7 Days on the East Coast: Washington D.C., New York City & Boston

The Northeast Corridor connecting Washington D.C., New York City, and Boston is the most historically significant stretch of America. In seven days, you will walk the halls where democracy was born, stand atop skyscrapers in the world's most famous city, and trace the origins of the American Revolution through cobblestone streets. The best part: Amtrak connects all three cities, so you never need a car.

Day 1: Arrive in Washington, D.C. - Monuments & Memorials

Morning: Arrive in Washington, D.C. and check into your hotel. The Dupont Circle and Penn Quarter neighborhoods offer good access to the Metro system and are walking distance to major attractions. Start at the National Mall, the two-mile green corridor that stretches from the Capitol Building to the Lincoln Memorial. Begin at the Capitol Building (exterior) and walk west.

Afternoon: Visit the Smithsonian National Museum of American History, home to the Star-Spangled Banner, Abraham Lincoln's top hat, first ladies' inaugural gowns, and countless artifacts of American life. The museum is free and you could spend three hours here easily. Continue to the National Museum of African American History and Culture, the newest and most powerful Smithsonian museum. Free timed-entry passes are required and go fast, so book 30 days in advance on the Smithsonian website.

Evening: Walk the National Mall at night when the monuments are dramatically illuminated and the crowds thin out. Start at the Lincoln Memorial, where the seated Lincoln gazes across the Reflecting Pool toward the Washington Monument. Walk south to the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial and the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial along the Tidal Basin. The Korean War and Vietnam Veterans Memorials are profoundly moving in the nighttime quiet.

Where to eat: Founding Farmers (modern American, $18-30), Rasika (award-winning Indian, $25-40), or Ben's Chili Bowl on U Street (half-smoke sausage, a DC institution since 1958, $8-12).

Budget tip: Every Smithsonian museum is free. All monuments and memorials are free and open to the public. Washington D.C. may offer the best free cultural experience of any city in the world.

Day 2: Washington, D.C. - Government, Art & Georgetown

Morning: Tour the US Capitol Building. Free guided tours cover the Rotunda, National Statuary Hall, and the Crypt. Tickets are available online at visitthecapitol.gov. If you are a US citizen, contact your representative's office for a staff-led tour of the private areas. After the Capitol, walk to the Library of Congress, the largest library in the world with over 170 million items. The ornate Main Reading Room, visible from a public balcony, is breathtaking.

Walk along Pennsylvania Avenue toward the White House. The White House Visitor Center across the street has exhibits and a full-scale model of the Oval Office. White House tours for US citizens must be requested through a member of Congress at least 21 days in advance.

Afternoon: Visit the National Gallery of Art, a world-class museum with works by da Vinci, Vermeer, Monet, and nearly every other major Western artist. The East Building, designed by I.M. Pei, houses modern and contemporary art. The Sculpture Garden between the two buildings is a lovely place to sit. All free.

Evening: Take the Metro or walk to Georgetown, D.C.'s oldest neighborhood with cobblestone streets, Federal-period architecture, and a lively waterfront. Walk along M Street and Wisconsin Avenue for shops and restaurants. Martin's Tavern has been serving since 1933 and is where JFK proposed to Jackie Kennedy (booth 3). The Georgetown Waterfront Park along the Potomac is perfect for an evening stroll.

Where to eat: Martin's Tavern in Georgetown ($18-30), Fiola Mare (Italian seafood on the waterfront, $40-60), or Zaytinya by Jose Andres (Turkish-Greek-Lebanese mezze, $25-35).

Budget tip: The Capitol tour and all Smithsonian museums are free. The Georgetown waterfront, canal towpath, and Dumbarton Oaks gardens (free November-March) offer pleasant walking without spending anything.

Day 3: D.C. to New York City by Train

Distance: Amtrak, approximately 3.5-4 hours

Morning: Pack up and head to Union Station, D.C.'s magnificent Beaux-Arts train station. Board the Amtrak Northeast Regional or the faster Acela Express to New York Penn Station. The ride passes through Baltimore, Wilmington, Philadelphia, and Trenton, offering views of the Eastern Seaboard landscape. The Acela is about 2.75 hours; the Regional is about 3.5 hours and significantly cheaper ($50-80 vs. $120-200).

Afternoon: Arrive in New York City and check into your hotel. Head to the High Line, the elevated park built on a former freight railroad line. Walk from the Meatpacking District north through Chelsea, enjoying the park's gardens, art installations, and views of the Hudson River. Exit at Hudson Yards and see the Vessel (exterior viewing) and The Shed arts center.

Walk south through Chelsea's gallery district. Between 10th and 11th Avenues, hundreds of art galleries show contemporary work and all are free to enter. Continue to Greenwich Village for a walk through Washington Square Park.

Evening: The West Village has some of New York's finest dining. I Sodi serves exquisite Tuscan Italian in a tiny, intimate setting. Or go to Carbone for Italian-American classics in a retro setting (reservations are near-impossible but try). For something casual, Joe's Pizza on Carmine Street serves $3.50 slices that compete with any pizzeria in the city.

Where to eat: Joe's Pizza ($3.50 per slice), I Sodi (Tuscan Italian, $40-60), or Chelsea Market (dozens of food vendors in a converted factory, $10-25).

Budget tip: The High Line, Chelsea galleries, and Washington Square Park are all free. Walking is the best way to experience the Village and Chelsea neighborhoods.

Day 4: New York City - Manhattan Highlights

Morning: Start at Central Park. Enter from the south at 59th Street and walk through the Sheep Meadow, past Bethesda Fountain, and along the Lake. The park is 843 acres and you could spend all day here, but a two-hour walk through the southern section hits the highlights. Exit on the east side and walk to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, one of the largest and greatest art museums in the world. The Egyptian Temple of Dendur, the European paintings galleries, and the rooftop terrace with views of the skyline are highlights.

Afternoon: Walk downtown through Midtown to Times Square. The sensory overload of Times Square is worth experiencing even if it is touristy. Continue to the Empire State Building or Top of the Rock at Rockefeller Center for observation deck views. Top of the Rock has the advantage of the Empire State Building being in your view. In winter, the ice skating rink at Rockefeller Center is iconic.

Evening: Head to the Lower East Side and East Village for dinner and evening entertainment. Katz's Delicatessen (pastrami sandwich since 1888) is a must. The East Village has a dense concentration of bars, restaurants, and live music venues. Catch a show at Joe's Pub or a comedy set at one of the Village's many comedy clubs.

Where to eat: Katz's Delicatessen (pastrami sandwich, $25), Russ and Daughters Cafe (Jewish appetizing, $15-25), or Los Tacos No. 1 in Chelsea Market (authentic tacos, $4-6 each).

Budget tip: The Met operates on a suggested admission of $30, but New York State residents can pay what they wish. Central Park is free and unlimited. The Staten Island Ferry is free and passes the Statue of Liberty.

Day 5: New York City - Brooklyn & Statue of Liberty

Morning: Take the subway to Bowling Green and catch the ferry to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. Book tickets with pedestal access at least two weeks in advance. The first ferry at 8:30 AM means smaller crowds and better photos. Ellis Island's immigration museum tells the story of the millions who arrived in America through this gateway.

Afternoon: After returning, walk across the Brooklyn Bridge. The pedestrian walkway offers unmatched views of the Manhattan skyline. In DUMBO on the Brooklyn side, walk to the Washington Street viewpoint where the bridge is framed between old warehouse buildings. Brooklyn Bridge Park along the waterfront has stunning Manhattan views and is perfect for a rest.

Explore the neighborhoods. Walk through Brooklyn Heights along the Promenade, or take the subway to Williamsburg for its hipster shops, street art, and food scene on Bedford Avenue.

Evening: Have dinner in Brooklyn. Peter Luger Steak House (cash only, reservations required) has been serving porterhouse steaks since 1887. For something modern, Lilia serves handmade pasta that has been called the best in New York. Return to Manhattan over the bridge at sunset for photographs.

Where to eat: Grimaldi's Pizzeria under the Brooklyn Bridge (coal-fired pizza, $20-25), Peter Luger (porterhouse steak, $110 for two), or Juliana's Pizza in DUMBO.

Budget tip: Walking across the Brooklyn Bridge is free and one of the great experiences in New York. DUMBO's waterfront parks and the Brooklyn Heights Promenade are free with million-dollar views.

Day 6: New York City to Boston by Train

Distance: Amtrak, approximately 4 hours

Morning: Board the Amtrak at Penn Station bound for Boston South Station. The ride through Connecticut passes along the coast with water views, especially around New Haven and the Thames River Bridge in New London. Use the travel time to rest after five packed days of sightseeing.

Afternoon: Arrive in Boston and check into your hotel. Start with the Freedom Trail, a 2.5-mile red-brick path through downtown Boston that passes 16 sites related to the American Revolution. Start at Boston Common, the oldest public park in America (1634), and follow the line through the Massachusetts State House, Park Street Church, the Granary Burying Ground (where Paul Revere, Samuel Adams, and John Hancock are buried), King's Chapel, and the Old South Meeting House where the Boston Tea Party was planned.

Continue along the Freedom Trail to Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market. Faneuil Hall, the Cradle of Liberty, is where Samuel Adams and others debated the revolution. Quincy Market has food stalls and shops in a historic colonnaded building.

Evening: Walk to the North End, Boston's Italian neighborhood, for dinner. The narrow streets are packed with Italian restaurants, bakeries, and cafes. Have dinner at Giacomo's (no reservations, expect a line, but the seafood pasta is worth it) or Neptune Oyster (raw bar and lobster rolls, also expect a wait). After dinner, walk to Mike's Pastry or Modern Pastry for cannoli, a North End tradition.

Where to eat: Neptune Oyster (lobster roll, $28-35), Giacomo's (Italian seafood, $20-30), or Mike's Pastry (cannoli, $5).

Budget tip: The Freedom Trail is free to walk. Most exterior sites are free; interior tours at the Old South Meeting House and Paul Revere House are $5-8 each. The North End is compact and easily walkable.

Day 7: Boston - History, Harbor & Departure

Morning: Continue the Freedom Trail to the North End and Charlestown. Visit the Paul Revere House, the oldest remaining home in downtown Boston (built around 1680). Walk to Old North Church, where the famous two lanterns were hung to signal that the British were coming by sea. Cross the Charlestown Bridge to the USS Constitution, the world's oldest commissioned warship still afloat (launched 1797). The free guided tour by active-duty Navy sailors is excellent. Climb the Bunker Hill Monument (294 steps, no elevator) for panoramic views of Boston and the harbor.

Afternoon: Return to downtown and explore the waterfront and Back Bay. Walk along the Harborwalk to the Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum, an interactive museum on a replica ship where you can throw tea into the harbor. Continue to the Back Bay neighborhood along Newbury Street, Boston's premier shopping street with brownstone-lined blocks of boutiques, galleries, and cafes. Visit the Boston Public Library, a stunning Beaux-Arts building with murals by John Singer Sargent and a beautiful open courtyard.

If time permits, take the T (subway) to Cambridge and walk through Harvard Yard, the oldest part of the oldest university in America (founded 1636). The campus is open to the public and free to walk through. Student-led tours are available but walking the Yard on your own is equally enjoyable.

Evening: For your final dinner, try one of Boston's great seafood restaurants. Legal Sea Foods has been a Boston institution since 1950 and their clam chowder is famous. Row 34 in Fort Point serves creative seafood in a modern industrial space. Or return to the North End for one more Italian feast.

End the evening at the Samuel Adams Brewery taproom in Jamaica Plain or any of the craft beer bars in the Seaport District. Boston has a thriving craft beer scene that pairs perfectly with a farewell toast.

Where to eat: Legal Sea Foods (clam chowder and lobster, $25-40), Row 34 (modern seafood, $30-45), or Flour Bakery (pastries and sandwiches, $8-15).

Budget tip: The Freedom Trail continues through Charlestown for free. The USS Constitution tour is free. Harvard Yard is free to walk. Boston's compact size means you can walk between most attractions without needing the T.

Practical Information

Train travel: Amtrak's Northeast Regional is the affordable option ($50-100 per leg). The Acela Express is faster but more expensive ($120-250). Book 2-4 weeks ahead for the best fares. All trains have power outlets, Wi-Fi, and a cafe car. Penn Station in NYC and Union Station in D.C. are below ground; bring your entertainment for waits.

Getting around each city: All three cities have excellent subway/metro systems. D.C.'s Metro, NYC's subway, and Boston's T are the primary ways to get around. Walking is the best way to experience each city. You do not need a car for this entire trip.

Where to stay: In D.C., stay near a Metro station (Penn Quarter, Dupont Circle, or Capitol Hill). In NYC, Midtown is most convenient for first-timers; the Lower East Side and Brooklyn offer trendier options. In Boston, Back Bay or Downtown Crossing are centrally located.

Best time to visit: Spring (April-June) brings cherry blossoms in D.C. and pleasant weather everywhere. Fall (September-November) offers spectacular foliage, especially in Boston. Summer is hot and humid in D.C. and NYC. Winter has holiday decorations and ice skating but cold temperatures.

Museum tips: D.C.'s Smithsonian museums are all free. In NYC, many museums have free or pay-what-you-wish hours (check individual websites). Boston's Museum of Fine Arts has free admission on certain weekday evenings.

Tipping: Standard is 18-20% at restaurants in all three cities. Tip $1-2 per drink at bars. NYC taxi and rideshare tipping is 15-20%. Hotel bellhops expect $1-2 per bag.