Questions and Answers

Hi All, this is a very broad question, but I really dont know how I should figure this out.

I arrive JFK 4th July via HKG on CX. I have approx 6 days to roam before heading up to Toronto for a conference, then back to JFK for 2 nights before heading back.

I will be travelling alone, i am chinese, based out of Malaysia, male, late 40s. I have SPG Plat and Hilton Diamond, but my primary loyalty program is SPG.

Question is, what do I do for the 6 days prior to toronto?

I hope to clock some nights on SPG, and also visit somewhere unusual. Last I tried this I went to Puerto Rico and stayed a week in Old San Juan. That was extremely interesting for a Asian Person in the Carribean. i hung out in the old town, went jogging round old san juan and sipped rum in the evenings.

This time I was thinking St Martin? Or Anchorage? Or maybe rent a car from JFK and go to parts of the Blue Ridge Mountains?

My budget criteria is I hope to spend no more than $250 on accomodation if possible and clock nights to SPG or Hilton if I can. That seem to rule out quite a number of carribean destinations that requires $400 a night up. Of coursr if it costs a fortune to fly to then that would make it less attractive.

Any ideas on where might be an interesting place to spend 6 days?

Thanks guys for your suggestions.

Hey Vincent, I was 4 years ago in Nassau in the Bahamas and I really enjoyed it. I do not know to what extent you would like it as it is pretty much beach, but I really enjoyed it.

Flights in those dates seem to be 395€ (~440 USD) and the stay at the British Colonial Hilton Nassau is ~210 USD per night which also includes an additional 50 USD daily hotel credit.

Ben

So if it were me, and I was going to be anywhere near the Eastern seaboard over 4th of July weekend, I would be all over spending time in New England.

Maybe take the train up to Boston, or out to the shore, go have crab and clams, etc, or head towards Saratoga and the mountains? Would all be very different than what you’re done in the past, and it’s a beautiful time of year there.

Maybe [USER=79]@Gaurav[/USER] has some thoughts, since he’s in that region?

There is a ton to see and do in New England and you could probably get a non-stop flight from Boston to Toronto on Porter putting you in downtown Toronto. If you want to stick to SPG properties you are probably best off around Boston although I’m not sure what they are pricing at over the holiday weekend. If you can find some sort of free night and leverage it with the Citi Prestige it might be worthwhile. There are a ton of US historical sites along the freedom trail in Boston itself and if you rent a car or take a tour you could also hit Lexington where there is a national park devoted to the American Revolution. There are also national parks in Saugus and Lowell devoted to the industrial revolution. The fourth of July fireworks and orchestra show are pretty famous although you have to be prepared to spend all day to get a seat at the show to hear them live. If you’d like a long drive you could also drive from Boston to Toronto–it’s day’s drive but nice country. I believe there are some subterranean caves along the way along with Niagara falls at the crossing. Hopefully you find something fun to do!

Hi Guarav, thanks for the suggestions. I have been to Boston, but later in the year, in late fall or early Winter. I had a friend in Lexington. I drove into New Hampshire and went to concord and Lake Winnipesauki (did i spell it right?). I also went to Saugus whom I visited a friendly Martial Arts Gym focusing on Fillipino sticks. i also went to Salam and Cape Anne. It was a nice trip and I enjoyed it very much. What I didnt do was to stay in downtown Boston. Where else should I go in New England that I might have missed?

Chicago is a pretty great destination if you have never been. There are a ton of hotel choices depending where in the city you want to stay. Fireworks over Navy Pier on the 4th of July is usually pretty spectacular to. Ton of other stuff to do in the city, great museums, great food, great parks, the lakeshore, architecture, river tours.

[USER=1948]@Vincent Choy[/USER], in addition to the things I already mentioned, there’s Cape Cod and the islands (Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket), and you could consider Acadia National Park, the White Mountains further north in NH and maybe the North Conway area. You’ll really have to feel it out and see what works for your interests.

Hi Cole, I have been to Chicago, LA, Vegas, San Diego, San Francisco, Boston, New York, Seattle and Vancouver thanks to business conferences over the years.. That was why I was trying to avoid the big cities :). Right now I am looking at Gaurav’s suggestions in the New England Area, or maybe the Carribean (which is another headache itself, so many islands).

Bar Harbor, Maine is a great option, especially if you like Lobster. Acadia National Park is also great. I’ve driven from NYC but you can also drive from Boston or Portland, ME.

Another area worth considering is the Finger Lakes area of NY. It’s got great scenery and some nice small towns.