# Northeast USA museums by train · Three bases with a stop in the middle

[Canonical itinerary](<https://zukio.com/trips/north-america/open-jaw/northeast-usa-museums-by-train-z0722/>)

Three bases with a stop in the middle

- Region: North America
- Trip format: Open jaw
- Nights: 9
- Interests: Science, Food & Drink, History

## Route and nights

- Boston · 3 night(s)
- New York City · 3 night(s)
- Philadelphia · 3 night(s)

Tradeoff: A middle stop adds a different experience and a hotel change. Keep both move days light.

Compare: Rail

## Day-by-day agenda

Suggested schedule. Times are local. Check hours and availability for your dates.

### Day 1 · Boston

- 15:30 to 16:15 · Check in and drop your bags · The Godfrey Hotel Boston
- 16:35 to 17:35 · Take a short orientation walk near the hotel · Boston Common. Skip this block if you arrive later.
- 17:50 to 19:15 · Have dinner near the hotel · Downtown Crossing, Boston
Overnight: [The Godfrey Hotel Boston](<https://www.hotels.com/ho497548/the-godfrey-hotel-boston-boston-united-states-of-america/>) · Boston

### Day 2 · Boston

- 08:30 to 09:15 · Breakfast near Downtown Crossing · Downtown Crossing, Boston
- 09:20 to 10:00 · Get to the Museum of Science · Museum of Science, Boston. Allow time for the last walk to Science Park and admission.
- 10:00 to 12:40 · Choose two galleries at the Museum of Science · Museum of Science, Boston. Check show tickets and current exhibits. A timed show can replace part of this block.
- 12:45 to 13:30 · Lunch near Science Park · Science Park, Boston
- 13:45 to 15:45 · Walk part of the Charles River Esplanade · Charles River Esplanade, Boston. Use public access paths and turn back if weather makes the exposed riverfront uncomfortable.
- 16:10 to 17:10 · Walk through Beacon Hill toward Boston Common · Beacon Hill, Boston
- 18:00 to 19:30 · Dinner in Beacon Hill · Beacon Hill, Boston
Overnight: [The Godfrey Hotel Boston](<https://www.hotels.com/ho497548/the-godfrey-hotel-boston-boston-united-states-of-america/>) · Boston

### Day 3 · Boston

- 09:00 to 09:45 · Breakfast near the Greenway · Rose Kennedy Greenway, Boston
- 10:00 to 11:00 · Walk part of the Rose Kennedy Greenway · Rose Kennedy Greenway, Boston. Start near the North End and head toward the public market.
- 11:15 to 12:40 · Compare lunch vendors at Boston Public Market · Boston Public Market, Boston. Check individual vendor hours and choose one meal to carry into the afternoon.
- 13:00 to 14:30 · Walk the North End's side streets and parks · North End, Boston
- 14:45 to 16:10 · Follow the waterfront from Christopher Columbus Park · Christopher Columbus Waterfront Park, Boston
- 17:45 to 19:15 · Seafood dinner around the North End or waterfront · Boston Waterfront, Boston. Make a reservation if you have one specific restaurant in mind.
Overnight: [The Godfrey Hotel Boston](<https://www.hotels.com/ho497548/the-godfrey-hotel-boston-boston-united-states-of-america/>) · Boston

### Day 4 · New York City

- 07:55 to 08:40 · Have breakfast before checking out · Downtown Crossing, Boston
- 08:40 to 09:30 · Check out and allow time to reach your departure point · The Godfrey Hotel Boston
- 09:30 to 14:45 · Travel from Boston to New York City · Boston South Station. Check South Station versus Back Bay on your ticket. Allow time to exit Moynihan Train Hall or Penn Station and reach the hotel. Use the departure and arrival times from your booking.
- 14:55 to 15:45 · Check in after reaching the new base · Arlo Midtown. Keep dinner flexible if the transfer runs late.
- 17:45 to 19:00 · Have dinner near your new hotel if time allows · Midtown West, New York City
Overnight: [Arlo Midtown](<https://www.hotels.com/ho1558419520/arlo-midtown-new-york-united-states-of-america/>) · New York City

### Day 5 · New York City

- 09:00 to 09:45 · Coffee and a pastry in the Lower East Side · Lower East Side, New York City
- 10:00 to 11:30 · Walk from Orchard Street to Essex Market · Orchard Street, New York City. Follow the blocks at street level and leave time for small shops that are open.
- 11:45 to 13:00 · Lunch from vendors at Essex Market · Essex Market, New York City. Choose two small bites or a single lunch. Check individual vendor hours before setting out.
- 13:20 to 14:30 · Walk through Chinatown via Mott Street · Mott Street, New York City. Use Columbus Park as a turnaround point if you want a shorter walk.
- 14:45 to 16:00 · Walk the west side of the Brooklyn Bridge · Brooklyn Bridge Pedestrian Walkway, New York City. Turn around partway if you prefer to stay in Manhattan. Keep an eye on the time before dinner.
- 17:30 to 19:00 · Dinner in Chinatown · Chinatown, Manhattan, New York City
Overnight: [Arlo Midtown](<https://www.hotels.com/ho1558419520/arlo-midtown-new-york-united-states-of-america/>) · New York City

### Day 6 · New York City

- 08:00 to 08:45 · Breakfast near Bowling Green · Bowling Green, New York City
- 08:55 to 09:40 · Reach the ferry and allow time for screening · Castle Clinton National Monument, New York City. Reserve through the authorized Statue City Cruises operator and use the actual ferry schedule. The time here is a planning block.
- 09:40 to 13:15 · Visit the Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration · Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration. Allow time for both ferry legs and the museum. If the route stops at Liberty Island first, skip the island walk unless the return schedule leaves enough time for Ellis Island.
- 13:30 to 14:30 · Lunch around Stone Street · Stone Street, New York City. Move lunch later if the ferry runs behind.
- 14:45 to 15:30 · Walk Battery Park and look back across the harbor · The Battery, New York City
- 15:45 to 17:00 · Walk past South Street Seaport's piers · South Street Seaport, New York City. See the historic ships from the waterfront. Treat any museum entry as a separate visit with its own hours.
- 18:00 to 19:30 · Dinner near the Seaport · South Street Seaport, New York City
Overnight: [Arlo Midtown](<https://www.hotels.com/ho1558419520/arlo-midtown-new-york-united-states-of-america/>) · New York City

### Day 7 · Philadelphia

- 08:10 to 08:55 · Have breakfast before checking out · Midtown West, New York City
- 08:55 to 09:45 · Check out and allow time to reach your departure point · Arlo Midtown
- 09:45 to 12:25 · Travel from New York City to Philadelphia · Moynihan Train Hall, New York City. Use the correct Penn Station entrance and leave time for the short city connection from 30th Street Station. Use the departure and arrival times from your booking.
- 12:35 to 13:35 · Have lunch near your new base · Old City, Philadelphia
- 14:40 to 15:35 · Drop bags and check in when the room is ready · Kimpton Hotel Monaco Philadelphia by IHG
- 15:50 to 16:40 · Take a short orientation walk if time allows · Independence Mall, Philadelphia
- 17:45 to 19:00 · Have dinner near your new hotel if time allows · Old City, Philadelphia
Overnight: [Kimpton Hotel Monaco Philadelphia by IHG](<https://www.hotels.com/ho409075/kimpton-hotel-monaco-philadelphia-an-ihg-hotel-philadelphia-united-states-of-america/>) · Philadelphia

### Day 8 · Philadelphia

- 08:45 to 09:35 · Breakfast in Old City · Old City, Philadelphia
- 09:45 to 10:40 · Walk Elfreth's Alley and nearby blocks · Elfreth's Alley, Philadelphia. Treat the alley as a residential street. Check separate access for any museum interior.
- 10:55 to 12:10 · See Christ Church and the Benjamin Franklin Museum area · Christ Church, Philadelphia. Verify access if you want an interior stop. Keep the walk outdoors when services or hours limit entry.
- 12:25 to 13:25 · Lunch around Market Street · Old City, Philadelphia
- 13:40 to 16:00 · Visit the Museum of the American Revolution · Museum of the American Revolution, Philadelphia. Choose the galleries that best complement your Independence Hall visit.
- 16:15 to 17:10 · Walk the Delaware River waterfront · Penn's Landing, Philadelphia
- 18:00 to 19:30 · Dinner in Old City · Old City, Philadelphia
Overnight: [Kimpton Hotel Monaco Philadelphia by IHG](<https://www.hotels.com/ho409075/kimpton-hotel-monaco-philadelphia-an-ihg-hotel-philadelphia-united-states-of-america/>) · Philadelphia

### Day 9 · Philadelphia

- 08:30 to 09:20 · Breakfast near Logan Square · Logan Square, Philadelphia
- 09:35 to 10:00 · Walk around Swann Memorial Fountain · Logan Square, Philadelphia
- 10:00 to 12:45 · Explore the Franklin Institute · The Franklin Institute, Philadelphia. Select a few science exhibits. Check separate admission and times for any special exhibition or planetarium show.
- 13:00 to 14:00 · Lunch near the Benjamin Franklin Parkway · Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia
- 14:15 to 15:40 · Visit the Academy of Natural Sciences if open · Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University, Philadelphia. Make this optional and check museum hours. Extend the Franklin Institute visit if you prefer one main stop.
- 15:50 to 16:40 · Walk part of the Schuylkill Banks trail · Schuylkill Banks, Philadelphia. Choose a short loop and keep the route flexible in bad weather.
- 17:45 to 19:15 · Dinner in Center City · Center City, Philadelphia
Overnight: [Kimpton Hotel Monaco Philadelphia by IHG](<https://www.hotels.com/ho409075/kimpton-hotel-monaco-philadelphia-an-ihg-hotel-philadelphia-united-states-of-america/>) · Philadelphia

### Day 10 · Philadelphia

- 08:00 to 08:45 · Have breakfast near the hotel · Old City, Philadelphia
- 09:00 to 09:45 · Take an optional last walk · Independence Mall, Philadelphia. Skip the walk if you have an early departure.
- 10:00 to 10:30 · Check out and collect luggage · Kimpton Hotel Monaco Philadelphia by IHG
- 10:30 to 11:30 · Allow time for onward travel · Old City, Philadelphia. Use the confirmed departure and pickup times from your booking.