Need traveling tips! (NYC, DC, and around)

[Jax]

I'm heading to New York in about a month from now, and we've decided to make a little excursion to Washington DC, Philadelphia and some kind of national park. Our global itinerary is as follows: First a couple of days in New York, then a short stay in DC, a park (if possible) and Philly, then back to New York for a few more days.

All suggestions are very much welcome (even for NYC), but I need some specific advice on the following things:

Is Philadelphia worth it? We want to visit it partly because it is on our route, and partly because it seems like a pretty cool place to chill and go clubbing. That's just from looking at a few pictures though.. And if so, what are some cool places to go to?

We want to go hiking for a day in a forest/mountain area, and initially we've set our eye on Cunningham State Falls or Pine Grove Furnace.
- Which one is better in terms of both good trails to hike and nice scenery? Or is there perhaps a better park near DC/Philadelphia?
- What is the best way to get there? I've tried looking for information about public transport, but can't really find it. Is there even public transportation that goes there? Preferably we would like to go from DC to the park, and then go from the park to Philadelphia.

We'd also like to spend a day just relaxing on the beach, probably during our stay in NYC. I've seen a couple beaches that seem nice, but perhaps someone knows a really great one?

 

[Hailey Knight]

Philadelphia and DC are far from each other. You'd need to take a Greyhound bus or Amtrack to get between them.

By DC's national park, you mean the mall. It has all the monuments, museums, etc. Unlike NYC where the stuff you want to see is scattered, DC has it all in one place, so you could spend a day seeing a ton of stuff within a short distance.

 

[GasBandit]

I haven't lived near DC since I was a little kid, but it seemed to me that any national parks of any size with trees (IE, camping possibilities) were at least a couple hours' drive into virginia from there.

Apart from that, all I have to say is that any trip to DC without going to the smithsonian (at the VERY least the Air and Space museum) is a completely wasted trip.

 

[Jax]

Yeah the distance is a bit far, but I thought it'd be worth it. So far though, I haven't been able to find any form of public transportation that goes there, so I guess I'll have to look for something else. Anybody know of good hiking places near NY, DC or Philly?

Oooh and before I forget, I also need the places to be for geek stuff of course (that'll probably be NYC) . T shirts, comic books, other kinds of geeky merch...

 

[SpecialKO]

Oooh and before I forget, I also need the places to be for geek stuff of course (that'll probably be NYC) . T shirts, comic books, other kinds of geeky merch...

Between Forbidden Planet, Jim Hanley's Universe, Midtown Comics, and the Compleat Strategist, you should be good unless you have something very specific in mind.

EDIT: Though they're not a merch place, the Uniqlo in the 50s has some good comic/movie/game-related shirts, including some pretty bitchin' Metal Gear Solid stuff.