Day trips from New York City compared

The short answer

All three trips are very long days, so choose by destination first and by transport second. For Niagara Falls, the Niagara Falls Tour from New York goes by road and the Niagara Falls Day Trip by Air from New York City flies to Buffalo.[2][1] For two historic cities instead, the Washington, D.C. and Philadelphia Day Trip from New York goes by road to both.[4]

SkyGate's own itineraries show how long the days are: the road trip to Niagara meets at 4:00 AM and ends back in New York at 11:30 PM, the air trip runs from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM, and the Washington and Philadelphia trip departs at 5:00 AM and returns at 8:00 PM.[4][2][1] All three say the itinerary can change with weather or traffic.

Niagara Falls by road

The Niagara Falls Tour from New York meets outside the Lids store at 714 7th Avenue, Two Times Square. Every option includes shared transfers and an English and Spanish-speaking guide, free time with lunch on your own, and time in Niagara Falls State Park.[1] New York State Parks describes the park as America's oldest state park, in Niagara Falls, New York, open year round with seasonal attractions.[3]

The four options differ in what they add. Niagara Falls Tour from New York with Boat Cruise adds the Maid of the Mist and, according to SkyGate, is available only from May to October. The Audio Guide option adds a downloadable guide in English, Spanish and Mandarin, and the Audio Guide in Mandarin option a detailed Mandarin guide; the plain Niagara Falls Tour from New York has neither.[1] New York State Parks says the Maid of the Mist leaves from the base of the Observation Tower at Prospect Point.[3] SkyGate says that when the boat is not running, other viewpoints such as the Gorge Walk or Terrapin Point may be offered, subject to ice and weather.[1] See the Niagara Falls State Park page on XTOUR.

Niagara Falls by air

The Niagara Falls Day Trip by Air from New York City swaps the drive for a flight to Buffalo Niagara International Airport, then a transfer to Niagara Falls on the US side. Its single option includes a guided walking tour, a two-course lunch at the Hard Rock Cafe and, by season, the Maid of the Mist from May to October or an observation deck from November to April.[2] It is the shorter day, but some details are not settled: the itinerary says to make your own way to "the designated New York City airport" without naming it, and the listing does not say which Hard Rock Cafe is used. Confirm the airport with SkyGate after booking. SkyGate sells one ticket type, from age 2.[2]

Washington, D.C. and Philadelphia in one day

The Washington, D.C. and Philadelphia Day Trip from New York also meets outside the Lids store at 714 7th Avenue. In Washington, SkyGate's itinerary visits the Iwo Jima Memorial and the Lincoln Memorial and views the White House and the Capitol from outside; after free time for lunch it continues to Philadelphia's Old City for a walk through Independence National Historical Park, the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall, and a stop at the Rocky Steps. The single option includes transfers and an English and Spanish-speaking guide, and no admissions.[4]

Those are stops, not tickets. The National Park Service says the Lincoln Memorial chamber and exterior are free and open to the public, with tickets needed only for the Undercroft experience.[5] It also says no tickets are needed to see the Liberty Bell.[6] XTOUR has not verified whether the tour enters Independence Hall. See the Lincoln Memorial and Independence National Historical Park pages on XTOUR.

How to choose

• The most time at Niagara with the boat ride: the road tour's Boat Cruise option, in its season.[1]
• Niagara with less time on the road: the air trip.[2]
• An audio commentary in Mandarin: the road tour's Mandarin option.[1]
• Two US capitals' landmarks from outside, in one day: the Washington and Philadelphia trip.[4]

Before you book

• The road trips' listings say New York State law requires child restraints for children under 8, which you must bring, and children under 3 travel free without a seat.[4][1]
• Lunch is on your own on both road trips; the air trip includes it.[2][4][1]
• For the air trip, confirm the departure airport.