East Coast Historic & Scenic Road Trip (May 14 – May 31 2026)

Day 1: Arrival in Washington, D.C.

Morning: Arrive at Dulles International Airport on Allegiant Air and transfer to your downtown hotel. Freshen up and enjoy a quick brunch near the National Mall.

Afternoon: Begin exploring the capital with a visit to the National Archives to see the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.

Evening: Stroll along the illuminated monuments on the Mall, then dine at a historic restaurant in Penn Quarter.

Day 2: Washington, D.C. Museums

Morning: Dive into American history at the National Museum of American History, viewing the Star‑Spangled Banner and the First Ladies’ Inaugural Gowns.

Afternoon: Visit the National Air and Space Museum and the Steven F. Udvar‑Hazy Center (near Dulles) to see the Space Shuttle Discovery and historic aircraft.

Evening: Explore the intriguing International Spy Museum before catching a performance at the Kennedy Center.

Day 3: Washington to Gettysburg, PA

Morning: Depart Washington via the historic Lincoln Highway, enjoying scenic countryside and small towns.

Afternoon: Arrive at Gettysburg National Military Park; take a guided battlefield tour and visit the museum.

Evening: Dine in downtown Gettysburg and walk the historic streets illuminated by lanterns.

Day 4: Gettysburg to Lancaster (Amish Country), PA

Morning: Drive the picturesque Scenic Route 30 toward Lancaster, passing rolling farmlands.

Afternoon: Experience a traditional Amish farm tour, enjoy homemade pretzels, and shop at the Lancaster Central Market.

Evening: Stay at a bed‑and‑breakfast and savor a farm‑to‑table dinner.

Day 5: Lancaster to Delaware Coast

Morning: Head east on the historic US‑13, crossing the Mason‑Dixon line into Delaware.

Afternoon: Explore the charming town of New Castle with its cobblestone streets and the Old Court House.

Evening: Relax on the beach at Rehoboth, enjoying a sunset walk and fresh seafood.

Day 6: Delaware to Mystic, Connecticut

Morning: Travel north on the historic US‑1, crossing the Delaware Bay via the Cape May‑Lewes Ferry for a scenic start.

Afternoon: Arrive in Mystic and tour the Mystic Seaport Museum, a living history museum of New England maritime heritage.

Evening: Enjoy a waterfront dinner and stroll along the Mystic River.

Day 7: Mystic to Boston, MA

Morning: Drive the coastal Route 1A through historic New England towns, stopping at the Old Saybrook Lighthouse.

Afternoon: Reach Boston and begin the Freedom Trail with stops at the Boston Common and the Massachusetts State House.

Evening: Dine in the historic North End and savor authentic Italian cuisine.

Day 8: Boston – Freedom Trail Deep Dive

Morning: Continue the Freedom Trail, visiting the Paul Revere House and Old North Church.

Afternoon: Tour the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum and the USS Constitution at the Charlestown Navy Yard.

Evening: Catch a sunset view from the Boston Harborwalk and enjoy live music in the Seaport District.

Day 9: Boston to Plymouth & Salem, MA

Morning: Drive the scenic Route 3 to Plymouth and stand on the historic Plymouth Rock.

Afternoon: Head north to Salem for the Salem Witch Museum and a walking tour of historic homes.

Evening: Return to Boston for a relaxed evening at a harbor-side café.

Day 10: Boston to Ben & Jerry’s Headquarters, Waterbury, VT

Morning: Take the scenic Route 2 across the Green Mountains, stopping at Bennington for a quick coffee.

Afternoon: Arrive at the Ben & Jerry’s Factory in Waterbury for a guided tour and ice‑cream tasting.

Evening: Stay in a charming Vermont inn and enjoy a farm‑fresh dinner.

Day 11: Waterbury to Shenandoah National Park, VA

Morning: Travel south via the historic US‑7 and then the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway into Virginia.

Afternoon: Enter Shenandoah National Park for a leisurely hike on the Skyline Drive overlooking the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Evening: Camp under the stars at a designated campground or stay at a nearby lodge.

Day 12: Shenandoah to Adirondack Park, NY

Morning: Continue west on the Blue Ridge Parkway, then take the historic US‑15 into the Adirondack region.

Afternoon: Explore Adirondack Park with a boat ride on Lake Placid and a short hike to Mirror Lake.

Evening: Relax at a lakeside cabin and enjoy a campfire dinner.

Day 13: Adirondack Park to Niagara Falls, NY

Morning: Drive north via the scenic Route 3 and US‑20 toward the Great Lakes region.

Afternoon: Arrive at Niagara Falls and take the Maid of the Mist boat tour for an up‑close view of the waterfalls.

Evening: Stroll the illuminated falls and enjoy dinner with a view of the illuminated night falls.

Day 14: Niagara Falls – Flight to St. Petersburg, FL

Morning: Relax with a final walk along the Niagara River Gorge and visit the Niagara Falls State Park Visitor Center.

Afternoon: Transfer to Niagara Falls International Airport for your Allegiant Air flight to St. Petersburg, FL.

Evening: Arrive in St. Petersburg, check into your hotel, and unwind after an epic road‑trip adventure.

Time and Cost Estimates

• National Archives – 2 hrs – $0 (free)
• National Museum of American History – 2 hrs – $0 (free)
• National Air and Space Museum – 3 hrs – $0 (free)
• Steven F. Udvar‑Hazy Center – 2 hrs – $25 (parking & entry)
• International Spy Museum – 2 hrs – $25
• Postal Museum – 1 hr – $10
• Gettysburg National Military Park – 3 hrs – $20 (tour & museum)
• Amish Country Farm Tour – 2 hrs – $30 (guided tour & meal)
• New Castle Historic Tour – 2 hrs – $15
• Mystic Seaport Museum – 2 hrs – $30
• Freedom Trail (Boston) – 4 hrs – $0 (self‑guided)
• Plymouth Rock – 1 hr – $5 (site parking)
• Salem Witch Museum – 2 hrs – $20
• Ben & Jerry’s Factory Tour – 2 hrs – $15 (tour & tasting)
• Shenandoah National Park – 4 hrs – $30 (entrance & parking)
• Adirondack Park – 4 hrs – $20 (parking)
• Niagara Falls Maid of the Mist – 1 hr – $25
• Accommodation (13 nights average) – 13 nights – $1,950
• Meals (average $45/day) – 14 days – $630
• Fuel & Scenic Route Tolls – 13 days – $300
• Flights (Knoxville‑Dulles & Niagara‑St Petersburg) – $250
• Total Estimated Cost: $3,480

Tips

If you’d like to extend the journey, consider adding a few days in the Poconos for additional hiking or a detour to Acadia National Park in Maine for coastal scenery. To shorten the trip, you can combine the Gettysburg and Amish Country visits into a single day and skip the Adirondack segment, focusing instead on the core historic sites along the East Coast.