Amtrak Vacations · Independent rail vacation

Great Cities of the Northeast

Boston to Washington DC rail trip through 4 Northeast cities

Great Cities of the Northeast, a rail journey with Amtrak Vacations

Amtrak Vacations packages this 8-day, 7-night independent rail vacation through four Northeast cities: Boston, New York City, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C. The Northeast Regional in Coach class links each stop with a short city-to-city ride, and every city includes a hop-on, hop-off sightseeing pass rather than a fixed guided schedule. Boston covers the Freedom Trail and the site of the Boston Tea Party, New York City reaches the Empire State Building and Central Park, Philadelphia visits Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell, and Washington, D.C. closes the trip with the free Smithsonian Museums and the National Mall. Two nights are spent in Boston, New York, and Washington, D.C., with one night in Philadelphia, keeping the pace unhurried despite covering four cities. This suits travelers who want an introduction to rail travel through a well-known corridor, exploring each city at their own pace rather than on a fixed guided tour.

What to know before you look closer

  • Amtrak Vacations lists 24 hotel options across the 4 cities on this route; the specific hotel you get depends on the tier and city you choose.
  • No meals are listed as included; all meals are on your own.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Boston

    Your Journey Begins in Boston

    Welcome to Boston! Upon arrival check-in to your hotel and begin to experience the city on your own!

  2. Day 2overnight: Boston

    Boston, MA

    Enjoy a hop-on, hop-off sightseeing tour of this historic city. See national historic landmarks such as the Old North Church and the site of the Boston Tea Party. Stroll the beautiful Public Gardens or walk in the footsteps of history along the Freedom Trail.

  3. Day 3overnight: New York City

    Boston to New York City

    This morning, board Amtrak's Northeast Regional route to journey on to New York City! Upon arrival you will be able to travel around the city on a hop-on, hop-off sightseeing tour, bringing you to attractions such as the Empire State Building, Central Park, and the Brooklyn Bridge.

  4. Day 4overnight: New York City

    New York City, NY

    Continue your adventure around New York City onboard your hop-on, hop-off sightseeing tour, guiding you to Bryant Park and the New York Public Library, Rockefeller Center, and 5th Avenue.

  5. Day 5overnight: Philadelphia

    New York City to Philadelphia

    Today travel to Penn Station and board Amtrak to continue on to Philadelphia. Upon arriving in the "City of Brotherly Love" you will board a hop-on, hop-off tour that will bring you to such historical sites as the Betsy Ross House, Independence Hall, Eastern State Penitentiary, and the Liberty Bell!

  6. Day 6overnight: Washington, D.C.

    Philadelphia to Washington, DC

    This morning board Amtrak to journey on to America's Capital, Washington, DC! When in Washington, you can use a hop-on, hop-off tour to visit all of the sites, including the White House, the Capitol Building, and all of the major memorials!

  7. Day 7overnight: Washington, D.C.

    Washington, DC

    Continue to explore Washington today. Your tour will guide you to all of the major Smithsonian Museums that are all free of charge! Other popular activities include walking around the National Mall between the Capital Building and the Lincoln Memorial.

  8. Day 8

    Your Journey Ends in Washington, D.C.

    View The Full Map

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2A hop-on, hop-off tour of Boston visits the Old North Church and the site of the Boston Tea Party along the Freedom Trail.
  • Day 3The Northeast Regional carries you to New York City, where a hop-on, hop-off tour reaches the Empire State Building and Central Park.
  • Day 5Amtrak continues to Philadelphia for a hop-on, hop-off tour of the Betsy Ross House, Independence Hall, and the Liberty Bell.
  • Day 7Washington, D.C. touring covers the free Smithsonian Museums and a walk along the National Mall.

Included

  • One-way Amtrak in Coach accommodations from Boston to New York; New York to Philadelphia; and Philadelphia to New York on the Northeast Regional®
  • 7 nights' hotel accommodations

Questions travellers ask

Is the train travel included?
Yes. One-way Amtrak in Coach class from Boston to New York City, New York City to Philadelphia, and Philadelphia to Washington, D.C., on the Northeast Regional, is included.
Is this trip guided or independent?
It is an independent rail vacation. Every city, Boston, New York City, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C., is explored with a hop-on, hop-off sightseeing pass rather than a fixed guide.
Which train is used?
The Northeast Regional, in Coach class, for all city-to-city legs on this route.
What hotels are included?
Amtrak Vacations offers a choice of 24 hotel options across the 4 cities; sample properties include the Fairmont Copley Plaza and InterContinental Boston in Boston, and the WOW InterContinental New York Times Square.
What is not included?
No meals are listed as included; all meals are on your own.

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