2-Week East Coast USA Tour Packages

Insider tips: Recommended 2-week East Coast USA tour itineraries

Compiled by

MelissaEast Coast USA travel expert at TourRadar

• 14 Day Southern USA Itinerary, incl. Atlanta and Charleston

  14-day East Coast exploration featuring Fort Sumter National Monument, Patriots Point, and Charleston's historic district. Journey includes USS Yorktown tours and cultural experiences in each destination.

  

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  • Days 1-2

    Atlanta, Georgia

    Begin your Southern adventure in Atlanta. Visit the Atlanta History Center and plan an early morning trip to the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site to beat the crowds and heat. The Sweet Auburn district is perfect for walking but keep in mind some steep sections.

    
  • Day 3

    Athens, Georgia

    Take a 1.5-hour drive to Athens. The downtown area gets busy after 4 PM. Check out the 40 Watt Club where R.E.M. and the B-52s started their careers. Book dinner ahead since restaurants fill up fast during university events.

    
  • Days 4-5

    Charlotte, North Carolina

    Plan a 4-hour drive from Athens to Charlotte in mid-morning to avoid Atlanta traffic. Spend your evenings in the NoDa district, the city's creative hub. Visit the Levine Museum of the New South after 10 AM to learn about regional history.

    
  • Days 6-7

    Myrtle Beach

    Drive 3.5 hours to reach Myrtle Beach. Visit Broadway at the Beach in the evening when it's cooler and the lights create a fun atmosphere. Get to the beach before 10 AM for good parking spots. Remember to bring cash for parking meters.

    
  • Days 8-9

    Charleston, South Carolina

    Just 2 hours south lies Charleston. The historic streets can be tricky to walk on so pack good shoes. Use the free DASH shuttle to get around downtown. Book the first Fort Sumter ferry of the day for the best experience.

    
  • Days 10-11

    Savannah, Georgia

    Take the 2-hour coastal drive to Savannah, stopping at Tybee Island. Walk through the Historic District in the morning before it gets too humid. Take breaks in the shaded squares. "We found the free DOT shuttle invaluable for exploring Savannah – it stops at all major sites and runs until midnight."

    
  • Days 12-13

    Macon to Atlanta

    Start at Capricorn Studios in Macon before the crowds arrive. Drive 1.5 hours to Stone Mountain and get there by 4 PM for the evening laser show in season. If you have an early flight, stay near the airport on your last night.

    
  • Day 14

    Leave from Atlanta

    The MARTA train to the airport runs every 10-12 minutes and takes about 20 minutes.

    

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• 11 Days East Coast USA, incl. New York City and Washington DC

  An 11-day tour encompasses 5 major cities across 2 countries, with 4 nights at Fairfield Inn Manhattan. Highlights include Broadway shows, Niagara Falls cruise, Corning Museum of Glass, Independence Hall tour, and Washington DC monuments, plus 7 included breakfasts.

  

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  • Days 1-2

    New York City

    Start in Manhattan with two full days of exploration. Visit Top of the Rock early around 8:00 AM when lines are minimal and morning light is perfect for Empire State Building photos. Take the subway from Midtown to see the 9/11 Memorial in Lower Manhattan during quieter afternoon hours. Book your Broadway tickets at least 2 weeks in advance to secure good seats at better prices.

    
  • Days 3-4

    Niagara Falls

    The 7-hour drive from NYC takes you through the beautiful Pocono Mountains. Get the best views from the Canadian side but remember your passport. Take the Hornblower cruise first thing when there's less mist and better chances of seeing rainbows. If weather affects boat operations, try the Journey Behind the Falls tour instead. Pack warm clothes even in summer since the falls create cool conditions.

    
  • Day 5

    Corning

    This small city offers a nice break between major destinations. Beyond the famous glass museum, you'll find great local restaurants in the Gaffer District. Skip the street parking hassle and use the free garage on Tioga Avenue.

    
  • Day 6

    Philadelphia

    Plan to arrive before 3 PM to avoid I-95 traffic delays. Head to the Liberty Bell Center right when it opens at 9 AM to beat crowds. "Reading Terminal Market was the highlight - go hungry and try the DiNic's roast pork sandwich that Anthony Bourdain made famous," one visitor shares.

    
  • Days 7-8

    Washington DC Area

    Stay in Alexandria for easier parking and convenient Metro access to DC. The National Mall requires lots of walking, so wear comfortable shoes and bring water. Visit the Air & Space Museum after 2 PM when school groups leave. Take an evening monument tour to see them lit up and avoid daytime heat.

    
  • Days 9-11

    New York City

    Drive back in 4 hours or take Amtrak. Use these days to explore beyond Manhattan. Visit Brooklyn's DUMBO neighborhood for iconic bridge photos and excellent pizza. A regular visitor suggests: "The Staten Island Ferry is free and gives better Statue of Liberty views than the expensive tourist boats."

    

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• 12 Day East Coast USA Itinerary, incl. New York and Charleston

  A luxurious 12-day coastal cruise connects 8 historic ports from New York to Nassau. Full days await in Baltimore's Inner Harbor, Charleston's 230-block Historic District, and Miami's Cuban quarter, with elegant amenities aboard Scenic Eclipse.

  

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  • Day 1

    Arrival in Manhattan

    Start your journey in Manhattan, arriving before 1 PM for embarkation. Start your first morning with a peaceful walk through Central Park before the crowds arrive, then grab breakfast at a local deli before heading to the port. As you leave in the evening, you'll see stunning views of the Manhattan skyline and Statue of Liberty.

    
  • Day 2

    Wilmington, Delaware

    In Wilmington, Delaware's largest city, visit the Hagley Museum when it opens at 9:30 AM to avoid tour groups. Explore Brandywine Park in mid-morning before it gets too hot. In the evening, you'll pass through the impressive Chesapeake & Delaware Canal.

    
  • Day 3

    Baltimore

    Baltimore's Inner Harbor starts getting busy around 10 AM. Visit the National Aquarium early to beat the crowds. If you're planning Washington DC excursions, factor in the one-hour drive each way from Baltimore's port.

    
  • Day 4

    Yorktown

    The Revolutionary War sites in Yorktown are quietest in the morning. Plan about 2 hours for the Yorktown Battlefield tours and bring water since there isn't much shade. Colonial Williamsburg is just a 30-minute drive away.

    
  • Day 5

    Day at Sea

    After a day at sea, you'll reach Wilmington, North Carolina. The USS North Carolina Battleship Memorial opens at 8 AM. Visit early to avoid crowds and heat. You can walk through the 230-block historic district in the morning or late afternoon.

    
  • Day 6

    Charleston

    In Charleston, take the 9:30 AM ferry to Fort Sumter for the best photo opportunities. The historic district has beautiful cobblestone streets but they can be slippery when wet, so pack good walking shoes.

    
  • Day 7

    Day at Sea

    After another day at sea, explore Miami's Little Havana as it comes to life mid-morning. Start in the Art Deco district early, then stop for Cuban coffee at Versailles Restaurant around 10 AM.

    
  • Day 8

    Key West

    Key West is easy to walk around, but the sun is strong. Get to the Hemingway House when it opens at 9 AM, before other cruise passengers arrive. Book morning snorkeling tours when the water is usually calmer.

  • Day 9

    End of Trip

    End your trip with a relaxing sea day before reaching Nassau. Book flights after noon to allow time for disembarkation. The Straw Market opens early if you want to shop before heading to the airport.

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