Three cities. One story-laced route. This 10-day Mid‑Atlantic itinerary links Pittsburgh’s creative comeback, Washington DC’s living civics lesson, and Philadelphia’s revolutionary spirit, with art, architecture, and food right at the center.

Expect contrasts: steel mills reborn as galleries, marble memorials glowing at night, cobblestone alleys where independence was argued over pints. You’ll ride a century-old incline, stand beneath the U.S. Capitol dome, and chew over Ben Franklin’s legacy with a perfect roast pork sandwich.

Practical notes: Spring and fall are ideal. Smithsonian museums are free (some require timed passes). Book marquee restaurants (Zahav, Le Diplomate) well in advance. For flights into/out of the region use Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Intercity trips below assume morning departures.

Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh’s 446 bridges stitch together river valleys and hilltop neighborhoods, once fueled by steel and now driven by robotics, healthcare, and art. The skyline is best admired from Mount Washington—especially at sunset when the city gleams like a circuit board.

Top sights include the Andy Warhol Museum, the Heinz History Center, and the leafy campuses of Carnegie Mellon and Pitt in Oakland. Foodwise, the Strip District is breakfast-to-beer heaven—bakeries, coffee roasters, and markets spill onto the sidewalks.

Where to stay: Browse stays on VRBO Pittsburgh or Hotels.com Pittsburgh. Handpicked hotels: Fairmont Pittsburgh (downtown views, jazz bar), Omni William Penn Hotel (grand dame with a storied lobby), and The Priory Hotel (boutique in a former monastery on the North Side).

Getting to Pittsburgh: Fly into PIT with Trip.com or Kiwi.com (many nonstop U.S. routes; $100–$300 roundtrip depending on origin). Rideshare or the 28X airport bus connects to downtown.

Washington DC

DC is an open-air textbook: neoclassical columns, reflective pools, and the stories that shaped them. The Smithsonian museums reward repeat visits; the National Museum of African American History and Culture and Air & Space are perennial standouts.

Across the Potomac, Arlington’s rows of white headstones remind you history is personal. In the neighborhoods—Georgetown, U Street, The Wharf—find indie shops and serious dining from power-lunch classics to contemporary Middle Eastern plates.

Where to stay: Search VRBO Washington DC or Hotels.com Washington DC. Favorites: The Hay-Adams (iconic, across from the White House), Hotel Hive (stylish micro-rooms, rooftop), Embassy Suites Georgetown (great for families), The Ritz-Carlton, Washington D.C., Pod DC, and Omni Shoreham.

Philadelphia

Philadelphia is where the American experiment went from ink to action. Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell anchor Old City, but the city’s energy now buzzes through murals, markets, and a flourishing restaurant scene.

Don’t miss the Philadelphia Museum of Art (yes, run the Rocky Steps), the Italian Market’s century-old stalls, and the mosaicked fantasia of Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens. Cheesesteaks are a ritual; roast pork with sharp provolone may be the revelation.

Where to stay: Explore VRBO Philadelphia or Hotels.com Philadelphia. Picks: The Rittenhouse Hotel (leafy-square luxury), Alexander Inn (friendly, central), and Homewood Suites University City (suites near Penn/Drexel).

Day 1 — Arrive in Pittsburgh

Afternoon: Land at PIT and check in. Shake off travel with a stroll through the Strip District—peek into Pennsylvania Macaroni Co., Mon Aimee Chocolat, and Roxanne’s Dried Flowers. Coffee at La Prima Espresso; snack on a pretzel roll from La Gourmandine.

Evening: Ride the Duquesne Incline up to Mount Washington for sunset views. Dinner options: DiAnoia’s Eatery (hand-rolled pasta, cacio e pepe), Gaucho Parrilla Argentina (wood-fired steaks, chimichurri), or Umami in Lawrenceville (izakaya-style small plates). Nightcap at Bar Marco or The Warren.

Day 2 — Pittsburgh’s stories, art, and beer

Morning: Breakfast at Pamela’s Diner (crepe-style hotcakes) or The Speckled Egg downtown. Then join the Best of the Burgh Walking Tour of Pittsburgh to get your bearings and the backstory of Steel City. Book here.

Afternoon: Dive into the Andy Warhol Museum (7 floors of pop art and film). Lunch nearby at Peppi’s (hoagies) or The Foundry (casual American). If you’re a bike person, consider a riverside spin on the Great Allegheny Passage segment.

Evening: Explore Lawrenceville’s breweries and bars. For a guided tasting with transport, the Pittsburgh Signature Guided Brewery Tour is a fun, social way to sample top breweries like Strange Roots, Trace Brewing, or Old Thunder. Details below.

Day 3 — Frank Lloyd Wright in the Laurel Highlands

Spend the day in the hills south of the city on the Fallingwater and Kentuck Knob - Two Visions of Frank Lloyd Wright tour. You’ll see how Wright set architecture into nature—cantilevers over a waterfall, organic forms, and a sculpture-studded property at Kentuck Knob. Reserve your spot.

Back in town, dinner at Morcilla (Basque tapas—order the morcilla sausage and jamón), or Apteka (ambitious Central European vegan). Dessert: Millie’s Homemade Ice Cream.

Day 4 — Morning travel to Washington DC + the Mall by moonlight

Morning (Travel): Pittsburgh to DC options: fly PIT→DCA (~1h10; $70–$180) via Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com; drive ~4.5–5 hours; or take Amtrak’s Capitol Limited (~7.5 hours). Check in and grab lunch at Teaism (bento + bubble tea) or Mitsitam Café (Native foods) inside the National Museum of the American Indian.

Afternoon: Walk the central spine: Washington Monument, WWII Memorial, Reflecting Pool to Lincoln Memorial. Coffee at Compass Coffee; quick detour to the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial and the Tidal Basin views.

Evening: See the city glow on the DC Memorials Night Tour—a favorite first-night overview with photo stops and a great guide’s narration. Book below.

Dinner after the tour: Old Ebbitt Grill (raw bar, history since 1856) or The Hamilton (late kitchen, broad menu).

Day 5 — Capitol to Archives: DC civics day

Make it a curated big-hit day with VIP Best of DC with US Capitol + National Archives Reserved Entry, covering Capitol Hill, top monuments, and time-efficient entries you’d otherwise queue for. See details.

Post-tour bites in Penn Quarter: Zaytinya (mezze; order the Brussels sprouts) or Jaleo (tapas). Gelato at Pitango along 7th Street.

Day 6 — Georgetown, museums, and a haunted walk

Morning: Bagels at Call Your Mother (Georgetown) and a stroll along the C&O Canal towpath and waterfront. Shop M Street and book-browse at Bridge Street Books.

Afternoon: Museum time—choose one major Smithsonian deeply: National Museum of African American History and Culture (powerful and popular; consider timed passes) or the National Gallery of Art (the East Building’s modern collection shines). Coffee at a Baked Joint near Judiciary Square.

Evening: After dinner at Filomena (classic red-sauce comfort) or Kintaro (ramen), join the Ghosts of Georgetown & The Exorcist Steps Walking Tour for true-crime lore and cinematic chills. Book here.

Day 7 — Mount Vernon and Old Town Alexandria

Spend the day beyond the Mall with the Mount Vernon and Old Town Alexandria Day Trip. Tour George Washington’s riverside estate, see the distillery and gristmill (seasonal), and wander cobblestoned King Street. Reserve.

Dine along The Wharf back in DC—Del Mar (seafood paella) or Hank’s Oyster Bar for a casual spread.

Day 8 — Morning travel to Philadelphia + Old City on foot

Morning (Travel): DC to Philly options: Amtrak Northeast Regional (~1h50, $20–$80), drive I‑95 (~2.5–3 hours), or a short flight ($80–$160) via Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Drop bags and grab a slice at Angelo’s Pizzeria or a hoagie at Sarcone’s.

Afternoon: Walk history with the Philadelphia Old City Historic Walking Tour with 10+ Top Sites—Liberty Bell, Independence Hall exteriors, Betsy Ross House, Elfreth’s Alley, and more with context and humor. Book below.

Evening: Noodles in Chinatown at Terakawa Ramen or hand-pulled at Tom’s Dim Sum, then the adults-only Dark Philly Adult Night Tour for the scandalous side of the founding era. Details.

Day 9 — Art, steps, and serious eats

Morning: Coffee at Rival Bros (Latte Leviathan hits) and head to the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Snap the Rocky Steps shot and duck into the adjacent Rodin Museum for The Thinker.

Afternoon: Taste your way through Center City on the Flavors of Philly Food Tour—cheesesteaks, tomato pie, soft pretzels, and sweets count as a full lunch. Book below.

Evening: Cap the night on the water with City Cruises Philadelphia: Signature Dinner Cruise with Buffet—skyline views, DJ, and deck breezes. Reserve.

Prefer land: book Zahav (salatim spread, pomegranate lamb) or Vernick Food & Drink (wood-fired, polished service). Nightcap at Ranstead Room (speakeasy) or Friday Saturday Sunday (bar program accolades).

Day 10 — South Philly flavor and departure

Morning: Head to the Italian Market for coffee at Anthony’s or Ultimo and a pastry from Isgro’s. Join Inside Philadelphia's Italian Market: Chef-Led Tasting Journey to meet vendors, taste cheeses, spices, and cured meats, and hear how immigrant waves shaped these streets. Book here.

Afternoon (Departure): Grab a roast pork sandwich to-go from John’s Roast Pork or DiNic’s at Reading Terminal Market if time allows. Head to PHL or 30th Street Station; search flights on Trip.com or Kiwi.com.

Intercity Logistics at a Glance

• Pittsburgh → Washington DC: Fly (PIT→DCA ~1h10; $70–$180) via Trip.com / Kiwi.com; drive ~4.5–5 hrs; Amtrak ~7.5 hrs.
• Washington DC → Philadelphia: Amtrak ~1h50 ($20–$80); drive ~2.5–3 hrs; fly ~1 hr ($80–$160) via Trip.com / Kiwi.com.

Extra Pittsburgh Activities (optional)

• Whiskey Rebellion & Prohibition Tour—cocktail history downtown. Info

Dining Shortlist by City

• Pittsburgh: Breakfast at La Gourmandine or Pamela’s; lunch at Primanti Bros (fry-stacked sandwiches) or Penn Avenue Fish Co.; dinner at Morcilla, DiAnoia’s Eatery, or Gi-Jin (sushi & gin). Coffee: Commonplace Coffee, La Prima Espresso.
• Washington DC: Breakfast at Call Your Mother or A Baked Joint; lunch at Mitsitam Café or Teaism; dinner at Le Diplomate, Zaytinya, or Old Ebbitt Grill. Drinks: Off the Record (political caricatures), The Gibson (speakeasy).
• Philadelphia: Breakfast at Cafe La Maude or Federal Donuts; lunch at Reading Terminal Market (DiNic’s, Miller’s Twist, Pearl’s Oyster Bar); dinner at Zahav, Vernick Food & Drink, Suraya, or Kalaya. Coffee: Rival Bros, Elixr.

Across ten days you’ve traced America’s industrial muscle, political ideals, and revolutionary grit—eating and art-hopping the whole way. Keep this circuit handy: it’s an easy template to revisit with different museums, new restaurants, and seasonal diversions layered in.