America’s East Coast packs centuries of history into walkable neighborhoods and buzzing avenues. This 7-day itinerary pairs New York City—home to Broadway lights, storied delis, and soaring observatories—with Washington, D.C., where neoclassical monuments and free Smithsonian museums meet dynamic dining scenes.

New York’s roots trace to a 17th-century Dutch trading post, yet it reinvents itself daily—on a plate of pizza in Greenwich Village, along the art-laden High Line, or at the shimmering top of a new skyscraper. Washington, D.C., was meticulously planned in the 1790s, and today its broad boulevards frame the Lincoln Memorial, Capitol, and museums that collectively form the world’s largest museum complex.

Expect efficient public transit (OMNY tap-to-pay in NYC; SmarTrip in DC), hearty portions, and a tipping culture (generally 18–20% for table service). Check for timed-entry passes at popular sights, and if visiting in late March or early April, watch for cherry blossom forecasts around D.C.’s Tidal Basin—one of America’s most photogenic spring spectacles.

New York City

New York City is an energy you can walk through—bagel in hand, skyline overhead, subway rushing below. Spend your days weaving between neighborhoods: the brownstones of the West Village, Brooklyn’s waterfront, and Midtown’s museums and observation decks.

Top sights include the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, the 9/11 Memorial & Museum, the Metropolitan Museum of Art or MoMA, Central Park, the High Line, and a Broadway show. For views, pick one: Top of the Rock for classic Empire State vistas, Edge for a glass-floor thrill, Summit One Vanderbilt for mirror-clad immersion, or One World Observatory for sweeping harbor panoramas.

• Stay: Browse stays near Midtown, SoHo, or Williamsburg on VRBO or compare hotels on Hotels.com.
• Getting in: Fly into JFK, LGA, or EWR. Search flights on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Typical fares from major U.S. hubs run ~$150–$400 roundtrip; from Europe ~$500–$900, depending on season.

Day 1: Arrival, Central Park & Skyline Sunset

Morning: Fly in and transfer to your hotel. Drop bags and stretch your legs; tap into the subway with contactless OMNY (no paper cards needed).

Afternoon: Wander Central Park from the Gapstow Bridge to The Mall and Bethesda Terrace for classic city-meets-nature scenes. Coffee break at Ralph’s Coffee cart by the park or grab a cookie at Levain Bakery (thick, gooey, famous).

Evening: Go for a sunset view—Top of the Rock offers postcard frames of the Empire State Building. Dinner in Hell’s Kitchen: try Pure Thai Cookhouse (hand-pulled noodles; compact, lively) or Danji (Korean small plates, Michelin Bib). Nightcap at The Campbell in Grand Central—railway glamour and strong martinis.

Day 2: Statue of Liberty, 9/11 Memorial, Chinatown Flavors

Morning: Early ferry to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. Aim for the first departure to beat crowds; standard adult ticket is roughly $24–$30, more for pedestal/crown. Breakfast nearby at Leo’s Bagels (buttery bialys and lox) before boarding.

Afternoon: Pay respects at the 9/11 Memorial pools; consider the 9/11 Museum for powerful context. Lunch in Chinatown: go classic at Wo Hop (postcard-perfect chop suey joint), slurp hand-pulled noodles at Tasty Hand-Pulled Noodles, or chase cumin lamb noodles at Xi’an Famous Foods.

Evening: Walk north through SoHo’s cast-iron facades into the West Village. Dinner at L’Artusi (refined Italian; silky house-made pastas) or the walk-in bar at Via Carota (Tuscan leaning, excellent salads). After, sip award-winning Negronis at Dante or slip into Attaboy (handcrafted, bespoke cocktails).

Day 3: Brooklyn Day—Williamsburg to DUMBO

Morning: Coffee at Devoción Williamsburg (sunlit café with Colombian beans) and a light breakfast at Bakeri (Scandi pastries). Stroll Bedford Avenue boutiques, street art, and the waterfront at Domino Park.

Afternoon: Hop the East River Ferry to DUMBO for cobblestones, Manhattan Bridge views from Washington Street, and Time Out Market’s rooftop. Pizza lunch at Juliana’s (coal-fired by a Grimaldi) or Roberta’s outpost. Walk the Brooklyn Bridge into Manhattan and detour along the Brooklyn Heights Promenade if you stayed longer on this side.

Evening: Sunset cocktails at Westlight (panoramic rooftop atop The William Vale). Dinner at Lilia (wood-fired Italian; reservations key) or Misi (pasta temple). If you’re arts-inclined, catch a performance at BAM or return to Manhattan for a comedy set at the Comedy Cellar.

Day 4: Museums, High Line, Broadway

Morning: Choose your masterclass: The Met (ancient to modern, plan a wing or two) or MoMA (20th-century icons: Van Gogh’s Starry Night, Warhol, design galleries). Coffee and pastry at La Cabra (Denmark-born, croissant specialists) or Culture Espresso (excellent cappuccinos).

Afternoon: Walk the High Line’s elevated gardens from Hudson Yards toward Chelsea. Snack your way through Chelsea Market (Los Tacos No. 1 for perfect adobada; Miznon for creative pitas). Consider Edge at Hudson Yards for a glass-floor thrill.

Evening: Pre-theater dinner in Midtown: Joe Allen (Broadway staple), Ippudo (ramen), or Don Antonio (wood-fired pizza). Catch a Broadway show—same-day tickets range ~$80–$200. Toast the night at The Rum House (live piano, old New York vibes).

Washington, D.C.

Washington, D.C. is a city of grand perspectives—marble memorials reflected in still water, then tucked-away row houses with serious culinary chops. The National Mall anchors your visit, while neighborhoods like Shaw, Georgetown, and The Wharf add modern personality.

The Smithsonian museums are largely free: the National Museum of American History, Air & Space (ongoing refresh, still fantastic), African American History and Culture (timed passes), and the National Gallery of Art (not Smithsonian, still free). Evenings shine with monument walks, jazz clubs, and destination dining.

• Stay: Position yourself near the Mall or in walkable Dupont/Logan/Shaw. Compare options on VRBO or Hotels.com.
• Getting between cities: Morning Amtrak from NYC to D.C. takes ~3–3.5 hours (Northeast Regional ~$60–$150; Acela faster, pricier). Flights run ~1 hour; compare prices on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Buses (4–5 hours) are budget-friendly.

Day 5: Travel to D.C., Smithsonian Start, Monument Views

Morning: Check out and travel south. If training, depart around 8–9 a.m. to arrive at Union Station near lunchtime. Flying? Total door-to-door often equals train time once airport transfers are factored; still, you can find fares ~$80–$200—search on Trip.com or Kiwi.com.

Afternoon: Drop bags and head to the National Museum of American History (Star-Spangled Banner, pop culture artifacts) or the National Gallery of Art (world-class, two buildings connected by a light tunnel). Coffee at Peregrine Espresso near Eastern Market or Compass Coffee (multiple locations, smooth blends).

Evening: Dinner at Le Diplomate (Parisian brasserie—order the steak frites or seafood plateau). Then stroll the National Mall at twilight for the Lincoln Memorial, WWII Memorial, and the Washington Monument glowing against the night sky.

Day 6: Capitol Hill, Library of Congress, Union Market

Morning: Breakfast at Eastern Market (blueberry buckwheat pancakes at the diner counter on weekends, plus local vendors). Tour the U.S. Capitol (book ahead) and step into the Library of Congress—its Beaux-Arts Great Hall is a stunner; peek at Jefferson’s library.

Afternoon: Make your way to Union Market for a tasting-lunch: TaKorean (Korean-taco mashup), Bun’d Up (bao), and District Doughnut for dessert. Explore nearby murals along the Atlas/NoMa corridors.

Evening: Dinner at The Dabney (Mid-Atlantic cuisine cooked over open hearth; Michelin-starred, reservations essential) or Maydan (North African–Levant flavors around a dramatic fire). Drinks at Service Bar (inventive cocktails) or Off the Record (Hay-Adams, politicos’ haunt) to debrief the day.

Day 7: Georgetown, Tidal Basin Stroll, Departure

Morning: Georgetown’s cobblestones and canal paths make a picturesque finale. Coffee and a slice at Baked & Wired (big cupcakes, bigger fan club) or a bagel at Call Your Mother (neon-pink deli with za’atar-spiked options). Walk to the waterfront or cross Key Bridge for river views.

Afternoon: Quick detour for a White House photo from Lafayette Square, then lunch at Old Ebbitt Grill (D.C.’s oldest saloon—oyster happy hour if timing aligns). Head to the airport or Union Station for your afternoon departure; compare flight options on Trip.com or Kiwi.com.

Evening: If you have extra time before departure, circle the Tidal Basin for the Jefferson Memorial and MLK Memorial; in late March/early April, the cherry blossoms are a once-a-year spectacle.

Extra Dining Shortlist (Save for Later)

• NYC breakfasts: Ess-a-Bagel (giant bagels), Russ & Daughters (smoked fish), Daily Provisions (crullers, breakfast sandwiches).
• NYC lunches: Katz’s Delicatessen (pastrami on rye), Los Tacos No. 1 (adobada), Joe’s Pizza (classic NYC slice).
• NYC dinners: Atoboy (modern Korean prix fixe), Szechuan Mountain House (spicy feasts), Balthazar (bustling French bistro).
• DC coffee & bites: Peregrine Espresso, Compass Coffee, Colada Shop (Cuban pastelitos, cortaditos).
• DC classics: Ben’s Chili Bowl (half-smoke), Founding Farmers (farm-to-table hits), The Wharf for waterfront dining.

From harbor ferries and park promenades to marble memorials at twilight, this East Coast USA itinerary blends iconic attractions with local flavor. With thoughtful pacing, great eats, and easy transit, you’ll sample the best of New York City and Washington, D.C.—and have plenty of reasons to return.