Home → New York City → Boston → Philadelphia → Home
Over one of our spring breaks, we decided to skip the car and take a train trip through New York City, Boston, and Philadelphia. And honestly? We fell in love with train travel.
First, the seats are big. There’s Wi-Fi. There’s a food car (do I need to say more when traveling with kids?), and you don’t have to sit in traffic, which was a HUGE plus heading north.
Yes, you don’t have a car once you arrive, but we were visiting major cities where we planned to walk or use public transportation anyway. It ended up being such a relaxing way to travel as a family.
First Stop: New York City 🗽
We spent three nights in New York City and stayed at the Residence Inn. It was perfect for us and conveniently located near Times Square.
One of the first things we booked was a city pass where you can choose 2 of the attractions. This cut some cost since we would be booking these things anyways. We did The Edge. You head wayyyyy up, step onto a glass floor, and look out over New York City. Obviously, try to save this one for a clear day if you can!
We also booked hop-on, hop-off bus tickets, which ended up being one of the easiest ways for us to explore the city. We could get off near something we wanted to see, walk around for a while, and then hop back on the bus when we were ready to move on.
And, of course, we couldn’t go to New York without seeing the Statue of Liberty, so we booked the ferry out to see her.
One morning, I was lucky enough to get into a class at the Peloton Studio. While I sweated it out and had my fangirl moment, the kids and my husband explored the High Line. Everybody wins!
Next Stop: Boston ⚾
Back on the train!
We spent two nights in Boston, but instead of staying in a regular hotel, we stayed on a houseboat in the harbor.
Yes, a houseboat!
It was such a fun experience and made this stop even more memorable. This is the one we stayed in [https://vrbo.com/affiliate/UM9zcJP]. Totally worth it if you’re looking for something a little different!
There’s plenty to do around Boston. You can visit the New England Aquarium, take a Duck Boat Tour, and you definitely shouldn’t miss the Boston Public Garden.
During the spring and summer, you can ride the famous Swan Boats. Unfortunately, they were opening the weekend after our visit (so close!), but we did get our picture with the Make Way for Ducklings statues.
Another favorite was Quincy Market. Everyone can choose something different to eat—which is always a win with a family—and there are plenty of little shops to explore.
And we got REALLY lucky with our timing.
We were in Boston for Opening Day at Fenway Park, so of course we had to see the Red Sox play! ⚾ Ready to see if there are tickets for when you go?
Last Stop: Philadelphia 🔔
Our final stop before heading home was Philadelphia, where we stayed for two nights.
One of my absolute favorite places was Reading Terminal Market (if you are a foodie you can do a tour and eat all the foods!). There are SO many different foods to choose from, including plenty of allergy-friendly options for me. I was in heaven!
We also made the obligatory stop to see the Liberty Bell and spent time at the Franklin Institute.
The Franklin Institute was a huge hit. It’s very hands-on, which made it especially fun with the kids. If you’re traveling to Philadelphia as a family, I’d definitely put this one on the list.
Why We Loved Traveling by Train 🚆
Wherever you’re reading this from, consider taking a trip by train at least once.
One of my favorite parts was that our MVP didn’t have to spend the entire vacation driving. Instead of worrying about traffic, directions, parking, or who was going to drive next, we could all sit together, play games, watch movies, eat snacks, and actually enjoy the trip between cities.
It wasn’t just transportation, it became part of the adventure.
We would absolutely do another train trip.
Go get lost! ❤️
Planning this trip? ✈️
Ready to start planning your own adventure? Here are a few places to start:
🏠 Find places to stay on Expedia
🏡 Find vacation rentals on Vrbo
🗺️ Plan your road trip route with Roadtrippers.
🎟️ Find tours & activities
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