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East Coast Historic Road Trip: Washington DC → Niagara Falls → St. Petersburg (May 14‑May 31, 2026)

Viewed by 75 travelers

Day 1 (May 14): Arrival in Washington DC

Morning: Fly Allegiant Air from Knoxville to Dulles Airport and take a shuttle to your downtown hotel.

Afternoon: Visit the National Archives to view the Charter of Freedom and the original Constitution.

Evening: Stroll the illuminated National Mall and enjoy dinner at a nearby historic tavern.

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Day 2 (May 15): Washington DC Museums

Morning: Explore the National Museum of American History, focusing on the Star-Spangled Banner and the First Ladies' Inaugural Gowns.

Afternoon: Tour the Air and Space Museum and the Steven F. Udvar‑Hazy Center for the space shuttle and historic aircraft.

Evening: Discover the intrigue at the International Spy Museum, followed by a nightcap in the Penn Quarter.

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Day 3 (May 16): More DC Highlights

Morning: Visit the National Postal Museum to see rare stamps and historic mail‑carrying equipment.

Afternoon: Walk the National Museum of American History extension for the American Presidency exhibit.

Evening: Relax at the Georgetown waterfront with a river‑front dinner.

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Day 4 (May 17): Gettysburg & Pennsylvania Countryside

Morning: Depart DC via scenic Blue Ridge Parkway, stopping at the historic town of **Harpers Ferry**.

Afternoon: Arrive at Gettysburg National Military Park for a guided battlefield tour.

Evening: Overnight in a historic inn in Gettysburg, enjoying a ghost‑tour of the town.

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Day 5 (May 18): Lancaster Amish Country

Morning: Drive to the heart of Amish Country in Lancaster; take a horse‑and‑buggy tour of the farmlands.

Afternoon: Sample homemade pretzels and cheese at a local market and visit the **Amish Farm and House Museum**.

Evening: Return to Gettysburg for a relaxed dinner.

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Day 6 (May 19): Delaware Historic Coast

Morning: Travel east to Wilmington, Delaware; explore the **Historic District** and the **Nemours Estate** gardens.

Afternoon: Visit the **Delaware History Museum** and stroll along the Riverfront promenade.

Evening: Stay overnight in a boutique hotel in downtown Wilmington.

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Day 7 (May 20): Connecticut Maritime Heritage

Morning: Drive north to Mystic, Connecticut; tour the Mystic Seaport Museum and its historic vessels.

Afternoon: Explore the **Mystic Aquarium** and enjoy fresh New England seafood.

Evening: Check‑in at a seaside inn in Mystic and watch the sunset over the harbor.

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Day 8 (May 21): Plymouth Rock & Salem

Morning: Head to Plymouth, Massachusetts to stand on iconic Plymouth Rock and visit the **Pilgrim Hall Museum**.

Afternoon: Continue to Salem; walk the Freedom Trail (Boston extension) and the **Salem Witch Museum**.

Evening: Overnight in a historic Salem inn, with a ghost‑walk tour.

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Day 9 (May 22): Boston Freedom Trail

Morning: Take a short train ride to Boston; begin the Freedom Trail from Boston Common to the Old North Church.

Afternoon: Visit the **Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum** and explore the **Paul Revere House**.

Evening: Dine in the historic North End and stay at a downtown boutique hotel.

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Day 10 (May 23): Vermont – Ben & Jerry’s

Morning: Drive north on scenic Route 100 through the Green Mountains to **Ben & Jerry’s Factory** in Waterbury.

Afternoon: Take the factory tour, sample limited‑edition flavors, and visit nearby **Cold Hollow Cider Mill**.

Evening: Overnight in a cozy cabin in Stowe, enjoying mountain views.

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Day 11 (May 24): Shenandoah National Park

Morning: Head south on the Skyline Drive of Shenandoah National Park, stopping at overlooks.

Afternoon: Hike a portion of the **Old Rag** trail and picnic near the Rapidan River.

Evening: Camp under the stars or stay at a lodge within the park.

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Day 12 (May 25): Return to Washington DC

Morning: Scenic drive back to Dulles, stopping at historic **Mount Vernon** (George Washington’s estate).

Afternoon: Return rental car and relax at the hotel.

Evening: Prepare for the next leg of the trip; enjoy a farewell dinner in Old Town Alexandria.

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Day 13 (May 26): Travel to Niagara Falls

Morning: Fly from Washington Dulles to Buffalo Niagara International Airport.

Afternoon: Transfer to Niagara Falls, check into a waterfront hotel, and take a **Maid of the Mist** boat ride.

Evening: Watch the illuminated falls from the **Observation Tower**.

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Day 14 (May 27): Niagara Falls Exploration

Morning: Walk the **Niagara Gorge Trail** for spectacular river vistas.

Afternoon: Visit the **Cave of the Winds** and explore the **Niagara Falls State Park** visitor center.

Evening: Enjoy a dinner cruise on Lake Erie.

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Day 15 (May 28): Scenic Drive to Upstate NY

Morning: Depart Niagara on the **Lake‑front Route 20**, stopping at the historic **Fort Erie** site.

Afternoon: Explore the **Adirondack Park** via the **Highway 3** scenic byway.

Evening: Overnight in a rustic lodge near Lake George.

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Day 16 (May 29): Adirondacks & Lake Placid

Morning: Hike the **Mount Jo** trail for panoramic views of the High Peaks.

Afternoon: Visit **Lake Placid**, tour the 1932/1980 Olympic venues, and stroll the historic village.

Evening: Return to the lodge for a relaxed evening.

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Day 17 (May 30): Final Road to St. Petersburg

Morning: Drive south on US‑9, crossing the **St. Lawrence River** via the **Thousand Islands Bridge**.

Afternoon: Stop at **Boldt Castle** on Heart Island for a guided tour.

Evening: Arrive in St. Petersburg, FL; check into a beachfront resort and unwind.

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Day 18 (May 31): Departure

Morning: Enjoy a sunrise walk on the Gulf Coast.

Afternoon: Transfer to St. Petersburg‑Clearwater International Airport for your flight home.

Evening: Reflect on a memorable historic road‑trip!

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Time and Cost Estimates

  • National Archives – 2 hrs, $0 (free)
  • National Museum of American History – 2 hrs, $0 (free)
  • Air and Space Museum – 3 hrs, $0 (free)
  • Udvar‑Hazy Center – 2 hrs, $25 (parking & entry)
  • Spy Museum – 2 hrs, $30
  • Postal Museum – 1.5 hrs, $0 (free)
  • Gettysburg National Military Park – 3 hrs, $20 (tour)
  • Amish Country tour – 4 hrs, $15 (guide & meals)
  • Delaware Historic District – 2 hrs, $0
  • Mystic Seaport Museum – 2 hrs, $24
  • Plymouth Rock & Pilgrim Hall – 2 hrs, $10
  • Salem Witch Museum – 1.5 hrs, $12
  • Boston Freedom Trail – 4 hrs, $0 (self‑guided)
  • Ben & Jerry’s Factory – 2 hrs, $15 (tour & tasting)
  • Shenandoah National Park – 5 hrs, $30 (entrance + parking)
  • Mount Vernon – 3 hrs, $30
  • Maid of the Mist – 1 hr, $25
  • Cave of the Winds – 1 hr, $20
  • Adirondack Park Scenic Drive – 4 hrs, $0
  • Mount Jo Hike – 2 hrs, $0
  • Boldt Castle – 2 hrs, $30
  • Overall Estimated Transportation (flights, car rental, fuel) – 18 hrs, $1,200
  • Total Estimated Cost: $1,611

Tips

If you need more time to soak in the historic sites, consider adding an extra day in Boston to explore the Freedom Trail in depth, or a full day in the Shenandoah region for additional hikes. To shorten the trip, you could combine the Delaware and Connecticut stops into a single day and skip the Adirondack leg, flying directly from Niagara to St. Petersburg after Day 13.

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