ICONIC CITIES AND BEYOND
SCHEDULES
Take Amtrak to discover the culture and history of four iconic East Coast cities, all with their own rich and diverse tapestry. Explore the neighborhoods and hidden secrets of these cities as only locals do.
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS
Day 1 to 2
Although many visitors know about Boston’s rich history and its role in the Revolutionary War, they may not be aware of the city’s world-class museums, numerous universities and abundant shopping opportunities. Begin your explo- ration of the city on The Freedom Trail’s 16 historic stops, including the famous Old North Church, Paul Revere House and Faneuil Hall Marketplace with 100-plus shops and pushcarts as well as 50 restaurants, pubs and food vendors. Spend a day enjoying some of the Museum of Fine Arts’ 450,000-plus works of art or the Museum of Science’s eye-opening exhibits. For a more intimate experience, visit the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum or the Nichols House Museum. Walk across the Charles River on the Longfellow Bridge or take the “T” (subway) to Cambridge, locally known as “the City of Squares,” which refers to charming neighborhoods where you will find fine dining, museums and unique shopping experiences. Cambridge is also famous for the ivy-trimmed campus of Harvard University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology, both of which offer tours. Shoppers will enjoy Newbury Street in the affluent Back Bay, with its high-end boutiques in restored brownstone houses, and Copley Place, a two-level mall with top brand-name stores. South Boston, known as Southie, is home to the famous St. Patrick’s Day Parade and the South Boston Waterfront, now emerging as the Seaport District with restaurants and cruise tours. In the heart of Boston, the Waterfront and Harbor Walk link many neigh-borhoods and offer breathtaking waterfront views as well as great dining options on and off the water. Sports fans should plan to watch a Boston Red Sox baseball game (April through October) and take a tour of Fenway Park, the oldest Major League Baseball park in the country. When the weather is nice, stroll through the Boston Common and take a ride on one of the famous Swan Boats in the Public Garden.
Accommodation: Boston, Massachusetts
NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK
Day 3 to 5
Filling four days with exciting things to do in New York City is ridiculously easy. Head to Broadway to take in a show; buy online well ahead of your trip, or try your luck with day-of-show half-price tickets at the TKTS booth in Times Square. Stretch your mind at enriching museums both large, Metropolitan Museum of Art or Museum of Modern Art, and small, The Frick Collection or Morgan Library and Museum. Enjoy panoramic views of midtown Manhattan from the Empire State Building’s open-air observatory or from Top of the Rock at Rockefeller Center. Alternatively, head to One World Observatory’s 100th floor for stunning views of the harbor and the entire city. Explore the ethnic and cultural diversity of New York’s five boroughs. Foodies will love the Greek food from Astoria in Queens or dim sum in Manhattan’s Chinatown. Dig into a hearty Russian dinner in Brighton Beach, Brooklyn, and work it off with a stroll on the boardwalk. If you are looking for great pizza, take the free ferry to Staten Island and enjoy spectacular views of Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty on the way. The Bronx is famous for the Bronx Zoo and New York Botanical Gardens, but explore further and discover Little Italy, centered around Arthur Avenue and East 187th Street, with its cafes and restaurants. Sports fans can catch a New York Yankees baseball game in the Bronx or a Mets game in Queens. See U.S. Open Tennis matches at the Billy Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park. Do not miss Madison Square Garden, known as “The Garden” to locals, to see the New York Knicks play basketball, the New York Rangers play hockey or to attend one of the headlining concerts. At the Barclays Arena, take in a New York Islanders hockey game or a Brooklyn Nets basketball game. If you enjoy walking, then New York City is the destination for you. Cross the Brooklyn Bridge, relax on the Sheep Meadow, walk around the reservoir in Central Park or visit Strawberry Fields. Don’t forget the High Line, a park stretching along a former rail line between 10th and 12th avenues from Gansevoort Street to 34th Street in Manhattan.
Accommodation: New York City, New
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA
Day 6 to 7
Philadelphia is city of icons, such as the famous LOVE statue, the “Rocky Steps” at the Museum of Art and Philly cheesesteak sandwiches. Visit Independence Hall National Historical Park, home to the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall, where the U.S. Constitution and Declaration of Independence were signed. In addition to the Constitution Center, Philadelphia is home to an astounding collection of museums, artistic venues and historical attractions. Visit the Ben Franklin Museum to learn about one of the Founding Fathers of the USA and enjoy the outdoors at beautiful Longwood Gardens or Fairmount Park. Shops, art galleries, restaurants and pubs line the historic cobblestone streets of Philadelphia’s Old City district. View classical works by Renoir, Cézanne and Picasso at the Barnes Foundation or at the Philadelphia Museum of Art with its collection of more than 240,000 items. Relax and take in the surroundings while dining al fresco at Rittenhouse Square. Browse more than 400 shops and restaurants at the King of Prussia Mall. You could happily spend a week eating and drinking your way through vibrant
Philadelphia’s abundant restaurants, food markets and craft breweries. The Reading Terminal Market, the USA’s oldest farmers market, is also the city’s most popular attraction.
Accommodation: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
WASHINGTON, D.C.
Day 8 to 10
There’s a lot to see in Washington, D.C., but a trip to the National Mall is a must for any itinerary. This national park encompasses Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, the U.S. Capitol and more. Two nearby attractions, the U.S. Bureau of Engraving and Printing and the Smithsonian National Museum of American History, offer a fascinating history of paper currency and the birth of the USA. Head north to experience Georgetown University, surrounded by lively shops and cafes, for lunch and people-watching. Board a water taxi from Georgetown to cross the Potomac River to Old Town Alexandria’s charming historic district that dates to the 18th and 19th centuries. A trip to Arlington in Virginia is a must; visit Arlington House, once the home of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee, and the Arlington National Cemetery. Go to the National Harbor to see its beautiful waterfront and marina. Sports fans should not miss the chance to visit the revitalized Southwest Waterfront along the Potomac River and Nationals Park, which is the home of the Washington Nationals professional baseball team.
Accommodation: Washington, D.C
