Travel USA – Home | North American Regions

Geography

This United States region is surrounded to the north by Canada, to the east by the Atlantic Ocean to the south by the Southern United States, and to the west by the Midwestern United States.

Northeast of United States is a most densely populated, culturally diverse and economically developed region. 85% of the region’s population lives in the urban areas, making it the second most urban region in the United States, preceded only by the West.

This region includes nine states listed with their capitals:

Maine, Augusta

New York, Albany

New Jersey, Trenton

Vermont, Montpelier

Massachusetts, Boston

Rhode Island, Providence

Connecticut, Hartford

New Hampshire, Concord

Pennsylvania, Harrisburg

It may be surprising for some, that the largest cities in this region are not the state capitals, with the exception of Boston. Here is the ranking of top cities in the region:

1 New York, NY

2 Philadelphia, PA

3 Boston, MA

4 Pittsburgh, PA

5 Newark, NJ

6 Buffalo, NY

7 Jersey City, NJ

8 Rochester, NY

9 Yonkers, NY

10 Worcester, MA

Climate

Northeastern part of the United States has very distinct seasons. You will typically see snow in the northern part of this region and can expect temperatures to fall below 0 °F. The summers are warm, a bit cooler in the north and warmer in the south. It does not stop thousands of Canadians driving to Maine for their summer beach vacation. Water reaches 52 °F in the late summer, and in my personal experience, some beaches may be very windy, so people install windbreakers next to their loungers. A “northern” beach vacation is not for everyone, but if you are in the area, you should definitely pass by and see how long you can stay in the water! My personal record was 28 seconds!

While the summers may be too cold compared to more southern states, Northeast boasts some of the most stunning fall colors you will find anywhere in the world! I highly recommend visiting this part of the country in the fall! I love just getting in the car and driving with my companion through scenic routes. Depending on the year, leaves start changing colors in mid-September, starting with Maine and some parts of New York. In October, the trees in New York, Massachusetts and northern Pennsylvania will be at their high and peak colors. You may see the beautiful fall colors up until the end of the first week of November in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. I will include a link in the other resources at the bottom of this post to help you plan your fall roundtrips in this part of the country.

Main attractions

I think New York is in almost anyone’s travel bucket list! Later in the post, I will be highlighting the destinations you can visit by train. In this section, I wanted to share some of my favorite places, off the beaten tracks.

If you are looking for some beautiful quiet beaches, visit Montauk, New York. It is about an hour away from Hamptons, also great for fishing. Portland, Maine is another great destination! Besides visiting the serene beaches, you should take a look at the Portland Head Light.

Newport, Rhode Island is a well-known beach town recommended for the scenic drive down Ocean Drive and the views from the Cliff Walk.

For the lovers of winter sports, visit Stowe, Vermont. It is a gorgeous spot great for skiing and snowboarding. Mount Washington in New Hampshire is another popular destination for the slope lovers.

Niagara Falls, New York requires a special mention. It is considered to be one of the seven wonders of the world. If you stay for the night, you will be able to observe the breathtaking light show, right in the waterfall.

Acadia National Park, Maine would be a great place to visit in the fall if you enjoy the vibrant colors of foliage, hiking, and kayaking.

Demographics

The Northeast of the U.S. is the most densely populated part of the country. According to 2013 estimates by U.S. Census Bureau, it is 2.5 times more densely populated as the runner up, the South. Don’t be surprised if you bump into someone you know!

Travel options

The easiest way to reach the Northeastern United States is through large hub airports located in the largest cities such as New York, Philadelphia, Boston, and Washington.

You may be surprised to know that New York actually has 3 airports! Each New York Airport is serviced by a different major airline. For example, if you are flying into John F Kennedy International (JFK), most probably it will be on JetBlue which represents 37% or all the planes at this airport. Newark Liberty International (EWR) is mostly serviced by United, accounting for almost half of the air traffic. La Guardia (LGA) is the smallest of the three New York Airports, serviced by Delta, it also receives a lot of international traffic. Usually, when searching for airline tickets online, you can select all the airports associated with the city and find the best-priced flight. Keep in mind the time it will take you to get from the airport for the city center and if you would need to change airports for the second leg of your journey.

Philadelphia International (PHL) airport is the third largest in the Northeastern region. It is mainly serviced by American Airlines, representing 80% of all the air traffic. Chances are, you will be able to use your AA miles if you are traveling to Philly!

Boston region can be reached through General Edward Lawrence Logan International (BOS), the 16th busiest airport in the United States. JetBlue has the most routes compared to other airlines servicing this location.

The National Capital Washington DC is serviced by three airports. Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall (BWI), Washington Dulles International (IAD) and Ronald Reagan Washington National (DCA) are mainly serviced by Southwest, United and American airlines respectively, amongst others.

If you are planning to visit the major cities in the Northeast region, you can also do it by train. Although trains are considerably slower than air travel, when you take into the account the time required to pass security at the airport and the views from your window, it may be a great alternative if you are not in a rush.

I think it could be a great way of exploring the region.

Take a walk along the Freedom Trail in Boston, Massachusetts, see where the colonial fever has begun. Visit iconic locations such as Old State House and the Old North Church, finish the day with some clam chowder at Quincy Market or a cute little restaurant in Little Italy. Try blending into the student crowd at Harvard Square before continuing your journey.

Next stop New York! The Big Apple never sleeps! I personally love strolling the Brooklyn Bridge and getting a cup a coffee before and after the stroll. It is one of my guilty pleasures. I also like spending an afternoon people watching in Central Park, eating snacks on my blanket, pretending to read a book. There are so many things to see in New York, it would take multiple posts to cover them all.

Philadelphia is also one of my favorite cities in the region, with its cobblestone streets. Visiting independence Hall is an absolute must, many important decisions were signed there. Philly trip would not be complete without tasting a famous Philly cheesesteak at the Reading Terminal Market.

Last stop, Washington DC! You will be amazed by the beauty of the Union Station. It has appeared in dozens of movies and TV shows in the last decade. U.S. capital can be easily discovered by foot, bike or metro. During summertime, National Botanic Gardens will impress anyone. Your visit will not be complete without seeing the Library of Congress, the Supreme Court and of course, the U.S. Capitol.

I hope you enjoyed this post. I have included helpful links in the “other resources” sections below.