Historical Tours & Trips in East Coast USA
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10 best historical East Coast USA tours
Compiled by

MelissaEast Coast USA travel expert at TourRadar
- America's Historic Trail with New York add-on
- Roaming Coastal Maine featuring Portland, Acadia & Penobscot Bay (Portland, ME to Freeport, ME) (2025)
- Southern Charm featuring Charleston, Savannah & Jekyll Island (Charleston, SC to Jekyll Island, GA) (2025)
- Islands of New England (Providence, RI to Cape Cod, MA) (2025)
- Cape Cod & the Islands
- Colors of New England
- Great Eastern Cities
- Southern Charm Holiday (Charleston, SC to Jekyll Island, GA) (2025)
- Southern Charm featuring Charleston, Savannah, and Jekyll Island (Charleston, SC to Jekyll Island, GA) (2026)
- Spotlight on Washington, D.C. Exploring America's Capital (2025)
Visit Washington DC's Lincoln Memorial, Jefferson's Monticello estate, and America's first settlement in Jamestown. Experience Colonial Williamsburg's living history, Philadelphia's Independence Hall, and Christ Church where founding fathers worshipped.
Duration 11 days Destinations Washington DC, Charlottesville, Richmond, Philadelphia, New York City Age Range up to 100 year olds Operator Just You From $12,958
3% Off- NZ$12,620You save $338
Roaming Coastal Maine featuring Portland, Acadia & Penobscot Bay (Portland, ME to Freeport, ME) (2025)
28 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The itinerary was excellent. The hotels were nice.”
Celia, traveled in September
Portland's Victoria Mansion and Old Port District showcase coastal heritage. The tour features Maine's oldest lighthouse at Portland Head Light, Camden's 19th-century architecture, and traditional lobstering demonstrations by local fishermen.
Duration 7 days Destinations Portland, Bar Harbor, Acadia National Park, Boothbay Harbor, Freeport Age Range up to 99 year olds Operator Collette From
3% Off- NZ$6,349
Southern Charm featuring Charleston, Savannah & Jekyll Island (Charleston, SC to Jekyll Island, GA) (2025)
94 Reviews by TourRadar travelersEast Coast history unfolds at Fort Sumter, Boone Hall Plantation, and Charleston's colonial City Market. Savannah's Historic District showcases antebellum architecture, while the Jekyll Island Club reflects the Gilded Age. The famous Mercer Williams House from "Midnight in the Garden" completes the tour.
Duration 7 days Destinations Charleston, Savannah, Jekyll Island, Jacksonville Age Range up to 99 year olds Operator Collette From $5,699
3% Off- NZ$5,549You save $150
Colonial roots run deep at Plymouth Rock, while Newport's preserved Breakers mansion showcases Gilded Age grandeur. The tour includes Nantucket's Whaling Museum, Providence's historic Brown University Campus, and the Kennedy family legacy in Hyannis Port.
Duration 8 days Destinations Providence, Newport, Plymouth, Cape Cod, Hyannis, Nantucket, Sandwich, Martha's Vineyard Island Age Range up to 99 year olds Operator Collette From $5,999
5% Off- NZ$5,699You save $300
Cape Cod & the Islands
180 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The response should strictly adhere to the content of the feedback provided and must avoid including any AI-generated terminology or phrases.”
Sheri, traveled in August
American history unfolds along Boston's Freedom Trail and Old North Church to Plymouth Rock and Plimoth Patuxet Museums. Maritime heritage comes alive in Nantucket's Whaling Museum, while Newport's The Breakers mansion represents the Gilded Age.
Duration 8 days Destinations Boston, Plymouth, Hyannis, Martha's Vineyard Island, Cape Cod, Nantucket, Newport Age Range up to 80 year olds Operator Globus From $7,849
6% Off- NZ$7,349You save $500
Colonial history unfolds at Plymouth Rock and Boston's Freedom Trail sites including King's Chapel. America's first marketplace at Quincy Market (1826) and Kennebunkport's presidential estates await. Cape Neddick's iconic lighthouse and Newport's Gilded Mansions complete the tour.
Duration 10 days Destinations Boston, Kennebunkport, Portland, Acadia National Park, Bar Harbor, Bretton Woods, Newport, Cape Cod, Plymouth Age Range 21 to 75 year olds Operator Travel Talk From $7,630
40% Off- NZ$4,578You save $3,052
The battlegrounds of Gettysburg National Military Park and Philadelphia's Independence Hall showcase America's East Coast history. Washington D.C.'s iconic monuments await, with comfortable stays at the Omni Shoreham Hotel while touring foundational sites.
Duration 8 days Destinations New York City, Finger Lakes, Niagara Falls, Gettysburg, Washington DC, Philadelphia Age Range 21 to 99 year olds Operator Omega Tours From
40% Off- NZ$2,793
Southern Charm Holiday (Charleston, SC to Jekyll Island, GA) (2025)
94 Reviews by TourRadar travelersHistoric sites unfold from Fort Sumter to Boone Hall Plantation and Mercer Williams House. Civil War heritage comes alive in Charleston's Historic District and Jekyll Island Historic Landmark District. Pin Point Heritage Museum offers insights into Gullah Geechee culture.
Duration 7 days Destinations Charleston, Savannah, Jekyll Island, Jacksonville Age Range up to 99 year olds Operator Collette From
40% Off- NZ$5,699
Southern Charm featuring Charleston, Savannah, and Jekyll Island (Charleston, SC to Jekyll Island, GA) (2026)
94 Reviews by TourRadar travelersDuration 7 days Destinations Charleston, Savannah, Jekyll Island Age Range up to 99 year olds Operator Collette From
40% Off- NZ$6,199
U.S. democracy takes center stage at the Capitol Building and presidential memorials. The route includes Washington National Cathedral, Mount Vernon estate, and Arlington Cemetery's Kennedy gravesites, with options for Lincoln assassination or spy history tours.
Duration 6 days Destinations Washington DC, Mount Vernon, Alexandria Age Range 5 to 99 year olds Operator Collette From
40% Off- NZ$5,149
What people love about Historical Tours in East Coast USA
- Niagara Falls, Washington DC, Philadelphia & Amish Country 4D/3N (from New York)
Niagra falls surely is the eighth wonder of the world and assisted with great tour guide and tour operator like Bamba experience, the overall experience becomes much more treasured. Great trip arranged by Bamba experience.
What our customers ask about Historical Tours & Trips in East Coast USA
What are the must-see historical landmarks on an East Coast USA Historical tour?
The East Coast presents a rich collection of historical sites spanning several states. In Boston the Freedom Trail guides visitors through the city's revolutionary past. Philadelphia's Independence Hall stands as the birthplace of American democracy while Washington DC's National Mall features the Lincoln Memorial and Capitol Building. In Virginia Colonial Williamsburg gives visitors a glimpse into 18th-century life with costumed interpreters and period buildings. A TourRadar traveler noted "the authentic recreation of 18th-century life really brought history to life." Many tours include accommodations at conveniently located hotels like the Holiday Inn Arlington at Ballston. These locations serve as ideal starting points for exploring Revolutionary War sites and early American settlements throughout Massachusetts Pennsylvania and Virginia.
When is the best time to take a Historical tour of the East Coast USA?
The prime season runs from May through October when comfortable temperatures make outdoor exploration enjoyable. Fall months (September-October) offer pleasant weather and fewer crowds at major sites such as Independence Hall and the Freedom Trail. According to one TourRadar traveler "The fall colors in October added an extra magical element to our visits to historic sites in New England." Spring brings its own appeal especially in Washington DC where cherry blossoms frame the monuments in April and May. Hotels like the Omni Shoreham see high demand during these peak periods when the weather is most suitable for walking tours.
What historical period does an East Coast USA tour typically cover?
These tours span America's foundational years from the colonial period through the Civil War. Visitors explore the earliest English settlements like Jamestown Virginia (1600s) key Revolutionary War sites including Philadelphia's Independence Hall and significant Civil War locations such as Gettysburg. One TourRadar traveler remarked "From colonial Williamsburg to Mount Vernon to the Lincoln Memorial we really got a complete picture of American history." Many tours incorporate stays at historic properties including The Greenbrier which traces its own history from 1778 through its time as a WWII hospital.
What's typically included in a Historical East Coast USA tour?
Standard tour packages cover accommodations at hotels like the Westin Jersey City Newport transportation between destinations and expert historical guides. Most tours provide entrance fees to museums and monuments some meals (usually breakfast) and guided tours of major sites. A TourRadar traveler shared "Our guide's knowledge of Colonial history and the American Revolution made every site come alive from Independence Hall to Gettysburg." Transportation typically involves comfortable coaches between locations with guided walking tours through historic districts Revolutionary War battlefields and colonial settlements.
How physically demanding are Historical tours in East Coast USA?
These tours generally fall into the "Easy" to "Moderate" range of physical activity. Daily activities involve 2-3 hours of walking on mostly flat terrain through historic areas and museums. A TourRadar traveler observed "While we covered many historical sites in Boston and Philadelphia the pace was comfortable with plenty of breaks at historic cafes and restaurants." Most accommodations like the Dylan Hotel NYC are centrally located reducing walking distances. Some locations such as Valley Forge National Historical Park require more extensive walking on uneven ground.
How long do Historical tours of East Coast USA typically last?
Tour durations range from 5 to 11 days with various options to match different schedules and interests. The "Washington and New York" 5-day tour covers essential sites while the "Washington NY and Boston" 6-day option provides deeper historical context. A TourRadar traveler noted "Our 8-day tour gave us enough time to really appreciate the historical significance of each location from Colonial Williamsburg to Boston's Freedom Trail." Comprehensive tours covering Philadelphia Boston New York and Washington DC typically require at least seven days to fully experience each destination.