# Northeast USA museums by train · More time in the middle and at the far end

[Canonical itinerary](<https://zukio.com/trips/north-america/open-jaw/northeast-usa-museums-by-train-z0723/>)

More time in the middle and at the far end

- Region: North America
- Trip format: Open jaw
- Nights: 13
- Interests: Food & Drink, Literature, History, TV & Radio, Arts & Theatre, Design, Science

## Route and nights

- Boston · 3 night(s)
- New York City · 5 night(s)
- Philadelphia · 5 night(s)

Tradeoff: The middle base gets time of its own. Book the last gateway separately and compare the total transport cost.

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

- 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 3 · Boston

- 08:45 to 09:45 · Breakfast in Back Bay · Back Bay, Boston
- 10:00 to 11:40 · Visit the Boston Public Library's Central Library · Boston Public Library Central Library, Boston. Check public hours before setting out. Start with the McKim Building and Bates Hall if open.
- 11:45 to 12:25 · See the buildings around Copley Square · Copley Square, Boston. Explore the square and see the Trinity Church exterior from the public sidewalk.
- 12:35 to 13:35 · Lunch around Newbury Street · Newbury Street, Boston
- 13:50 to 15:10 · Follow the Boston Literary District through Beacon Hill · Beacon Hill, Boston. Use publicly visible plaques and streetscapes and respect residential entrances.
- 15:25 to 16:20 · Browse a bookstore near Boston Common · Boston Common, Boston
- 17:40 to 19:10 · Dinner around Downtown Crossing · Downtown Crossing, Boston
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

- 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 6 · New York City

- 08:45 to 09:30 · Breakfast around Rockefeller Center · Rockefeller Center, New York City
- 09:45 to 11:15 · Take a studio tour at 30 Rockefeller Plaza · NBC Studios, New York City. Check the current NBC tour schedule and reserve a slot. If unavailable, use the Rockefeller Center public spaces and Radio City exterior as the alternative.
- 11:30 to 12:15 · See Radio City Music Hall and its marquee · Radio City Music Hall, New York City
- 12:30 to 13:30 · Lunch around Sixth Avenue · Midtown Manhattan, New York City
- 14:00 to 16:00 · Visit the Museum of Modern Art · Museum of Modern Art, New York City. Give yourself time to choose two or three galleries. This is the flexible block if the studio tour starts later.
- 17:30 to 19:00 · Dinner in Hell's Kitchen · Hell's Kitchen, New York City
Overnight: [Arlo Midtown](<https://www.hotels.com/ho1558419520/arlo-midtown-new-york-united-states-of-america/>) · New York City

### Day 7 · New York City

- 08:30 to 09:15 · Breakfast on the Upper East Side · Upper East Side, New York City
- 09:15 to 10:00 · Walk to the museum via Central Park's east side · Central Park, New York City. Take the Fifth Avenue route in poor weather and give yourself time for the entrance line.
- 10:00 to 12:45 · Choose two gallery areas at The Met Fifth Avenue · The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City. This assumes a Saturday visit. Pick two priorities, such as Egyptian art and European paintings. Check for gallery closures.
- 13:00 to 14:00 · Lunch on Madison Avenue · Upper East Side, New York City
- 14:15 to 15:15 · Walk around the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir · Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir, New York City. Use part of the loop and head back toward Midtown when you have had enough.
- 17:15 to 18:30 · Early dinner near the Theater District · Theater District, New York City. Choose a place close to your theater. Move dinner earlier if your curtain time requires it.
- 19:00 to 21:30 · See a Broadway performance · Theater District, New York City. This is a sample slot. Pick the show first and adjust around its actual curtain time, runtime, and arrival instructions.
Overnight: [Arlo Midtown](<https://www.hotels.com/ho1558419520/arlo-midtown-new-york-united-states-of-america/>) · New York City

### Day 8 · New York City

- 08:30 to 09:15 · Breakfast near Grand Central · Grand Central Terminal, New York City
- 09:15 to 10:30 · Explore Grand Central Terminal · Grand Central Terminal, New York City. Start in the Main Concourse, find the ceiling and balcony viewpoints, and look across 42nd Street at the Chrysler Building.
- 10:45 to 11:45 · See the library exterior and Bryant Park · Bryant Park, New York City. If the New York Public Library's Schwarzman Building is open and you want to go inside, verify which public rooms you can visit.
- 12:00 to 13:00 · Lunch around Bryant Park · Bryant Park, New York City
- 13:20 to 15:00 · Walk Midtown's Fifth Avenue architecture · Rockefeller Center, New York City. Go north past Rockefeller Center and St. Patrick's Cathedral. Pick one building to look at closely instead of rushing to another neighborhood.
- 15:20 to 16:40 · See the skyline from Top of the Rock · Top of the Rock, New York City. Reserve a slot if you want a timed view. Keep the walk free of ticket commitments if visibility is poor.
- 18:00 to 19:30 · Dinner around Koreatown · Koreatown, Manhattan, New York City
Overnight: [Arlo Midtown](<https://www.hotels.com/ho1558419520/arlo-midtown-new-york-united-states-of-america/>) · New York City

### Day 9 · 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 10 · 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 11 · Wilmington, Delaware

- 08:00 to 08:45 · Breakfast near the hotel · Old City, Philadelphia
- 08:55 to 09:35 · Get to William H. Gray III 30th Street Station · William H. Gray III 30th Street Station, Philadelphia
- 09:45 to 10:45 · Take a train to Wilmington and continue to the museum · Wilmington Station, Delaware. Use actual Amtrak or SEPTA departures. Verify the museum is open and plan a local ride from the station.
- 11:00 to 13:10 · Visit the Delaware Art Museum · Delaware Art Museum, Wilmington, Delaware. Check opening days and pick a collection. Use the museum's sculpture garden if weather allows.
- 13:30 to 14:40 · Lunch near the Wilmington Riverfront · Wilmington Riverfront, Delaware
- 14:45 to 16:00 · Walk the Christina River waterfront · Wilmington Riverfront, Delaware. Turn back with enough time to reach the station.
- 16:20 to 17:30 · Return to Philadelphia · William H. Gray III 30th Street Station, Philadelphia. Match this slot to a scheduled train.
- 18:15 to 19:45 · Dinner near the hotel · 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 12 · Philadelphia

- 08:30 to 09:15 · Breakfast near the hotel · Old City, Philadelphia
- 09:20 to 10:00 · Travel to the Philadelphia Museum of Art · Philadelphia Museum of Art, Philadelphia. Check museum opening days and choose a walk, bus, or ride from Old City.
- 10:00 to 12:45 · Choose two collections at the Philadelphia Museum of Art · Philadelphia Museum of Art, Philadelphia. Start with your preferred galleries. Keep enough time to find a staffed entrance if you need an accessible route.
- 13:00 to 14:00 · Lunch in Fairmount · Fairmount, Philadelphia
- 14:20 to 16:20 · Follow a Center City public-mural route · Center City, Philadelphia. Use the current Mural Arts Philadelphia map and pick two or three nearby murals. Confirm that the works are still visible from public sidewalks.
- 16:25 to 17:10 · Walk through Dilworth Park and around City Hall · Dilworth Park, Philadelphia
- 18:00 to 19:30 · Dinner near Rittenhouse Square · Rittenhouse Square, 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 13 · Philadelphia

- 08:45 to 09:35 · Coffee and breakfast in Old City · Old City, Philadelphia
- 10:00 to 11:15 · Walk from the Chinatown Friendship Gate toward the market · Philadelphia Chinatown Friendship Gate, Philadelphia
- 11:25 to 13:00 · Lunch at Reading Terminal Market · Reading Terminal Market, Philadelphia. Check vendor hours and give yourself time to walk the aisles before choosing lunch.
- 13:20 to 14:20 · Walk the Rail Park's open section · The Rail Park, Philadelphia. Confirm which section is open and use the marked public entrances.
- 14:45 to 16:00 · Walk through Washington Square · Washington Square, Philadelphia. Take side streets back toward the hotel or use the open block to rest.
- 17:45 to 19:15 · Dinner in Chinatown · Chinatown, 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 14 · 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.