7 Day East Coast USA Tour Packages

East Coast USA Itineraries for 7 days

Compiled by

MelissaEast Coast USA travel expert at TourRadar

• 7 Days in Coastal Maine, incl. Portland and Bar Harbor

  Maine's coastal charm unfolds over 7 days through Portland's historic waterfront, Bar Harbor's working harbor, Acadia's wilderness, Camden's Victorian district, and Freeport's coastal charm. Includes stays at Hyatt Place Portland Old Port and Bar Harbor Grand Hotel, plus authentic Maine cuisine.

  

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  • Day 1

    Portland

    Start your trip in Portland, Maine's biggest city. Plan to have dinner in the Old Port district but get there by 6:30 PM to avoid waiting at popular spots like Eventide Oyster Co. Book your hotel in the West End for good access to both downtown and the arts district.

    
  • Day 2

    Portland Exploration

    Take an early trolley tour through Portland's historic areas. Visit Portland Head Light around 9 AM before the crowds show up but bring a windbreaker since the shore gets cold even in summer. You can spend your afternoon walking the Old Port's cobblestone streets or touring Victoria Mansion. A recent visitor noted: "The mix of planned activities and free time to explore was perfect."

    
  • Day 3

    Portland to Bar Harbor

    Start with a morning oyster farm visit but wear shoes that can get wet since the shore gets muddy. The drive to Bar Harbor takes about 3.5 hours. Stop for lunch in Camden on your way. Try to reach Bar Harbor by late afternoon so you can get dinner reservations most restaurants are full by 5 PM during busy season.

    
  • Day 4

    Acadia National Park

    Give yourself a full day in Acadia. Watch sunrise at Cadillac Mountain but remember to book your vehicle pass 2 months ahead. Drive the Park Loop Road and stop at Sand Beach and Thunder Hole. Take a lobster boat trip in the afternoon just pack layers and motion sickness pills if you need them. One visitor shared: "The lobster boat ride was fascinating, but the water can get choppy."

    
  • Day 5

    Bar Harbor to Freeport

    Drive to Camden in the morning (2 hours). Look around the harbor and shops then grab lunch at a local lobster shack. Visit the Maine Tasting Center on your way to Freeport. If you want to shop at L.L.Bean's main store go after 7 PM when it's less crowded.

    
  • Day 6

    Boothbay Area

    Start at Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens when they open at 9 AM. You'll want 2-3 hours to see everything. Spend your afternoon in Boothbay Harbor taking classic Maine photos. Book ahead for dinner at Harraseeket Inn travelers always praise their Maine lobster.

    
  • Day 7

    Departure from Freeport

    If you're flying from Portland International Jetport the drive takes about 30 minutes. Try to leave in the morning to avoid traffic on I-295.

    

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• 6 Day East Coast USA Itinerary, incl. New York City and Washington DC

  NYC's districts, Philadelphia's historic sites, DC's monuments, and Lancaster's Amish country come alive in this 6-day tour. Highlights include evening activities in Times Square and Georgetown.

  

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  • Days 1-2

    New York City

    Your East Coast journey begins in Manhattan. Take day one easy after arrival to get your bearings and rest up. If you're staying near Times Square, eat dinner before 6 PM to avoid the biggest tourist crowds. Day two needs an early start. Head to Wall Street around 8 AM before the crowds build up. Visit Battery Park before 11 AM to see the Statue of Liberty before tour buses arrive. Leave Times Square for nighttime when the bright billboards create an unforgettable display. Buy a MetroCard if you plan to use the subway often - single rides cost $2.90 and add up fast.

    
  • Day 3

    Philadelphia to Washington DC

    Leave NYC early. The drive to Philadelphia normally takes 2 hours but morning traffic can make it longer. Set aside 2 hours for Independence National Park and the Liberty Bell. Get there before 10 AM to avoid long lines. The drive to DC takes about 2.5 hours. In DC, spend your evening in Georgetown. Walk M Street and Wisconsin Avenue where you'll find plenty of dining options. "Georgetown at night has such a different vibe than daytime DC - more relaxed and local. Try to get dinner reservations though - the wait times can be crazy after 7 PM."

    
  • Day 4

    Washington DC Exploration

    Start your DC day at the Lincoln Memorial right at 6 AM opening. You'll get great reflection pool photos without crowds. Take the Potomac River cruise in the afternoon for better lighting conditions. The cruise runs March through October.

    
  • Day 5

    Lancaster and Return to NYC

    Drive about 2 hours from DC to Lancaster County to see Amish country. Visit between 10 AM and 2 PM when most Amish shops are open. The final drive to NYC takes about 3 hours. Try to arrive after 7 PM when traffic lightens up.

    
  • Day 6

    Departure from NYC

    Give yourself at least an hour to reach JFK or Newark airports. Rush hour needs even more time. For late flights, you can store bags near Penn Station for about $10 each.

    

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• 6 Day East Coast USA Itinerary, incl. New York City and Washington DC

  This 6-day adventure covers 6 iconic East Coast cities, from NYC's Times Square to Niagara Falls' thundering cascades. Starting at $649, explore Philadelphia's Independence Hall, Washington DC's Capitol Building, and Boston's Harvard University. Includes airport transfers, guided tours, and optional experiences like the Liberty Cruise and Corning Glass Museum.

  

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  • Day 1

    New York City Arrival & Evening Exploration

    Plan to arrive in Manhattan via JFK, LGA, or EWR in the afternoon to avoid peak traffic. If you get in during the evening, check out Times Square between 8-10 PM when the bright lights and billboards create an unforgettable display. Book accommodation in Midtown for convenient access to main attractions.

    
  • Day 2

    Manhattan Highlights

    Get to Wall Street by 8 AM before tourist crowds fill the streets. Take the 4/5 express train from Midtown for the quickest route downtown. Visit Federal Hall and Trinity Church in the Financial District. Visit One World Trade Center Observatory in late morning to beat the rush. Jump on the Liberty Cruise around 2 PM for the best natural lighting for photos of the skyline.

    
  • Day 3

    Philadelphia & Washington DC

    Leave NYC at 7 AM to avoid traffic delays. You'll reach Philadelphia in about 2 hours. Plan to get to Independence Hall by 10 AM when they start giving out free timed entry tickets. The drive to DC takes about 3 hours through varied scenery. Take an evening walk through the monuments starting at the Lincoln Memorial around 8 PM when they're beautifully lit up.

    
  • Day 4

    Corning & Niagara Falls

    Get ready for a full day of travel. The 4-hour drive to Corning leads you to the Glass Museum, which opens at 9 AM. Spend about 2 hours here before continuing another 3 hours to Niagara Falls. Try to arrive by sunset to see the illumination show. As one traveler noted: "The falls are completely different at night - the colored lights make the mist glow like a rainbow. Worth staying up for!"

    
  • Day 5

    Niagara Falls & Boston Transit

    Start your day at Niagara Falls early. The first Maid of the Mist boat leaves at 9 AM when lines are shorter. Bring a waterproof phone case and wear the provided ponchos because you will get wet. The long drive to Boston takes 7-8 hours. Make sure to download offline maps since cell service can be unreliable in upstate New York.

    
  • Day 6

    Boston Explorer

    Visit Harvard University around 9 AM before it gets busy with students. Take a relaxing 2-3 hour walk along the Freedom Trail to downtown. Stop for lunch at Quincy Market and try the local lobster rolls. Allow 4-5 hours for the drive back to NYC, plus extra time for airport traffic depending on your flight schedule.

    

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