11 days in United States Itinerary
Created using Inspirock United States trip planner
Start: Des Moines
Fly
1
Chicago
— 2 nights
Fly
2
Detroit
— 2 nights
Fly
3
Boston
— 2 nights
Fly
4
New York City
— 2 nights
Train
5
Philadelphia
— 2 nights
Train
End: Washington DC
Wed, May 1 - Sat, May 11
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Chicago — 2 nights
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Windy City
A huge and vibrant city, Chicago is home to top-notch theaters, shops, museums, galleries, and restaurants.Chicago is known for sightseeing, museums, and nightlife. Your trip includes some of its best attractions: explore the world behind art at The Art Institute of Chicago, take in panoramic vistas at Skydeck Chicago - Willis Tower, admire the landmark architecture of 360 Chicago Observation Deck, and walk around Millennium Park.
To see ratings, more things to do, and other tourist information, use the Chicago holiday planner.
Des Moines to Chicago is an approximately 3-hour flight. You can also drive; or take a bus. Expect a daytime high around 25°C in May, and nighttime lows around 13°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 3rd (Fri) early enough to catch the flight to Detroit.
Highlights from your trip
Detroit — 2 nights
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The Motor City
Founded in 1701 by a French explorer and adventurer, Detroit exerted a profound impact on the world for most of the 20th century.On the 4th (Sat), admire the masterpieces at Detroit Institute of Arts, then contemplate the long history of The Ford Piquette Avenue Plant, then see the interesting displays at Motown Museum, and finally take in the waterfront at Detroit RiverFront. On the next day, admire the striking features of The Guardian Building, examine the collection at The Henry Ford, then observe the fascinating underwater world at Belle Isle Aquarium, and finally step off the mainland to explore Belle Isle Park.
To see traveler tips, ratings, photos, and tourist information, read Detroit trip planner.
You can fly from Chicago to Detroit in 3 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a train. The time zone changes from Central Standard Time to Eastern Standard Time, which is usually a 1 hour difference. In May in Detroit, expect temperatures between 25°C during the day and 12°C at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 5th (Sun) early enough to fly to Boston.
Side Trip
Highlights from your trip
Boston — 2 nights
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Beantown
Rich in museums, restaurants, shops, and historical sites, Boston attracts over 16 million visitors each year.On the 6th (Mon), explore the world behind art at Museum of Fine Arts, then get engrossed in the history at John F. Kennedy Presidential Museum & Library, and then appreciate the extensive heritage of Freedom Trail. Keep things going the next day: don't miss a visit to Faneuil Hall Marketplace, then take in nature's colorful creations at Boston Public Garden, then stroll around Boston Common, and finally take a stroll through North End.
To see photos, more things to do, reviews, and other tourist information, refer to the Boston road trip app.
Traveling by flight from Detroit to Boston takes 4 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. In May in Boston, expect temperatures between 22°C during the day and 11°C at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 7th (Tue) so you can fly to New York City.
Highlights from your trip
New York City — 2 nights
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Big Apple
Writer Pearl Buck once called New York City “a place apart,” and this giant urban center remains unlike any other in the world.On the 8th (Wed), don't miss a visit to 9/11 Memorial and then take in the pleasant sights at Central Park. Keep things going the next day: browse the exhibits of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, then enjoy breathtaking views from Empire State Building, and then walk around World Trade Center's Liberty Park.
To see maps, reviews, other places to visit, and tourist information, go to the New York City day trip tool.
Traveling by flight from Boston to New York City takes 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a train. In May, plan for daily highs up to 24°C, and evening lows to 15°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 9th (Thu) to allow time to take a train to Philadelphia.
Highlights from your trip
Philadelphia — 2 nights
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The City of Brotherly Love
Steeped in cultural and historical heritage, Philadelphia is known as the birthplace of U.S. democracy, as it was once the meeting place for the country's Founding Fathers.Kick off your visit on the 10th (Fri): appreciate the history behind Liberty Bell Center, then get a sense of history and politics at Independence Hall, then take an in-depth tour of Eastern State Penitentiary, and finally admire the local landmark of Longwood Gardens. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: explore the world behind art at Philadelphia Museum of Art, admire the masterpieces at Barnes Foundation, and then hunt for treasures at Reading Terminal Market.
To find other places to visit, more things to do, maps, and other tourist information, read our Philadelphia trip maker tool.
Getting from New York City to Philadelphia by train takes about 1.5 hours. Other options: drive; or take a bus. In May, daily temperatures in Philadelphia can reach 27°C, while at night they dip to 15°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 11th (Sat) early enough to take a train back home.
Side Trip
Highlights from your trip
United States travel guide
More than the country of car-packed streets seen in TV shows and movies, the United States of America is a complex and diverse home to over 300 million people living in a wide range of landscapes and climates. From its big-city skyscrapers to its sprawling natural parks, the country's ''melting pot'' combines many ethnic groups that share a strong sense of national identity despite their cultural differences. A country of road trips and big blue skies, the United States harbors orderly cities filled with restaurants, parks, museums, and innumerable sightseeing opportunities, as well as pristine natural areas perfect for a holiday in the great outdoors. To see as much as you can of this diverse land quickly, drive over some of the more than 6 million km (4 million mi) of highways leading through deserts, mountain peaks, fertile fields, and giant urban centers.
