Expect lots of history — historic sites, UNESCO heritage, and ancient landmarks. Mostly low-effort and walkable, mostly at your own pace. Includes 4 must-see landmarks across New York City and Washington DC.
Highlights: National Mall & Monuments Walk, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Smithsonian Air & Space Museum, 9/11 Memorial & Museum, National Gallery of Art
Your Route — ordered to minimize backtracking
8+ activities scored and ranked · route optimized across 2 cities
Day-by-Day Schedule — heavy and light days alternate so you don’t burn out
New York City
New York City
Spend a morning with 5,000 years of art at the Met on Fifth Avenue
$30 Verified Mar 2026 Open year-round; rooftop garden open May-Oct 📍 Map
Pay respects at the twin reflecting pools and the underground museum at Ground Zero
$33 Verified Mar 2026 Open year-round; free Mondays 5:30-7pm 📍 MapMidtown / Lower Manhattan / Brooklyn
Ride to the 86th-floor open-air deck for 360-degree views of New York
$49 Verified Mar 2026 Open year-round; best visibility on clear days 📍 Map
See a T. rex, a 94-foot blue whale, and the Rose Center for Earth and Space
$28 Verified Mar 2026 Open year-round; busiest in summer and school holidays 📍 MapMidtown / Lower Manhattan / Brooklyn
Washington DC
Washington DC
See the Wright Flyer, Lindbergh's Spirit of St. Louis, and the Apollo 11 command module
Open year-round; timed-entry passes recommended in summer 📍 Map
See Leonardo da Vinci, Vermeer, and Rothko in two connected buildings on the Mall
Open year-round; closed Christmas and New Year's Day 📍 MapPenn Quarter / Dupont Circle / Capitol Hill
Move through three floors of permanent exhibits documenting the Holocaust and its victims
Open year-round; timed passes required Mar-Aug 📍 Map
Walk the 2-mile stretch from the Capitol to the Lincoln Memorial past Washington's greatest monuments
Open year-round; cherry blossoms peak late Mar to early Apr 📍 MapPenn Quarter / Dupont Circle / Capitol Hill
Check out of your hotel, grab a final breakfast, and head to the airport. Safe travels from Washington DC!
Where You’ll Stay
Estimated total: $632–$948
Trip Budget Estimate
Estimates based on listed activity prices and hotel rates. Actual costs vary by season, availability, and personal spending.
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