Itinerary
- Day 1
New York
You'll arrive in New York and get settled at your hotel. The rest of the day is yours to spend however you'd like. The Statue of Liberty, Times Square, Central Park, and Empire State Building are all there if you want to check them out, but there's no pressure to do everything today.
Optional Activities
- Visit the Statue of Liberty
- Visit Ellis Island
- Explore Wall Street
- Visit Times Square
- Explore Central Park
- Visit the Empire State Building
- Visit the Chrysler Building
Landmarks/POIs Statue of Liberty Ellis Island Wall Street Times Square Central Park Empire State Building Chrysler Building - Day 2
New York
This is your free day in New York to wander around at your own pace. Explore whatever neighborhoods or attractions catch your interest. Whether you want to hit major sites or find smaller spots off the beaten path, the day is completely yours.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Day 3
New York to Corning
Head out through the Catskill Mountains toward Corning, about 260 miles south. Once you arrive, visit the Museum of Glass, which is the largest in the world. They have a live hot glass show where you can watch artisans work, which gives you a real sense of the craft.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Corning Museum of Glass with live Hot Glass Show
Optional Activities
- Explore other attractions in the Finger Lakes area
Landmarks/POIs Corning Museum of Glass Catskill Mountains Finger Lakes - Day 4
Corning to Niagara Falls
Drive roughly 147 miles to Niagara Falls, where the border between the US and Canada runs right through the water. If you're traveling between May and October, you can take the Maid of the Mist boat tour to get views from both the American and Canadian sides.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Maid of the Mist boat tour
Optional Activities
- Explore Niagara Falls from the US side
- Explore Niagara Falls from the Canadian side
Landmarks/POIs Niagara Falls - Day 5
Niagara Falls to Lancaster
A longer drive today, about 356 miles through the Appalachian Mountains to Lancaster. Along the way you'll see rolling hills, farms with windmills, and horse-drawn carriages. It's a nice introduction to the quieter, more rural side of this region.
Optional Activities
- Explore Lancaster County attractions
Landmarks/POIs Appalachian Mountains Lancaster County - Day 6
Lancaster to Washington
Drive through Pennsylvania Dutch Country, passing through Amish communities where families live without electricity or modern conveniences, keeping to traditional ways. After that 125-mile stretch, you'll reach Washington. Georgetown is worth a walk if you have time once you settle in.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Visit Georgetown, Washington
Landmarks/POIs Pennsylvania Dutch Country Georgetown - Day 7
Washington
Spend the day seeing Washington's major landmarks. Walk by the White House, check out the Capitol building, and visit the Lincoln Memorial. You can also go to Arlington National Cemetery or explore some of the many museums around the city, most of which don't charge admission.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Visit the White House
- Visit the Capitol
- Visit the Lincoln Memorial
- Visit Arlington National Cemetery
- Visit museums with free admission
Landmarks/POIs White House Capitol Lincoln Memorial Arlington National Cemetery - Day 8
Washington to Philadelphia
Travel to Philadelphia, about 137 miles away, where American independence really took shape. See Independence Hall where the Declaration was signed back in 1776, look at the Liberty Bell, and if you have energy, the Franklin Institute and Philadelphia Museum of Art are both worth your time.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Visit Independence Hall
- See the Liberty Bell
- Visit the Franklin Institute
- Visit the Philadelphia Museum of Art
Landmarks/POIs Independence Hall Liberty Bell Franklin Institute Philadelphia Museum of Art - Day 9
Philadelphia to New York
Head back to New York City to wrap up your tour. It's roughly 115 miles, so a straightforward drive to finish where you started.
