That’s a nice spread of days you’ve got there. I think the two-dayOld Town Trolley Washington DC Pass($54.95;trustedtours.com) would work well for you. It is a hop-on, hop-off service (trolleys swing by every 30min) and you can cover major attractions such as Georgetown, theNational Cathedral, theWhite House, and any of the sixteen Smithsonian museums, with expert guides for the drive-by stretches. Afree shuttleservice is provided from select areas to theLincoln Memorial, where the tour begins, and you’d have to take a cab or the Metro back. For your last day in DC, you could visit theCapitol, the Holocaust Memorialand theBureau of Engraving and Printing, or spend it outdoors at the National Zoo. DC Circulator buses($1 fare on most stretches) and theMetro(with day passes) are the best way to get around. Try Mandu (it’s Korean; Chinatown, 453 K St NW), Sundevich (1314 9th St, NW), Duangrat’s (5878, Leesburg Pike, Falls Church) and Dangerously Delicious Pies (1339 H St, NE) for funvegetarianoptions in DC.
Well, theNiagara Fallsis rather incredible so I would say yes, you must go, even if the Canadian view is better because that’s a relative comparison. Should you go, it will take away two of your five days, flying in on one day and flying out the next, but it still gives you three perfect days to take inBoston, which is just an hour-long hop by flight from DC, or you could fly to Boston directly from Niagara Falls (1hr20min). In Boston, on your first day, you can spend a couple of hours walking about theHarvard Universitycampus (they have aMuseum of Natural Historythat’s worth visiting, too), stroll by the atmospheric brownstone neighbourhoods ofBack Bay, spend some time at theBoston Public Library, and take in the views from thePrudential Center Observatory. On another day, spend an hour or two wandering the Massachusetts State House, then walk the cobblestoned streets and red brick sidewalks ofBeacon Hill, and make time for the lovely Museum of Fine Arts. On the third, take aFreedom Trailtour offered by multiple tour operators, shop at the historic Faneuil Hall Marketplace, visit the Boston Common, the city’s oldest public park, and the charming Boston Public Garden, America’s first. TheBoston Vegetarian Societyhas a yummy list of places to eat (bostonveg.org). TheT, short for the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, that combines the subway and buses, is the best way to get around.
TheKennedy Space Centertops Orlando’s attractions, unless you preferDisneyworld. Actually, if you liketheme parksand include Animal Kingdom, SeaWorld, Discovery Cove, Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure in your list, you’re going to have plenty to keep you busy. TheGulf Coast beachesare definitely worth your time. You could also consider a trip to Miamiand an excursion to theEvergladesfrom there. TheLYNXbus system is the smartest way to get around. International Drive (orI-Drive), the main tourist area, is marvellously pedestrian friendly. You’ll also find the I-Ride trolleys here, although LYNX has better services. Happy Cow(happycow.net) has some nice vegetarian listings for Orlando (you can look them up for Washington, too, if you like).
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