America's Greatest Landmarks 🗽

Day 1 — Monuments of America 🇺🇸

• 07:00

  Hotel stay (see description for recommendation)

  Recommended: Luxury: Waldorf Astoria Washington DC Mid-Range: Hotel Washington (Hotel Washington is an Excellent location for first-time visitors, and great walking distance to major attractions) Budget: CitizenM Capitol

• 08:30

  Breakfast - Call Your Mother Deli

• 10:00

  Morning Activities: White House, Washington Monument, National Mall

  Must See: Lincoln Memorial Vietnam Veterans Memorial Reflecting Pool Washington Monument National Mall Underrated Stop: Constitution Gardens

• 12:00

  Lunch: Old Ebbitt Grill

• 13:00

  Afternoon Activities: World War II Memorial, Lincoln Memorial, Reflecting Pool

  Afternoon World War II Memorial 1750 Independence Ave SW Lincoln Memorial 2 Lincoln Memorial Cir NW Reflecting Pool

• 15:00

  Constitution Gardens Walk

  Constitution Gardens is a peaceful, 50-acre landscaped park located directly on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.. It serves as a quiet oasis situated between the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and the World War II Memorial, bounded by Constitution Avenue and the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. Managed by the National Park Service, the park features shaded winding paths, a serene central pond, and a hidden island monument.

• 17:00

  The Wharf DC

  Waterfront district with restaurants and views

• 19:00

  Dinner: Founding Farmers

Day 2 — Founding America 📜

• 08:00

  Breakfast - Tatte Bakery

• 09:00

  United States Capitol

  Bucket List Moment See: Declaration of Independence Constitution Bill of Rights

• 10:00

  Library of Congress

• 11:00

  Supreme Court

• 12:00

  Lunch: The Monocle

  Historic Capitol Hill restaurant

• 13:00

  National Archives

  Must-see: Declaration of Independence Constitution Bill of Rights

• 14:00

  Smithsonian National Museum of American History

• 15:00

  National Portrait Gallery - Underrated Stop

• 19:00

  Dinner - Rasika

  Modern Indian restaurant

Day 3 — America's First President

• 08:00

  Breakfast: Le Pain Quotidien

  Near the White House

• 09:00

  Mount Vernon - George Washington's Estate

  George Washington's Estate

• 12:00

  Lunch - Mitsitam Café

  Inside the National Museum of the American Indian

• 13:00

  Jefferson Memorial

• 14:00

  Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial

• 15:00

  Tidal Basin - Underrated Stop

• 18:00

  Dinner - The Hamilton

Day 4 — Birthplace of America 🔔

Where the United States began

• 07:00

  Amtrak to Philadelphia

• 11:00

  Breakfast: Reading Terminal Market

  Famous indoor farmer's market offering diverse fare, housewares & area specialties since 1893. Restaurant list: https://readingterminalmarket.org/merchant-category/restaurants/

• 12:00

  Hotel Check In: Stay Canopy by Hilton Philadelphia

• 12:30

  Lunch: DiNic's Roast Pork

  Crowds pack this venerable Reading Terminal Market sandwich counter celebrated for its roast pork.

• 13:00

  Independence Hall

  Tickets: Access to the Liberty Bell is free and on a first-come, first-served basis. Access to Independence Hall requires a timed-entry ticket (often $1 online).

• 13:30

  Liberty Bell

  The Liberty Bell is famous because of its biblical inscription—"Proclaim LIBERTY throughout all the Land unto all the inhabitants thereof"—which made it the perfect symbol of freedom. It was famously rung on July 8, 1776, to celebrate the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence.

• 14:00

  Independence National Historical Park

  Visiting Independence National Historical Park in Philadelphia offers a journey to the "birthplace of American democracy". You can stand in the exact rooms where the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution were debated, view the iconic Liberty Bell, and explore over two dozen 18th-century historical sites. Top Reasons to Visit: Independence Hall: A UNESCO World Heritage Site where the Founding Fathers signed the Declaration of Independence and drafted the U.S. Constitution. The Liberty Bell Center: Get an up-close look at this famous symbol of freedom and explore exhibits detailing its historical significance to abolitionists and civil rights leaders. Congress Hall: The meeting place of the U.S. Congress from 1790 to 1800 when Philadelphia was the temporary capital of the United States. Benjamin Franklin Museum: A state-of-the-art museum honoring the life, inventions, and legacy of one of America's most famous polymaths. Tickets: Access to the Liberty Bell is free and on a first-come, first-served basis. Access to Independence Hall requires a timed-entry ticket (often $1 online).

• 15:00

  Elfreth's Alley

  America's oldest continuously inhabited street

• 18:00

  Dinner - Parc

Day 5 — Gateway to America 🗽

Theme: The immigrant story

• 06:00

  Amtrak to New York

• 08:00

  Hotel Stay - Arlo Midtown

• 09:00

  Breakfast - Russ & Daughters Café

• 10:00

  Statue of Liberty

• 11:00

  Ellis Island Walk

  The small island in New York Harbor is considered an iconic historical landmark for several key reasons: Gateway to America: It served as the primary entry point during the largest voluntary migration in human history. Millions of people passed through its Great Hall escaping poverty, famine, and political corruption to start a new life. Deep Ancestry Connection: Because so many immigrants passed through its gates, over 100 million Americans—roughly one-third of the population—have family ties to the island. The Museum of Immigration: Today, the North side of the island operates as the Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration. It allows visitors to walk the same halls and view the artifacts of those who helped build modern America.

• 13:00

  Lunch - Fraunces Tavern

• 14:30

  Wall Street

• 15:30

  Charging Bull

  The Charging Bull, often called the Wall Street Bull, is an 11-foot-tall, 16-foot-long bronze sculpture weighing 7,100 pounds. Located in Bowling Green Park in Manhattan’s Financial District, it is a globally recognized symbol of financial optimism, prosperity, and the resilience of the American economy.

• 16:00

  One World Observatory

  From 1,250 feet above the streets, enjoy panoramic skyline views that capture the energy, beauty, and scale of New York like nowhere else.

• 17:00

  Stone Street - Underrated Stop

  Stone Street is one of New York City's oldest and first cobblestone-paved roads, located in Lower Manhattan's Financial District. Today, it functions as a vibrant, pedestrian-only dining and nightlife hub, famous for its lively European-style outdoor patios, historic 17th-century architecture, and bustling bar scene.

• 19:00

  Dinner @ Katz's Delicatessen

Day 6 — The New York You've Seen in Movies 🌆

• 09:00

  Breakfast - Breads Bakery Union Square

• 10:00

  Central Park

• 11:00

  Bethesda Terrace

• 12:00

  Central Park Mall

  Key Highlights: Literary Walk: The southern end of the Mall is known as the Literary Walk due to its statues honoring legendary writers like William Shakespeare, Robert Burns, and Sir Walter Scott. Only Straight Path: When Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux designed Central Park, this quarter-mile stretch was the only intentionally straight path included in their naturalistic design. Vibrant Atmosphere: It serves as the ultimate gathering space, frequently bustling with street performers, artists, and musicians. Bethesda Terrace: The Mall leads directly north into the iconic Bethesda Terrace and Fountain.

• 13:00

  Lunch: Shake Shack

• 14:00

  Fifth Avenue

  Fifth Avenue in New York City is globally famous for being one of the world's most expensive and prestigious shopping streets. It is also celebrated for its high concentration of legendary cultural institutions, iconic architectural landmarks, and historic billionaire mansions. Key highlights of the avenue include: Luxury Shopping: Often compared to the Champs-Élysées in Paris, the Midtown stretch is lined with the flagship stores of top-tier designers like Tiffany & Co., Saks Fifth Avenue, Bergdorf Goodman, and Cartier. Museum Mile: The section bordering the eastern edge of Central Park between 82nd and 110th Streets is home to world-renowned cultural hubs, including The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Iconic Architecture: The avenue features major NYC landmarks such as St. Patrick's Cathedral, the Empire State Building, and the Rockefeller Center. Millionaire's Row: Stretching from 59th to 96th Streets alongside Central Park, this area gained historic fame for its massive concentration of Gilded Age mansions owned by America's wealthiest families.

• 15:00

  Rockefeller Center

  Rockefeller Center is famous for being a monumental Art Deco architectural masterpiece, an iconic holiday destination, and the historic home of major entertainment networks. Developed during the Great Depression by John D. Rockefeller Jr., the 22-acre "city within a city" revolutionized urban design by blending commercial spaces with vibrant public plazas and art.

• 16:00

  Times Square

• 17:30

  Roosevelt Island Tramway - Underrated Stop

  The Roosevelt Island Tramway is incredibly worth it if you time it right. For the cost of a standard subway fare (~$2.90 each way), you get spectacular aerial views of the East River, the Midtown Manhattan skyline, and the Ed Koch Queensboro Bridge.

• 19:00

  Dinner - Quality Meats

  Steakhouse in a hip, industrial space known for its premium chops & housemade ice cream.

• 20:30

  Evening - Broadway Show

Day 7 — The American Dream 🌉

Theme: Modern America

• 09:00

  Breakfast - Butler Brooklyn

• 10:00

  Brooklyn Bridge Walk

• 11:00

  DUMBO Brooklyn

  DUMBO (Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass) is an upscale, industrial-chic waterfront neighborhood in Brooklyn, New York. Famous for its cobblestone streets, converted 19th-century warehouses, and iconic skyline views, it bridges the gap between the Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges.

• 12:00

  Brooklyn Bridge Park

  Brooklyn Bridge Park offers unmatched Manhattan skyline, bridge, and Statue of Liberty views from a vibrant, free-to-enter waterfront oasis. Expect diverse activities, a rich history, and potential crowds, especially on weekends. It's a must-see.

• 13:00

  Lunch - Juliana's Pizza Brooklyn

  Essential Details for LunchHours: Open daily for lunch from 11:30 AM to 3:15 PM (closed between 3:15 PM and 4:00 PM to stoke the coal ovens). No Reservations: Seating is first-come, first-served. Your entire party must be present to be seated. Menu Style: They only sell whole pies, not by the slice. Signature Items: Highly recommended options include the half Margherita / half White Pizza and their classic vanilla egg cream.

• 14:00

  Williamsburg

  Williamsburg is a hip neighborhood in Brooklyn that draws the young and the fashionable to its chic boutiques, trendy cafes and buzzy restaurants. Street art brightens residential thoroughfares and repurposed factories, while the waterfront provides stunning views of Manhattan and seasonal venues for outdoor concerts and food markets. Dance clubs, happening bars and music halls liven up the nightlife scene.

• 15:00

  Domino Park

• 15:30

  Pebble Beach (DUMBO) - Underrated Stop

  One of NYC's best photo spots.

• 18:00

  Dinner: Time Out Market New York (Brooklyn waterfront)

  Bi-level waterfront hangout showcasing a curated lineup of local food and drinks, plus cultural events.

• 19:30

  Farewell View - Sunset from Brooklyn Bridge Park