Going to North America

There are a lot of good suggestions here already, but I'll add what comes to mind.

I'd definitely spend some time researching your phone Internet options before you get here. I've been to a lot of different countries, and having Internet access from the moment you land (or from the moment you buy a SIM card in the airport, or whatever) makes everything so much easier. There may not be a way to easily get Canada and USA access together, so I'd prioritize the USA one since that's where you'll be spending time on your own, not as part of the tour. Traveling internationally is much easier if you can pull up maps, walking/subway directions, call an Uber, look up restaurant reviews, and so on while you're out walking around. A friend of mine who comes to the US frequently always uses a separate mobile hotspot, so that might be easier than getting a SIM card.

I'd say if a zoo interests you, the DC Zoo might be a better choice than the Bronx Zoo, just because downtown DC to the zoo is quicker than Newark to the Bronx, and the DC zoo is free. On the other hand, with only one full day in DC, I personally wouldn't spend it at the zoo, since it's not a very uniquely DC experience when compared to other stuff closer to downtown.

The museums on the Mall are a great idea, I love the Air & Space museum myself.

For both DC and NYC, getting the best food means getting away from the spots where the tourists tend to be (the Mall area in DC and midtown in NYC). Brooklyn pizza is better than Manhattan pizza.

I'd start with googling things like "one day in DC" and "three days in New York" to see some sample itineraries other people have put together. Look at a few of them, see what sites are on all the lists because everyone agrees they're must-see. Figure out which sound most appealing, and what isn't going to already be covered by your tour, and go from there.

Hope that helps!

The other option for a zoo is the Toronto Zoo, which is much larger than either the National or Bronx Zoos. It is currently closed due to a strike, but there was a tentative agreement this morning. so it should be open again. Be warned though, that it is so large that you will likely spend a day there if you go. On the downside, there is an admission cost, as opposed to National Zoo which is free,as others have pointed out.

In Niagara, if you do the boat tour from the Canadian side, it is no longer called Maid of the Mist. The boats from the New York side use that name, but the Canadian side is controlled by a different company now, so look for signs for Hornblower Niagara Cruises.

It sounds like you have limited time in DC, but if you like aerospace, and the Air and Space Museum, you should know Air and Space has two museums. One is the main facility on the Mall. The other one is the Udvar-Hazy Center near Dulles airport. This one houses several larger exhibits including Space Shuttle Discovert, a Concorde, the ENola Gay, and an SR-71 Blackbird, along with hundreds of other aircraft. It's a little out of the way, since Dulles is a bit of a drive from DC, but if you are heading to Dulles at all to fly out, maybe you can stop at Udvar-Hazy before your flight.

Never let them tell you that they're all the same.

Yikes! That is a super packed schedule!

I'm curious as to what your schedule was like when you visited the west coast!

If you miss the White House, don't feel bad. The Lincoln Memorial is better, in my opinion. You definitely want to hit up the Smithsonian or Natural Museum of History, though.

For future reference, British Columbia is gorgeous in the Spring/Summer.

I am sorry that you will not get to visit the White House. I've always wanted to visit the Smithsonian in DC, myself. Boston has some nice museums, too(also the U.S.S. Constitution). Unfortunately you will not be in the right part of Massachusetts to see the Norman Rockwell museum or the Dr. Seuss museum (just opened last weekend). Not really sure what you'd be interested in seeing. BTW, it looks like you'll be in New York for the 4th of July - expect a spectacular fireworks display that evening.

Only one day in Toronto? D:

Umm ... shit it depends on what ya like and where you are being dropped off/staying at. If you stay near the core then CN Tower, Ripley's Aquarium and the Eaton Centre would be easy picks. There is also the ROM, AGO and the Bata Shoe Museum if ya into that type of stuff. Then you have Chinatown which is worth a visit. Might be worth taking a look at Kensington Market which is right beside Chinatown, but it is not a must see imo.

I doubt you have time to go to the zoo or Wonderland, but there is always next time. Unfortunately, we have been getting a lot of rain lately, so the Toronto Islands are closed due to flooding :/. You are coming just after the end of Pride month (the parade will be on 25th), but Church and Wellesley is the city's village if ya interested.

I personally would recommend a walk through downtown, especially along Bloor & Yonge street at night.

One strong recommendation: Traffic is hell in this city, especially at the core during rush hour. Peeps in this area live in different cities but tend to all work in Toronto. The streets and transit system are past their limits and it can take ages to get from point A to B. The places I have listed above are all within the core, but are in walking distance from each other. Whatever you choose, try to stay off the streets during peek hours (8-9 & 3-5) and take into account that it can take several buses/subway trains before you find a spot to get on.

If you can walk around, do it.

P.S. Almost forgot to mention this, but museums here charge an entrance fee. I know that is not the case in lots of places, but it is the norm over here. They can be a bit pricey too, so it is best to read up on the fee schedule beforehand.

Since you're going to be in NY around the 4th, I would suggest Coney Island for its historical amusement rides and Coney dogs.

Welcome to the US and I hope you have a blast!

Oh my! You have a very tight schedule. I would need at least a week for any of these cities.
Anyway it's nice idea to spend 4th of July in NYC. Enjoy your trip!

Having visited NYC for the first time myself about a year ago, the cheapest way to get around was to get a Metro card for the subway, and lots of walking. There's so much to see, and I was surprised at how much ground I was able to cover, and the number of landmarks I visited in just two half-days of being there -- walking's totally viable as long as you aren't loaded down with a heavy backpack or something. Plus, I have a Metro card souvenir in my wallet now! :)

I'm glad you'll be there longer than two days though -- I didn't get to see Lady Liberty apart from viewing her off the coast, and that might take a while in itself. And it would've been neat to take a cab somewhere, but there was really no need, and we were on a small budget. Off the top of my head (and looking at photos now, too...), a few of the things I did see/experience include Rockefeller Center (didn't skate on the rink), and the Lego store nearby, a Broadway show in the evening (book it early), the MET (admittance fee is a suggestion, so you can pay whatever you can afford, and I recommend making lots of time for this one and visiting the rooftop), portions of Central Park (including the fountain from the show Friends), Times Square (of course), Radio City Music Hall, Grand Central Station (not as cool as I'd imagined), the Empire State Building, the wall street bull (lots of people taking pictures with it's... dangling hindquarters), Battery Park and Castle Clinton (I wanted to go there because of the first Deus Ex game, but the castle itself wasn't open when we were there), the 9/11 Memorial, the Chrysler Building (missed lobby open hours for that too, unfortunately), Bryant Park (this one was unplanned, but really neat), and also had delicious New York pizza, and falafel from one of the many many vendors!

(Also, I love Chrome... my PC crashed after writing all that last night and I went to bed sad that this was lost...)
Hope you have fun! :)

You should check if the bus company has built in Wifi for free, a lot of them do. Then if you have an app like google voice you can text/call for free. Have fun!

Have fun and a good time there SilentGuy. ^^

Thank you for your giveaway.

Eat a hot-dog. I've heard they are kinda famous. Yes.

You are missing Mexico on your "North America" trip
but no, I don't recommend going here

Don't have any suggestions, but thanks for the ga!

nice have fun , would go there too in a few years. if trump allowed me :D

Bump. Already got a lot of good tips but the GA is still going on, so...

Bump)