10-Day East Coast USA Tour Packages

Insider tips: Recommended 10-day East Coast USA tour itineraries

Compiled by

MelissaEast Coast USA travel expert at TourRadar

• 9 Days in the Appalachian Mountains, incl. Kentucky and The Smokies

  Southern culture and natural beauty merge during 9 days across 7 cities from Louisville to Charlotte. Highlights include Churchill Downs, Buffalo Trace Distillery, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and Biltmore Estate. Package includes 8 nights lodging, 13 meals, and expert guides for around $3,200.

  

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  • Day 1

    Louisville, Kentucky

    Arrive in Louisville and check into your downtown hotel. Visit Angel's Envy distillery in the late afternoon before 5pm to avoid crowds on Whiskey Row. End your day with dinner at Proof on Main for authentic Kentucky farm-to-table food.

    
  • Day 2

    Louisville Derby Heritage

    Get to Churchill Downs by 8:30am before tour buses arrive. Visit the Kentucky Derby Museum. Take an afternoon walking tour of Old Louisville's Victorian mansions. Wear comfortable shoes for the cobblestone streets. Visit either Louisville Slugger Museum or Frazier History Museum. Book the Slugger factory tour in advance as spots fill quickly.

    
  • Day 3

    Bourbon Trail to Lexington

    Start at Buffalo Trace, the oldest operating bourbon distillery in America. Take the 90-minute tour to see how bourbon is made. Drive to Lexington through horse country (about 1.5 hours). Visit private horse farms to see Kentucky's thoroughbred industry up close. Wear closed-toe shoes since farm grounds can be muddy.

    
  • Day 4

    Lexington & Berea

    Spend your morning in historic downtown Lexington. Drive 45 minutes to artistic Berea for the afternoon to meet local craftspeople. Have dinner at historic Boone Tavern and ask for a table with a view of the college square. "The artists' demonstrations in Berea were fascinating - don't miss the folk arts center."

    
  • Day 5

    Kentucky to Tennessee

    Take a scenic 3.5-hour drive through Daniel Boone National Forest to Gatlinburg. Bring motion sickness medication for the winding roads. Spend the afternoon in Gatlinburg and take the aerial tramway for mountain views. If you're planning to visit Dollywood, go after 4pm when it's less crowded and cooler.

    
  • Day 6

    Great Smoky Mountains National Park

    Explore the Smokies with a local guide. Watch sunrise at Newfound Gap. Pack warm layers as mornings are cold even in summer. Have a picnic lunch at Clingmans Dome. Remember to bring water since facilities are limited. Visit the Cherokee Qualla arts cooperative in the afternoon. Try moonshine tasting at Ole Smoky before 7pm to avoid lines.

    
  • Days 7-8

    Asheville, North Carolina

    Drive two hours to artistic Asheville through mountain landscapes. Visit River Arts District galleries and craft breweries. Spend the next day at the Biltmore Estate. Arrive when they open (9am March-Dec, 10am Jan-Feb) to avoid crowds. The gardens are beautiful in spring but bring rain gear since mountain weather is unpredictable.

    
  • Day 9

    Departure from Charlotte

    Drive two hours to Charlotte airport. Schedule flights after 11am to avoid morning traffic. If you have time, visit the NASCAR Hall of Fame. It opens at 9am and is close to the airport.

    

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• 8 Day the Deep South Itinerary, incl. Savannah and Charleston

  Southern heritage comes alive during 8 days in Atlanta, Savannah, Charleston, Asheville, and Nashville. Highlights include Bonaventure Cemetery, Black History tours, Biltmore Estate, and whiskey tastings across 950 miles of East Coast terrain.

  

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  • Day 1

    Atlanta

    Begin your trip at the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site. Going early helps you avoid crowds and the intense summer heat. A recent visitor shared: "The Civil Rights history here is incredibly moving. Make time to sit in Ebenezer Baptist Church and listen to Dr. King's recorded sermons."

    
  • Day 2

    Atlanta to Savannah (4.5 hours)

    Leave Atlanta by 8 AM to reach Savannah with plenty of afternoon time. Visit Bonaventure Cemetery in the late afternoon when the Spanish moss creates beautiful shadows. The historic paths can be uneven, so wear sturdy shoes. Take an evening walk through Forsyth Park when it's cooler.

    
  • Day 3

    Savannah

    Take the 11 AM food tour in the historic district. Go light on breakfast since you'll be trying lots of Southern specialties. When the heat peaks around 3 PM, head inside to the Telfair Museums or SCAD Museum of Art.

    
  • Day 4

    Savannah to Charleston (2 hours)

    Start early to make the most of Charleston. Take the Black History tour to understand the city's full story. A recent visitor noted: "Learning about Charleston's role in the slave trade was sobering but essential - our guide brought history alive through personal family stories." The French Quarter is best explored in the cooler evening hours.

    
  • Day 5

    Charleston to Asheville (4.5 hours)

    Leave early since mountain roads can slow you down. If you get carsick, sit up front and bring ginger candy for the winding Blue Ridge Mountain roads. Time your arrival for the downtown walking tour when the craft breweries start getting lively.

    
  • Day 6

    Asheville

    Start at Biltmore Estate before the crowds arrive. The house tour takes about 2 hours, and you'll want a light jacket inside. Spend late afternoon browsing the River Arts District galleries.

    
  • Day 7

    Asheville to Nashville (4.5 hours)

    Leave mid-morning to reach Nashville by late afternoon. Have lunch before the whiskey distillery tour since the samples are generous. Take an evening walk around Lower Broadway, but save the serious honky-tonks for after dinner.

    
  • Day 8

    Nashville

    Visit the Country Music Hall of Fame right at 9 AM opening to beat the crowds. If you're staying longer (which is worth considering), book Grand Ole Opry tickets well in advance as shows often sell out.

    

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• 10 Day New England Itinerary, incl. Boston and Acadia National Park

  Rich history unfolds over 10 days across 11 cities from Boston to Bar Harbor. The route includes iconic sites like Plymouth Rock, Newport's mansions, and Acadia National Park, with 9 nights in premium hotels including Holiday Inn Boston Bunker Hill.

  

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  • Days 1-2

    Boston & Coastal Maine

    Begin your New England journey in Boston. On Day 2 take the scenic coastal route north to Portsmouth NH. "The cobblestone streets of Portsmouth's historic district are perfect for a morning stroll before the day crowds arrive." Stop at Cape Neddick Lighthouse before 11 AM to avoid tour buses. Have lunch in Kennebunkport then continue to Portland. Spend your evening exploring the Old Port district's seafood restaurants. Book dinner reservations ahead during busy season.

    
  • Days 3-4

    Acadia & Bar Harbor

    Take the 3.5-hour drive northeast to Mount Desert Island. Give yourself two full days to explore Acadia National Park. Start on the 27-mile Park Loop Road early before it gets busy. "The sunrise atop Cadillac Mountain was magical, but bring extra layers. It's surprisingly chilly up there at 5 AM." Stay in Bar Harbor where you can browse local shops and try excellent lobster rolls. The free Island Explorer shuttle is a great way to avoid parking problems.

    
  • Days 5-6

    White Mountains

    Travel inland through Maine's lakes to reach New Hampshire's White Mountains. The Kancamagus Highway offers beautiful views but gets crowded during fall foliage. Start your drive before 9 AM. Stop at Flume Gorge around 4 PM for the best photo lighting. Visit a local maple farm to learn about syrup making and enjoy free samples. Book your stay in Bretton Woods for convenient mountain access.

    
  • Day 7

    Newport, Rhode Island

    Make the 4-hour drive south to Newport. Visit the impressive Gilded Age mansions. Skip the crowded Breakers and start at Marble House instead. Take a walk on the Cliff Walk but wear good shoes for the rocky sections. You'll find plenty of restaurants on Thames Street. Book ahead for weekend dinners in summer.

    
  • Days 8-9

    Cape Cod & Plymouth

    Take two days to discover Cape Cod's beaches and towns. Consider taking the 2-hour ferry to Martha's Vineyard but book early in summer. Visit Provincetown at the tip of the Cape. Use the shuttle from MacMillan Pier since parking is limited. On your way back to Boston stop in Plymouth to see Plymouth Rock and the Mayflower II. Visit the Plimoth Patuxet living history museum for a better understanding of colonial life.

    
  • Day 10

    Boston Freedom Trail

    Complete your trip where you started. Walk the 2.5-mile Freedom Trail from Boston Common to Bunker Hill Monument. Stop for lunch at Quincy Market. "Walking the Freedom Trail gives you a real sense of Revolutionary history, but the cobblestones can be slippery when wet." If you're flying out during evening rush hour leave extra time to reach Logan Airport. Traffic can be unpredictable.

    

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