Amtrak Vacations
Coast to Coast - Southern Rails
12-day Southern rail crossing from Washington, D.C. to Los Angeles
12 daysfrom $1,769
42% rail
Amtrak Vacations · Independent rail vacation
Founding Fathers Trail By Rail
Boston to Charleston by rail through six historic East Coast cities
Amtrak Vacations runs this independent 13-day, 12-night Founding Fathers Trail by Rail from Boston to Charleston, South Carolina, riding the Northeast Regional, Crescent, and Palmetto trains in Coach class across five legs. Two nights in Boston open the trip with a walk along the Freedom Trail past Boston Common and Faneuil Hall, followed by two nights in New York City that include a dinner cruise past the Statue of Liberty. A short train ride leads to Philadelphia and a walking tour of its historic district, then on to three nights in Washington, D.C. for the Smithsonian museums, an illuminated National Mall tour, and a day trip to Mount Vernon. The trip continues to two nights in Williamsburg, spent inside the Colonial Williamsburg living history museum, before ending with two nights in Charleston exploring its Civil War and colonial history. This suits travelers who want a full history-focused route across six East Coast cities without driving between them.
What to know before you look closer
- Hotels are chosen from 36 accommodation options across six cities and comfort tiers, so your actual hotel, and how upscale it is, depends on what you pick when booking.
- Only 2 dinners are included across 13 days; other meals are on your own.
- The exact boundaries of each train leg on the Northeast Regional, Crescent, and Palmetto are not spelled out beyond the city-to-city route, so confirm specific train timing when booking.
Day by day
- Day 1overnight: Boston
Your Journey Begins in Boston
Arrive in Boston and check into your hotel for a two-night stay. Enjoy the rest of the day exploring the historic streets at your leisure.
- Day 2overnight: Boston
Boston
Spend another unforgettable day sightseeing in Boston, a city where history and charm meet modern energy. Stroll along the famous Freedom Trail to discover iconic landmarks like Boston Common, Faneuil Hall, and the Old State House. This evening, savor the seafood dishes that New England is famous for.
- Day 3railovernight: New York City
New York City
Travel by train to the "City That Never Sleeps." After checking into your hotel, spend the evening exploring New York's endless attractions.
- Day 4overnight: New York City
New York City
Explore Manhattan's most famous sights. This evening, enjoy a dinner cruise taking in the waterfront, bridges, and skyline of Manhattan, and of course, the Statue of Liberty.
- Day 5railovernight: Philadelphia
Philadelphia
Take a short train ride to Philadelphia. Enjoy time on your own to explore the historic Old City before your walking tour the following morning.
- Day 6railovernight: Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Spend the day exploring the history found everywhere in Philadelphia before boarding your train to Washington, D.C. In the evening, enjoy an illuminated tour of the National Mall and monuments.
- Day 7overnight: Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Explore the many museums of the Capitol. Perhaps visit world-renowned Smithsonian museums such as the National Museum of American History and the National Museum of Natural History, or see the Declaration of Independence at the National Archives, to name but a few.
- Day 8overnight: Washington, D.C.
Day Trip to Mount Vernon and Alexandria
Take a day trip to George Washington's Mount Vernon estate and stroll the historic streets of Old Town Alexandria.
- Day 9railovernight: Williamsburg
Williamsburg
Board the train to Williamsburg and check into your hotel for a relaxing evening in this charming colonial town.
- Day 10overnight: Williamsburg
Williamsburg
Spend a full day immersed in colonial history as you explore the living history museum of Colonial Williamsburg.
- Day 11overnight: Charleston
Charleston
Travel south to Charleston, South Carolina. After checking in, enjoy the city's warm hospitality and historic waterfront.
- Day 12overnight: Charleston
Charleston
Discover Charleston's Civil War and colonial history with a tour that guides you through a city where the first shots of the war were fired.
- Day 13
Your Journey Ends in Charleston
Check out of your hotel and continue your travels.
The moments this trip is built around
- Day 2The Freedom Trail leads past Boston Common, Faneuil Hall, and the Old State House, with a New England seafood dinner in the evening.
- Day 4A dinner cruise takes in Manhattan's waterfront, bridges, skyline, and the Statue of Liberty.
- Day 6An illuminated evening tour visits the National Mall and its monuments after the train ride from Philadelphia to Washington, D.C.
- Day 8A day trip visits George Washington's Mount Vernon estate and the historic streets of Old Town Alexandria.
- Day 10A full day is spent inside the living history museum of Colonial Williamsburg.
Included
- One-way Amtrak® in Coach accommodations from Boston to New York; New York to Philadelphia; Philadelphia to Washington, D.C.; Washington, D.C. to Williamsburg; Williamsburg to Charleston onboard the Northeast Regional, Crescent, and Palmetto
- 12 nights' hotel accommodations
- 2 dinners included
Questions travellers ask
- Is train travel included?
- Yes, one-way Amtrak Coach travel is included for all five legs: Boston to New York, New York to Philadelphia, Philadelphia to Washington, D.C., Washington, D.C. to Williamsburg, and Williamsburg to Charleston.
- Which trains are used?
- The Northeast Regional, the Crescent, and the Palmetto, all in Coach class.
- Is this trip guided or independent?
- It is sold as an independent rail vacation. Sightseeing is delivered through included tours and excursions at each stop, a walking tour of Philadelphia, an illuminated National Mall tour, Mount Vernon and Alexandria, Colonial Williamsburg, and a Charleston city tour, while hotel and travel choices are yours.
- What hotels are used?
- The package offers a choice of 36 accommodation options across the six cities, including the Fairmont Copley Plaza and InterContinental Boston, and the Conrad New York Downtown.
- Are meals included?
- Only 2 dinners are included, at the Union Oyster House in Boston and on a dinner cruise in New York City; other meals are on your own.
- Where does the trip start and end?
- It starts in Boston, Massachusetts and ends in Charleston, South Carolina, with stops in New York City, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., and Williamsburg.
