Get a taste of the East Coast in Boston and New York City

(ARA) - Boston and New York are two dramatically different cities, but when you can combine them into one trip, you've got the makings of an unforgettable East Coast experience.

No matter which city you choose to start your trip, pick out some of the highlights you want to see before you touch down. Here are a few favorites to consider adding to your travel itinerary.

Boston
Consider staying right in the heart of things, choosing from a number of great Boston hotels in the city's center, rather than in its suburbs. Staying nearer to downtown will also give you easier access to a great transportation option: train travel. Though it's become a rarity in America, the train trip from Boston to New York City is easy and convenient.

Anyone with even a passing interest in America's pastime should make the pilgrimage to Fenway Park, home of the Boston Red Sox. It's an icon of American sports, and seeing a game here is the best way to experience baseball.

Boston is a city that keeps close ties to history -- and what history it has. The city's role in America's earliest days unfolds as you take a walk on the famed Freedom Trail. You can follow along on a tour guided by a historical re-enactor or take a self-guided tour.

There is also a great variety of museums in the city, focusing on history, art and nature. Some great examples to consider for your trip are the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum (which houses art in the elaborate Venetian style home of the museum's eponymous founder); the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum; the former battleship turned museum, the U.S.S. Constitution (also known as Old Ironsides) and the highly hands-on Museum of Science.

New York
Again by choosing to stay at one of the New York City hotels right in the thick of things, you'll be giving yourself the gift of convenience. It'll be easy to get around by cab, subway or good old pavement pounding, and you'll be closer to the train station for your ride to or from Boston.

If you visit Fenway Park in Boston, make sure that you keep the traditional rivalry between the two cities on an even keel by visiting Yankee Stadium. Even if you can't visit on game day, try to include a tour in your plans.

New York has always acted as something of a gateway to America for immigrants seeking a better life. If your ancestors came through New York, try to imagine what it was like for them as you take a tour of the Statue of Liberty -- one of the first welcoming sights they might have seen after a long time at sea. Touring Ellis Island is another fascinating, touching look at the melting pot history of America.

While the city has almost too many museums to count, some of the most famous ones should be on your list -- they rarely disappoint. For art across the ages, head to the Metropolitan Museum of Art (the Met) and the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA). The American Museum of Natural History is one of the classic museums not just of this city, but of the whole country. Everyone from mom and dad to the littlest kids will be thrilled by its exhibits.

Combining two cities on your trip needn't be a headache. Web sites like Travelocity.com can help you plan everything you need, all in one place, from hotel rooms to airline flights to rental cars and vacation packages. Then it's up to you to choose how you'll fill your days in these two of America's most beloved cities.

Courtesy of ARAcontent