New York, Philadelphia & Washington D.C. by Rail

Travel along the Northeast Corridor via Amtrak to connect New York, Philadelphia, and Washington D.C. without renting a car.

The classic East Coast itinerary for first-timers: three nights in New York to see iconic landmarks and museums, one night in Philadelphia to explore American revolutionary history, and two nights in Washington D.C. to visit the National Mall and free Smithsonian museums. Travel between cities entirely by train, and use the subway or walk within the cities. Omitting Boston and Niagara Falls ensures a relaxed pace in each city, making this perfect for first-time visitors and those who prefer not to drive.

Cherry blossoms in Washington D.C. usually bloom from late March to early April. Hotel rates are high during this period, so book early.

Day by day

Day 1 · Arrive in Midtown Manhattan

New York City（Rockefeller Center & Top of the Rock、Times Square / Broadway）

Take the AirTrain and transfer to the subway or LIRR to reach Manhattan (about 1 hour), then explore on foot.

Stay: Midtown Manhattan

Day 2 · Liberty Island & Lower Manhattan

New York City（Statue of Liberty、Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration、National September 11 Memorial & Museum、Wall Street & Charging Bull、Brooklyn Bridge）

Take the subway to Battery Park, then take the ferry to Liberty Island and back (about half a day). Spend the afternoon walking through Lower Manhattan and crossing the Brooklyn Bridge.

Book your Statue of Liberty ferry tickets in advance through the official concessioner, and allow plenty of time for security screening.

Stay: Midtown Manhattan

Day 3 · Central Park & Museums

New York City（The Metropolitan Museum of Art、Central Park、Museum of Modern Art、Fifth Avenue、Grand Central Terminal）

Take the subway to the Upper East Side, walk through Central Park, and return to Midtown on foot or by subway.

Stay: Midtown Manhattan

Day 4 · Head South to Historic Philadelphia

New York City → Philadelphia（Reading Terminal Market、Independence Hall、Liberty Bell Center、Elfreth's Alley）

Take Amtrak from Penn Station to Philadelphia (about 1.5 hours), transfer to the subway to the Old City, and walk to the historic sights.

Independence Hall requires timed-entry tickets. Book in advance on the National Park Service website during peak season.

Stay: Old City

Day 5 · Philadelphia Art & On to Washington D.C.

Philadelphia（Barnes Foundation、Philadelphia Museum of Art） → Washington, D.C.（National Mall & Lincoln Memorial）

Take a bus or taxi to the museum district in the morning, then take a 2-hour Amtrak train to Washington D.C. in the afternoon.

Stay: Penn Quarter and Chinatown

Day 6 · Capitol Hill & the Smithsonians

Washington, D.C.（United States Capitol、Library of Congress Thomas Jefferson Building、National Air and Space Museum、National Gallery of Art、National Museum of Natural History）

Walk or take the metro from the Penn Quarter to Capitol Hill, then walk west along the National Mall.

U.S. Capitol tours should be booked in advance. The National Air and Space Museum requires free timed-entry passes.

Stay: Penn Quarter and Chinatown

Day 7 · White House, Arlington & Departure

Washington, D.C.（The White House、Washington Monument、Arlington National Cemetery）

Walk around the perimeter of the White House, take the metro to Arlington National Cemetery, then take the Silver Line metro to Dulles Airport (about 1 hour).

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