Itinerary
- Day 1
Arrival in New York City
You'll arrive in New York City and get settled at your hotel. After checking in, head out to explore the city. The Edge observation deck offers skyline views if you're willing to pay extra, and then you can walk through Times Square to take in the neon lights and massive screens that make the area so lively.
Optional Activities
- Visit The Edge observation deck for skyline views
- Explore Times Square
Landmarks The Edge Times Square - Day 2
New York City
Start early and catch the Brooklyn Bridge at sunrise. Grab a bagel breakfast at Ess-a-Bagel, then take the free Staten Island Ferry for views of the Statue of Liberty and the Manhattan skyline. From there, you'll walk through the 9/11 Memorial before heading to Greenwich Village to wander around its boutiques, vintage shops, and cafes.
Included Activities
- Walk Brooklyn Bridge at sunrise
- Take Staten Island Ferry (free)
- Visit 9/11 Memorial
Optional Activities
- Breakfast at Ess-a-Bagel
- Explore Greenwich Village shops and cafes
Landmarks Brooklyn Bridge Staten Island Ferry Statue of Liberty 9/11 Memorial Greenwich Village - Day 3
New York City
Breakfast happens at Ellen's Stardust Diner where the servers sing while you eat, giving you Broadway energy right at your table. Stop by Broadway theaters to check for last-minute ticket deals. Then spend some time in Central Park with coffee and people-watching. After that, walk through Midtown Manhattan where you'll see the Empire State Building and Flatiron Building, and grab street food along the way.
Included Activities
- Visit Central Park
Optional Activities
- Breakfast at Ellen's Stardust Diner
- Attend a Broadway musical
- Explore Empire State Building area
- Explore Flatiron Building area
- Sample New York street food and food trucks
Landmarks Ellen's Stardust Diner Broadway Central Park Empire State Building Flatiron Building - Day 4
New York City to Los Angeles
You'll fly from New York to Los Angeles and check into your hotel. Then head out to explore Beverly Hills and drive Mulholland Drive through the Hollywood Hills. Walk along the Walk of Fame with its 2,800 pink stars, and see the Hollywood Sign. By evening, go to Griffith Observatory for views of the sign and to catch the sunset over the city.
Included Activities
- Rental car available for self-drive exploration
Optional Activities
- Explore Beverly Hills
- Drive Mulholland Drive
- Walk the Hollywood Walk of Fame
- View the Hollywood Sign
- Visit Griffith Observatory
Landmarks Beverly Hills Mulholland Drive Hollywood Walk of Fame Hollywood Sign Griffith Observatory - Day 5
Los Angeles
Start at Santa Monica Pier where you can ride the Ferris wheel and roller coaster while taking in California coast views from the wooden boardwalk. Later, head to Venice Beach to experience Ocean Front Walk, Muscle Beach, street artists, and performers. You'll find restaurants and cafes with ocean views all along the way.
Optional Activities
- Visit Santa Monica Pier
- Explore Venice Beach and Ocean Front Walk
- Visit Muscle Beach
Landmarks Santa Monica Pier Venice Beach Ocean Front Walk Muscle Beach - Day 6
Los Angeles
You have options today. Either head to Venice Beach or Malibu Beach for California coastal vibes, or stay in the city and explore Downtown Los Angeles with its futuristic Disney Concert Hall. You could also check out the vibrant neighborhoods and entertainment options scattered throughout Los Angeles.
Optional Activities
- Visit Venice Beach
- Visit Malibu Beach
- Explore Downtown Los Angeles
- Visit Disney Concert Hall
Landmarks Venice Beach Malibu Beach Downtown Los Angeles Disney Concert Hall - Day 7
Los Angeles to Las Vegas
Drive to Joshua Tree National Park in the Mojave Desert to see the famous Joshua Trees. Hike the Nature Valley Trail surrounded by massive boulders, oaks, pines, and cacti while looking for lizards, coyotes, and unusual birds. Later, continue to Las Vegas and walk out onto the Strip as the casino lights come on for the night.
Included Activities
- Visit Joshua Tree National Park
- Hike Nature Valley Trail
Optional Activities
- Wildlife viewing in Joshua Tree
- Explore Las Vegas Strip
Landmarks Joshua Tree National Park Nature Valley Trail Las Vegas Strip - Day 8
Las Vegas
Walk through Las Vegas's themed hotels like the Venetian with its Venetian canals, the Luxor with its Egyptian theme, and Paris Las Vegas with its Eiffel Tower. Visit the Neon Museum for an extra fee to see over 200 original neon signs from the Strip's golden era, some lit up at night. You'll get a real sense of vintage Vegas history and the city's neon identity.
Optional Activities
- Explore the Venetian hotel and canals
- Visit Luxor hotel
- Explore Paris Las Vegas hotel
- Visit Neon Museum
Landmarks The Venetian Luxor Paris Las Vegas Neon Museum - Day 9
Las Vegas
Take a day trip from Las Vegas to either the Grand Canyon or Death Valley based on your preference. At the Grand Canyon, you'll stand at the edge of the massive chasm. If you choose Death Valley instead, you'll explore the bizarre rock formations, surreal colors, and otherworldly landscape at Badwater Basin and Zabriskie Point. Either way, it's a stark contrast to Vegas.
Optional Activities
- Day trip to Grand Canyon
- Day trip to Death Valley
- Explore Badwater Basin
- Explore Zabriskie Point
Landmarks Grand Canyon Death Valley Badwater Basin Zabriskie Point - Day 10
Las Vegas to Miami
You'll depart Las Vegas and fly to Miami, then check into your hotel. Head to South Beach and walk along Ocean Drive to see the palm-lined streets and Art Deco buildings with their vibrant atmosphere. Later, have dinner at Naked Taco to try creative taco dishes and refreshing drinks while soaking in the Miami vibe.
Optional Activities
- Explore South Beach
- Walk Ocean Drive
- Dine at Naked Taco
Landmarks South Beach Ocean Drive - Day 11
Miami
Start with a hearty Cuban breakfast at Versailles Restaurant in Little Havana, trying dishes like Cubano sandwich and café con leche. Stroll Calle Ocho to experience colorful houses, salsa music, and Cuban culture with a mini Walk of Fame for Cuban legends. Then explore Downtown Miami with its gleaming skyscrapers before heading to Wynwood for its vibrant street art, murals, galleries, craft beer spots, and vintage boutiques.
Optional Activities
- Breakfast at Versailles Restaurant
- Walk Calle Ocho in Little Havana
- Explore Downtown Miami
- Explore Wynwood art district and street art
- Visit Wynwood art galleries and boutiques
Landmarks Versailles Restaurant Little Havana Calle Ocho Downtown Miami Wynwood - Day 12
Miami
You can go two directions today. Visit Bayside Marketplace for shopping, live music, and street food, or relax at Miami Beach with white sand, turquoise water, and palm trees. The colorful lifeguard towers at the beach make great photo spots if you choose that route.
Optional Activities
- Explore Bayside Marketplace
- Relax at Miami Beach
- Visit lifeguard towers for photos
Landmarks Bayside Marketplace Miami Beach - Day 13
Miami
Spend this final full day checking off any remaining bucket list items. You could stroll Lincoln Road with its palm-lined cafes, or explore Coconut Grove, the city's oldest neighborhood, known for its charm and laid-back feeling. As sunset comes, head to Miami Beach, walk barefoot in the sand, and toast to your experiences as the sky turns pink and orange.
Optional Activities
- Walk Lincoln Road
- Explore Coconut Grove
- Sunset at Miami Beach
Landmarks Lincoln Road Coconut Grove Miami Beach - Day 14
Departure from Miami
Use your remaining hours to finish any final bucket list items before you depart. Take time to think back on all the adventures across the United States. Then head to the airport for your departure flight, watching America transform into a landscape below.
Optional Activities
- Last-minute exploration or shopping
- Day 15
Arrival Home
You'll land at your home airport and start heading back to reality. Collect your baggage and head home with memories of your American adventure. Reflect on all the experiences you had across New York, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and Miami.
