geekhack

geekhack Community => Off Topic => Topic started by: Shadovved on Tue, 11 March 2014, 07:28:29

Title: Visiting NYC & Boston in April. LOOKING FOR ADVICE ON LODGING/TRANSPORT/FOOD ETC
Post by: Shadovved on Tue, 11 March 2014, 07:28:29
Please help me :'(  I'm going visiting the various colleges on the East.

Any locals to impart me some knowledge?

Places to avoid? Travelling within city & between cities? Things to take care of? How much to tip for meals?

EDIT: Trip is cancelled, delayed till 2 years later after army...... *mumble grumble*

EDIT 2: But please keep the random tips and advice coming so I wont have to ask next time :p
Title: Re: Visiting NYC & Boston in April. LOOKING FOR ADVICE ON LODGING/TRANSPORT/FOOD ETC
Post by: IPT on Tue, 11 March 2014, 09:39:38
so you will be in NYC?
Are you visiting schools in NYC or upstate NY?

IE Columbia, NYU compared to Cornell, Syracuse, Rochester, etc.
Title: Re: Visiting NYC & Boston in April. LOOKING FOR ADVICE ON LODGING/TRANSPORT/FOOD ETC
Post by: Shadovved on Tue, 11 March 2014, 09:40:43
so you will be in NYC?
Are you visiting schools in NYC or upstate NY?

IE Columbia, NYU compared to Cornell, Syracuse, Rochester, etc.

NYC probably. Columbia, NYU, making the trip to Princeton too :cool:
Title: Re: Visiting NYC & Boston in April. LOOKING FOR ADVICE ON LODGING/TRANSPORT/FOOD ETC
Post by: IPT on Tue, 11 March 2014, 12:30:59
are you by yourself?  Anyway try to not get a hotel within the school area, also avoid manhattan if possible.
Maybe see if hotel in LI City or something it'll be cheaper and still accessible through the Subway system.
Title: Re: Visiting NYC & Boston in April. LOOKING FOR ADVICE ON LODGING/TRANSPORT/FOOD ETC
Post by: jalaj on Tue, 11 March 2014, 14:03:27
Hotels are cheaper in New Jersey as well. Look for find a hotel in Jersey City, Hoboken, or like ProjectD suggested, in Long Island City nearby a convenient public train station taking you to Manhattan. Even if your duration there is short, a seven day unlimited MTA pass might be cheaper overall than paying the per use fares (depending on your frequency of travel) and have fun riding the train system about in NYC. Also FYI, New Jersey has a separate public transportation fare system from NY, so it may be cheaper to stay in Long Island City if you factor in all the transportation costs. But since you're visiting Princeton, maybe worth staying in New Jersey side to minimize logistics planning.
Title: Re: Visiting NYC & Boston in April. LOOKING FOR ADVICE ON LODGING/TRANSPORT/FOOD ETC
Post by: Photoelectric on Tue, 11 March 2014, 14:14:56
Boston: there's public transportation to almost all universities and colleges.  Could you name any specific places you want to visit? 
Title: Re: Visiting NYC & Boston in April. LOOKING FOR ADVICE ON LODGING/TRANSPORT/FOOD ETC
Post by: IPT on Tue, 11 March 2014, 14:20:15
oh and don't stay by a hotel near JFK
JFK's in the middle of nowhere and jamaica ny isn't the greatest neighborhood to be around.

I've had my car broken into twice there in Jamaica, literally 3 blocks from the DMV lol.
Also the KFC and other places there have bullet proof glass separating their workers and customers, the counters use spinner to give food from the kitchen to the customer lol.
Title: Re: Visiting NYC & Boston in April. LOOKING FOR ADVICE ON LODGING/TRANSPORT/FOOD ETC
Post by: noisyturtle on Tue, 11 March 2014, 14:23:33
In Boston you don't have to actually stay anywhere near Boston because the T pretty much goes everywhere worth going and even everywhere that's not. The bus system is also very reliable and I think they run 24hrs, whereas the T stops at 12:30 I believe. Also, taxis are cheap and you can actually hail them from the sidewalk which is a nice convenience.
Whenever I go back to Boston I always make sure to plan a dinner down at the North End, where they have some of the best Italian food I've ever had. What schools are you looking at?
Title: Re: Visiting NYC & Boston in April. LOOKING FOR ADVICE ON LODGING/TRANSPORT/FOOD ETC
Post by: Lanx on Tue, 11 March 2014, 16:25:01

metrocard will get you anywhere in nyc
http://web.mta.info/metrocard/mcgtreng.htm

if you want to travel out of state
http://www.amtrak.com/home

we need to know information.

1. length of stay
2. length of stay between visits (colleges/universities)
3. budget overall
4. daily budget
5. hotel budget
6. food preference (white ppl food? want to try new things?)
7. internet? phone? mifi?

what are you? are you a skinny lanky white boy? do you dress funny? do you like to stare at ppl?
Title: Re: Visiting NYC & Boston in April. LOOKING FOR ADVICE ON LODGING/TRANSPORT/FOOD ETC
Post by: Shadovved on Tue, 11 March 2014, 23:03:44
Thanks for the inflow of information. :cool:

Addressing many points across all questions.

-Staying for around 10 days in Bos + NYC.
-Possibly from 15-23 Apr, Heathrow to Bos, JFK to Heathrow.
-Guessing 3 days in Bos and remainder in NYC.
-Will be a 4 people group, friends + family
-Aiming to visit Harvard, MIT, Columbia and Princeton (NYU depends, not exactly interested in it, Brown/Yale along the way to NYC, not that excited for that too)
-I am an Asian :p
-Hotel's should be fine below $150/day, location-wise, not exactly sure where would be good
-No specific food preference. SG is a melting pot of foods from everywhere
-My budget overall would largely depend on how much I shop and buy at NYC (any recommendations HUEHUEHUE) :))

Anything I'm missing out? ;D
Title: Re: Visiting NYC & Boston in April. LOOKING FOR ADVICE ON LODGING/TRANSPORT/FOOD ETC
Post by: IPT on Tue, 11 March 2014, 23:08:29
in terms of mechanical keyboards, there's really nothing around NY tbh.

Now if you want someone to proxy for you, i'll do it if you want as i live in NYC lol.
Title: Re: Visiting NYC & Boston in April. LOOKING FOR ADVICE ON LODGING/TRANSPORT/FOOD ETC
Post by: Shadovved on Tue, 11 March 2014, 23:14:24
in terms of mechanical keyboards, there's really nothing around NY tbh.

Now if you want someone to proxy for you, i'll do it if you want as i live in NYC lol.

I think I have enough keyboard items :p 13 and counting, or is it 14?

I'm looking more at clothing, accessories etc etc......SG is pathetic in terms of variety and price.

Title: Re: Visiting NYC & Boston in April. LOOKING FOR ADVICE ON LODGING/TRANSPORT/FOOD ETC
Post by: Photoelectric on Tue, 11 March 2014, 23:22:38
Boston:

Harvard and MIT are both in Cambridge, and there's a direct Red Line subway (metro) service connecting the two in just a few stops, so that should be easy enough.  If you don't drive and get into Boston by train, you will likely get off at the North or South stations, depending on where you arrive from.  Or at the airport.  All of those connect to the same subway (metro) system, so you can get directly from those stations to those universities quite easily.  I'd print out a subway map from here:

http://www.mbta.com/uploadedfiles/Documents/Schedules_and_Maps/Subway/Rapid%20Map.pdf

MIT is at the Kendall stop on the Red line, and Harvard is on the Harvard stop on the same Red Line. 

For general information: www.mbta.com.  There are lost of buses in the area too.  I would say if you are interested in the Asian culture, Boston/Allston are an Asian hub, growing in size in the past decade.  That's just across the river from Cambridge  Allston (a western part of Boston) has an Asian supermarket with a food court ("Super88") and a lot small Asian restaurants.  A good percent of people I see on the street are Asian students.  That would be Boston University area, between BU and Boston College, which is south across the river from MIT and Harvard--very short distances, along Green Line B on the subway.

Hotels: I'd just look them up on-line.  There's nothing really very cheap that I'm aware of, unfortunately.  Your best bet would probably be to stay somewhere in Cambridge near the Red Line of the subway, if you want to minimize commute times.  There aren't really any shady areas to avoid in Cambridge or Boston in the vicinity of those two universities, so just go by what looks reasonable in terms of price.

Stuff to do:  MIT Museum!  Top choice from me.  Other stuff could vary, like the Boston Museum of Science, which has a planetarium, just a walk through old Boston (Quincy Market, downtown, etc.)

There's a train line that connects NY and Boston: Amtrak's regular service and faster called Acela Express.
http://www.amtrak.com/skip-the-bus-from-new-york-to-boston-take-the-train-instead
http://www.amtrak.com/acela-express-train

Those leave from the South Station (also a stop on the Red Line of the subway system).  From the same station, there are also buses that go to New York state and city.
Title: Re: Visiting NYC & Boston in April. LOOKING FOR ADVICE ON LODGING/TRANSPORT/FOOD ETC
Post by: IPT on Tue, 11 March 2014, 23:25:25
in terms of mechanical keyboards, there's really nothing around NY tbh.

Now if you want someone to proxy for you, i'll do it if you want as i live in NYC lol.

I think I have enough keyboard items :p 13 and counting, or is it 14?

I'm looking more at clothing, accessories etc etc......SG is pathetic in terms of variety and price.



well in typical asian stereotype fashion, go to the Woodbury Outlets.
They have buses from Chinatown and Flushing Queens that'll drive you up to the outlets (about 90-120 min ride, i dunno i usually just drive lol)
http://www.premiumoutlets.com/outlets/outlet.asp?id=7

Other than that, if you're ok with spending $$ then head on to 5th ave and the avenue of americas and shop to your heart's desire haha.
Title: Re: Visiting NYC & Boston in April. LOOKING FOR ADVICE ON LODGING/TRANSPORT/FOOD ETC
Post by: Shadovved on Tue, 11 March 2014, 23:32:26
in terms of mechanical keyboards, there's really nothing around NY tbh.

Now if you want someone to proxy for you, i'll do it if you want as i live in NYC lol.

I think I have enough keyboard items :p 13 and counting, or is it 14?

I'm looking more at clothing, accessories etc etc......SG is pathetic in terms of variety and price.



well in typical asian stereotype fashion, go to the Woodbury Outlets.
They have buses from Chinatown and Flushing Queens that'll drive you up to the outlets (about 90-120 min ride, i dunno i usually just drive lol)
http://www.premiumoutlets.com/outlets/outlet.asp?id=7

Other than that, if you're ok with spending $$ then head on to 5th ave and the avenue of americas and shop to your heart's desire haha.

What's the difference between those outlets and 5th Ave? New to the shopping scene since in such a small country like SG, I only can shop in department stores or retail outlets hahaha
Title: Re: Visiting NYC & Boston in April. LOOKING FOR ADVICE ON LODGING/TRANSPORT/FOOD ETC
Post by: Shadovved on Tue, 11 March 2014, 23:37:05
Boston:

Harvard and MIT are both in Cambridge, and there's a direct Red Line subway (metro) service connecting the two in just a few stops, so that should be easy enough.  If you don't drive and get into Boston by train, you will likely get off at the North or South stations, depending on where you arrive from.  Or at the airport.  All of those connect to the same subway (metro) system, so you can get directly from those stations to those universities quite easily.  I'd print out a subway map from here:

http://www.mbta.com/uploadedfiles/Documents/Schedules_and_Maps/Subway/Rapid%20Map.pdf

MIT is at the Kendall stop on the Red line, and Harvard is on the Harvard stop on the same Red Line. 

For general information: www.mbta.com.  There are lost of buses in the area too.  I would say if you are interested in the Asian culture, Boston/Allston are an Asian hub, growing in size in the past decade.  That's just across the river from Cambridge  Allston (a western part of Boston) has an Asian supermarket with a food court ("Super88") and a lot small Asian restaurants.  A good percent of people I see on the street are Asian students.  That would be Boston University area, between BU and Boston College, which is south across the river from MIT and Harvard--very short distances, along Green Line B on the subway.

Hotels: I'd just look them up on-line.  There's nothing really very cheap that I'm aware of, unfortunately.  Your best bet would probably be to stay somewhere in Cambridge near the Red Line of the subway, if you want to minimize commute times.  There aren't really any shady areas to avoid in Cambridge or Boston in the vicinity of those two universities, so just go by what looks reasonable in terms of price.

Stuff to do:  MIT Museum!  Top choice from me.  Other stuff could vary, like the Boston Museum of Science, which has a planetarium, just a walk through old Boston (Quincy Market, downtown, etc.)

There's a train line that connects NY and Boston: Amtrak's regular service and faster called Acela Express.
http://www.amtrak.com/skip-the-bus-from-new-york-to-boston-take-the-train-instead
http://www.amtrak.com/acela-express-train

Those leave from the South Station (also a stop on the Red Line of the subway system).  From the same station, there are also buses that go to New York state and city.

YAY. Treasure trove of information! Thanks!  :-*

Just wondering, is it a very Asian sterotype thing to try and get into Harvard and MIT etc etc? Cause that's all I hear about here, and Oxford and Cambridge too.
Title: Re: Visiting NYC & Boston in April. LOOKING FOR ADVICE ON LODGING/TRANSPORT/FOOD ETC
Post by: Photoelectric on Tue, 11 March 2014, 23:42:41
I'm not sure actually.  I know people from both, and I've done research at both, but I did not go there for undergrad--I went to BU.  And BU is increasingly international.  There are a LOT of Asians in the area, more so than when I just started in 2001.  It's really got a pocket of Asian culture and people in downtown Allston (which is a western part of Boston).
Title: Re: Visiting NYC & Boston in April. LOOKING FOR ADVICE ON LODGING/TRANSPORT/FOOD ETC
Post by: Shadovved on Tue, 11 March 2014, 23:48:19
I'm not sure actually.  I know people from both, and I've done research at both, but I did not go there for undergrad--I went to BU.  And BU is increasingly international.  There are a LOT of Asians in the area, more so than when I just started in 2001.  It's really got a pocket of Asian culture and people in downtown Allston (which is a western part of Boston).

And I've heard med school in US is nearly impossible for international students? :'(
Title: Re: Visiting NYC & Boston in April. LOOKING FOR ADVICE ON LODGING/TRANSPORT/FOOD ETC
Post by: Photoelectric on Tue, 11 March 2014, 23:54:39
I don't know about med school :(  But just in the latest Boston University alumni journal release, they had an article about how the number of Chinese students enrolled has grown dramatically in the past few years.  You can definitely see that there are a lot of international students from all over the world in the Boston area (which includes Cambridge).
Title: Re: Visiting NYC & Boston in April. LOOKING FOR ADVICE ON LODGING/TRANSPORT/FOOD ETC
Post by: IPT on Wed, 12 March 2014, 00:15:24
in terms of mechanical keyboards, there's really nothing around NY tbh.

Now if you want someone to proxy for you, i'll do it if you want as i live in NYC lol.

I think I have enough keyboard items :p 13 and counting, or is it 14?

I'm looking more at clothing, accessories etc etc......SG is pathetic in terms of variety and price.



well in typical asian stereotype fashion, go to the Woodbury Outlets.
They have buses from Chinatown and Flushing Queens that'll drive you up to the outlets (about 90-120 min ride, i dunno i usually just drive lol)
http://www.premiumoutlets.com/outlets/outlet.asp?id=7

Other than that, if you're ok with spending $$ then head on to 5th ave and the avenue of americas and shop to your heart's desire haha.

What's the difference between those outlets and 5th Ave? New to the shopping scene since in such a small country like SG, I only can shop in department stores or retail outlets hahaha

fashion outlets are factory outlet stores that are cheaper than their 5th ave counterparts.
the stuff that's sold at the outlets are usually stuff that's 1 or more seasons behind.

But the big name stores are all there:  Burberry, Coach, Prada, Gucci, etc.
Then the more affordable designers like Polo, CK, Tommy, etc.
But again, it could be like Spring 2013 collection instead of the now spring 2014 collection that's on 5th ave

To me who's not "i must be cutting fashion edge", its better bargain imo.
Title: Re: Visiting NYC & Boston in April. LOOKING FOR ADVICE ON LODGING/TRANSPORT/FOOD ETC
Post by: Shadovved on Wed, 12 March 2014, 00:20:59
in terms of mechanical keyboards, there's really nothing around NY tbh.

Now if you want someone to proxy for you, i'll do it if you want as i live in NYC lol.

I think I have enough keyboard items :p 13 and counting, or is it 14?

I'm looking more at clothing, accessories etc etc......SG is pathetic in terms of variety and price.



well in typical asian stereotype fashion, go to the Woodbury Outlets.
They have buses from Chinatown and Flushing Queens that'll drive you up to the outlets (about 90-120 min ride, i dunno i usually just drive lol)
http://www.premiumoutlets.com/outlets/outlet.asp?id=7

Other than that, if you're ok with spending $$ then head on to 5th ave and the avenue of americas and shop to your heart's desire haha.

What's the difference between those outlets and 5th Ave? New to the shopping scene since in such a small country like SG, I only can shop in department stores or retail outlets hahaha

fashion outlets are factory outlet stores that are cheaper than their 5th ave counterparts.
the stuff that's sold at the outlets are usually stuff that's 1 or more seasons behind.

But the big name stores are all there:  Burberry, Coach, Prada, Gucci, etc.
Then the more affordable designers like Polo, CK, Tommy, etc.
But again, it could be like Spring 2013 collection instead of the now spring 2014 collection that's on 5th ave

To me who's not "i must be cutting fashion edge", its better bargain imo.

Outlets for me then :D  "I-am-poor-person"  :p

Looking to add some Jimmy Choo shoes into my collezioni, and since SG fashion is always lagging, I guess I'll lurk at the outlets and still be progressive  ^-^
Title: Re: Visiting NYC & Boston in April. LOOKING FOR ADVICE ON LODGING/TRANSPORT/FOOD ETC
Post by: histevenhere on Wed, 12 March 2014, 10:26:21
That outlet gets crowded starting from 1 pm, better get there somewhat early !
Title: Re: Visiting NYC & Boston in April. LOOKING FOR ADVICE ON LODGING/TRANSPORT/FOOD ETC
Post by: mashby on Wed, 12 March 2014, 12:24:32
Anything I'm missing out? ;D

Yes, fly down to Nashville!  :p

We do have Vanderbilt to come see. Besides MK.com and ME!  ;D
Title: Re: Visiting NYC & Boston in April. LOOKING FOR ADVICE ON LODGING/TRANSPORT/FOOD ETC
Post by: Shadovved on Wed, 12 March 2014, 12:33:12
Anything I'm missing out? ;D

Yes, fly down to Nashville!  :p

We do have Vanderbilt to come see. Besides MK.com and ME!  ;D

Sorry to pop your bubble. The US leg has been cancelled :( My friend's mother needs to return early  :rolleyes:
Title: Re: Visiting NYC & Boston in April. LOOKING FOR ADVICE ON LODGING/TRANSPORT/FOOD ETC
Post by: mashby on Wed, 12 March 2014, 12:44:41
Sorry to pop your bubble. The US leg has been cancelled :( My friend's mother needs to return early  :rolleyes:

I can't believe you got my hopes up like that. My jimmies are beyond rustled.

(http://i.imgur.com/xcmP1.gif)
Title: Re: Visiting NYC & Boston in April. LOOKING FOR ADVICE ON LODGING/TRANSPORT/FOOD ETC
Post by: IPT on Wed, 12 March 2014, 13:03:39
awww i was hoping to stalk you =)
Title: Re: Visiting NYC & Boston in April. LOOKING FOR ADVICE ON LODGING/TRANSPORT/FOOD ETC
Post by: Shadovved on Wed, 12 March 2014, 13:20:41
Sorry to pop your bubble. The US leg has been cancelled :( My friend's mother needs to return early  :rolleyes:

I can't believe you got my hopes up like that. My jimmies are beyond rustled.

Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/xcmP1.gif)


awww i was hoping to stalk you =)

Haiz. Problem of going on a trip with others, you'll have to listen to them :(  Sorry mashbro and projectD  :'(
Title: Re: Visiting NYC & Boston in April. LOOKING FOR ADVICE ON LODGING/TRANSPORT/FOOD ETC
Post by: noisyturtle on Wed, 12 March 2014, 14:47:07
+1 on the MIT museum, it's well worth the time.
Title: Re: Visiting NYC & Boston in April. LOOKING FOR ADVICE ON LODGING/TRANSPORT/FOOD ETC
Post by: Lanx on Wed, 12 March 2014, 15:42:13
what kind of asian are you?
chinese (mand/cant)?/thai/viet?

actually if you can swing it, chinatown has "semi-private" buses/vans regularly everywhere. this isn't recommended for "white ppl" cuz i mean they'd freak out being in a van with 7 other asians.

actually chinatown "bus/vans" only charge like 3bucks for transport to and from flushing queens/chinatown. they're fast too cuz the operations are always in contact with one another and update on traffic (take this, not that).

if you're in chinatown you can walk anywhere in manhattan really, hell you can walk across the brooklyn bridge (30mins) to cityhall (manhattan) and then it's only a 10minute walk to chinatown. I know cuz i used to work in the cityhall area and walk to chinatown to eat for lunch. (10m there, 10m back, 30m to eat, just enough time!) and then once you're in chinatown, 10mins to the village, midtown, 5av, where ever.

wait is your trip cancelled?
Title: Re: Visiting NYC & Boston in April. LOOKING FOR ADVICE ON LODGING/TRANSPORT/FOOD ETC
Post by: Shadovved on Thu, 13 March 2014, 02:03:56
what kind of asian are you?
chinese (mand/cant)?/thai/viet?

actually if you can swing it, chinatown has "semi-private" buses/vans regularly everywhere. this isn't recommended for "white ppl" cuz i mean they'd freak out being in a van with 7 other asians.

actually chinatown "bus/vans" only charge like 3bucks for transport to and from flushing queens/chinatown. they're fast too cuz the operations are always in contact with one another and update on traffic (take this, not that).

if you're in chinatown you can walk anywhere in manhattan really, hell you can walk across the brooklyn bridge (30mins) to cityhall (manhattan) and then it's only a 10minute walk to chinatown. I know cuz i used to work in the cityhall area and walk to chinatown to eat for lunch. (10m there, 10m back, 30m to eat, just enough time!) and then once you're in chinatown, 10mins to the village, midtown, 5av, where ever.

wait is your trip cancelled?

Not cancelled. Delayed. I'll have to return again after my army since I received news I'll be enlisting in May too :rolleyes:

So.....that's 2 years for me to scrimp and save and then I'll clear all my shopaholic desires at the outlets/5th Ave :p
Title: Re: Visiting NYC & Boston in April. LOOKING FOR ADVICE ON LODGING/TRANSPORT/FOOD ETC
Post by: Shadovved on Thu, 13 March 2014, 14:07:47
Update. When I visit *later* in the future, I might stay longer.

So I'll need to ask, what's the most used mode of transport between cities/states?

Hoping for something which wont kill my wallet :))
Title: Re: Visiting NYC & Boston in April. LOOKING FOR ADVICE ON LODGING/TRANSPORT/FOOD ETC
Post by: Photoelectric on Thu, 13 March 2014, 14:21:30
Probably trains and buses.  Amtrak services go between New York and Massachusetts.  There are also buses (like Grayhound company) from and to the South Station in Boston that go to New York City and other areas, as well as buses from Chinatown in Boston, which are a little cheaper, but not that much cheaper.  Once you're in Boston, all the places you've named can be reached by local transportation, as I've mentioned earlier.

Columbia is right in New York City, so you could reach it by metro services as well.  There are commuter trains from NYC that go to New Jersey, so you could get to Princeton that way.  Can't remember how long it took, maybe an hour?  Someone would know better.  Unsure about reaching Yale.  Brown is in Providence, which is just south of Boston, about an hour ride by Amtrak commuter train from the South Station in Boston.  I think you can walk from the Providence train station to the Brown campus with some maps.

https://maps.google.com/maps?q=amtrak+loc:+Brown+University,+Providence,+RI+02912&hl=en&ll=41.827531,-71.408418&spn=0.008642,0.016512&sll=41.84124,-71.395683&sspn=0.069123,0.132093&geocode=CSeHifZ-QEEeFZ45fgIdvnu--ykpjrOQJEXkiTHLIKL3_Gl-Cw&gl=us&hq=amtrak&t=m&fll=41.828242,-71.405736&fspn=0.008642,0.016512&z=17
Title: Re: Visiting NYC & Boston in April. LOOKING FOR ADVICE ON LODGING/TRANSPORT/FOOD ETC
Post by: Shadovved on Thu, 13 March 2014, 14:23:53
Probably trains and buses.  Amtrak services go between New York and Massachusetts.  There are also buses (like Grayhound company) from and to the South Station in Boston that go to New York City and other areas, as well as buses from Chinatown in Boston, which are a little cheaper, but not that much cheaper.  Once you're in Boston, all the places you've named can be reached by local transportation, as I've mentioned earlier.

Columbia is right in New York City, so you could reach it by metro services as well.  There are commuter trains from NYC that go to New Jersey, so you could get to Princeton that way.  Can't remember how long it took, maybe an hour?  Someone would know better.  Unsure about reaching Yale.  Brown is in Providence, which is just south of Boston, about an hour ride by Amtrak commuter train from the South Station in Boston.  I think you can walk from the Providence train station to the Brown campus with some maps.

https://maps.google.com/maps?q=amtrak+loc:+Brown+University,+Providence,+RI+02912&hl=en&ll=41.827531,-71.408418&spn=0.008642,0.016512&sll=41.84124,-71.395683&sspn=0.069123,0.132093&geocode=CSeHifZ-QEEeFZ45fgIdvnu--ykpjrOQJEXkiTHLIKL3_Gl-Cw&gl=us&hq=amtrak&t=m&fll=41.828242,-71.405736&fspn=0.008642,0.016512&z=17

I believe the trains go down to Baltimore too?

How about from the east coast to west?
Title: Re: Visiting NYC & Boston in April. LOOKING FOR ADVICE ON LODGING/TRANSPORT/FOOD ETC
Post by: Photoelectric on Thu, 13 March 2014, 14:36:16
You can always google "boston to x by train" and similar, and you'll find some options.  Google Maps can also give some sample directions by public transportation, to give you an idea.

Across the country--use planes.  It's like a 5-6 hour flight across, so if you use anything else, it will take days.  And will be quite expensive (like trains).  The west coast is not as public-transportation-friendly, except inside some cities and their surrounding areas (like LA, for example), and distances are pretty great.  But there are probably still buses or some other options between areas, though not as much of a choice as between the east coast states and cities.
Title: Re: Visiting NYC & Boston in April. LOOKING FOR ADVICE ON LODGING/TRANSPORT/FOOD ETC
Post by: noisyturtle on Thu, 13 March 2014, 14:40:26
Just take the bus between Boston and NY. It's super cheap and takes less than a day, plus the Port Authority is an... interesting place.
Title: Re: Visiting NYC & Boston in April. LOOKING FOR ADVICE ON LODGING/TRANSPORT/FOOD ETC
Post by: histevenhere on Thu, 13 March 2014, 18:33:33
You can basically get anywhere by the metro, bus/train :D.
Title: Re: Visiting NYC & Boston in April. LOOKING FOR ADVICE ON LODGING/TRANSPORT/FOOD ETC
Post by: Lanx on Thu, 13 March 2014, 21:10:06
Not cancelled. Delayed. I'll have to return again after my army since I received news I'll be enlisting in May too :rolleyes:

So.....that's 2 years for me to scrimp and save and then I'll clear all my shopaholic desires at the outlets/5th Ave :p

oh guess you're korean, go defend the world from kim jung, whatever the ****er's name is.

unless another asian country likes to give "surprise" military enlistment so you can' bail?
Title: Re: Visiting NYC & Boston in April. LOOKING FOR ADVICE ON LODGING/TRANSPORT/FOOD ETC
Post by: Shadovved on Fri, 14 March 2014, 00:21:44
Not cancelled. Delayed. I'll have to return again after my army since I received news I'll be enlisting in May too :rolleyes:

So.....that's 2 years for me to scrimp and save and then I'll clear all my shopaholic desires at the outlets/5th Ave :p

oh guess you're korean, go defend the world from kim jung, whatever the ****er's name is.

unless another asian country likes to give "surprise" military enlistment so you can' bail?

Not korean. From Singapore.....island nation in the South-East Asia ;D

Compulsory enlistment for all males from 18, they learnt all these from Israel when we first became independent  :rolleyes:

Got my enlistment date for first week of May :(

Pointless actually, when your country is only around 500 km2
Title: Re: Visiting NYC & Boston in April. LOOKING FOR ADVICE ON LODGING/TRANSPORT/FOOD ETC
Post by: iri on Fri, 14 March 2014, 04:40:29
you will spend two years in the army of the sea rock that imports fresh water?!
Title: Re: Visiting NYC & Boston in April. LOOKING FOR ADVICE ON LODGING/TRANSPORT/FOOD ETC
Post by: Shadovved on Fri, 14 March 2014, 04:43:37
you will spend two years in the army of the sea rock that imports fresh water?!

Oui, l'armée de la roche
Title: Re: Visiting NYC & Boston in April. LOOKING FOR ADVICE ON LODGING/TRANSPORT/FOOD ETC
Post by: IPT on Fri, 14 March 2014, 10:23:34
Not cancelled. Delayed. I'll have to return again after my army since I received news I'll be enlisting in May too :rolleyes:

So.....that's 2 years for me to scrimp and save and then I'll clear all my shopaholic desires at the outlets/5th Ave :p

oh guess you're korean, go defend the world from kim jung, whatever the ****er's name is.

unless another asian country likes to give "surprise" military enlistment so you can' bail?

many asian country has conscription.....
Title: Re: Visiting NYC & Boston in April. LOOKING FOR ADVICE ON LODGING/TRANSPORT/FOOD ETC
Post by: Shadovved on Fri, 14 March 2014, 11:45:00
Not cancelled. Delayed. I'll have to return again after my army since I received news I'll be enlisting in May too :rolleyes:

So.....that's 2 years for me to scrimp and save and then I'll clear all my shopaholic desires at the outlets/5th Ave :p

oh guess you're korean, go defend the world from kim jung, whatever the ****er's name is.

unless another asian country likes to give "surprise" military enlistment so you can' bail?

many asian country has conscription.....

Nope. Not many Asian countries have compulsory conscription :))
Title: Re: Visiting NYC & Boston in April. LOOKING FOR ADVICE ON LODGING/TRANSPORT/FOOD ETC
Post by: iri on Fri, 14 March 2014, 12:23:13
http://chartsbin.com/view/1887
Title: Re: Visiting NYC & Boston in April. LOOKING FOR ADVICE ON LODGING/TRANSPORT/FOOD ETC
Post by: IPT on Fri, 14 March 2014, 12:39:07
Not cancelled. Delayed. I'll have to return again after my army since I received news I'll be enlisting in May too :rolleyes:

So.....that's 2 years for me to scrimp and save and then I'll clear all my shopaholic desires at the outlets/5th Ave :p

oh guess you're korean, go defend the world from kim jung, whatever the ****er's name is.

unless another asian country likes to give "surprise" military enlistment so you can' bail?

many asian country has conscription.....

Nope. Not many Asian countries have compulsory conscription :))
guess we beg to differ from the map info

i do know China technically has conscription, but doesn't enforce it.
The Koreas, Vietnam, Taiwan, Singapore, Thailand all have conscription that's enforced from my knowledge.

Heck I get questioned when I enter Taiwan on my taiwan passport all the time lol.
Title: Re: Visiting NYC & Boston in April. LOOKING FOR ADVICE ON LODGING/TRANSPORT/FOOD ETC
Post by: Shadovved on Fri, 14 March 2014, 12:45:03
Not cancelled. Delayed. I'll have to return again after my army since I received news I'll be enlisting in May too :rolleyes:

So.....that's 2 years for me to scrimp and save and then I'll clear all my shopaholic desires at the outlets/5th Ave :p

oh guess you're korean, go defend the world from kim jung, whatever the ****er's name is.

unless another asian country likes to give "surprise" military enlistment so you can' bail?

many asian country has conscription.....

Nope. Not many Asian countries have compulsory conscription :))
guess we beg to differ from the map info

i do know China technically has conscription, but doesn't enforce it.
The Koreas, Vietnam, Taiwan, Singapore, Thailand all have conscription that's enforced from my knowledge.

Heck I get questioned when I enter Taiwan on my taiwan passport all the time lol.

Not true. In China, many are dying to be conscripted. It's like some money bowl, you need connections and *gifts* to try and get in.

Most countries conscription is like a lottery, or voluntary conscription......

But SG conscription is for all males 18 and above, and retraining every two years. It's like we are fighting a war than the Chinese/Taiwan/North & South Korea :rolleyes:
Title: Re: Visiting NYC & Boston in April. LOOKING FOR ADVICE ON LODGING/TRANSPORT/FOOD ETC
Post by: iri on Fri, 14 March 2014, 12:48:25
But SG conscription is for all males 18 and above, and retraining every two years. It's like we are fighting a war than the Chinese/Taiwan/North & South Korea :rolleyes:
every country in the world longs for your fertile soil! defend at all costs!
Title: Re: Visiting NYC & Boston in April. LOOKING FOR ADVICE ON LODGING/TRANSPORT/FOOD ETC
Post by: IPT on Fri, 14 March 2014, 12:49:35
Not cancelled. Delayed. I'll have to return again after my army since I received news I'll be enlisting in May too :rolleyes:

So.....that's 2 years for me to scrimp and save and then I'll clear all my shopaholic desires at the outlets/5th Ave :p

oh guess you're korean, go defend the world from kim jung, whatever the ****er's name is.

unless another asian country likes to give "surprise" military enlistment so you can' bail?

many asian country has conscription.....

Nope. Not many Asian countries have compulsory conscription :))
guess we beg to differ from the map info

i do know China technically has conscription, but doesn't enforce it.
The Koreas, Vietnam, Taiwan, Singapore, Thailand all have conscription that's enforced from my knowledge.

Heck I get questioned when I enter Taiwan on my taiwan passport all the time lol.

Not true. In China, many are dying to be conscripted. It's like some money bowl, you need connections and *gifts* to try and get in.

Most countries conscription is like a lottery, or voluntary conscription......

But SG conscription is for all males 18 and above, and retraining every two years. It's like we are fighting a war than the Chinese/Taiwan/North & South Korea :rolleyes:

I think we're talking about 2 different things.
China's military gets enough volunteers (because much of china is still poor, so they see it as getting room/board/salary) so they have many volunteers to join that they don't enforce it.

Taiwan requires you to serve for 18 months minimum.  You can delay for school, but you'll need to serve eventually.  Only can avoid if you're past 40 years old or you have medical issues.

the 2 koreas have the same delay option, but still requires you to serve.  I don't know about Thailand's specifics, but everything shown online is they have a normal conscription so I assume there's prob options to delay, but still required to serve.
Title: Re: Visiting NYC & Boston in April. LOOKING FOR ADVICE ON LODGING/TRANSPORT/FOOD ETC
Post by: Shadovved on Fri, 14 March 2014, 14:25:40
Not cancelled. Delayed. I'll have to return again after my army since I received news I'll be enlisting in May too :rolleyes:

So.....that's 2 years for me to scrimp and save and then I'll clear all my shopaholic desires at the outlets/5th Ave :p

oh guess you're korean, go defend the world from kim jung, whatever the ****er's name is.

unless another asian country likes to give "surprise" military enlistment so you can' bail?

many asian country has conscription.....

Nope. Not many Asian countries have compulsory conscription :))
guess we beg to differ from the map info

i do know China technically has conscription, but doesn't enforce it.
The Koreas, Vietnam, Taiwan, Singapore, Thailand all have conscription that's enforced from my knowledge.

Heck I get questioned when I enter Taiwan on my taiwan passport all the time lol.

Not true. In China, many are dying to be conscripted. It's like some money bowl, you need connections and *gifts* to try and get in.

Most countries conscription is like a lottery, or voluntary conscription......

But SG conscription is for all males 18 and above, and retraining every two years. It's like we are fighting a war than the Chinese/Taiwan/North & South Korea :rolleyes:

I think we're talking about 2 different things.
China's military gets enough volunteers (because much of china is still poor, so they see it as getting room/board/salary) so they have many volunteers to join that they don't enforce it.

Taiwan requires you to serve for 18 months minimum.  You can delay for school, but you'll need to serve eventually.  Only can avoid if you're past 40 years old or you have medical issues.

the 2 koreas have the same delay option, but still requires you to serve.  I don't know about Thailand's specifics, but everything shown online is they have a normal conscription so I assume there's prob options to delay, but still required to serve.

Another reason why I hate our conscription policies. No delays whatsoever, unless you get into med school or get some uber famous outstanding scholarship, will you be allowed to delay until the end of your studies.

Med students will serve as medical officers for army.

And normal guys will enter university at 21 with their brain all rusted :p

But enough about army, its the last thing I want to hear about LOL, what about nice food in NYC?
Title: Re: Visiting NYC & Boston in April. LOOKING FOR ADVICE ON LODGING/TRANSPORT/FOOD ETC
Post by: iri on Fri, 14 March 2014, 14:48:01
what about nice food in NYC?
go here (http://kebeerny.com/), then report back.
Title: Re: Visiting NYC & Boston in April. LOOKING FOR ADVICE ON LODGING/TRANSPORT/FOOD ETC
Post by: IPT on Fri, 14 March 2014, 14:52:29
what about nice food in NYC?
go here (http://kebeerny.com/), then report back.

dunno if false positive, Avast stopped a JS:Agent-UU [Trj] when i clicked lol.
Title: Re: Visiting NYC & Boston in April. LOOKING FOR ADVICE ON LODGING/TRANSPORT/FOOD ETC
Post by: iri on Fri, 14 March 2014, 15:00:31
okay then, it's an uzbek grill named KeBeer, with great selection of beers, located at 1003 Brighton Beach Ave Brooklyn, NY.