USA Holiday Itinerary: New York, Las Vegas, Road Trip to Los Angeles, Washington DC (28 Dec 2025 – 15 Jan 2026)

Evening: Join the famous Times Square celebration for the ball drop, then retreat to a nearby lounge for after‑midnight drinks.

Day 5: New Year’s Day (1 Jan)

Morning: Start the year with a walk through Battery Park and catch the sunrise over the harbor.

Afternoon: Visit the American Museum of Natural History and enjoy the planetarium show.

Evening: Take a sunset cruise around Manhattan Island, admiring the glittering skyline.

Day 6: Travel to Las Vegas (2 Jan)

Morning: Check out of the hotel and head to the airport for a flight to Las Vegas.

Afternoon: Arrive, check into a Strip hotel, and freshen up before a quick walk to the Bellagio Fountains.

Evening: Enjoy a welcome dinner at a celebrity chef restaurant and explore the neon lights of the Las Vegas Strip.

Day 7: Las Vegas Exploration (3 Jan)

Morning: Ride the High Roller observation wheel for panoramic city views.

Afternoon: Visit the quirky Neon Museum and then try your luck at a casino.

Evening: Watch a spectacular Cirque du Soleil show followed by a nightcap at a rooftop bar.

Day 8: Day Trip to Hoover Dam (4 Jan)

Morning: Depart early for a guided tour of the massive Hoover Dam.

Afternoon: Cross the Colorado River on the Mike O’Callaghan‑Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge and return to Vegas.

Evening: Relax at the hotel pool and enjoy a casual dinner at a local steakhouse.

Day 9: Adventure & Relaxation (5 Jan)

Morning: Take a desert ATV adventure just outside the city.

Afternoon: Unwind at a spa, then explore the artsy Arts District for murals and boutiques.

Evening: Dine at a hidden speakeasy and stroll through the illuminated Fremont Street Experience.

Day 10: Departure for Road Trip (6 Jan)

Morning: Pack up and rent a comfortable SUV for the road trip to Los Angeles.

Afternoon: Begin the drive east, stopping at the historic town of Kingman for lunch.

Evening: Arrive at a desert lodge near the Mojave, enjoy a star‑filled night around a campfire.

Day 11: Hoover Dam Revisit & Grand Canyon (7 Jan)

Morning: Cross the Colorado River again and take photos of the Hoover Dam from a new angle.

Afternoon: Continue north to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, checking into a lodge.

Evening: Watch the sunset over the canyon’s vast expanse, then dine at the lodge’s restaurant.

Day 12: Grand Canyon Exploration (8 Jan)

Morning: Hike part of the Bright Angel Trail for breathtaking vistas.

Afternoon: Visit the Grand Canyon Village and explore the historic El Tovar Hotel.

Evening: Attend a ranger‑led stargazing program before retiring for the night.

Day 13: Drive to Sedona (9 Jan)

Morning: Depart early, enjoying scenic desert landscapes on the way to Sedona.

Afternoon: Hike the iconic Red Rock formations such as Cathedral Rock.

Evening: Relax at a boutique hotel, savoring a southwestern dinner and sunset over the red cliffs.

Day 14: Sedona to Santa Barbara (10 Jan)

Morning: Take a leisurely sunrise walk at Bell Rock.

Afternoon: Drive west along Highway 89, crossing the Los Angeles basin and arriving in Santa Barbara for lunch on State Street.

Evening: Stroll the waterfront, visit the Santa Barbara Mission, and enjoy fresh seafood at the harbor.

Day 15: Arrival in Los Angeles (11 Jan)

Morning: Cruise into LA, parking near Hollywood Boulevard to see the Walk of Fame.

Afternoon: Tour the iconic Griffith Observatory and enjoy panoramic city views.

Evening: Dine in West Hollywood and experience the vibrant nightlife on Sunset Strip.

Day 16: Los Angeles Highlights (12 Jan)

Morning: Visit the Getty Center for art and stunning gardens.

Afternoon: Explore the beach towns of Venice and Santa Monica, strolling the boardwalk.

Evening: Catch a live concert at the Hollywood Bowl before heading to the airport for the flight to New York.

Day 17: Washington DC Arrival (13 Jan)

Morning: Land at Dulles, transfer to a hotel near the National Mall.

Afternoon: Begin a self‑guided walk to the U.S. Capitol and the Supreme Court.

Evening: Dine in Penn Quarter and enjoy a night‑time view of the illuminated monuments.

Day 18: Smithsonian & Memorials (14 Jan)

Morning: Explore the National Museum of American History and the National Air and Space Museum.

Afternoon: Walk the Lincoln Memorial, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, and World War II Memorial along the Mall.

Evening: Take a Potomac River sunset cruise for a different perspective on the city’s landmarks.

Day 19: Final Day in Washington DC (15 Jan)

Morning: Visit the Smithsonian National Gallery of Art and its sculpture garden.

Afternoon: Stroll through the historic Georgetown neighborhood, shopping and sampling local treats.

Evening: Wrap up the trip with a farewell dinner at a rooftop restaurant overlooking the Capitol, then prepare for departure.

Time and Cost Estimates

• Times Square – 1 hour – $0 (free)
• Central Park – 2 hours – $0 (free)
• Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island – 4 hours – $30
• 9/11 Memorial & Museum – 3 hours – $26
• Broadway show – 3 hours – $120
• Metropolitan Museum of Art – 3 hours – $25
• Brooklyn Bridge – 1 hour – $0 (free)
• Prospect Park – 2 hours – $0 (free)
• American Museum of Natural History – 3 hours – $23
• Bellagio Fountains – 30 min – $0 (free)
• High Roller – 45 min – $40
• Neon Museum – 2 hours – $20
• Cirque du Soleil show – 2 hours – $150
• Hoover Dam – 3 hours – $15
• Grand Canyon South Rim – 6 hours – $35 (park fee)
• Bright Angel Trail hike – 4 hours – $0 (free)
• Sedona Red Rocks (Cathedral Rock) – 3 hours – $0 (free)
• Santa Barbara Mission – 1 hour – $12
• Hollywood Walk of Fame – 1 hour – $0 (free)
• Griffith Observatory – 2 hours – $0 (free)
• Getty Center – 3 hours – $0 (free)
• Venice Beach Boardwalk – 2 hours – $0 (free)
• U.S. Capitol – 2 hours – $0 (free)
• Lincoln Memorial & surrounding memorials – 3 hours – $0 (free)
• National Museum of American History – 2 hours – $0 (free)
• National Air and Space Museum – 2 hours – $0 (free)
• Smithsonian National Gallery of Art – 2 hours – $0 (free)
• Georgetown neighborhood – 3 hours – $0 (free)
• Potomac River sunset cruise – 2 hours – $45
• Flight NYC‑Las Vegas (round‑trip) – 6 hours total flight time – $350
• Road‑trip rental SUV (7 days) – 7 days – $550
• Accommodation (average $180/night × 18 nights) – 18 nights – $3 240
• Meals (average $60/day × 19 days) – 19 days – $1 140
• Local transportation & parking – 19 days – $300
• Miscellaneous entry fees & tips – – $250
• Total Estimated Cost – – $7 186

Tips

If you need to shorten the trip, consider dropping the Sedona stop and driving directly from the Grand Canyon to Santa Barbara, saving two days. To extend your adventure, add a full day in Los Angeles to explore the Getty Villa and Malibu beaches, or spend an extra night in Washington DC to tour the nearby Arlington Cemetery and the historic Old Town Alexandria.