Mid-Atlantic

城市概覽

The Mid-Atlantic as a cultural region is largely a blending of the best of the cultural regions it borders: New England, the Midwest, the South, and the Canadian provinces of Ontario and Québec. Accordingly, individual states and especially cities have strong individual identities and locals are more likely to identify with a major subregion like the New York City tri-state area, the D.C. metropolitan area, rural Pennsylvania, Downstate New Jersey, etc., than to identify with the Mid-Atlantic as a whole. Because of the Mid-Atlantic region's significance and large urban centers that draw not only upon the regional populations, but across the nation as well, there is a higher population density (see the Get around section). Three of the nation's top ten metropolitan areas are located here: New York, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C., spaced apart from each other by only about one and a half hour drives. These metro areas consist of immense urban sprawl radiating out from the city centers, covering a significant fraction of the region's land area. Their huge populations ensure that the roads remain congested, beaches well attended, and paths well-beaten. This is a real East Coast region, with all the associated stereotypes of huge immigrant communities from all over the world, leftist politics aplenty, good food, and a vaguely arrogant (and ignorant) attitude towards the rest of the country, especially the "fly-over" states in the middle. The long Atlantic Coast also means that the region has strong ties, in terms of travel, culture, and commerce, with Europe. The areas outside these megacities are far less frequently visited by international tourists, but there is nonetheless much more to be seen: the Chesapeake Bay is a true world treasure and should not be missed by anyone interested in ecology, sailing, or seafood; the beautiful and wild Adirondacks comprise the largest park area in the continental U.S.; the region includes some of the most important Civil War b

如何抵達

By plane The principal points of entry are the region's airports, and the super hubs are in the New York and Baltimore-Washington metro areas. The former is served primarily by John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK IATA), Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR IATA), and LaGuardia Airport (LGA IATA), while the latter is served by Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD IATA), Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA IATA), and Baltimore Washington International Airport (BWI IATA). Philadelphia is served mainly by just one airport, Philadelphia International Airport (PHL IATA), which is accordingly the largest in the area. Other cities in the area will often have their own airports, but direct flights may be harder to come by.

By train

Amtrak operates several routes in and out of this region including the popular Acela express that goes from Boston to DC via New York. Unlike other parts of the country, Amtrak is often the fastest and best way to get somewhere, owing to higher train speeds along the Boston-Washington Northeast Corridor as well as congestion on roads and airports. Prices tend to reflect that, so shop around what best fits your time and financial needs. Even travelers from Japan whose trains tend to be much more expensive than in Europe tend to be flabbergasted at the high prices of the Acela and even the Northeast Regional - a slightly slower service with more stops - is more expensive than some European high-speed rail services.

By boat New York City is still served by a regular ocean liner run by Cunard Lines.

當地交通

By bus Greyhound is unfortunately the main intercity bus operator, unfortunately because it is an inefficient and expensive way of getting around. Fortunately it is seeing low-cost competition from a peculiar set of Chinatown bus routes. These no frills point A to point B services arose organically from the needs of Chinese-Americans to visit their relatives in the various Chinatowns across the region. The service caught on when the general public realized they could travel round trip from D.C. to New York for $30. There is no central internet site for these services, so you are best off doing a general internet search. Be aware that the Chinatown buses do occasionally terminate and originate in unsavory urban neighborhoods. A new wave in intercity coach transportation is large corporations trying to emulate Chinatown buses but with better services. Megabus was the first to embrace the new business model, offering heavily discounted fares from its New York hub to Boston, Toronto, Buffalo, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Atlantic City and Washington. Bolt Bus is a division of Greyhound but is significantly cheaper and more comfortable than their regular services, as they provide newer coaches with more legroom, electric sockets at every seat and free wireless internet. Bolt Bus covers the Northeast Corridor with routes almost identical to Megabus.

By train

While train service is very limited in the rest of the United States, the Northeast has by far the best rail service in the country. The high-speed Acela express runs frequently along the Washington-Baltimore-Philadelphia-New York-Boston corridor. Amtrak also serves upstate NY, and western PA. Unfortunately, Amtrak is a very expensive option, often more so even than flying or renting a car! Also, Acela is only relatively fast by American standards, not comparable in speed to actual high-speed rail in Europe and East Asia, and the difference in price between it and the regular Northeast Regional trains is likely to m

必看景點

Itineraries If visiting the Mid-Atlantic, you may want to take a look at the following itineraries:

The Appalachian Trail runs along the spine of the Appalachian Mountains through Western Maryland on through Pennsylvania and New York. The Braddock Expedition traces the French-Indian War route of British General Edward Braddock (and a younger George Washington) from Alexandria, Virginia through the Cumberland Gap to the Monongahela River near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Jazz Track contains excellent information about visiting jazz-related sites in New York. Touring Shaker country takes you through several historic Shaker villages in New York State.

體驗活動

Much of the Mid-Atlantic is afflicted by so much suburban sprawl that there isn't much to do other than go to the movies. But peer a bit further into the region, and there are magnificent outdoor opportunities in the west and north. For hikers, the longest trail in the world runs from Georgia to Maine, passing through Maryland, Pennsylvania, and New York. Pennsylvania between Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, is beautiful and largely wild. Drives through pastoral Amish country or hikes through thickly forested hills are a great way to get away from the huge urban centers of the region. Way up in the northern section of New York is the enormous Adirondack State Park—the largest state park in the country, spanning an area larger than next door Vermont. Possibilitie