3-week road trip in Eastern USA

You like cultural tourism? You’ve always dreamed of visiting the big cities of Eastern United States? You want to drive down the iconic american roads? You have 3 weeks of vacation you don’t know what to do with? Well this itinerary is made for you!

Go on a true American road trip through 11 states! Discover the main cities and gorgeous sceneries of Eastern United States!

Here is a glimpse of the beautiful experiences awaiting in 3-week road trip in Western USA:

• Discover New York City with a new perspective while walking along the High Line
• Stroll around Philadelphia’s beautiful Old City 
• Go and see the mythical Washington D.C.’s Capitol and White House
• Visit the great open-air museum that is Colonial Williamsburg 
• Live a unique experience during your road trip when seeing a live baseball game of the Durham Bulls
• Dive into USA’s history when visiting Old Slave Mart Museum in Charleston
• Go to Wormsloe Plantation to see the impressive power of the colonial times
• Walk in the steps of Rosa Parks in Montgomery
• Discover the Sun Studio, where some of the greatest singers recorded their biggest hits
• Meet with your inner child again when having fun on the Navy Pier of Chicago

To travel safely and without any worry on your mind, we recommend Chapka Insurance!

---

 

---

 

Itinerary of a 3-week road trip in Eastern USA

 

---

 

Some practical information before your trip to the US

 

For this itinerary, we recommend renting a car from Hertz.It’s possible to rent it in one city and return it in another without exorbitant prices and limiting hidden costs.

You want to buy a paper travel guide? We recommend this one! In our opinion, it is the most complete, the most visual and the most up to date!

Need a road map to prepare your itinerary? We recommend this one, the most detailed and the most pleasant to read!

The best period for this 3-week road trip in Eastern USA is from May to September. This country is worth a visit year-round, but during these months, it is when the weather is at its best. There are less chances of rain, and temperatures are more mild. See more details here.

---

 

Contents: 3-week road trip to the US

1- New York City – Stop 1 of the 3-week road trip in Eastern USA
2- Philadelphia – Stop 2 of the 3-week road trip in Eastern USA
3- Washington DC – Stop 3 of the 3-week road trip in Eastern USA
4- Williamsburg – Stop 4 of the 3-week road trip in Eastern USA
5- Durham – Stop 5 of the 3-week road trip in Eastern USA
6- Charleston – Stop 6 of the 3-week road trip in Eastern USA
7- Savannah – Stop 7 of the 3-week road trip in Eastern USA
8- Montgomery – Stop 8 of the 3-week road trip in Eastern USA
9- Memphis – Stop 9 of the 3-week road trip in Eastern USA
10- Chicago – Stop 10 of the 3-week road trip in Eastern USA

---

 

3-week road trip in Eastern USA: step by step

What to do in New York City?

The city that never sleep. It is a great first stop to immerse yourself in the atmosphere of this 3-week road trip in Eastern USA.

• Brooklyn Bridge is theworld’s first ever suspension bridge. First real New-York ritual: crossing the bridge from Manhattan to Brooklyn. You will have a beautiful view of the skyline. Tip: if you don’t want to deal with the crowd go to the nearby Manhanttan bridge.
• The Statue of Liberty, NYC’s symbol. Book a ferry cruise to Ellis Island and explore. Tip: if you have a tight budget, take the free ferry to Staten Island. It leaves from the South of Wall Street, you’ll see the Statue of Liberty from very close on the ferry.
• National September 11 Memorial, new World Trade Center. Take the super fast elevator to get to the top of the tower. Walk on a glass floor and get an impressive view over Manhattan. Once back on the ground, walk around the memorial park and admire the two huge pools built where the towers used to be. In tribute to the victims, the names were written around the pools, a very emotional walk. To learn more about the events, you can also visit the 9/11 Memorial Museum. We advise you to buy your tickets directly here to save time. Emotions guaranteed.
• Little Italy & Chinatown, iconic districts of New York City. Get lost in the many streets of the Chinese neighbourhood or have a coffee in the Italian neighbourhood while admiring the traditional fire escapes and colorful murals. To enjoy the best that these 2 districts have to offer, we highly recommend doing a food tour, you visit and you eat, it’s perfect! Tip: If you get lost for real, don’t worry there are many maps in the streets. 
• To save money while discovering the must-see attractions of this mythical city, we strongly recommend that you buy the New York City Pass!

 

Other must-sees in NYC?

 

• High Line/Soho/Chelsea, artistic neighbourhood. Walk around in the streets with many art galleries and designer shops. Take a foodie break in Chelsea Market. For a calm walk, stroll along the High Line, an old  urban railway made into a green walkway. Tip: no need to walk the railway’s 5km / 3 mile trail, stairs will let get down about every half mile. Here as well, we can recommend doing a walking tour to discover all there is to know in these districts!
• Central Park, the green lung of New York. This 314 ha park will let you enjoy many activities: having a picnic, biking, running, going for a carriage ride, playing baseball or tennis… If you want to explore most of it in a short amount of time, we can only recommend renting bikes!
• American Museum of Natural History, founded in 1869. Go discover the 30 million artefacts collection from dinosaures to a huge blue whale hanging from the ceiling. Fan of Night at the museum? You will probably recognize some parts of it …
• Times Square, the Crossroads of the World. Discover this world famous place and its overwhelming screens. Tip: come by night and enjoy the lights even more.
• While you’re in Times Square, make a stop on Broadway and go see a musical. To see which ones are playing at the time of your stay, you can find the schedule here. Tip: get your tickets for a cheaper price from TKTS.
• Coney Island, a 50 min subway-ride away from the heart of Manhattan. Relax on the beach and enjoy a burger on the pier.

 

Where to sleep in New York City?

 

• Mid-range: Located on 3rd Avenue, enjoy Oakwood Residence. Conveniently located, this hotel offers a flat with a fully equipped kitchen and a very professional staff.
• High-end: Experience The Langham at least once. Located right on 5th Avenue, you will have an exceptional view of the buildings and New York, a very professional service, fully equipped and comfortable rooms as well as Michelin starred restaurants. It’s great!

 

---

What to do in Philadelphia?

Starting point of the American history. The second stop of this 3-week road trip in Eastern USA is placed under the sign of history and culture. 

• Barnes Foundation, famous art museum. Discover the exceptional art collections : Cézanne, Van Gogh, Renoir, Monet…
• Old City, historic heart of Philiadelphia. Stroll around this lovely artistic disctric. Get a glimpse of Benjamin franklin’s statue !
• Philadelphia Museum of Art, one of the largest museums of the country. Discover the beautiful Renaissance artworks as well as Picasso, Duchamp or Matisse.
• National Constitution Center, learn everything about the history of American politics. Walk through the reconstitutions of the American Constitution, the interactive booths and the bronze statues.
• Continue your adventure into American history with a visit to the Liberty Bell Center, named after the historic bell, the ultimate emblem of peace and freedom. You can see this bell during your visit, a very important object in the history of the United States. Plus, admission is free!
• If you are looking for an original activity, you can opt for a visit in the footsteps of Rocky Balboa.

 

Where to sleep in Philadelphia?

 

• Mid-range: The Morris House Hotel offers comfortable rooms in a historic national building, renovated as a luxury hotel but retaining its 18th century decor and charm.
• High-end: The Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia at Comcast Center is located atop a 60-story building designed by architect Lord Norman Foster. The style is ultra-modern with gigantic windows that give you a breathtaking view of Philadelphia, and we love it!

 

---

What to do in Washington DC?

So much more than a living-museum.

• The Capitol, is a historic building where the country’s laws are voted since 1800. Book a tour before-hand and go to the Visitor Center to get inside this impressive building. This is a must-see on this 3-week road trip in Eastern USA.
• Lincoln Memorial, a monument built in tribute to the former President. Discover his quotes, his huge statue and his old neoclassic home. Go up the stairs where Martin Luther King Jr. gave his iconic speech and said “I have a dream”.
• National Air & Space Museum, very popular museum. Discover the first flying vehicle the Wright brothers built or Apollo 11’s command module. Have fun in the Imax theatre, at the planetarium or even in a flight simulator.
• The White House, Washington’s symbol. Appreciate this impressive building and go to the White House Visitor Center to get to see what it looks like.

 

Where to sleep in Washington DC?

 

• Mid-range: The Comfort Inn Downtown DC is a very good value for money. It will provide you with comfortable rooms, breakfast and valet parking. A big plus is that it’s only half a mile from the centre.
• High-end: The place to stop is the Conrad Washington DC. With its ultra-modern architecture giving you a fantastic view of Washington, this hotel will give you great pleasure with its comfortable rooms and decoration.

 

---

What to do in Williamsburg?

Historic Virginia town, it is a very interesting stop on this 3-week road trip in Eastern USA. 

• Spend some time visiting Colonial Williamsburg, restored capital of the largest New World British colony : Virginia. A live-museum, making you feel like you are visiting Williamsburg during the 18th century. Enjoy the 122 ha with its 88 historically accurate buildings (houses, taverns, public buildings, shops…). To make sure you know everything, we recommend that you take a guided tour.
• College of William & Mary, USA’s second oldest higher education facility. Discover also the oldest academic batiste of the country dating from the 17th century.

 

Where to sleep in Williamsburg?

 

• Mid-range: Do you like quiet, clean and comfortable? Then book your room at the Comfort Inn Williamsburg Getaway, for a very good value. With a good location, pool, breakfast and parking, it has it all.
• High-end: Do you like it when nothing is left to chance? Then go and be pampered like a real star at the Williamsburg Lodge, Autograph Collection. With a spa, restaurants, pool, gym, free parking and great service, it doesn’t get much better than this!

 

---

What to do in Durham?

Working-class town and renowned university. 

• Duke Lemur Center, lovely and underrated place in Durham. This shelter is the home of over 240 lemurs, second largest variety of these primates after Madagascar, their homeland.
• University of North Carolina, largest public University of the country. Visit the courtyard and buildings older than the American Civil War. Have a sip of the healing and holy water from the Old Well.
• Durham Bulls Athletic Park, the city’s stadium. Spend an American afternoon at stadium watching the local baseball team play! It’s a chance to experience a unique experience during this 3-week road trip in Eastern USA. Click here to see the game schedule!

 

Where to sleep in Durham?

 

• Mid-range: A well-located hotel with large rooms, comfortable beds and a gym? Then the Holiday Inn Express Research Triangle Park is for you! Located in a business park you’ll be close to everything you want.
• High-end: The detour that you can’t miss in Durham is the Arrowhead Inn dating from 1775. The owners offer a two-acre garden, daily gourmet breakfast and rooms with spa baths. Peace and quiet are the hallmarks of this establishment.

 

---

 

---

What to do in Charleston?

Romantic and welcoming city.

• Gateway Walk, paved alley connecting the 4 most beautiful old churches in Charleston. Go in the gorgeous Circular Congregational Church built in 1681 in a roman style, St John’s Lutheran Church with its white columns, St Philip’s Church and its 17th century cemetery, and Unitarian Church with its neolithic architecture.
• Old Slave Mart Museum, former slave market. Discover the exhibitions telling the story of slavery in South Carolina and listen to former slave Elijah Green’s testimony.
• Old Exchange & Provost Dungeon, a prison under the Custom’s house built in 1771. Explore this building and imagine how the pirates and American patriots were incarcerated during multiple centuries.
• To learn more about the rich history of this stop on the 3-week road trip in Eastern USA, why not take a guided tour?

 

Where to sleep in Charleston?

 

• Mid-range: A no-fuss hotel for a stopover between two stops? We suggest the Tru By Hilton! This old and well renovated hotel will meet all your expectations for a reasonable price.
• High-end: Known for its incredible customer service, Hotel Bennett promises an experience worthy of the finest hotels. Spacious rooms, modern and woody style, swimming pools… everything is perfect for you.

 

---

What to do in Savannah?

Beautiful Georgia, authentic and lively. It’s a very pleasant stop on this 3-week road trip in Eastern USA.

• Wormsloe Plantation Historic site, an old plantation a short drive away from the city. Explore this historic site by taking one of the two trails through the property. Stop in front of the colonial house, the first owner’s descendants still live in it!
• Telfair Academy of Arts & Sciences, prettiest art museum in Savannah. Discover the 19th century American artwork collection in the Telfair family mansion.
• Cathedral of St John the Baptist, built in 1896. Step inside this cathedral and discover the nave’s astonishing tinted-glass, the Bavarian wooden sculptures as well as the spectacular organs.

 

Where to sleep in Savannah?

 

• Mid-range: In its blue and white colours, the Comfort Inn & Suites Savannah Airport provides a free shuttle service to Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport, located less than a mile away. Take advantage of the comfortable rooms for a restful stopover.
• High-end: The Perry Lane Hotel‘s excellence lies in its rooms, staff and location (100m from the centre). It also has a restaurant, bike rental service, gym and bar. Entertainment and evening events are also available.

 

---

What to do in Montgomery?

Rosa Parks’ legacy for American civil rights lies in this stop on the 3-week road trip in Eastern USA.

• RiverWalk, a long walk in the city. Stroll along the river and admire the docks and natural amphitheater.
• Rosa Park Museum, built right in front of the bus stop where Rosa Park refused to sit at the back of the bus. A true tribute to this great woman. Discover a video reconstitution of this decisive moment leading to bus boycotting of 1955.
• Civil Rights Memorial Center, part of the Southern Poverty Law Center, fighting for racial equality. Take a step back in time and learn about the 40 martyrs killed during the Civil Rights Movement, like Matin Luther King Jr. Discover the United States darkest moments…
• Scott & Zelda Fitzgerald Museum, a house where writers lived between 1931 and 1932. Get to know about their first publishings, translations and original works. Do not miss the letters written by Zelda to her friend Ernest Hemingway.

 

Where to sleep in Montgomery?

 

• Mid-range: The SSMD is a sleek, modern hotel. Located 400 metres from the Rosa Parks Museum and 1.3 km from Dexter Avenue Baptist Church, it features an outdoor pool, gym and 24-hour front desk. The hotel serves a buffet or American breakfast.
• High-end: The Renaissance Montgomery Hotel‘s rooms are spacious and extremely well-equipped, with beautiful views of the city. The hotel offers a restaurant and a rooftop pool. Its location is also strategic as it is right next to the RiverWalk.

 

---

What to do in Memphis?

America’s music capital. You can book your guided tour of the city here.

• National Civil Rights Museum, a captivating civil rights museum. Explore the large exhibitions, admire a detailed timeline and get to learn more about the Civil Rights Movement with the audio-guide in the Lorraine Motel, the exact place where Matin Luther King Jr. was murdered.
• Sun Studio, American Rock’n’Roll heaven. Get a 40 min guided tour of the studio where some of the greatest artists of all time recorded : B.B King, Johnny Clash, Elvis Presley.. And get a chance to hear historic recordings!
• Graceland, Elvis Presley’s mansion. Discover the odd house, its 4.5 m / 14.7 ft -long couch, its fake waterfall, its weird green sealing carpeting … An immersion into the King’s universe. You will also get to see his car and airplane collection.
• Stax Museum of American Soul Music, 1580 m2 / 17 000 sq ft museum where previously stood the studio Stax. Discover the cradle of 1960’s soul music : Ottis Redding, Booker T.. Learn about soul music’s history through pictures, exhibitions and 1960’s and 1970’s clothes. And the main attraction: Isaac Hayes’ 1972 Superfly Cadillac, customised with 24 carat gold and plush carpeting.
• Take a stroll down Beale Street, and enjoy the atmosphere you won’t find anywhere else on this 3-week road trip in Eastern USA. It’s the ultimate Memphis street, lined with shops, nightclubs and restaurants, all set to a soundtrack of jazz, blues, rock’n’roll… It’s an experience not to be missed!

 

Where to sleep in Memphis?

 

• High-end: Located just 500 metres from Beale Street, the renowned Peabody Memphis Hotel showcases the tradition and charm of the American South. Enjoy deluxe rooms, exceptional restaurants, an indoor pool, gym and spa.

 

---

What to do in Chicago?

A charming and irresistible city, Chicago is a great way to end your 3-week road trip in Eastern USA.

• Millennium Park, one of the city’s gems : a place with many free artistic places to visit. Discover Pritzker Pavillon, a music pavillon designed by frank Gehry and get to see one of the free daily concerts on a summer night. Admire the famous Cloud Gate, an urban sculpture by Anis Kappor. In the winter, ice-skate on the McCormick Tribune Ice Rink.
• Art Institute of Chicago, second largest art museum in the USA. Discover beautiful impressionist and surrealist artworks. Customize your tour with the museum’s free app. Click here to book your skip-the-line tickets.
• Willis Tower, Chicago’s tallest sky scrapper. Get a spectacular view over the city from the 443 m / 1453 ft high Skydeck. Click here to book your tickets.
• Navy Pier, a 1km / 0.62 mile pier, one of the most frequented places in the city. Have fun on the tall Ferris wheel or go see a movie in the Imax movie theatre.
• Discover the Windy City through its delicious food scene, during a food tour. We recommend this one.
• Enjoy Chicago’s beautiful and unique architecture during a cruise on the river. You will learn a lot and discover the city from a different point of view, which is always great!

 

Where to sleep in Chicago?

 

• Mid-range: If you don’t want to stay in a hostel or away from the city, you’ll need a good budget to stay in Chicago, as all the options are quite expensive. In “mid-range”, we can recommend the Sentral Michigan Avenue flat, in the Loop, perfect to live the full experience of a stay in Chicago! For a little more budget, we recommend the Pendry Chicago, which is modern, clean, comfortable and well-staffed.
• High-end: Located just a few hundred metres from the city centre, The Langham Chicago luxury hotel welcomes you in a skyscraper designed by the famous architect Mies Van Der Rohe. This comfortable and elegant hotel with warm, woody tones is sure to please.

 

---

---

 

Learn more about your road trip in the US

 

• You want to know all the information about the country ? It’s here.
• Then, to rent a car at the best price, we advise you this website.
• Finally, to book a flight at the best price, we advise you this website.
• You are looking for a great travel insurance for your 3-week road trip in Eastern USA? We recommend this one!

 

Do not hesitate to share your trip with us, we can’t wait to hear all about your adventures!

 

---

 

---

If you have more information, good deals, or any advice to share about this itinerary, leave a comment below! Our team will be happy to hear about your experiences!