2 Weeks on the East Coast | North USA Ultimate Itinerary

2 weeks on the East Coast gives you just enough time to see this incredible part of the USA. When I did this trip back in 2016, I wanted to see as much of the north east of the country as possible. Starting in Washington DC, we headed up through Philadelphia, New York, Providence and eventually Boston.

You can choose to do this trip one of two ways. Firstly, is the obvious American road trip. This is something that I would love to do, and is certainly on the bucket-list. Second is by train. Whilst the train system in the USA is not great overall, the coastal areas have access to Amtrak, which tends to work nicely. Whichever method works fine and is completely up to you.

So, without further ado, here is my ultimate itinerary to 2 weeks on the East Coast of the USA.

2 Weeks on the East Coast | North USA Ultimate Itinerary

Day 1-3: Washington DC

The first stop of the itinerary is the American capital of Washington DC. This has to be one of my favourite cities in the US. I love the cosy, quiet feel, along with all the monuments and history.

Where to Stay

I would suggest staying at Capitol Hill or Dupont Circle. These neighbourhoods give you everything that you need and are in an ideal location for exploring. We stayed at the St Gregory Hotel, which was relatively cheap and was in an ideal location.

What to Do

Your first stop of the day is the National Mall. Here, you can explore all of the different monuments and museums. Sights you need to tick off include the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument. Once you have seen these, head over to the Smithsonian museums. These include some of the best places in the country to learn about Air and Space, Natural History, or American History.

Capitol Hill is next up. This has to be one of the most iconic sights in the country and needs to be on the list. Make sure that you book a tour of the U.S. Capitol Building and the Library of Congress for the full experience.

Georgetown is another must-see, and was arguably my favourite place in the city. Stroll through this gorgeous historic neighbourhood’s cobblestone streets and visit the quaint and colourful boutique shops. The neighbourhood is also famed for the waterfront views, which are well worth seeing.

During the evenings there are plenty of places that come alive. Firstly, the monuments all get illuminated, which brings them to life. You could also visit the Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stags for a performance or stroll along the Potomac River. When it comes to dinner times, I loved the Union Market because of the international cuisine – it was all fantastic and relatively cheap.

Add-Ons in Washington, D.C.

If you have spare time, you could head to National Zoo. This is one of the best zoos in the country and has a focus on conservation across the planet. Plus, it is currently home to giant pandas! You could also visit the Arlington National Cemetery. This iconic site is the largest cemetery in the country and spans over 600 acres. Whilst you are here, make sure that you visit the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

Looking for more inspiration? Check out my blog post on Two Days in Washington DC to add more to your experience here.

Day 4-5: Philadelphia

After exploring the capital, your next stop is the city of Philadelphia. By train, this journey is around 2 hours and is an extra hour if you drive.

Where to Stay

I would recommend staying in either the Old City or Rittenhouse Square. We stayed in the latter in the Sonesta Downtown Philadelphia Hotel. This hotel was within walking distance of all the main sites and was very central. Plus, it was on the cheaper side so we could spend more money in the restaurants.

What to Do

The city of Philadelphia is full of history and many of the main attractions reflect this. I would recommend starting off at the Independence Hall & Liberty Bell. This allows you to fully dive into America’s history and to learn about this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Whilst this is without doubt the main thing to see, there is plenty of other sights to see. The oldest residential street in the country, Elfreth’s Alley, is worth a visit as is the Philadelphia Museum of Art, home to the iconic “Rocky Steps” outside.

Reading Terminal Market should also be a stop. We visited this for our lunch a few times and sampled local delicacies like cheesesteaks, pretzels, and scrapple. Other good places to eat the famous cheesesteak is Pat’s and Geno’s. Once you’re fuelled up on food, I would suggest heading to South Street. Here you can find eclectic shops, street art, and lively bars.

During the evening, make sure that you find a rooftop bar (there are plenty to choose from!) and enjoy the views of the city skyline.

Add-Ons in Philadelphia

If you still have time to spare, then check out these other activities. First up is the Schuylkill River Trail, which is a perfect place for walking, biking, or relaxing along the waterfront. If you are after something a bit different, then be sure to visit the Eastern State Penitentiary, an abandoned prison, once home to Al Capone, or the Magic Gardens, a unique indoor-outdoor gallery.

Looking for more inspiration? Check out my blog post on 36 Hours in Philadelphia to add more to your experience here.

Day 6-9: New York

Next on the tour is the Big Apple; New York City. There is just so much to see and do here that it would actually be impossible to include them all. However, I’ve tried to squeeze in as much as possible during your three days.

Getting here by train is relatively easy and it only takes about 90 minutes or so. By car, you’ll need to add on about 20 minutes, but be prepared for the chaotic traffic.

Where to Stay

With the excellent Metro, you really could stay wherever you like in this city. However, my personal recommendation would be to stay in either Midtown Manhattan or Lower East Side. These are both excellent locations and are quite near all the main sights. However, there really isn’t a right answer for this one.

What to Do

First up are the Manhattan Must-Sees. This obviously includes a visit to Times Square, a stroll around Central Park, and a trip up the Empire State Building. You should also walk down Fifth Avenue and visit the stunning St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Lastly, make sure that you visit the 9/11 Memorial and Museum in Lower Manhattan and climb up the One World Trade Center.

Once you have explored Manhattan, soak up the cultural gems in the city: Make sure to spend time at the MET, MoMA, or the American Museum of Natural History. These are all incredible options and it will difficult to properly do them all.

Catch a taxi over the bridge to Brooklyn and spend another day exploring the neighbourhoods. Some of my favourite options include the artistic vibe of Williamsburg and the iconic Brooklyn Bridge. You could also relax and reset in Prospect Park.

Back on the Manhattan side of the river, make sure you spend another day seeing all the other main sites. A trip to the Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island is definitely worth doing. The ferry to explore this landmark runs frequently, and I absolutely loved my journey over here. Other options include a food tour of China Town or in the West Village.

In the evening, one activity not to be missed is Broadway show, or an evening drink from Top of the Rock.

Add-Ons in New York City

If you need add-ons in the New York, here are some of my favourites. The Roosevelt Island Tram gives scenic tram ride for unique views of Manhattan and the East River and is a great alternative option. You could also visit the High Line. This is an elevated park which offers stunning views of the city and Hudson River.

Looking for more inspiration? Check out my blog posts on 3 Days in New York Part 1 and 3 Days in New York Part 2 to add more to your experience here.

Day 10-11: Providence

The lesser-visited city of Providence is next on your journey. It is the longest train yet, with a train from New York taking 3 and a half hours. A drive will also take a similar length of time.

Where to Stay

We decided to stay in Downtown Providence. This is arguably the best place to stay as it gives you everything you need nearby. We stayed at the Dean Hotel Providence, which gave us everything that we needed.

What to Do

One of the main things to do in Providence is to see the Historic Districts. Make sure that you have a wander around Federal Hill. This is an Italian neighbourhood known for great food and lively atmosphere, which is also perfect for lunch / dinner. Another place to stroll is Benefit Street. This is home to colonial charm and more Italian-American influence.

Once you have seen the main sights, take a trip to the RISD Museum, where you can admire art and design from local artists. This is extended in the summer and fall, where WaterFire takes place. Here you can see riverside art installations of fire along the river.

The river is the perfect place to stroll in the evening, just before you tuck in to some local seafood.

Add-Ons in Providence

If you fancy another option, maybe consider a day trip to Newport. This is just an hour from Providence and allows you to explore the Gilded Age mansions and to stroll the Cliff Walk.

Looking for more inspiration? Check out my blog post on 24 Hours in Rhode Island: Visiting Providence & Newport to add more to your experience here.

Day 12-14: Boston

The train from Providence to Boston takes approximately 1 hour, with a car journey taking about the same time. This is sadly the last leg of your 2 weeks on the Easy Coast itinerary.

Where to Stay

Boston, like New York, has plenty of great places to stay and there aren’t really any wrong answers. However, Back Bay or Beacon Hill are my two personal choices. I found these central and right next to everything that I wanted to see as part of my visit.

What to Do

The first thing that I would suggest doing is the Freedom Trail.You can follow this historic path to some of the most iconic sites in the city, like Paul Revere’s House, the Old North Church, and Boston Common. Another must-do activity is a visit to Fenway Park. Here you can either complete a tour or, more preferably, catch a game at this iconic ballpark. You could even consider a behind the scenes tour of the historic stadium!

Harvard & Cambridge is one of the must-see attractions of the city. Visit Harvard Square and enjoy a walk through the campus of one of the world’s best, and most famous, universities.

Lastly, no trip to Boston would be complete without a visit to Boston Harbor. I would recommend taking a boat tour to see the harbour from a different perspective. Or, you can explore the Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum. Whatever you do, make sure that you feast on New England clam chowder and fresh lobster rolls in the evening, before enjoying live music in Beacon Hill.

Boston Add ons:

If you have a few spare moments, I would suggest taking a very to the Harbor Islands. These are a hiker’s paradise and here you can enjoy a delicious picnic and learn about the maritime history of the city.

Another option is a visit to the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, which features European, Asian, and American art in a Venetian-style palace.

Add-Ons that we considered:

If we had had extra time to explore nearby areas, we were considering trips to:

Cape Cod or Martha’s Vineyard: Extend your stay in Boston for a scenic coastal getaway. Think beaches, lighthouses, and charming villages.

Day Trip from New York: Visit the Hudson Valley or Long Island wineries.

New Haven, Connecticut: Home to Yale University, this city offers a charming campus tour and famous pizza spots like Frank Pepe Pizzeria.

Portsmouth, New Hampshire: A quaint coastal town with historic charm, boutique shopping, and waterfront dining.

Salem, Massachusetts: Dive into the town’s spooky history with its famous witch trials and visit the Salem Witch Museum.

The Hudson Valley: If traveling from NYC, stop in Beacon or Poughkeepsie for stunning hikes and art galleries.

Mystic, Connecticut: A picturesque stop with a historic seaport, aquarium, and renowned seafood restaurants.

Extend Further North

Portland, Maine: Known for its vibrant food scene and historic Old Port area, this city is a gem of the Northeast.

Acadia National Park (Maine): If you’re feeling adventurous, venture further north to enjoy breathtaking landscapes, hikes, and coastal views.

Tips for a similar north east coast itinerary

Timing: Aim to visit in late spring, early summer, or fall for the best weather and fewer crowds.

Train Travel: Use Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor trains for comfortable and convenient travel. Consider an Amtrak rail pass for cost savings on multiple trips.

Packing: Pack layers, as East Coast weather can vary widely, especially in spring or fall.

Final Thoughts | 2 Weeks on the East Coast

I hope that you enjoyed reading this post and found it useful for planning your own adventure in the North East USA. If you have any questions at all about how I went about planning the trip or about what we did in the various cities, please don’t hesitate contact me. I always love hearing from you.

Love, Victoria x