The East Coast writes America’s greatest hits in brick, marble, and neon. New York City pulses with energy—Dutch trading post turned world capital—where neighborhoods feel like pocket-sized countries. Washington, DC is the measured counterpoint, a city of grand avenues and ideals, where the National Mall reads like an open-sky classroom.

In six days, you’ll sample both: Central Park mornings, Broadway nights, Smithsonian afternoons, and monuments glowing at dusk. You’ll eat bagels whose recipes are argued like scripture, and taste DC’s global flavors shaped by embassies and migration. The rail lines and flight paths between them are short, making this pairing efficient and rich.

Practical notes: Subways and walking rule in both cities (contactless payment works on NYC Subway and DC Metro). Smithsonian museums are free; some require timed entry on busy days. Book top restaurants and Broadway shows early, and pack easy layers—museum AC and Hudson or Potomac breezes can surprise.

New York City

New York rewards curiosity: look up for gargoyles on 5th Avenue, down for manhole mosaics in SoHo, and east to watch the East River ferries stitch boroughs together. It’s a city of rituals—morning bagels, lunch slices, golden-hour walks on the High Line, and late-night ramen.

• Top sights: Central Park, The Met, MoMA, Grand Central, Brooklyn Bridge, DUMBO, the High Line, Times Square, Rockefeller Center.
• Why now: New observation decks, revitalized piers, and an ever-evolving dining scene keep even repeat visitors off-balance in the best way.
• Stay near: Midtown (fast access to most lines) or the Village/Chelsea for character and dining.

Where to stay: Browse Midtown and downtown options on VRBO New York City or compare hotels on Hotels.com New York City.

How to arrive: Fly into JFK, LGA, or EWR. Search fares on Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com flights. Typical domestic fares run ~$150–$350 roundtrip from major hubs. Taxis from JFK to Manhattan are a flat fare (plus tolls/tip); public transit (AirTrain + subway or LIRR) takes ~60–75 minutes.

Day 1: Arrival, High Line, and Midtown Views

Afternoon: Land, drop bags, and walk the High Line from the Meatpacking District toward Hudson Yards. Art installations, skyline cutaways, and the Hudson River make a perfect, jetlag-friendly stretch.

Evening: Early dinner in Chelsea or Hell’s Kitchen. Try Los Tacos No. 1 (griddled adobada and fresh-pressed tortillas), Pure Thai Cookhouse (house-made noodles in a cozy room), or Peacefood (plant-forward comfort). Cap the night at Top of the Rock for a postcard view of the Empire State Building; timed tickets help you hit golden hour.

Day 2: Central Park, The Met, and Broadway

Morning: Breakfast at Ess-a-Bagel (hand-rolled, generously schmear-ed) or Daily Provisions (crullers and egg sandwiches). Stroll Central Park: The Mall, Bethesda Terrace, and the Ramble feel worlds away from the city.

Afternoon: Dive into The Metropolitan Museum of Art—treat yourself to one wing deeply (e.g., the Temple of Dendur and American Wing). Late lunch on the Upper East Side: Pastrami Queen (thick-cut pastrami on rye) or JG Melon (classic griddled burger, cash-friendly).

Evening: See a Broadway show. For pre-theater, Joe Allen (industry haunt, American bistro) or Becco (pastas with a pre-theater prix fixe) handle timing well. Post-show, grab cookies at Schmackary’s (fun flavors like Cookie Monster) or a nightcap at Dante (award-winning aperitivo cocktails).

Day 3: Brooklyn Bridge, DUMBO, and Williamsburg

Morning: Coffee and croissants at Almondine in DUMBO, then walk the Brooklyn Bridge from Manhattan at sunrise for the best light. Pop into the old-growth brick arches of Empire Stores and the waterfront parks for skyline photos.

Afternoon: Pizza at Juliana’s (coal-fired pies; try the No. 1 with tomato, garlic, and mozzarella). Ferry or subway to Williamsburg for a roast-to-cup espresso at Devoción and boutique browsing along Bedford Avenue. If it’s a weekend in warm months, Smorgasburg is a fun grazing ground; otherwise, grab a hot-honey chicken sandwich at Sweet Chick.

Evening: Back in Manhattan, consider Momofuku Noodle Bar (ginger scallion noodles, pork buns) or a slice crawl: Scarr’s Pizza (stone-milled flour, retro vibe) and Prince Street Pizza (spicy square). Cocktail lovers can try Attaboy (bartender’s choice; go early for the list) on the Lower East Side.

Travel Morning: New York City to Washington, DC (Day 4)

Morning transfer: Aim for a ~8–9 a.m. departure. Flying takes ~1 hr 15 min in the air, ~3–4 hrs door to door; fares are commonly $100–$250 one way. Search on Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com flights. Many travelers also choose Amtrak’s Northeast Regional (~3h 15m–3h 40m) or Acela (~2h 45m–3h) from Midtown to downtown DC.

Washington, DC

Planned by Pierre L’Enfant in 1791, DC is a city of sightlines: the Capitol dome, the Washington Monument’s perfect obelisk, Lincoln’s seated gaze over a reflecting pool. Museums are free, neighborhoods are distinct, and the Potomac frames it all with leafy trails and waterfront promenades.

• Top sights: National Mall, Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument, U.S. Capitol, Library of Congress, National Gallery of Art, Air and Space Museum, Georgetown.
• Why it sings: Smithsonian collections rival any in the world, and the food scene—from wood-fired Maydan to brasserie Le Diplomate—reflects a city that eats well between policy debates.
• Stay near: Penn Quarter/Mall for museum access, or Logan Circle/U Street for dining and nightlife.

Where to stay: Compare neighborhoods on VRBO Washington, DC or browse hotels on Hotels.com Washington, DC.

Day 4: Smithsonian Afternoon and Penn Quarter Flavors

Afternoon: After checking in, start along the National Mall. Choose one museum to savor: National Air and Space (spaceflight icons), the National Museum of American History (Star-Spangled Banner), or the National Gallery of Art (Vermeer to Rothko). For a meaningful bite, try Mitsitam Café inside the National Museum of the American Indian—regional Indigenous dishes like bison chili and fry bread.

Evening: Dinner in Penn Quarter with chef José Andrés’ hits: Oyamel (Oaxacan moles, shrimp with chile de árbol) or Zaytinya (mezze—labneh, grilled octopus, halloumi). Nightcap at Allegory (Eaton DC)—a moody cocktail bar framed by civil-rights-inspired murals.

Day 5: Capitol Hill, Library of Congress, and Monuments at Sunset

Morning: Coffee and breakfast sandwiches at A Baked Joint (house-baked breads) or Call Your Mother (DC-favorite "Jew-ish" bagels). Walk Capitol Hill: the U.S. Capitol exterior, the Supreme Court steps, and the Library of Congress’s Beaux-Arts Great Hall—one of the capital’s most beautiful rooms.

Afternoon: Museum-hop with intention. If you have timed entry, the National Museum of African American History and Culture is profound—save time for the bottom floors’ history galleries. Alternatively, explore the National Gallery East Building (modern masters) and its underground light tunnel connecting to the West Building. Lunch nearby at Teaism (bento-style plates and teas) or Art and Soul (Southern favorites).

Evening: Stroll the monuments in golden hour into twilight—Lincoln Memorial, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, and WWII Memorial glow at night. Dinner on 14th Street at Le Diplomate (roasted chicken, steak frites, excellent bread basket) or The Dabney (Mid-Atlantic hearth cooking; book ahead). Finish at Service Bar (creative cocktails, fried chicken snack) on U Street.

Day 6: Georgetown Morning and Departure

Morning: Start in Georgetown with coffee at Baked & Wired (moist, oversized cupcakes and strong espresso) and a walk along the revived C&O Canal. Window-shop M Street or detour to the waterfront for Potomac views.

Afternoon (pre-departure): Early lunch at Martin’s Tavern (historic booth-lined pub; patty melt or crab cakes) or Fiola Mare (elegant seafood with river views). Head to the airport or Union Station—budget ~45–60 minutes to DCA by Metro or car, longer for IAD.

Evening: Departure day—safe travels!

Logistics and Local Tips

• Transit: NYC’s OMNY tap-to-pay works on all subways and buses; DC Metro also accepts contactless cards/phones. Rideshares are plentiful; in NYC, yellow cabs can be faster in Manhattan off-peak.
• Show and museum tickets: Book Broadway and timed-entry Smithsonian museums as early as possible for peak dates. Many DC museums remain walkable even without tickets—have a Plan B nearby.
• Weather and packing: Bring comfortable walking shoes, a compact umbrella, and a light layer for over-air-conditioned galleries.

With skyline drama in New York and marble gravitas in DC, this 6-day itinerary delivers America’s story in two chapters—art, food, and ideas in motion. You’ll leave with museum favorites, a go-to bagel order, and the memory of monuments shimmering at night. Come hungry; both cities reward appetite and curiosity in equal measure.