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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• 14 Days in the American South, incl. Charleston and Savannah

  Southern charm radiates through 8 cities on this 14-day route featuring World of Coca Cola, Carolina Belle harbor cruise, and Savannah's River Street. Charleston's horse-drawn carriage tours and St. Augustine's colonial sites capture regional history.

  

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  • Days 1-2

    Atlanta

    Begin in Georgia's capital. Visit World of Coca-Cola before 10 AM to avoid crowds. Use Atlanta's MARTA transit system from the airport but add extra time during rush hour (7-9 AM and 4-7 PM). The downtown entertainment area gets busy after dark along Peachtree Street.

    
  • Days 3-4

    Charleston

    The Atlanta to Charleston drive takes 5 hours. Leave after morning traffic clears. In Charleston, explore the historic district by foot or horse-drawn carriage. Take your carriage tour in late afternoon when it's cooler. King Street has great nightlife with lots of live music between Calhoun and Broad Streets.

    
  • Days 5-6

    Savannah

    Drive 2 hours south to Savannah and stop at Hilton Head Island for lunch. The historic district has an easy grid layout but watch out for cobblestone streets if you're wearing heels. River Street looks beautiful at sunset when light hits the old cotton warehouses. Bring good walking shoes for exploring the 22 historic squares.

    
  • Day 7

    St. Augustine & Tallahassee

    Plan for 8 hours of driving today. Take the first morning trolley tour in St. Augustine to see America's oldest city before crowds arrive. You can walk around the state capitol area in Tallahassee during the cooler evening hours.

    
  • Days 8-11

    Gulf Coast

    Relax on the white beaches of Orange Beach and Gulf Shores. Stop by Flora-Bama Lounge on the state line and try their Bushwacker cocktail. Book morning dolphin watches for calmer water and better wildlife spotting. Book water activities early in late summer to avoid afternoon storms.

    
  • Day 12

    Mobile

    Mobile is just an hour from Orange Beach and claims to be America's first Mardi Gras city. Give yourself 2-3 hours for the USS Alabama battleship. Bring water since the metal decks heat up in the afternoon.

    
  • Days 13-14

    Tuscaloosa to Atlanta

    Visit Moundville Archaeological Park to learn about Native American history. The drive to Atlanta takes 3 hours. Get to the airport 3 hours before your flight since it's one of the world's busiest.

    

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