Amtrak Vacations
Essential American Heritage
Rail journey through four historic Northeast cities, Boston to Washington DC
8 daysfrom $1,369
38% rail
Amtrak Vacations
Spirit of America
Eight-day Amtrak Coach rail trip from New York City to Washington, D.C.
Amtrak Vacations runs Spirit of America, an 8-day, 7-night rail trip down the East Coast from New York City to Washington, D.C., with a stop in Philadelphia, all in Coach class on the Northeast Regional. New York opens with a free day before a fully guided sightseeing tour taking in the Empire State Building, Bryant Park and the Brooklyn Bridge, followed by a hop-on, hop-off tour that includes admission to the Top of the Rock. In Philadelphia, sightseeing covers the Liberty Bell and the Museum of the American Revolution, along with a guided small group food tour sampling soft pretzels and Chinatown dishes. The final stretch in Washington, D.C. pairs a multi-day hop-on, hop-off tour with an evening Monuments by Moonlight outing to see the Lincoln Memorial, the Jefferson Memorial and the Washington Monument lit up after dark. It suits travelers who want guided sightseeing across three East Coast cities linked by short, simple Coach class train rides.
What to know before you look closer
- Both New York City and Philadelphia offer multiple hotel choices spanning a wide range of standards, for example the DoubleTree by Hilton New York Midtown Fifth Ave alongside the Waldorf Astoria New York, so your actual hotel depends on what's booked.
- The evidence lists no meals as included beyond the tastings on the Philadelphia food tour; other meals are on your own.
- The evidence does not list specific departure dates; confirm current availability with Amtrak Vacations.
Day by day
- Day 1overnight: New York City
Your Journey Begins in New York City
Welcome to the Big Apple! Today explore the city at your leisure. Perhaps you can catch a Broadway show or stroll through Central Park.
- Day 2overnight: New York City
New York City, NY
Today your journey begins with a multi-day sightseeing tour of America's favorite city. Your fully guided tour will bring you to such iconic sights as the Empire State Building, Bryant Park, and the Brooklyn Bridge.
- Day 3overnight: New York City
New York City, NY
Continue to explore the city on your hop-on, hop-off sightseeing tour. Use your tour to visit 5th Avenue for some world class shopping, Central Park to take in a stroll in one of America's most iconic parks, or head over to the world-famous Rockefeller Center where admission to the viewing level, Top of the Rock, is included!
- Day 4overnight: Philadelphia
New York City to Philadelphia
Board Amtrak in New York's Penn Station and head on to Philadelphia. Once checked in to your hotel head out to explore the "City of Brotherly Love." Stroll through Chinatown, visit the historic Liberty Bell, or head down for some fun and games in Franklin Square. Walk in the footsteps of the Founding Fathers as you explore the Museum of the American Revolution, the nation's only museum dedicated specifically to the struggle for independence.
- Day 5overnight: Philadelphia
Philadelphia, PA
Dive into Philadelphia's vibrant food scene today on a guided small group tour through the city's historic and cultural neighborhoods. Stroll the bustling streets and sample a variety of local favorites, from creative takes on the soft pretzel to unique international dishes in Chinatown. Along the way, enjoy sweet treats inspired by Pennsylvania Dutch traditions and discover the “secret dish” that makes this tour extra special. It's a delicious way to experience the “City of Brotherly Love” through its flavors and stories.
- Day 6railovernight: Washington, DC
Philadelphia to Washington, DC
Travel to the Amtrak Station and board your train down to Washington DC, our nation's capital! Upon arrival, begin to explore the city at your leisure with your multi-day hop-on, hop-off tour.
- Day 7overnight: Washington, DC
Washington, DC
Continue your two days of sightseeing on your fully guided tour of the city. Your tour will bring you to such important Washington sights as the White House, the National Cathedral, and the National Mall. Tonight, you will enjoy a patriotic jaunt through Washington as you visit the Lincoln Memorial, Jefferson Memorial, and the Washington Monument as they are all lit up in their glory!
- Day 8
Your Journey Ends in Washington, D.C.
The moments this trip is built around
- Day 2A fully guided sightseeing tour of New York visits the Empire State Building, Bryant Park and the Brooklyn Bridge.
- Day 3A hop-on, hop-off tour of New York stops at Fifth Avenue and Central Park, with admission to the Top of the Rock observation deck included.
- Day 5A guided small group food tour through Philadelphia's historic neighborhoods samples soft pretzels, Chinatown dishes and Pennsylvania Dutch treats.
- Day 7An evening Monuments by Moonlight tour visits the Lincoln Memorial, the Jefferson Memorial and the Washington Monument lit up after dark.
Included
- One-way Amtrak® in Coach accommodations from New York City to Philadelphia and Philadelphia to Washington on the Northeast Regional®
- 7 nights' hotel accommodations
Questions travellers ask
- Is the train travel included?
- Yes, one-way Coach class travel on the Northeast Regional from New York City to Philadelphia and Philadelphia to Washington, D.C.
- Which train is used?
- The Northeast Regional, in Coach class, for the entire route.
- Is this trip guided or independent?
- It's a mix: a fully guided New York sightseeing tour, hop-on, hop-off tours in New York and Washington, D.C., a guided food tour in Philadelphia and a Monuments by Moonlight tour, with a free first day in New York.
- What hotels are used?
- 18 hotel options across New York City and Philadelphia, from properties like the DoubleTree by Hilton New York Midtown Fifth Ave to the Waldorf Astoria New York.
- What is not included?
- No meals are listed as included beyond the tastings on the Philadelphia food tour.
- How much walking is involved?
- Guided and hop-on, hop-off city tours in all three cities, plus a walking food tour in Philadelphia and an evening monuments tour in Washington, D.C.; no hikes are described.
