18 days in United States 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 museums, nightlife, and shopping. Your plan includes some of its best attractions: tour the pleasant surroundings at Central Park, enjoy breathtaking views from Empire State Building, take in the architecture and atmosphere at St. Patrick's Cathedral, and go for a walk through Times Square.

To find maps, more things to do, photos, and tourist information, refer to the New York City itinerary planner.

Dehradun, India to New York City is an approximately 30-hour flight. The time zone difference moving from India Standard Time to Eastern Standard Time is minus 10.5 hours. In January, plan for daily highs up to 5°C, and evening lows to -5°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 18th (Mon) 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 19th (Tue), pause for some photo ops at Jefferson Memorial, get engrossed in the history at United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, pause for some photo ops at Lincoln Memorial, then pause for some photo ops at Vietnam Veterans Memorial, then appreciate the history behind Washington Monument, and finally ponder the world of politics at White House. On your second day here, get a new perspective on nature at Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, get a sense of history and politics at United States Capitol, get lost in a book at Library of Congress, then admire the natural beauty at United States Botanic Garden, and finally appreciate the history behind National World War II Memorial.

For photos, other places to visit, maps, and tourist information, use the Washington DC online trip builder.

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 7°C in January, and nighttime lows around -1°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 20th (Wed) early enough to travel to Orlando.

For most people, any mention of Orlando immediately conjures up images of sprawling theme parks filled with characters plucked right out of popular animated movies.

Start off your visit on the 21st (Thu): find something for the whole family at Walt Disney World Resort. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 22nd (Fri): get in on the family fun at Universal's Islands of Adventure.

Plan a Orlando trip in moments using our itinerary builder.

You can fly from Washington DC to Orlando in 4.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. Expect much hotter temperatures when traveling from Washington DC in January; daily highs in Orlando reach 25°C and lows reach 13°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 22nd (Fri) to allow enough time to travel to New Orleans.

Known for its Creole cuisine, rich musical tradition, and nearby swamps and plantations, New Orleans is one of the nation's oldest cities.

On the 23rd (Sat), see the interesting displays at Audubon Butterfly Garden and Insectarium, learn about all things military at The National WWII Museum, and then appreciate the extensive heritage of Garden District. On the 24th (Sun), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: get to know the fascinating history of French Quarter, see the interesting displays at Cabildo, pause for some serene contemplation at St. Louis Cathedral, then stop by Faulkner House Books, and finally get to know the fascinating history of Jackson Square.

To find traveler tips, maps, where to stay, and other tourist information, refer to the New Orleans road trip site.

Getting from Orlando to New Orleans by flight takes about 4.5 hours. Other options: drive; or take a bus. The time zone difference when traveling from Orlando to New Orleans is minus 1 hour. While traveling from Orlando, expect a bit cooler days and about the same nights in New Orleans, ranging from highs of 17°C to lows of 12°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 24th (Sun) early enough to travel to Las Vegas.

Nicknamed the "Entertainment Capital of the World," Las Vegas sits in the middle of a desert in the southern section of Nevada.

On the 25th (Mon), immerse yourself in nature at Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, then try to win big at Paris Las Vegas, and then see the interesting displays at The Mob Museum. On your second day here, admire the masterpieces at Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art, make a trip to Fountains of Bellagio, then take in nature's colorful creations at Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Gardens, and finally shop like a local with The Strip.

To see maps, where to stay, and other tourist information, use the Las Vegas day trip planning app.

You can fly from New Orleans to Las Vegas in 6 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. The time zone difference moving from Central Standard Time to Pacific Standard Time is minus 2 hours. Traveling from New Orleans in January, you can expect nighttime temperatures to be little chillier in Las Vegas, with lows of 5°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 26th (Tue) so you can travel to San Francisco.

San Francisco is a top holiday destination featuring scenic beauty and great ethnic and cultural diversity.

San Francisco is known for nature, parks, and museums. Your plan includes some of its best attractions: snap pictures at Golden Gate Bridge, go for a walk through Fisherman's Wharf, walk around Golden Gate Park, and admire the natural beauty at Japanese Tea Garden.

To see maps, traveler tips, and tourist information, you can read our San Francisco vacation maker tool.

Getting from Las Vegas to San Francisco by flight takes about 4.5 hours. Other options: drive; or take a bus. Expect a bit warmer evenings in San Francisco when traveling from Las Vegas in January, with lows around 9°C. You'll have a few hours on the 30th (Sat) to wrap things up before traveling home.