For first-timers in the Northeast, experiencing these three iconic cities—Boston, New York, and Washington, DC—feels like a rite of passage. The classic route hugs the coast, skimming past Rhode Island and Connecticut, with glimpses of harbors, marshes, and the Atlantic before the Big Apple skyline comes into view. However, the real magic of this journey lies in the cities themselves (all three of which are notorious for traffic and parking prices that border on the absurd!) So here’s our advice for this “road trip”: ditch the car and take the train. Amtrak’s Northeast Regional and Acela Express routes link all three, making this one of America’s rare corridors where train travel genuinely rivals Europe’s urban connectivity.
Where to stop: If time is tight, stick to the classics. In Boston, catch a Red Sox game at Fenway Park or another seasonal sporting event. In New York, wander the Upper East Side with a visit to the Met, then cross into Central Park for a stroll. Begin the evening with a cocktail at Bemelmans Bar inside the Carlyle, followed by a rooftop bar crawl high above the city. Later, head downtown for live music at Silver Lining—a piano lounge that’s anything but cheesy. Expect expertly crafted cocktails, immersive covers of pop classics perfected (tip: request some Britney), and the kind of crowd that knows all the words to the chorus (but doesn’t shout). In DC, stroll the National Mall and visit the Air and Space Museum. These cities are worlds of their own, and this is just a starting point. For deeper exploration, see our Boston, New York, and Washington, DC travel guides.
Where to eat: In Boston, head to Neptune Oyster for a buttery lobster roll—winner of multiple best-of lists—and grab cannolis from Mike’s Pastry while you’re in the North End. In New York, let Chinatown be your compass: go casual with dim sum at Nom Wah Tea Parlor or opt for something special like dinner at Hwa Yuan Szechuan. In DC, stop at Ben’s Chili Bowl, a landmark known for its half-smokes: a smoky, half-beef, half-pork sausage smothered in chili. For more ideas, check out our full dining guides to each city.
Where to stay: Start at Boston’s Fairmont Copley Plaza, a storied hotel that has stood beside the Boston Public Library since 1912. It channels the elegance of old Boston while delivering the modern comforts today’s traveler expects. In New York, stay at The Ned NoMad, a hotel and members club where every corner brims with personality—from the sun-drenched atrium to the moody library lounge, rooftop bar, Cecconi’s restaurant, and speakeasy-style cocktail spot Little Ned. In DC, check into the Waldorf Astoria Washington DC, housed inside the 1899 Old Post Office on Pennsylvania Avenue. Its grand bones and thoughtful renovation make it one of the country’s most visually impressive stays (plus, we also love the hotel’s style-heavy outpost of The Bazaar by José Andrés, where the chef wows with his interpretations of Americana classics alongside plenty of jamón Ibérico.)