Harvard students and Amtrak are best friends.

Something I overlooked as a prospective student looking at Harvard was how accessible Cambridge/Boston is to other major city hubs. For example, New York City and Philadelphia. It also is a very easy bus ride to other places such as Vermont, Montréal, Maine, and more. So here is a guide to the best places to go for a day or a little weekend trip.

1. New York City 
The first time I ever went to New York City was during finals week at Harvard my freshman fall. Then I went back for another weekend trip with friends in September of my sophomore year. Both times I was able to take the Amtrak train and arrive in NYC about four hours later. Making this not only a good weekend trip, but very feasible as well for just a day away from campus. New York City is also home to one of our largest alumni clubs, so if you have an active membership, it is also a perfect place to stop by.

2. Philadelphia
Although I am from Pennsylvania, I had never been to Philly before. I was able to go with Harvard’s Intercollegiate Model United Nations Team. All travel expenses were paid for by the team. I got to enjoy a nice weekend in the city with my teammates. Outside of the conference we got to go sightseeing and explore the city. Most notably, we took a trip to see the Liberty Bell and had the most delicious french toast at a place called Green Eggs Café. It was really a testament to how easy and common it is to travel for free here with Harvard’s wide range of clubs offered. This trip was also just a train ride away that took around five hours.

3. Vermont 
Apple picking, cider donuts, and the most beautiful fall colors. Vermont is a great stop to utilize the bus system. For instance, after hopping onto a Greyhound bus, four hours later I was in the beautiful state of Vermont. The bus route to Vermont also stops at Dartmouth, so you get to also see a fellow Ivy school on the way. It is the perfect, scenic getaway during the fall semester. It is also the perfect place to bring some of the yummy apple cider donuts back for your friends. Lastly, if you ever decide to take the bus again, the same bus that takes you to Vermont also takes you to Montréal.