8 days in Philadelphia, Baltimore & Washington DC Itinerary

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 12th (Wed): appreciate the history behind Liberty Bell Center, steep yourself in history at Independence Hall, take a stroll through Society Hill, then examine the collection at The Franklin Institute, and finally try your luck at Harrah's Philadelphia. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 13th (Thu): admire the masterpieces at Philadelphia Museum of Art, then get engrossed in the history at Eastern State Penitentiary, then admire the masterpieces at Barnes Foundation, and finally get into the urban bustle at Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts.

For where to stay, reviews, maps, and more tourist information, you can read our Philadelphia trip planner.

The Route module shows you all the different ways you can get to Philadelphia. In April, daytime highs in Philadelphia are 65°F, while nighttime lows are 45°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 14th (Fri) early enough to take a train to Baltimore.

A major center for tourism and travel, Baltimore is famous as the city where amateur poet Francis Scott Key wrote the lyrics for the United States' national anthem.

On the 14th (Fri), stroll through Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine and then take in the architecture and atmosphere at Saint Alphonsus Church. Keep things going the next day: brush up on your military savvy at U.S. Naval Academy, try to win big at Horseshoe Casino, and then wander the streets of Fell's Point.

Plan my trip to Baltimore with suggested itineraries provided by Inspirock.

You can take a train from Philadelphia to Baltimore in 2 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. In April in Baltimore, expect temperatures between 67°F during the day and 49°F at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 16th (Sun) so you can drive 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.

Get a sense of the local culture at National Air and Space Museum and National Gallery of Art. Popular historic sites such as The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and Capitol Hill are in your itinerary. There's still lots to do: learn more about the world around you at Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, contemplate the waterfront views at Tidal Basin, explore the different monuments and memorials at Arlington National Cemetery, and pause for some photo ops at Washington Monument.

To see maps, reviews, other places to visit, and tourist information, use the Washington DC journey planner.

Getting from Baltimore to Washington DC by car takes about 1.5 hours. Other options: take a train; or take a bus. April in Washington DC sees daily highs of 68°F and lows of 49°F at night.