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Cox & Kings · Tailor-Made Journey

Icons of the East: A Stylish Journey by Train

12-day Acela Express tour of Washington, Philadelphia, New York, and Boston

Illustration of Icons of the East: A Stylish Journey by Train

Cox & Kings runs this 12-day, 11-night tailor-made rail journey through America's northeast, traveling by Acela Express in Business Class between Washington DC, Philadelphia, New York City, and Boston. The days mix free time with a set of named, included tours: an electric bike ride past Washington's monuments, a Georgetown culinary walk, a historian-led tour of Philadelphia's Old City taking in the Liberty Bell, a Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island visit in New York, and a walking tour of Boston's Freedom Trail. Each city gets 2 to 3 nights, so the pace is unhurried, with a full free morning or afternoon most days to explore independently beyond the scheduled stops. Hotels include the Fairmont Copley Plaza in Boston, rated 4 stars. This suits travelers who want American history and city landmarks covered by train rather than car, with room left in the schedule to wander each city at their own pace.

What to know before you look closer

  • Most days are free time to explore at your own pace; the included guided experiences are the DC electric bike tour, the Georgetown culinary tour, the Philadelphia Old City walking tour, the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island tour, the Empire State Building visit, the Freedom Trail walking tour, and the Fenway Park tour.
  • Pricing varies by season, from £3,755 per person for March to May or September to November departures, to £4,165 for a June to August departure.
  • The Acela Express legs are daytime intercity journeys; there is no overnight or sleeper train on this itinerary.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Washington DC (Lyle Washington DC)

    Arrive Washington DC

    After landing in Washington DC, take a taxi to your hotel. The remainder of the day is yours to explore the marble-columned capital at your own pace. Our local expert suggests seeking out the city's defining landmarks.

  2. Day 2overnight: Washington DC (Lyle Washington DC)

    Washington DC

    Enjoy an included electric bike tour through Washington DC, following a path between the capital's most significant monuments. Pause at the Lincoln Memorial, the Washington Monument and the Vietnam and World War II memorials. The afternoon is yours to explore at leisure.

  3. Day 3overnight: Washington DC (Lyle Washington DC)

    Washington DC

    Spend a free morning uncovering Washington DC's varied neighbourhoods. In the afternoon, join an included guided Georgetown Foodie Culinary Tour, a walking exploration of the city's oldest quarter, pausing at local foodie favourites for tastings.

  4. Day 4railovernight: Philadelphia (Kimpton Hotel Palomar Philadelphia by IHG)

    Arrive Philadelphia

    Make your way to Union Station to board the train to Philadelphia. This afternoon, join an included walking tour through the Old City, guided by a local historian, pausing at landmarks such as the Liberty Bell, Betsy Ross House and Elfreth's Alley.

  5. Day 5overnight: Philadelphia (Kimpton Hotel Palomar Philadelphia by IHG)

    Philadelphia

    Today is yours to shape as you wish. Our local expert suggests visiting the National Constitution Center, its exhibits and displays offering thoughtful perspectives.

  6. Day 6railovernight: New York City (Hotel Belleclaire)

    Arrive New York City

    Travelling by train, arrive in New York City and take a taxi to your hotel on Manhattan's Upper West Side. The rest of the day is yours to spend at your own pace.

  7. Day 7overnight: New York City (Hotel Belleclaire)

    New York City

    Start the day with your included First Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island Tour, with reserved-line access. Visit the museum and original torch before continuing to Ellis Island. After the tour, the rest of the day is free.

  8. Day 8overnight: New York City (Hotel Belleclaire)

    New York City

    The morning is free for you to explore. After lunch, stroll along Fifth Avenue and ascend the Empire State Building on your included Premium Experience. This evening, board an included Harbour Lights Cruise for a fresh perspective on the skyline.

  9. Day 9railovernight: Boston (Fairmont Copley Plaza)

    Arrive Boston

    Depart New York City by train and journey northeast along the New England coast. On arrival in Boston, take a taxi to your centrally located hotel. The remainder of the day is then yours to spend as you wish.

  10. Day 10overnight: Boston (Fairmont Copley Plaza)

    Boston

    This morning, join an included walking tour of Boston's Freedom Trail, beginning at Boston Common and covering all sixteen official landmarks, with a focus on the turbulent years between 1760 and 1775.

  11. Day 11overnight: Boston (Fairmont Copley Plaza)

    Boston

    Begin the day with an included guided tour of Fenway Park, the oldest stadium in Major League Baseball. Explore the Green Monster, Pesky's Pole and the rooftop deck as your guide shares more than a century of Boston Red Sox history.

  12. Day 12

    Fly home

    With no scheduled activities before departure, savour your final hours however you choose. When the time comes, take a taxi from your hotel to Boston Logan Airport and prepare for your overnight flight home.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2An included electric bike tour through Washington DC, stopping at the Lincoln Memorial, the Washington Monument, and the Vietnam and World War II memorials.
  • Day 4A guided walking tour of Philadelphia's Old City, taking in the Liberty Bell, the Betsy Ross House, and Elfreth's Alley.
  • Day 7A Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island tour with reserved-line access, visiting the museum and the original torch.
  • Day 8Ascending the Empire State Building on an included Premium Experience, followed by an evening Harbour Lights Cruise on the Hudson River for skyline views.
  • Day 11A guided tour of Fenway Park, the oldest stadium in Major League Baseball, including the Green Monster and Pesky's Pole.

Included

  • Scheduled international flights
  • Superior accommodation
  • Rail travel on the "Acela Express" in Business Class
  • Monuments Electric Bike Tour in Washington DC
  • Georgetown Culinary Tour in Washington DC
  • Old City Historic Walking Tour in Philadelphia
  • First Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island Tour Experience
  • Empire State Building Top Deck Admission
  • Harbour Lights Evening Cruise in New York
  • Freedom Trail History Walking Tour in Boston
  • Tour of Historic Fenway Park in Boston

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes, all three intercity legs, Washington DC to Philadelphia, Philadelphia to New York City, and New York City to Boston, are aboard the Acela Express in Business Class.
Is it escorted or independent?
It is a tailor-made journey. Many days are free time, with specific guided tours included such as the DC electric bike tour, the Georgetown culinary tour, and the Freedom Trail walking tour.
Which train is used?
The Acela Express, in Business Class, for all three intercity legs.
What hotels are included?
Lyle Washington DC, Kimpton Hotel Palomar Philadelphia by IHG, Hotel Belleclaire in New York City, and Fairmont Copley Plaza in Boston, rated 4 stars.
When does it run?
The trip is priced for March to May, June to August, and September to November departures.
How much walking is involved?
The operator rates the trip's activity level as Leisurely, with walking tours in Philadelphia's Old City, along Boston's Freedom Trail, and through Fenway Park.

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