East Coast 7-Day Travel Itinerary – your Guide to Boston, NYC, and Washington D.C. with Photography Tips
Lincoln Memorial on National Mall - travel photography spot
The United States of America are one of the biggest countries in the world and planning a trip can be taunting. Where to go? New York City (NYC), Florida, California, Chicago, New Orleans, Hawaii, Las Vegas… There are so many places worth visiting and seeing, so here a guide that allows you to visit three major cities on the East Coast in one week. These cities as well offer plenty of opportunity to take some unique photos. The below itinerary offers a rich blend of history, culture, and iconic sights, which makes it a perfect first-time journey through some of the East Coast’s most celebrated cities: Boston, New York City and Washington D.C. If you want to know more about what to do in the different cities check the related blog posts.
Trip Overview
This seven-to-eight-day East Coast travel itinerary will offer you a well-planned schedule for spending two to three days each in Boston, New York City, and Washington, D.C., while ensuring smooth travel planning for first-time visitors. To avoid the snow blizzards in the winter or the unbearable heat in the summer, plan your trip for either in Spring (April to June) or Autumn (September or October). Boston in late September and early October is a photographer's dream. For stunning travel photography, don’t miss capturing the vibrant foliage along the Freedom Trail and the breathtaking skyline from Fan Pier Park.
One of the best ways to travel between Boston, New York City and Washington D.C. is with Amtrak’s Acela or Northeast Regional. To get some of the most affordable options book your tickets on the Amtrak website well in advance. The Acela trains are faster and more comfortable, but also way more expensive than the Northeast Regional trains.
You could also drive or take the bus, but that will take longer and is less Convenient. Flying is another alternative, but honestly, who wants to go through US airports if you can avoid it.
The itinerary starts in Boston and ends in Washington D.C., but you could also do the revers.
Best Travel Photography spots in Boston
First stop Boston - Day 1 to 3
Boston Logan International is an easy entry point for the US, it’s less busy (shorter lines at immigration) than any of the New York airports or Dulles International in Washington D.C. With the Silver Line you will get quickly to Boston South Station and Downtown. This is also the area I would recommend first-time travellers to Boston to stay in. Especially the Back Bay and Downtown districts are close to the major sights and make exploring Boston easy.
Day 1 – Exploring historical Boston
After arrival and getting a good night sleep, start your first day with the iconic Freedom Trail. It’s a red brick stone line through the city connecting the major historical sights.
The trail starts at the Massachusetts State House (the big building with the golden Dome) in Boston Common. Following the trail you will pass Park Street Church, the Granary Burying Ground, the Kings Chapel & the Kings Chapel Burying Ground, the Old South Meeting House, the Old State House, Faneuil Hall and Quincy market, the Paul Revere House, the Old North Church, the Copp´s Hill Burying Ground, the USS Constitution, and Bunker Hill Monument. You can do this easily in half a day, but don’t rush it and take some more time. For a great view and stunning photos over the city head up Bunker Hill Monument.
In the evening stroll along the Harborwalk and get some of the great seafood in one of Boston’s waterfront restaurants. Or stop by one of the breweries in Seaport area just south of Boston South Station. In this area you also have Fan Pier Park the perfect photo spot for great view on Boston’s skyline, day or night.
Day 2 – Discover the Museum of Fine Arts & Harvard
After breakfast on the second day head over to the Museum of Fine Arts or the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum. The Museum of Fine Arts is the major art gallery in town and houses vast collections from ancient Egyptian art to contemporary art. Around the corner you have the Gardner Museum in a Venetian palace. Here you’ll find some world-class European, Asian, and American art.
After the cultural experience it’s time to head to Cambridge which is the home of Boston’s most famous universities: Harvard and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Make your way to Harvard square and walk around the grounds of the university. For good luck and fortune rub the left shoe of the Harvard statue. The university grounds also offer plenty of photo opportunities. If you love, like me, books make sure to stop by the Harvard Bookstore or the Harvard Coop. For the evening walk around North End (Little Italy) for some authentic Italian food and wine.
Day 3 – Visit some more of Boston or plan a day trip outside the city
If you have more time and want to stay for another day, take the opportunity to explore more of the city like the New England Aquarium, Fenway Park or the Boston Public Library. You could also go shopping in Back Bay district. Newbury Street has some of the best shops in town. If you’re a bit more adventurous and want some unique images from your trip, you could go to Forest Hills Cemetery, which was established in 1848.
On the other side if you want to take a day trip outside the city Salem or Plymouth are close by. Salem is the infamous place of the witch trials. Plymouth is where the first settlers arrived.
In the late afternoon or early evening get to Boston South Station to catch your train to New York City. The train ride will take around 4 hours and there are few trains between 4pm and 6pm.
New York City skyline at night from Brooklyn Bridge Park
Next stop the Big Apple – Day 3 to 6
When planning where to look for accommodation in NYC, I would recommend staying in Midtown Manhattan or Times Square. These areas offer easy access to the major attractions and public transport. They are also close to the Penn Station where you will arrive and leave taking the train.
Day 3/4 – Explore the major sights of the Big Apple
In the evening of day 3 after arriving and checking in go for a walk and visit Times Square to soak in the vibrant atmosphere. The best time to visit is anyway at night with all the billboards lighting up square.
In the morning of Day 4 after a healthy breakfast and some coffee in one of the many places in Manhattan, make your way to Battery Park. From there take a ferry to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. You’ll experience what the hopeful immigrants in the 19th and 20th century saw when arriving in the USA. If you don’t want to pay the tour fare, take the Staten Island ferry for a free crossing, but you won’t be able to go on the islands themselves. Arriving back on the south tip of Manhattan, walk around the Financial District to see the 9/11 Memorial & Museum and the City Hall Park. From the park head over the Brooklyn Bridge for some awesome sunset photos and explore DUMBO in Brooklyn. For a bit of unique dining experience check the Timeout Market. Travel photography enthusiasts should not miss the Brooklyn Bridge Park. It offers great views of the New York City skyline for unbeatable day and night shots. Don't forget your wide-angle lens for iconic photos of the Brooklyn Bridge and the Statue of Liberty.
Day 5 – Museums and Central Park
As in Boston the second day is dedicate to art and culture. Head towards Central Park to visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art (Met), the Guggenheim Museum or the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA). They’re all within walking distance from each other. The Met has a vast collection of art from all major epochs of Human history and can easily compete with the Louvre in Paris. The Guggenheim on the other side is an art gallery dedicated to modern and contemporary art. Most striking though is the architecture of the building. The MoMA similarly offers a great retrospective of Modern Art.
After discovering the most iconic culture institutes in New York, take a walk in Central Park. There indulge on landmarks like Bethesds Terrace, Bow Bridge, or the Central Park Zoo. Also, relax and forget about the hustle and bustle of the city. Afterwards if the weather allows head up one of the many observation decks for some Incredibles views and photos on the city during sunset. My favourite is the one on the Rockefeller Center.
For the evening head to the Theatre District for some dinner and a Broadway show. Alternatively, have dinner in one of the trendy restaurants in Chelsea or the Meatpacking District. To help the digestion walk along the High Line for the end of the day.
Day 6 – Discover more of the city that never sleeps and plan a day trip
On your third day in the Big Apple take some more time to explore the city and its many neighbourhoods. Visit Greenwich Village, Chinatown, Greenpoint or Queens to get a feel of the town away from the skyscrapers.
You can also visit the Union Square Farmers market (on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday) for some local produces. I love the honey and cheese that is sold there. If you feel like shopping, don’t miss out on 5th Avenue and its many boutiques. Also, make sure to visit the iconic Flatiron Building and the Empire State Building on 5th Avenue. If you’re in the mood for a day trip, head out to Coney Island, the Hamptons or the Hudson Valley.
As in Boston head to the train station in the late afternoon or early evening to catch a train to Washington D.C. The trip will take around 3.5 hours and there are plenty of trains between 4pm and 6pm.
U.S. Capitol Building from the National Mall
Last stop Washington D.C. – Day 6 to 8
After arriving in Union Station in Washington D.C. go to your hotel for check-in. The best areas for first-time travellers are around the National Mall or Dupont Circle. Both offer quick access to major sights and make commuting in the city convenient.
Day 6/7 – Monuments, Memorials and Museums
After check-in grab a bite and head to the National Mall. At night the monuments and memorials are magnificent. For travel photographers, Washington D.C.'s monuments and memorials offer perfect opportunities for night photography. Capture the glowing Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial under the stars—ideal if you’re looking for some wide-shot compositions.
On your seventh day of your trip take some time to explore the many Smithsonian Museums which are all free of charge and part of the National Mall. My favourites are the National Air and Space Museum and the Natural History Museums. Both are amazing if you’re travelling with kids. For the Air and Space Museum you would need to make a reservation as there a limited time slots. Other museums worth visiting are the National Gallery, the National Museum of American History, and the National Museum of African American History and Culture.
Once you’re done with exploring the museums, walk over to the U.S. Capitol Building. Get on one of the many tours to visit both Chambers and learn more about the government institutions of the USA. Close by are as well the Library of Congress and Supreme Court.
For the evening make your way to Georgetown. Before getting some dinner, stroll along the C&O Canal and make sure to stop by the Exorcist Steps. After dinner visit the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and enjoy one of the many shows.
Day 8 – Arlington National Cemetery and the White House
Once you finished your breakfast, take the subway to the Arlington National Cemetery to see the Changing of the Guards at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. You can also visit the graves of the Kennedy family. There are many great photo spots and opportunities while walking around the grounds, but make sure to be respectful as people come here to mourn and remember their loved ones. Then head back to town for lunch.
After lunch explore the National Archives and make sure to see the Declaration of Independence. As a last stop visit the White House. If you’re lucky there’s still a tour available, but if not, the building is quite impressive and picturesque from the outside. If you don’t have to get to the airport yet to fly out, have a final dinner in Penn Quarter or Dupont Circle area.
Empire State Building from observatory deck of Rockefeller Center during Golden Hour
Final Words
One week is for sure not enough to see everything in Boston, NYC and Washington D.C. But for sure you will get a rich blend of history, culture, and iconic sights with the above itinerary. The guide as well makes it a perfect first-time journey through some of the East Coast’s most celebrated cities.
If you have one or two more days, you could also include Philadelphia in your trip. It’s only one hour from Washington D.C. and therefore could be easily included.
The above detailed East Coast travel guide hopefully makes your trip planning easier, offering tips for a seamless experience through Boston, NYC, and D.C. If you need some further travel planning assistance, feel free to contact me!
I hope with all the above, I could help you planning your next trip to the East Coast of the USA. Feel free to leave a comment below or reach out to me.
If you have more time and want to explore the cities more, read the blogs for the individual cities. Here are the links to:
Here a link to my Boston, New York City and Washington DC sites which hopefully give you some ideas what to expect.
