Travel

This city near New York is actually ten times cooler than NYC

By Tessa Heinhuis | #!28Sun, 01 Feb 2026 07:15:54 +0100+01:005428#28Sun, 01 Feb 2026 07:15:54 +0100+01:00-7Europe/Amsterdam2828Europe/Amsterdam202628 01am28am-28Sun, 01 Feb 2026 07:15:54 +0100+01:007Europe/Amsterdam2828Europe/Amsterdam2026282026Sun, 01 Feb 2026 07:15:54 +0100157152amSunday=9#!28Sun, 01 Feb 2026 07:15:54 +0100+01:00Europe/Amsterdam2#02-01-2026#!28Sun, 01 Feb 2026 07:15:54 +0100+01:005428#/28Sun, 01 Feb 2026 07:15:54 +0100+01:00-7Europe/Amsterdam2828Europe/Amsterdam202628#!28Sun, 01 Feb 2026 07:15:54 +0100+01:00Europe/Amsterdam2#

New York, oh yes. You have to have been there and tasted it to fully understand. I don't even remember how many times I've been there exactly, what could it be? About eight times?

My favorite city in the world. The shops, the atmosphere, the people, the vibe, the hustle, the buildings, the trendy restaurants, the coolest hotels, the place where it all happens. I actually didn't want to go to any other city in America, because why would you, if you can go to NYC? Until I went to Boston. The city that is close to New York but is maybe ten times cooler.

For 257 euros you have a round-trip ticket from Amsterdam to Boston (you'll be there in about 7 hours and 45 minutes). And what should you do there? Well, definitely go to Boston Common, the central park where everything happens around. Grab a coffee at a trendy corner and walk over to the prettiest neighborhood, Beacon Hill. It’s the most European-looking neighborhood in America: lower buildings and narrow, beautiful streets. You'll find plenty of cozy terraces and nice restaurants to settle down. All the different neighborhoods in Boston have their own unique character and charm. From the historic North End, known for its Italian cuisine, to the lively and trendy South End, where you can party and toast cocktails.

Why is Boston even more of a must-see? Harvard, of course. I won't deny that it was quite a life goal when I got to graduate from Harvard Medical School. It's incredibly fun to walk around that campus and look around (especially in the fall when it's beautifully colored). Grab a Harvard cap and enjoy lunch around the campus. What will you eat in this world city? Boston offers a varied culinary world, ranging from fresh seafood to innovative high-end dishes that you can also taste in NYC. Be sure to check out the local delicacies like fresh lobster rolls, clam chowder, and Boston cream pie. And definitely don't count the calories.

Also a good tip: go to a sports game (even if you're not a sports fan, it's a great event to experience). Sing along, cheer, eat a hotdog in the stadium, and drink a big size beer from a plastic cup. Yelling ‘DE-FENSE’ as if your life depends on it. You want to experience that. You can easily go to American Football (The Patriots) and basketball (Boston Celtics). Only downside: the city is almost as expensive as The Big Apple. So definitely bring a well-filled credit card. And if you really can't help it: there are plenty of trains that shuttle between B-NY daily. Shhh. Our secret.