Paul57 Loc: Birmingham, UK

Fellow Hogs - I'm going to NYC (4 nights) & Washington DC (2 nights) at the end of May. Any advice on what not to miss (and what to avoid!). Any restrictions on taking camera gear anywhere? Seeing the Yankees vs Red Sox, can I use a DSLR in the Yankees stadium? Any tips on traveling around?
Thanks all in anticipation, I know it's a massive subject but any main pointers would be useful.

traveler90712 Loc: Lake Worth, Fl.

In the city for 4 nights. What ya going to do during the day? :D Lots of night photo ops around, Times Sq., Empire State bldg., etc. If it's your first time here, play tourist, take one of the tour buses, then decide what you'd like to see more of. Want a bit of fun? Look up "The Ride."

FrumCA

I agree with Traveler. There are so many things to see and in both NYC and DC it's hard to single anything out. Riding around on the "hop on hop off" buses will help you settle in on things that may catch your eye. With only two days in DC, I think I would spend my time visiting the Smithsonian, Kennedy Center, and National Cathrdral. Walking around the Mall and Vietnam Veterans/Korean/and WWII monuments at night for night photos will produce some memorable images for you. Have fun and be sure to post some of your photos!!

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

I lived in DC near the Verizon Center. Here's some 'insider' tips: You can't use a tripod nor monopod anywhere on the grounds / near the Capitol or the White House. The best time to avoid crowds, if desired in your pictures, is to visit locations like the Lincoln Memorial and the Viet Nam Memorial at first light of day. If you call ahead to the Botanic Garden, you can obtain one of the two daily permits to freely use a tripod in the facility. If you're there over Memorial Day weekend, every tombstone in Arlington has a US flag placed in memory.

Bmac Loc: Long Island, NY

Here are a few suggestions for New York City:

See a Broadway show http://ppc.broadway.com/

Take in the lights and excitement of Times Square
http://timessquarenyc.org/mobile/index.aspx

How about a boat ride to the Statue of Liberty http://www.nps.gov/stli/index.htm

Stroll the Highline http://www.thehighline.org/ and then have lunch at the Chelsea Market http://chelseamarket.com/

Bike through Central Park http://www.centralpark.com/
http://www.centralpark.com/tours/bike-rental

Go to the top of the Empire State Building http://www.esbnyc.com/
To avoid long lines try to go at 8:30 a.m. or during lunch and dinner hours, Monday through Wednesday.

Check out the Grand Central Terminal http://www.grandcentralterminal.com/

Enjoy the Metropolitan Museum of Art http://www.metmuseum.org/

Take in the sights and attractions at Rockefeller Center http://www.rockefellercenter.com/

For an interesting look at New York City history go to The Tenement Museum http://www.tenement.org/

Spend some time in Greenwich Village http://www.greenwichvillage.com/

Walk aboard an aircraft carrier and learn naval WWII history on the Intrepid
http://www.intrepidmuseum.org/

This is just a start, you could literally spend a lifetime here and not see everything. Photography is usually hassle free here and you should have no problems. Remember you are on vacation and do not have to try and match the frenzy around you. Relax, take your time, and have a fantastic trip! :D

jrb1213 Loc: McDonough GEorgia

If you are lucky enough to have a rainy night try the Vietnam memorial. Fewer people (most visited place in DC) and it feels right. (Like the monsoon.) For me the night visit evoked memories, and tears. I was not the only one that night affected that way.

Effjayess Loc: NE,Pennsylvania

NYC try the east village for street photog also South St Seaport is nice because you are below the Brooklyn bridge for a different perspective. Times Square at night is more impressive with the lights and dont forget Central Park. Caution the police are a little nervous of photography in the subways.

charles brown Loc: Tennesse

Lived in or near DC for 32 years. What are your interests? The smithsonian is actually over a dozen different museums. You can't begin to see all in two nights. Are you a veteran? My suggestion is use the free tram to see the main monuments: Washington, Lincoln Jefferson, and the Capital building. Just that will take up a whole day. You need to sit down and think about what you want to see, prioritize. For example if you are a civil war buff then fords theater and Arlington would be on your list. An art buff then the national art gallery would be on your list. Those two buildings alone will take up most of one day, that's if you move fast. The air and space museum is unbelievable, Walk in the door and see wright brothers plane, the Spirit of St Louis, first plane used to break the sound barrier, and space capsule used for a moon trip. All in one panoramic view. Anyway I think you get the idea. Will really need to plan ahead in order to not waste a lot of time. The DC subway system is great but may or may not be helpful depending what you want to see. And yes, the city is great to see at night; wonderful for photographs. One great photo is to stand at back of Lincoln memorial and take photo of Arlington Cemetary. Included in the photo would be the Kennedy gravesite eternal flame, rows of crosses and the Robert E Lee mansion. Stand at front of Lincoln memorial and take photo of Washington monument in the reflecting pool. The US capital, White House, smithsonian, Arlington national Cemetary, us park police(monuments), fords theater, etc all have their own web site. Worth checking out. Fords theater constantly voted as the best little museum in DC. Best French impressionist museum is the privately owned Phillips next to the White House. Best of luck, have fun, take lots of cards, and get plenty of rest ahead of time, you will need it :-)

BrettOssman Loc: near Tampa, Florida

Get in touch with your Congressman, seriously, and ask about VIP tours of the Capitol and White House. I'll ditto the DC tram. Great way to get around.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Nighttime long exposure from your hotel room.

BrettOssman Loc: near Tampa, Florida

Great advice Charles. I lived in the DC area for about the same amount of time. One thing for sure, HAVE A PLAN. Don't try to wing it. Just too much there.

Kombiguy Loc: Cedar Rapids, IA

The Circle Line boat ride around Manhattan is always a fun time with some great photo ops.

PhotoGator Loc: Florida

Take the double decker tour bus.
http://www.newyorkpass.com/En/bus-tour-packages/?aid=5&gclid=CJq5leLQn7cCFVES7AodqwYA2Q

Times Square, Empire State, statue of Liberty, Ground Zero, Central Park, Bronx Zoo, Brooklyn Bridge, Charging Bull in Bowling Green Park near Wall Street in Manhattan, Gantry Plaza State Park in Queens, East River State Park in Manhattan,


http://www.brooklynbridgepark.org/

http://www.eastriverferry.com/

http://fdrfourfreedomspark.wordpress.com/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Franklin_D._Roosevelt_Four_Freedoms_Park

http://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/eastriverpark/history

bobmcculloch Loc: NYC, NY

NYC,
#1 Staten Island ferry, runs 24 hrs a day and free, great for daytime and night shots, best view of Lady Liberty, skip the tripod too much vibration,
#2 Highline, unique park built on an old elevated rail line, starts about 14th street on the west side and goes north to about 32nd street, near B&H
#3 cruise around Manhattan, nuf said
#4 Central Park

DC
#1Tidal Pool
#2 Drive to Old Town Alexandria
#3 Great Falls national park
#4 National Zoo

Enjoy,
Bob.

Brooklyn-Camera Loc: Brooklyn, New York City

NYC, UN building, Empire State Building, Grand Central Station,The Stature of Liberty & Ellis Island,The Cloisters,Brooklyn Bridge,59th. Street Bridge,not sure about the Subway System if you can take a camera underground or not, call the MTA ahead of time to find out. Shops on 5th. Avenue Good luck for whatever locations you shoot at.