From skyscrapers to Spanish forts, this 7-day family itinerary strings together New York City, Atlanta, Tallahassee, and St. Augustine with kid-friendly stops and smart budget choices. You’ll balance “must-see” icons with free gems, build in family visits, and end with a Florida finale near beaches and bioluminescent waters—then fly out of Orlando.

New York’s skyline and museums set the tone; Atlanta layers in civil rights history and excellent food halls; Tallahassee offers relaxed family time and an easy springboard to the white sands of the Gulf Coast; St. Augustine delivers cobblestones, a 17th-century fort, and coastal chill. The route is designed for a family of five with kids 11, 14, and 16, keeping costs in check without shorting the fun.

Practical notes: pack layers for NYC, quick-dry beachwear for Florida, and bug spray for any night paddles. In NYC, use OMNY fare-capping on subways/buses; in the Southeast, a rental car from Atlanta through Orlando is cost-effective for five. You’ll find budget eats throughout—slice shops, food halls, and casual coastal seafood—plus optional bookable tours where they add real value.

New York City

Few cities fire the imagination like NYC: Central Park’s green grid, the Statue of Liberty’s welcome, and neighborhoods that shift every few blocks. History is everywhere—from Ellis Island stories to the High Line’s rail-to-park reinvention—while modern observation decks give you dazzling views for that first-night wow.

Top family picks include a harbor cruise for skyline photos, a stroll across the Brooklyn Bridge at golden hour, and a self-guided food crawl through Chinatown and Greenwich Village. Keep costs down with free Staten Island Ferry views and parks galore.

• Stay (family budget picks): VRBO apartments in New York City for multi-bedroom value; Pod 51 Hotel (budget, Midtown East, bunk/queen rooms); Residence Inn Times Square (kitchenettes, great for families). Splurge options: The Plaza Hotel or The St. Regis New York.
• Getting in: Search flights to NYC on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Transit from JFK/LGA/EWR via AirTrain/subway or express bus to save.

Great value activities (pick 1–3):

• New York in One Day Guided Sightseeing Tour — comprehensive city overview by bus/boat; ideal first-timers.

  

• Top of the Rock Observation Deck — classic 360° views with the Empire State Building front and center.

  

• Statue of Liberty Super Express Cruise — fast, photo-forward harbor trip that fits tight schedules.

  

Day 1 — Arrive in NYC

Morning: Travel to New York City. Use Trip.com or Kiwi.com for flights; aim to land by midday to maximize your afternoon.

Afternoon: Check in and stretch your legs on the High Line from Chelsea Market (grab budget bites at Very Fresh Noodles or Los Tacos No. 1) up to Hudson Yards. OMNY tap-to-pay makes subways easy and fare-caps your rides.

Evening: For a budget-friendly wow, walk Times Square and Rockefeller Center. Optional splurge: Top of the Rock at sunset (see activity link above). Dinner: Joe’s Pizza (classic slices) or Vanessa’s Dumpling House (cheap, kid-approved).

Day 2 — Classic Manhattan, Bridge to Brooklyn

Morning: Central Park ramble from Gapstow Bridge to Bethesda Terrace. Breakfast and coffee at Ess-a-Bagel (share a giant bagel sandwich) or Devoción (top-tier Colombian coffee).

Afternoon: Choose a harbor experience: the Statue of Liberty Super Express Cruise for fast photos, or free Staten Island Ferry if you’re pinching pennies. Explore the 9/11 Memorial pools (free) and the Oculus.

Evening: Walk the Brooklyn Bridge at golden hour, then DUMBO pizza at Juliana’s or Time Out Market’s family-friendly stalls. Dessert: Ample Hills scoops on the waterfront.

Atlanta

“Capital of the South” blends civil rights history with greenbelts and buzzing food halls. The Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park is moving and free; the Atlanta BeltLine links parks, street art, and snacks by foot or bike.

With one night, keep it concentrated: Old Fourth Ward (MLK sites), Krog Street Market and Ponce City Market, and maybe a quick skyline moment at Skyline Park’s rooftop mini-golf.

• Stay: Family-value search: VRBO in Atlanta or Hotels.com: Atlanta. Central hotel picks: Omni Atlanta Hotel at CNN Center (walkable) or a splurge at The St. Regis Atlanta.
• Getting there (NYC → ATL): 2.5-hour flight, often $80–150 per person if booked early on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Consider picking up a rental car in Atlanta for the rest of the trip.

Great value activities (pick 1–2):

• 90-Minute Narrated Sightseeing Trolley Tour — hits highlights fast and sits everyone together.

  

• Martin Luther King Jr. History Walking Tour — context-rich, engaging for teens learning U.S. history.

  

Day 3 — Fly to Atlanta, Heritage & Food Halls

Morning: Fly NYC → ATL. Grab MARTA from the airport if you aren’t renting a car yet.

Afternoon: MLK Jr. National Historical Park (birth home block, Ebenezer Baptist Church; ranger programs are excellent). Lunch at Krog Street Market (Gu’s Dumplings, Fred’s Meat & Bread). Snap the Krog Street Tunnel street art.

Evening: Ponce City Market dinner (Botiwalla for Indian street food, H&F Burger), then Skyline Park for boardwalk-style games and city views. Dessert: King of Pops popsicles on the BeltLine.

Tallahassee (with a Gulf Coast day trip)

Florida’s capital is leafy and laid-back, with parks, a vibrant college-town food scene, and easy access to the Gulf’s emerald waters. It’s a relaxing base for family time before a beach day to Panama City Beach or Destin.

Don’t miss Cascades Park’s splash fountains, the Railroad Square Arts District, and the canopy roads that frame scenic drives. Nearby state parks deliver kayaking, gardens, and wildlife on a budget.

• Stay: VRBO in Tallahassee for 2–3 bedrooms near Midtown, or compare on Hotels.com: Tallahassee.
• Getting there (ATL → TLH): Driving ~4.5–5 hours is usually cheaper than flying for five (gas ~$45–60). Flights take ~1 hour but can cost $150–250 per person on Trip.com.

Optional activities in Tallahassee:

• Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt: The Best of Florida's Capital — low-cost, flexible family challenge around landmarks.

  

Day 4 — Drive to Tallahassee, Parks & Arts

Morning: Pick up your rental car and drive ATL → TLH. Stop for a simple picnic en route to save.

Afternoon: Cascades Park for a stroll and splash pad (free). Explore Railroad Square Arts District—check vintage shops and colorful murals. Coffee at Black Dog Cafe by Lake Ella.

Evening: Dinner at Kool Beanz Cafe (global comfort food) or Midtown Caboose (creative burgers). Teens will love sundaes at Lofty Pursuits (old-school soda fountain vibes).

Day 5 — Gulf Coast Day Trip: Shell Island or Dolphins

Morning: Drive ~2 hours to Panama City Beach or ~2 hours to Destin for white-sand beaches. Pack a cooler with water and snacks.

Afternoon: Choose one on the Gulf:

• Shell Island Snorkel & Dolphin Catamaran (Panama City Beach) — sandbars, shells, and frequent dolphin sightings.

  

• Dolphin & Sunset Cruise (Destin) — an easy, scenic harbor-and-gulf ride great for all ages.

  

Evening: Casual eats: Finns Island Style Grub (PCB tacos) or Hunt’s Oyster Bar (Panama City, budget-friendly seafood). Drive back to Tallahassee.

St. Augustine (finale) + Orlando departure

Founded in 1565, St. Augustine is the oldest continuously inhabited European-established settlement in the U.S. Its coquina Castillo de San Marcos, lighthouse, and brick-lined St. George Street make history feel tangible—and the nearby beaches are effortless for families.

This is your wind-down: fort cannons, pirate lore, and beach time at Anastasia State Park. If conditions align, cap the trip with a bioluminescent paddle on the Space Coast (best late spring–early fall, darkest around new moon).

• Stay: VRBO in St. Augustine (condos near Anastasia Island for beach + old-town access), or compare hotels on Hotels.com: St. Augustine.
• Getting there (TLH → St. Augustine): Drive ~2.5–3 hours. Keep the car for the Orlando airport departure (~1.5–2 hours).

Optional “nearby” Florida activities en route/last day:

• One-Hour Airboat Ride Near Orlando — glide through wetlands and watch for gators and birds before your flight.

  

• Clear Kayak or Paddleboard Manatee Adventure — crystal-clear springs with frequent manatee sightings (seasonal).

  

Day 6 — Drive to St. Augustine, Old Town & Bioluminescence Option

Morning: Drive to St. Augustine. Coffee at The Kookaburra (Aussie-style flat whites) and quick bites.

Afternoon: Tour Castillo de San Marcos (ranger talks + cannon demos on select days), then wander St. George Street for artisans and budget snacks (Burrito Works Taco Shop, Pizza Time by the slice).

Evening: Dinner at The Floridian (farm-to-table Southern) or O’Steen’s (fried shrimp institution; arrive early). Optional: drive ~1.5–2 hours to the Indian River Lagoon (Merritt Island/Titusville) for a guided bioluminescent kayak—best June–October and near new moon. Bring water shoes, quick-dry clothing, and bug spray.

Day 7 — Beach Morning, Orlando Departure

Morning: Beach time at Anastasia State Park—gentle waves, gear rentals, and showers. Brunch at The Blue Hen Cafe (hearty Southern plates) if you’re hungry early.

Afternoon: Drive to Orlando (MCO). If flight timing allows, consider the One-Hour Airboat Ride Near Orlando or the Clear Kayak Manatee Adventure on the way. Fly home via Trip.com or Kiwi.com.

Evening: Flight home.

Where to Eat (quick-reference by city)

• NYC: Breakfast—Ess-a-Bagel; Coffee—Devoción; Lunch—Los Tacos No. 1 or Xi’an Famous Foods; Dinner—Joe’s Pizza, Vanessa’s Dumpling House; Sweet—Levain Bakery cookies.
• Atlanta: Breakfast—Flying Biscuit Cafe; Lunch—Krog Street Market; Dinner—Busy Bee Cafe (soul), Fox Bros. Bar-B-Q; Sweet—Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams.
• Tallahassee: Breakfast—Canopy Road Cafe; Lunch—Olean’s Cafe (meat-and-three); Dinner—Kool Beanz Cafe or Midtown Caboose; Sweet—Lofty Pursuits.
• St. Augustine: Breakfast/Coffee—The Kookaburra; Lunch—Burrito Works or The Spanish Bakery & Cafe; Dinner—The Floridian or O’Steen’s; Sweet—Mayday Ice Cream.

Estimated Transit and Cost Notes

• NYC local transit: OMNY fare-capping after a set number of taps/week keeps subway costs predictable.
• Flights: NYC→ATL ~2.5h ($80–150 pp typical when booked early). ATL→TLH ~1h ($150–250 pp) or drive 4.5–5h (gas ~$45–60). TLH→St. Augustine drive 2.5–3h (gas ~$25–35). St. Augustine→Orlando drive ~1.5–2h.
• Activities (per person rough): NYC harbor cruise $25–40; observation deck $35–45; Atlanta trolley tour ~$35; Shell Island catamaran ~$50–75; Orlando airboat ~$55–70.

Booking Shortcuts

• NYC stays: VRBO New York City | Pod 51 Hotel | Residence Inn Times Square
• Atlanta stays: VRBO Atlanta | Omni Atlanta Hotel at CNN Center
• Tallahassee stays: VRBO Tallahassee | Hotels.com Tallahassee
• St. Augustine stays: VRBO St. Augustine | Hotels.com St. Augustine
• Flights (all legs): Trip.com | Kiwi.com

In one week, you’ll hit towering New York views, Atlanta’s moving civil rights sites, Tallahassee family downtime with a splashy Gulf Coast day, and St. Augustine’s walkable history and beaches. With smart transport, a few well-chosen tours, and plenty of free time, this budget-friendly plan keeps five travelers happy—right up to wheels up in Orlando.