Amtrak Vacations
Boston, New York, and Washington DC
Seven-day rail trip through Boston, New York City and Washington DC
7 daysfrom $1,459
29% rail
Amtrak Vacations · Independent rail vacation
Shenandoah and Great Smoky Mountains National Parks Roundtrip from New York City
Roundtrip Amtrak from NYC to DC plus rental car to national parks
Amtrak Vacations runs this 7-day independent rail and road trip roundtrip from New York City, starting and ending with a ride on the Northeast Regional to and from Washington, DC. After a day exploring the capital's monuments and Smithsonian Museums, capped by an evening Monuments by Moonlight tour, travelers pick up an included rental car for a self-drive route south. The Skyline Drive through Shenandoah National Park brings scenic overlooks, waterfalls, and stretches of the Appalachian Trail, followed by a stop in Roanoke on the way to Pigeon Forge, the gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. A guided sightseeing tour there covers Wears Valley, Little River Gorge Road, and the Foothills Parkway before the drive back to Washington, DC and the train home to New York City. Because most of the route after the initial train ride is self-driven, this suits independent travelers who are comfortable navigating national park roads on their own.
What to know before you look closer
- The 12 listed hotels are accommodation options across price tiers and cities, not a fixed run of consecutive stays; the hotel you actually get depends on the tier and city option you choose.
- Only the New York City to Washington, DC legs are by train; the rest of the route, including Shenandoah National Park, Roanoke, Pigeon Forge, and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, is covered by the included rental car, so this is a rail-plus-road trip rather than an all-rail journey.
Day by day
- Day 1railovernight: Washington, DC
Your Journey Begins in New York City
Board the train in New York City and sit back and relax as you make your way to Washington, DC. Pick up your included car rental then head over to your hotel and prepare for a fun time in our Nation's Capital.
- Day 2overnight: Washington, DC
Washington, DC
Spend the day exploring the nation's capital and visit the White House, Smithsonian Museums. This evening, take the Monuments by Moonlight tour and visit all of the major U.S. monuments lit up at night.
- Day 3overnight: Roanoke
Shenandoah National Park
Enjoy a scenic drive through Shenandoah National Park along the Blue Ridge Mountains, taking the Skyline Drive to the most scenic overlooks, waterfalls and sections of the Appalachian Trail.
- Day 4overnight: Pigeon Forge
Pigeon Forge
Explore Roanoke, a city nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, before making your way to Pigeon Forge, your gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
- Day 5overnight: Pigeon Forge
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
A guided sightseeing tour into the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, traveling through Wears Valley, along Little River Gorge Road and up the Foothills Parkway.
- Day 6overnight: Washington, DC
Washington, DC
Make your way back to Washington, DC for your final night's stay before heading back to New York City tomorrow.
- Day 7
Your Journey Ends in New York City
The moments this trip is built around
- Day 1Board the train in New York City for the ride to Washington, DC, then pick up the included rental car.
- Day 2Take the Monuments by Moonlight tour to see the major U.S. monuments lit up at night.
- Day 3Drive the Skyline Drive through Shenandoah National Park, stopping at scenic overlooks, waterfalls, and sections of the Appalachian Trail.
- Day 5Take the guided sightseeing tour into the Great Smoky Mountains National Park through Wears Valley, along Little River Gorge Road, and up the Foothills Parkway.
Included
- Roundtrip Amtrak in Coach accommodations from New York City to Washington, DC onboard the Northeast Regional
- 6-day standard car rental
- 6 nights' hotel accommodations
Questions travellers ask
- Is the train travel included?
- Yes. Roundtrip Amtrak Coach travel on the Northeast Regional between New York City and Washington, DC is included.
- Is this trip escorted or independent?
- It is an independent rail and road vacation. Most days are self-guided and self-driven, though two tours are included: Monuments by Moonlight in Washington, DC and a sightseeing tour of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
- Which trains are used?
- The Northeast Regional in Coach accommodations between New York City and Washington, DC.
- What hotels are used?
- The package offers 12 accommodation options across tiers and cities, including the Kimpton Hotel Monaco Washington DC, Holiday Inn Washington-Central/White House, Conrad Washington DC, InterContinental The Willard Washington DC, Waldorf Astoria Washington DC, Sofitel Washington DC Lafayette Square, Black Fox Lodge Pigeon Forge, and Hampton Inn Pigeon Forge.
- How much of the trip is by rail versus car?
- Only the New York City to Washington, DC legs are by train; the rest of the route through Shenandoah National Park, Roanoke, Pigeon Forge, and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park uses the included 6-day rental car.
- What is not included?
- Upgrading to a sleeping accommodation onboard the train, extra nights, choosing your own accommodation, and additional sightseeing are listed as optional extras, not included in the base price.
