not currently offered)

Hours:

The Capitol Visitors Center is open Monday – Saturday from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day. There are occasions that the building is closed for special events or security reasons! These sometimes happen on short notice.

Parking Not Available. Option Buy Hop On Hop Out Ticket. 

More Points Of Interest around WDC

• Lincoln Memorial
• The National Air and Space Museum
• Smithsonian’s Museum
• Newseum at - Address: 555 Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest, Washington, D.C.
• Spy Museum -  Address: 800 F Street NW, Washington, D.C.
• Proceed to. Gettysburg . Stay overnight. 

Gettysburg is a borough and town in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. It’s known for Gettysburg National Battlefield, site of a turning point in the Civil War, now part of Gettysburg National Military Park. The park also includes the Gettysburg Museum and Visitor Center, displaying Civil War artifacts, and Gettysburg National Cemetery, where a memorial marks the site of Abraham Lincoln’s 1863 Gettysburg Address.

Get insight and history on the 1863 battle that remains the largest ever fought on American soil. More than 46,000 people died in this civil war.

Time travel to Gettysburg : 2 hours ++

• Gettysburg is located 84 miles north of Washington DC, in Adams County, PA just north of the Maryland line. It is easy to get to - just take I-270 North to US-15 North and follow the signs to Gettysburg. Inshallah arrived in Gettysburg. Check-in
• Drive or walks around nearby places and POI
• Shriver House Museum - 309 Baltimore Street, Gettysburg, PA The museum provides a glimpse at the civilian experience during and after the deadliest battle ever fought on American soil. The home of George and Hettie Shriver has been restored to its original 1860's appearance and displays many artifacts from that time period.
• Gettysburg National Military Park Museum and Visitor Center - 1195 Baltimore Pike, Gettysburg PA. The Visitor Center tells the story of the American Civil War and Battle of Gettysburg through a variety of exhibits, interactive displays, films, and the Gettysburg Cyclorama. There’s also an education center, bookstore, computer resource room and restaurant. This is the best place to start your visit to Gettysburg.

Eat Out

Sweney Tavern Restaurant 401 Baltimore Street

Gettysburg, PA 17325

PHONE

717-334-8838

DAY 05 : 13 SEPT 2018 (THURSDAY) GETTYSBURG —> BUFFALO

• Breakfast included
• Check-out and do tours
• Lunch at Sweeney Tavern before hit the road again to Buffalo.
• Two routes to consider. Direct to Buffalo(Corning) or take a longer routes passing Pittsburgh

The deciding factor are either want to see Corning or Lake Erie. Tb decided on the day of the travel.

• Arrived Buffalo. Go to Niagara Falls USA and check-in at Howard Johnson By Wyndham Closest To Falls & Casino
• Buy  Maid In The Mist Tour  to get nearer to the Falls
• Free n Easy ~ Do whatever instantly. No need planning in advance. Just wander and take photos
• Find out how to park car and where.
• Visit Buffalo City and Canal
• On 14th Sept find a good spot for the Firework at Niagara Falls

DAY 06: 14 SEPT 2018  (FRIDAY) NIAGARA FALLS FIREWORK

• Maid Of The Mist Tour $19.25 
• To see the fireworks - plan your trip - check when there will be a fireworks! 
• https://www.niagarafallsstatepark.com/plan-your-trip/parking 
• https://www.niagarafallsstatepark.com/plan-your-trip/more-to-do
• For more information about Top of the Falls dining, call (716) 278-0340.

DAY 07: 15 SEPT 2018 ( SAT) NIAGARA FALLS -> BUFFALO -> ROCHESTER

• Breakfast and ready for checkout
• Buffalo City sight-seeing
• Proceed to Rochester
• Check In at Rochester Riverside Hotel
• Visit Susan Anthony
• George Eastman (Kodak)
• The Strong National Museum
• Stroll around Downtown 
• Pont de Rennes Bridge 

While you are visiting the Susan B. Anthony Museum & House, walk down Madison Street to Susan B. Anthony Square

DAY 08 : 16 SEPT (SUN) ROCHESTER - BOSTON

Side Trip Route : Rochester —> Canandaigua —> Seneca Castle —> Geneva —> Syracuse —> Albany —> Boston 

Canandaigua

This upscale community on the north end of Canandaigua is practically in Rochester's backyard. Just head down the Thruway an exit or two and enter Finger Lakes country. Canandaigua boasts fine eateries, great shopping and a quaint setting. There are boat cruises, wine tours, a marine park and summer farmer's market. And look for summer concerts at CMAC, the amphitheater on the southern edge of town.

• Checkout some palaces I.e Belhurst and Greystone
• Finger Lakes and wine  tasting
• Check In at Boston AIRBNB 

Check-in To Loie AirBnB - PAID IN ADVANCE

• After check-in walks around nearby area to get my bearing.

DAY 09 : 17 SEPT (MONDAY) FULL DAY EXPLORING BOSTON POI

• Freedom Trail
• Quincy Market
• Charles River Esplande
• Newbury Street
• ETC

DAY 10 : 18 SEPT (TUE) BOSTON —> RHODE ISLAND —> HARTFORD CONNECTICUT 

• Check-out after breakfast
• Proceed to Rhode Island then Hartford
• Stay overnight in Hartford Connecticut
• Checkout POI before leaving for NYC 

DAY 11:  19 SEPT 2018 (WED) HARTFORD TO NEW YORK CITY (QUEENS)

• After a half day tour around Hartford - proceed to Woodbury Common Outlet  
• Check around  nearby hotel vicinity
• Eat Chinese or some Asian Foods 

DAY 12 : 20TH SEPT 2018 (THU) NEW YORK 

• Drop Car
• Brooklyn Bridge, DUMBO
• Chealsea Area
• Staten Island (Free Ferry to Pass Statue Of Liberty)
• Central Park
• ETC

DAY 13 : 21ST SEPT 2018 (FRI) NEW YORK

• Check-out
• Check-in at Queens County Inn and Suites
• Last day to enjoy USA before flying home next day
• Do what ever !!! Nice & Easy strolling 

DAY 14 : 22ND SEPT 2018 (SAT) NEW YORK - HONG KONG-KUL

Au revoir USA !!!