15 days in East Coast of USA Itinerary

Writer Pearl Buck once called New York City “a place apart,” and this giant urban center remains unlike any other in the world.

Kick off your visit on the 1st (Thu): enjoy breathtaking views from Empire State Building, take a stroll through Times Square, and then admire the masterpieces at The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: appreciate the history behind Statue of Liberty National Monument, then appreciate the history behind 9/11 Memorial, and then make a trip to Central Park.

To find reviews, other places to visit, ratings, and more tourist information, read New York City trip planner.

Charleston to New York City is an approximately 5-hour flight. You can also drive; or take a bus. July in New York City sees daily highs of 86°F and lows of 72°F at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 2nd (Fri) early enough to take a train to Washington DC.

The capital of the United States, the District of Columbia contains the lion's share of the country's most treasured monuments, memorials, and public museums.

On the 3rd (Sat), appreciate the history behind Washington Monument, get a new perspective on nature at Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, then explore the world behind art at National Gallery of Art, then examine the collection at National Air and Space Museum, and finally appreciate the history behind Vietnam Veterans Memorial.

To see other places to visit, photos, more things to do, and tourist information, go to the Washington DC trip planner.

Traveling by train from New York City to Washington DC takes 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can fly; or drive. Expect a daytime high around 89°F in July, and nighttime lows around 73°F. Cap off your sightseeing on the 3rd (Sat) early enough to travel to Panama City Beach.

Boasting 43 km (27 mi) of white sandy beaches and plenty of sunshine, Panama City Beach is an ideal choice for a relaxing holiday.

Kick off your visit on the 4th (Sun): kick back and relax at Santa Rosa Beach, then take in the waterfront at The Village of Baytowne Wharf, and then buy something for everyone on your list at Pier Park. On the 5th (Mon), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: kick back and relax at Panama City Beach, learn about winemaking at Panama City Beach Winery, then kick back and relax at St. Andrews State Park, and finally identify plant and animal life at Wildlife Areas.

For more things to do, reviews, other places to visit, and other tourist information, you can read our Panama City Beach visit website.

You can fly from Washington DC to Panama City Beach in 5 hours. Another option is to drive. In July in Panama City Beach, expect temperatures between 90°F during the day and 74°F at night. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 5th (Mon) so you can travel to Key West.

Located just 140 km (90 mi) from Cuba, Key West is an island only about 6.4 km (4 mi) long and 1.6 km (1 mi) wide.

On the 6th (Tue), explore the gorgeous colors at Vandenberg Wreck, see the interesting displays at Mel Fisher Maritime Heritage Museum, get a taste of the local shopping with 7 Artists & Friends Gallery, then see what you can catch with a fishing tour, and finally cruise along The Overseas Highway. Here are some ideas for day two: identify plant and animal life at Key West Butterfly & Nature Conservatory, examine the collection at The Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum, contemplate the long history of Truman Little White House, then browse the exhibits of U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Ingham Maritime Museum, then tour the pleasant surroundings at Fort Zachary Taylor, and finally indulge in some personalized pampering at some of the best spas.

To find maps, other places to visit, and tourist information, you can read our Key West vacation planning tool.

Traveling by flight from Panama City Beach to Key West takes 6 hours. Alternatively, you can drive. Traveling from Panama City Beach in July, you can expect nighttime temperatures to be a bit warmer in Key West, with lows of 81°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 7th (Wed) to allow time to drive to Marathon.

A tiny city just 16 km (10 mi) long, Marathon is spread across several islands in the middle of the Florida Keys.

Kick off your visit on the 8th (Thu): discover the deep blue sea with a scuba or snorkeling tour, look for all kinds of wild species at The Turtle Hospital, then kick back and relax at Sombrero Beach, and finally identify plant and animal life at Dolphin Research Center. Keep things going the next day: identify plant and animal life at Sombrero Reef, identify plant and animal life at Looe Key (Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary), then kick back and relax at Bahia Honda State Park, and finally take in the views from Seven Mile Bridge.

For traveler tips, other places to visit, ratings, and more tourist information, go to the Marathon trip itinerary planner.

You can drive from Key West to Marathon in 1.5 hours. Another option is to take a bus. July in Marathon sees daily highs of 92°F and lows of 81°F at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 9th (Fri) to allow time to drive to Key Largo.

The northernmost island of the Florida Keys, Key Largo provides stunning scenery, a number of watersports opportunities, and plenty of areas to relax on vacation.

Kick off your visit on the 10th (Sat): admire the majestic nature at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, then fulfill a lifelong dream with a swim-with-the-dolphins experience, and then identify plant and animal life at Florida Keys Wild Bird Rehabilitation Center.

For photos, maps, where to stay, and tourist information, read Key Largo trip planner.

Getting from Marathon to Key Largo by car takes about 1.5 hours. Other options: take a bus. Traveling from Marathon in July, expect slightly colder with lows of 76°F in Key Largo. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 10th (Sat) to allow time to drive to St. Augustine.

St. Kick off your visit on the 11th (Sun): gain insight at Flagler College, brush up on your knowledge of spirits at St. Augustine Distillery, identify plant and animal life at St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park, visit a coastal fixture at St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum, Inc., then enjoy the sand and surf at St. Augustine Beach, and finally get engrossed in the history at St. Augustine Pirate & Treasure Museum.

To see maps, where to stay, reviews, and more tourist information, read St. Augustine trip itinerary planning site.

Drive from Key Largo to St. Augustine in 6.5 hours. Alternatively, you can fly; or take a bus. Expect a daytime high around 90°F in July, and nighttime lows around 75°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 11th (Sun) to allow time to drive to Hilton Head.

A Hilton Head vacation may be heaven for a golfer, but the area also offers all kinds of other options for sports fans.

Start off your visit on the 12th (Mon): indulge your senses at Carolina Tasting Room, then enjoy the sand and surf at Coligny Beach, then identify plant and animal life at Sea Pines Forest Preserve, and finally identify plant and animal life at Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 13th (Tue): relax and rejuvenate at some of the best spas, hike along Hilton Head Island Bike Trails, then get up close to creatures of the deep with a dolphin and whale watching tour, and finally see the interesting displays at Coastal Discovery Museum.

To find other places to visit, where to stay, maps, and tourist information, refer to the Hilton Head itinerary planner.

Getting from St. Augustine to Hilton Head by car takes about 4 hours. Other options: do a combination of bus, train, and taxi; or fly. In July in Hilton Head, expect temperatures between 89°F during the day and 75°F at night. Cap off your sightseeing on the 13th (Tue) early enough to go by car to Charleston.

Many visitors describe their Charleston holiday as a warm embrace by an old, dear friend--who lived about 200 years ago.

Start off your visit on the 14th (Wed): tour the pleasant surroundings at Angel Oak Tree, contemplate the long history of Nathaniel Russell House, then get engrossed in the history at Patriots Point, and finally get up close to creatures of the deep with a dolphin and whale watching tour. Keep things going the next day: make a trip to Joe Riley Waterfront Park, then contemplate the long history of Fort Sumter National Monument, and then take a memorable tour with Charleston Fossil Adventures.

For maps, other places to visit, more things to do, and more tourist information, you can read our Charleston trip planner.

Traveling by car from Hilton Head to Charleston takes 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. In July in Charleston, expect temperatures between 89°F during the day and 75°F at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 15th (Thu) to allow enough time to travel back home.