Brooklyn Bridge with Lower Manhattan skyline United States Capitol Building at dusk Historic aircraft hanging from the ceiling of the Air and Space Museum Washington Monument reflected in the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool

Best 5 Days in East Coast USA — Without Photography

New York City → Washington DC

5 days · 2 cities · 8 activities · route optimized by distance

Expect lots of history — historic sites, UNESCO heritage, and ancient landmarks. A moderate mix of walking and active experiences, mostly at your own pace. Includes 6 must-see landmarks across New York City and Washington DC.

Highlights: National Mall & Monuments Walk, MetLife Stadium — FIFA World Cup 2026, Central Park Walking Tour, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Smithsonian Air & Space Museum

Arriving Wed, Jul 1 Change

Your Route — ordered to minimize backtracking

8+ activities scored and ranked · route optimized across 2 cities

Where you'll stay
Hotel in New York City · From $220/night +1 more
See lodging →
Trip cost
~$1,108 total · $222/day
See budget →
Top picks
Central Park Walking Tour, MetLife Stadium — FIFA World Cup 2026, The Metropolitan Museum of Art
See itinerary →

Day-by-Day Schedule — heavy and light days alternate so you don’t burn out

New York City

New York City 5 stops · Open in Google Maps ↗
Day 1 Wed, Jul 1 Full New York City View on map
Morning Central Park autumn foliage with Manhattan skyline in background
Central Park Walking Tour$~3 hrs

Stroll the 843-acre park from Bethesda Terrace to Strawberry Fields

Beautiful year-round; spring blooms Apr-May, fall foliage Oct 📍 Map
Afternoon
MetLife Stadium — FIFA World Cup 2026$$$~5 hrs

Watch a FIFA World Cup 2026 match at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ

$200 FIFA World Cup Jun 11 – Jul 19, 2026. Hosts the Final on Jul 19. 📍 Map
🏨 Hotel in New York City

Midtown / Lower Manhattan / Brooklyn

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Travelers book: Pod 51 $130-220/nightThe Jane Hotel $110-190/nightcitizenM New York $190-320/night
Book Hotel in New York City from $220/night Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you
Day 2 Thu, Jul 2 Moderate New York City View on map
Morning The Metropolitan Museum of Art grand entrance on Fifth Avenue
The Metropolitan Museum of Art$$~4 hrs

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
Afternoon 9/11 Memorial reflecting pool with waterfall in Lower Manhattan
9/11 Memorial & Museum$$~3 hrs

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 📍 Map
🏨 Hotel in New York City

Midtown / Lower Manhattan / Brooklyn

wifiair-conditioningrestaurantfitness-center
Travelers book: Pod 51 $130-220/nightThe Jane Hotel $110-190/nightcitizenM New York $190-320/night
Book Hotel in New York City from $220/night Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you
New York City → Washington DC
3h 30m ~$55 Amtrak Acela from Penn Station to Union Station (3h)

Washington DC

Washington DC 5 stops · Open in Google Maps ↗
Day 3 Fri, Jul 3 Full Washington DC View on map
Morning National Mall with Washington Monument reflecting in the pool at sunset
National Mall & Monuments Walk$~4 hrs

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 📍 Map
Afternoon Historic aircraft hanging from the ceiling of the Air and Space Museum
Smithsonian Air & Space Museum$~3h 30m

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
🏨 Hotel in Washington DC

Penn Quarter / Dupont Circle / Capitol Hill

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Travelers book: Pod DC $120-210/nightHotel Hive $110-190/nightThe Line DC $210-370/night
Book Hotel in Washington DC from $175/night Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you
Day 4 Sat, Jul 4 Moderate Washington DC View on map
Afternoon Arlington National Cemetery white headstones in rows with green lawn
Arlington National Cemetery$~2h 30m

Visit the JFK eternal flame and watch the Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

Open year-round; spring and fall most pleasant for the walking terrain 📍 Map
🏨 Hotel in Washington DC

Penn Quarter / Dupont Circle / Capitol Hill

wifiair-conditioningrestaurantfitness-center
Travelers book: Pod DC $120-210/nightHotel Hive $110-190/nightThe Line DC $210-370/night
Book Hotel in Washington DC from $175/night Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you
Day 5 Sun, Jul 5 Washington DC
Checkout & Depart

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

$1,108 estimated total per person
$222 per day
Lodging $790
Activities $263
Transport $55

Estimates based on listed activity prices and hotel rates. Actual costs vary by season, availability, and personal spending.

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