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Northeast Shopping and Outlet Mall Tour
With the exchange rate of the US dollar at record lows, vacationing and shopping in the United States are real bargains for international visitors. Travel, lodging, food and entertainment are relatively inexpensive, and shopping is a real treasure hunt, especially at major outlet malls, where brand-name clothing, sporting goods, electronics and housewares are sold at discounted prices. Why not plan a vacation trip to the USA that combines sightseeing and recreation plus serious shopping? Here is our suggestion for a trip that includes sightseeing in New York City, Philadelphia and Washington DC with shopping at the major outlet malls located near those cities.
1. Book your air travel to New York City or Newark
Most international flights land at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in New York City, but some land at La Guardia Airport (LGA) in New York City or Liberty International Airport (EWR) in Newark, New Jersey.
2. Do not bother to rent a car in New York City
A car is just an inconvenience in New York City. Parking is difficult to find and expensive. With streets swarming with taxicabs and an extensive subway, bus, light rail and ferry system, New York City has some of the best public transportation in the United States, nearly all of which are available 24-hours per day. Rent a car after shopping and sightseeing in New York City.
3. Book a hotel in Manhattan
The main tourist hotels are located near Times Square. The business hotels tend to be on the East Side. The budget hotels are located on the Upper West Side or scattered about the island. All New York City hotel prices are rather high compared to most other locations in the USA. Expect to pay $200 per night or more for a room. Even the budget accommodations are typically more than $100 per night.
4. See New York City!
Take a bus tour through the neighborhoods. Take a boat tour around the island, or a free ride on the Staten Island Ferry across the harbor. Take a helicopter tour over the city. See the Statue of Liberty, the United Nations Building, Central Park, the Empire State Building, Rockefeller Center, Ground Zero, the museums, Broadway, Times Square. Go see a Broadway Musical Production. Eat in some of the many great restaurants.
5. Go shopping in Manhattan!
Visit Macy's department store and Bloomingdales. Browse the shops at the South Street Seaport and hunt for bargains in Chinatown. Check out the boutiques in Chelsea and Soho. Save your serious shopping for the outlet malls where you will find the greatest bargains.
6. Go shopping at Woodbury Commons for serious bargains
Woodbury Commons Premium Outlet Mall, with its 220 outlet stores, is just an hour north of Manhattan in Central Valley New York. You can go via busses from the Port Authority Bus Station in Midtown Manhattan or you can rent a car and drive there.
7. Rent a car after seeing New York City
Pick up your car in downtown Manhattan. You can choose to return it at the airport of your departure.
8. Drive to Philadelphia!
Cross into New Jersey via one of the tunnels or bridges, and then take I-95 south for about two hours to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
9. Book a Hotel in Philadelphia
A great selection of hotel accommodations at reasonable prices can be found northwest of Philadelphia, near the outlet malls.
10. See Philadelphia!
Visit historic Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell in downtown. Go to Geno's or Pat's in South Philly, and taste an authentic Philly Cheese Steak Sandwich.
11. Go shopping at the Franklin Mills Mall Franklin Mills Mall The most visited attraction in Pennsylvania is the Franklin Mills Mall. This "landmark of the discount shopper" contains more than 200 value stores under one roof, including Nordstrom Rack, Last Call! Neiman Marcus, Old Navy and Tommy Hilfiger. Photo Credit: Jim Roese (courtesy of the Philadelphia CVB) With more than 200 stores, Franklin Mills Mall is just north of downtown Philadelphia. You can also visit the Philadelphia Premium Outlets with 120 factory discount outlets just a short drive northwest of downtown, or the nearby King of Prussia Mall with nearly 400 upscale stores. You can even drive a bit further northwest to Reading and visit the VF Outlet Mall with nearly 100 additional discount stores. As a bonus, Pennsylvania does not charge any sales tax on most clothing purchases.
12. Drive to Baltimore
Baltimore is a 90-minute drive south of Philadelphia on Route 95.
13. See Baltimore and the Inner Harbor
Explore the Inner Harbor area. It's located about 10 miles south from downtown on Route 95, and offers a trendy maritime atmosphere of sailing ships, submarines, and a lighthouse as well as a great aquarium and children's museum. Taste a Maryland crab cake at one of the many good restaurants in the area. 14. Go shopping at the Arundel Mills Mall
Arundel Mills Mall is located few miles east of I-95 on Route 100. It features nearly 250 stores, most of them factory discount outlets.
15. Book a Hotel in Baltimore
There are plenty of reasonably priced hotels in the area surrounding Arundel Mills Mall, and it is within a 30 minute drive to downtown Baltimore and within 60 minutes of Washington DC.
16. Getting to Washington DC
If you stay near Arundel Mills, you can take a train into DC or you can drive down to suburban Silver Spring, Maryland, park your car and ride the Metro throughout the city. On weekends, you can easily drive directly downtown and find plenty of free parking.
17. Visit Washington DC and see the many sights
This beautifully designed capital city offers many things to do and see. The Smithsonian Museums and Art Galleries are among the finest in the world. The White House, the US Capital Building and many famous monuments are scattered about the city. Many of these attractions are absolutely free. 18. Return to New York City for your trip home
It will be a four-hours' drive from the Washington DC area to New York City. You can find the most reasonably priced accommodations in New Jersey near Newark or Secaucus. You can also stay in Manhattan or near your departure airport.
19. Turn in your rental car
You can choose to drop off your rental car in downtown Manhattan and take public transportation to the airport from which you are departing, or drive directly to the airport and return it there.
20. Fly home
Board your flight home with suitcases loaded with bargains you purchased on your shopping tour!
Written by: Mike Leco
Top Photo Credit: Jim McWilliams (courtesy of Philadelphia CVB)
Photo Description: Shopping at The Shops at Liberty Place.
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