Can't decide route....

I recently posted on here needing info for an upcoming trip (May 2015) regarding Niagara Falls, we were originally planning to go to Toronto/ Niagara/ NY.

After looking at the different options, we've now decided that instead of Toronto (we'll leave that for a later full Canada tour) we are thinking of visiting Washington DC (Husband wants to see the White House amongst other places) we think that the city offers more to us than Toronto)

Anyway (sorry for rambling) I'm trying to work out which is the best way to do this trip:

Either LHR to Washington (4 nights) then fly to Buffalo (pick a car up) drive to Niagara couple of nights there, then fly to JFK (4 nights) then home.

or fly LHR to JFK (4 nights) then to Buffalo then Washington...

Basically is it better to start the trip in NY and finish it in Washington or Vice versa.....

thank you

DC has a lot more to it that people give it credit for. Not only have you got the "must sees", White House, the Monument, Capitol Buildings etc, etc, etc but there are also the other government building that have free tours (their version of the mint for one), Arlington etc. Also if you venture out just a little there is a wealth of state parks, forests, canals that are full of history and worth a peek. If you want to see it all it DOES take a few days in a relaxed way, I also find it a lot less in your face that NYC even when packed solid so perhaps for that reason end the trip there??
As for Niagra, what are your plans?? If you are just going to see the falls, the fireworks, boat trip etc then you can deffo. do that in a day. I would park in the US an walk over to Canada unless you really want to tick the box of driving in Canada. Perhaps an early flight in, one night and have the extra day in either NYC or DC(???). If you are going back to Canada you can always do the area later on.....
Hope a little of this helped, if not please file it under trash.........

Thank you "LovingGold", that did help a lot.

I think you may be right regarding a shorter visit to Niagara, acouple of other people have told me that before.

I'm currently trying to find flights out of Buffalo to Washington to do it the way you said, but I can't seem to find the Flights (only Buffalo to JFK). We have been to NY before so we know what to expect there
I'm guessing Buffalo airport is the best to fly into?

Thank you for the idea's for Washington DC, we do like the government type tours I must admit, find them very interesting .

Glad it helped. I think United fly direct from Buffalo to IAD, if this times are not good you can always try Rochester, NY. It will be about an hours drive from Niagra to Rochester. Delta do not fly direct but it want to have a little layover of a few hours you can book first one way for about $250 and get some tier points.......
I did forget to tell you that you must also add the Supreme Court on your visit. If its in session you can get in and watch them debate and pass.

We've altered our days to do 5 nights in Washington DC, 1 night in Niagara, then 3 nights in NY.

Any hotel recommendations in Washington DC?
Niagara I was looking at the Marriott Fallsview.
in NY we haven't decided although last year we stayed at the Affinia Manhattan and it was great so I may see what deals I can get there.

Or as an alternative, use Amtrak from NY to Niagara Falls; it isn't the fastest service, but would be a lot less hassle than flying.... www.amtrak.com shows a couple of trains at 10;20 and 1:20pm that arrive at 7:40pm and 10:40pm

But NF all the way down to DC would be a very long journey indeed!

I love DC, when visiting during nice weather season the walks along to different monuments is very tranquil and pleasant. The wide avenues are quite something and if things have not change much then all the free attractions will keep you busy for many days. Entry to the zoo is free too so you can see the giant pandas.

Hotels are really hard, its such a personal choice.
I nearly always stay outside the center of DC on the Metro line.
Tyson's Corner is not bad, most of the hotels will offer a shuttle to the Metro and also the places like Leesburge Outlet Mall. From memory its about 25 min to DC. Much better if you have car tho.
Not really in a place to give advice about hotels in Niagra - Sorry. I drive in from outside, you just have to time it right or the traffic can be horrendous.
As for the train....Deep_south does have a valid point, the trains do run there. My concern is the length of the trip and the cost. I think the train is not much lower than the cost of airfare.

We're also doing our first trip to Washington DC next spring (April). I'm in full-on planning mode and some friends have suggested that we look into booking some of the things that required timed tickets, like the Washington Monument, well in advance as they can get completely booked up.

It's also worth mentioning that you need to be a US citizen to request a place on a White House tour, so you may want to look into who you can ask to help out there.

If you liked the Affinia in NYC, the same group run The Liason Capital Hill in DC.

[honey lamb]

It's also worth mentioning that you need to be a US citizen to request a place on a White House tour, so you may want to look into who you can ask to help out there.

If you liked the Affinia in NYC, the same group run The Liason Capital Hill in DC.

We got a tour of the White House thanks to a US friend who worked in City Hall in her state and got her Representative to procure tickets for us. That was 2 weeks and 5 days before 9/11. Exactly three weeks to the day before 9/11 we were on top of the Twin Towers!

The Affinia 50 in NYC was great. I loved my time there.

On one visit to Washington DC I stayed in the Holiday Inn, White House which was surprisingly good and convenient situated at Scott Circle. There was an added bonus for me because, serendipitously, it was two doors down from a friend's apartment. Another friend who was in town for the same weekend stayed at a couple of Kimpton Hotels; one was in a former post office building which had THE most amazing brunch on Sunday and then relocated to Kimpton Rouge at Scott Circle. Quite frankly it looked like a bordello! Or, I hasten to add, what I imagine a bordello would look like!

It's also worth mentioning that you need to be a US citizen to request a place on a White House tour, so you may want to look into who you can ask to help out there.

Just shows how much slips you by. I have been, with a friend and didn't even know that little rule.
What I will say, not as a spoiler but more if you cannot get in. IMO the White House is much better looking from outside in to inside out.

[honey lamb]

It's also worth mentioning that you need to be a US citizen to request a place on a White House tour, so you may want to look into who you can ask to help out there.

Just shows how much slips you by. I have been, with a friend and didn't even know that little rule.
What I will say, not as a spoiler but more if you cannot get in. IMO the White House is much better looking from outside in to inside out.

True. What you see is quite limited. You won't see the Oval Office, for example or even know where it is!

Glad you told me about that rule with the White House, I had no idea that you had to be a US citizen . I Unfortunately do not know anyone there, so I may struggle to get the tickets, I'll have to work on that one, as not sure how to do that.

I'm trying to get the prices down at the moment, I didnt realise how expensive it was going to be.

Think it needs more research - good job I like organising holidays!!

If you liked the Affinia in NYC, the same group run The Liason Capital Hill in DC.

I have stayed at the Liaison Capital Hill and it was a good hotel. It is within easy walking distance to Union station for either the trains or metro. The hotel is next to a fire station though.

On a recent visit to DC we stayed in the Omni Shoreham hotel booked through the Virgin site. Big grand hotel which has a Metro station right outside the hotel with easy ride to all the sites.
We walked into the visitor centre at Capitol Hill and enquired about the guided tours,was then put on the 9am tour the next morning,this then culminated with sitting in congress whilst some debating session on
Immigration was going on.
It's a great city with so much to offer and even better most of it is free.
Have a great time..