Hi all,

My boyfriend and I are travelling to New York at the end of April. We've got 4 nights booked in Manhattan for 'free' using his Priority Club points, and we've then got two more nights before I fly home (he is staying a little longer to visit friends) from JFK.

We've both been to New York before (though never together) so we're ok with what to do in the city, but it's those two nights (which will be a Friday and Saturday) that we're not sure about.

Ideally we'd like to go somewhere out of the city for a while, but we're not sure where. We've both been to Philadelphia and DC, so they aren't really on our list. We're considering Atlantic City (I have been before but stayed at the Trump Marina so didn't spend a lot of time on the boardwalk), somewhere out on Long Island, maybe New Haven or somewhere else in CT, or, well...?

We could rent a car but would rather avoid doing so if possible, so we're looking at spending a couple of hours on a bus or train at the most, and it has to be cheap (i.e. no more than $100/night for accommodation).

If we went to AC would getting to JFK on the Sunday be an issue? My flight is at 9.30pm.

Any/all suggestions welcome - we're looking for somewhere to spend a few days just hanging out after 4 days of rushing round NYC!

Boston might be an option. There is a train and once you get there don't need a car. Lots of stuff to see and do.

Atlantic City is a dive and I'm not sure what there is in New Haven except for Yale.

I'll second the suggestion of going to Boston. You can take the train, fly, or take one of the cheap buses like Bolt or Megabus. You don't need a car in Boston and it's a great city. Transportation to/from the city is EASY.

Boston is a little far really, 4+ hours according to Megabus (though it is cheap), which is further than we wanted to go. Might be an option if there's a cheap flight, however.

With the Sunday flight from JFK, perhaps look at eastern Long Island? There are seashores, natural areas, wineries, B&Bs.....may be pleasant in late April, with placid togetherness with boyfriend before saying goodbye at JFK.

Easy logistics from Manhattan on the Long Island Railroad.....or maybe pick up rental car in Manhattan for drop at JFK? Or take train(s) to JFK to pick up a car there.....or LIRR to the station near Islip airport, for lower cost rental cars.

Wineries and seashores sound right up our street! Thanks, I'll have a look into it.

End of April is a good time to visit the Hamptons and twin forks (north & south) of Long Island at the eastern tip and can be reached on LIRR from Manhattan and Jamaica (transfer to/from JFK's AirTrain) if you do not want to rent a car in the city - a drive of 2 to 3 hours from the city, depending on traffic.

The oldest lighthouse in N.Y. is out at Montauk Point, and boats going out to the surrounding waters of Long Island Sound with a variety of marine life including Finbacks, Minke and humpback whales, dolphins, porpoises, seabirds, sea turtles and many species of fish.

Nearby Sag Harbor has nice & historic restaurants serving fresh seafood & all, prices comparatively good vs. NYC - and choice of charming inns, seasonal motels & chain hotels at varied prices (bargain vs. the warm summer months & still good over NY city's high rates. Oysters, clams, mussels, shell fishes and other products are avaiable fresh from the fishing fleets - perfect to go with your own bottles from the local wineries. Google searches will yield many links & info.

And, there is Tanger Outlet Center with 400 shops at Riverhead, NY including premium/designer brands like DKNY, Coach, CK, Polo RL, Giorgio Armani, and many others.

http://www.tangeroutlet.com/riverhead/area-information

Thanks for all that info - most useful! Beaches, seafood and wine sounds like a great way to end our trip!

It sure does, can I come? x

Your trip sounds like it will be fun.