17 days in New York City, Miami & Los Angeles Itinerary

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

New York City is known for sightseeing, museums, nightlife, shopping, and parks. Your plan includes some of its best attractions: make a trip to Central Park, pause for some photo ops at Statue of Liberty National Monument, get a new perspective on nature at American Museum of Natural History, and admire the striking features of Empire State Building.

To find maps, other places to visit, traveler tips, and more tourist information, go to the New York City sightseeing planner.

Los Angeles to New York City is an approximately 9-hour flight. You can also drive; or take a train. Due to the time zone difference, you'll lose 3 hours traveling from Los Angeles to New York City. In May, daytime highs in New York City are 72°F, while nighttime lows are 56°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 21st (Sun) to allow enough time to travel to Miami.

Florida’s mecca of fun in the sun, the lively tropical metropolis of Miami is one of the world’s top vacation spots.

Miami is known for shopping, museums, sightseeing, zoos & aquariums, and fun & games. Your plan includes some of its best attractions: admire the natural beauty at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, admire the landmark architecture of Art Deco Historic District, shop like a local with Aventura Mall, and get outside with Venetian Pool.

To find more things to do, where to stay, reviews, and more tourist information, use the Miami travel planner.

You can fly from New York City to Miami in 5.5 hours. Other options are to drive; or take a bus. Traveling from New York City in May, things will get a bit warmer in Miami: highs are around 87°F and lows about 74°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 25th (Thu) to allow enough time to travel to Los Angeles.

Surrounded by mountain ranges, forests, valleys, beaches, and deserts, the metropolitan area of Los Angeles is home to over 17 million people.

Explore Los Angeles' surroundings by going to Anaheim (Disneyland Park & Disney California Adventure Park). Pack the 27th (Sat) with family-friendly diversions at Universal Studios Hollywood. There's much more to do: examine the collection at Getty Center Publications, admire the majestic nature at Topanga State Park, look and learn at Griffith Observatory, and stop by Amoeba Music.

To find ratings, maps, other places to visit, and other tourist information, you can read our Los Angeles tour planner.

Traveling by flight from Miami to Los Angeles takes 7.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. The time zone changes from Eastern Standard Time (EST) to Pacific Standard Time (PST), which is usually a -3 hour difference. Prepare for little chillier weather when traveling from Miami in May: high temperatures in Los Angeles hover around 75°F and lows are around 58°F. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 31st (Wed) so you can travel back home.