Exploring the East Coast: Boston, Washington D.C., and Philadelphia September 24, 2014

New York is an amazing city, one of the most beautiful in the world, and while some natives brag that they have never left it, there are many great places outside the five boroughs to explore.

A fascinating part of travelling through U.S. cities is that you can hear different accents; depending on the region you are in, people will speak differently with a thick accent. By exploring outside New York you will be able to learn more about these accents and find out if you can tell the difference between each area. Let’s look at three cities with easy travel options from NYC that offer amazing experiences and test your ears.

Freedom Trail in Boston, Massachusetts

You will notice that those who speak with a Boston accent usually have a silent “r” sound or no “r” sound at all. However, there is more to Boston than just its accent. Here you can visit a few amazing places such as the Freedom Trail, a 2.5-mile path through downtown Boston with 16 sites that are significant to early U.S. history. Also, if you love art, Boston is home to the Institute of Contemporary Art and the Museum of Fine Arts; both great ways to learn more about U.S. culture and practice your English.

Other memorable places are Harvard Yard, Boston Public Library, and the Black History Trail. If you have time and a passion for classical music, don’t miss the chance to go hear the Boston Symphony Orchestra.

The National Mall in Washington D.C.

You will love Washington D.C. and even though there’s not much of an accent here, there are plenty of places to visit. The most visited area is the National Mall, which is made up of 17 landmarks including the Lincoln Memorial, Smithsonian Institution Building, Reflecting Pool, and Washington Monument. The National Gallery of Art is another great place to visit, along with the beautiful Hillwood Museum and Gardens. And of course, there is the United States Capitol Building.

Liberty Bell in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

This is a fascinating city, both for its accent and interesting places to visit. While you are here you will notice that the “r” is pronounced differently and that they say “water” in a shorter manner. These are the most striking characteristics about the Philadelphia accent; however, there are many more interesting things to discover while visiting. Be sure that you stop by at the Independence National Historical Park where American democracy was born. Your next stop should be the Liberty Bell, one of the most visited historic sites in America.

If you want to learn more about how the United States developed as a democratic nation, you should check out Independence Hall where you will learn a lot about the nation’s history during a guided tour. If you have taken in enough history, head over to the Philadelphia Zoo.