# Northeast USA museums by train · Short middle stop and a slower finish

[Canonical itinerary](<https://zukio.com/trips/north-america/open-jaw/northeast-usa-museums-by-train-z0724/>)

Short middle stop and a slower finish

- Region: North America
- Trip format: Open jaw
- Nights: 11
- Interests: Literature, Nature, History, TV & Radio, Politics, Arts & Theatre, Food & Drink

## Route and nights

- Boston · 4 night(s)
- New York City · 2 night(s)
- Philadelphia · 5 night(s)

Tradeoff: Two nights in the middle means one main visit. Keep a substantial final base for the last stretch.

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

- 08:45 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 3 · Boston

- 08:45 to 09:30 · Breakfast near the Public Garden · Boston Public Garden, Boston
- 09:35 to 10:45 · Walk the Public Garden paths and lagoon · Boston Public Garden, Boston. Treat seasonal boat service as an optional add-on.
- 11:00 to 12:15 · Follow Commonwealth Avenue Mall · Commonwealth Avenue Mall, Boston. Choose a stretch that leaves time for a slow lunch.
- 12:30 to 13:30 · Lunch in Back Bay · Back Bay, Boston
- 13:50 to 15:35 · Walk a west-side Esplanade section · Charles River Esplanade, Boston. Use a marked pedestrian bridge and keep the walk short in poor weather.
- 16:00 to 17:00 · Browse shops or bookstores around Newbury Street · Newbury Street, Boston
- 18:00 to 19:30 · Dinner in Back Bay · Back Bay, Boston
Overnight: [The Godfrey Hotel Boston](<https://www.hotels.com/ho497548/the-godfrey-hotel-boston-boston-united-states-of-america/>) · Boston

### Day 4 · Boston

- 08:30 to 09:10 · Breakfast near Boston Common · Boston Common, Boston
- 09:15 to 10:00 · Start the Freedom Trail at Boston Common · Boston Common, Boston. Follow the trail markers toward the Massachusetts State House and Park Street.
- 10:10 to 11:00 · Visit Granary Burying Ground and see King's Chapel · Granary Burying Ground, Boston. Use posted access and opening times for interiors.
- 11:10 to 12:10 · Explore Old South Meeting House · Old South Meeting House, Boston. Check admission and opening hours. Keep the Old State House as an alternative if needed.
- 12:25 to 13:20 · Lunch around Faneuil Hall · Faneuil Hall Marketplace, Boston
- 13:35 to 14:45 · Follow the trail into the North End · North End, Boston. Pick Paul Revere House or Old North Church if you want one more interior visit. Confirm hours before committing.
- 15:00 to 16:00 · Walk to Copp's Hill and the waterfront · Copp's Hill Burying Ground, Boston
- 17:30 to 19:00 · Dinner in the North End · North End, Boston
Overnight: [The Godfrey Hotel Boston](<https://www.hotels.com/ho497548/the-godfrey-hotel-boston-boston-united-states-of-america/>) · Boston

### Day 5 · 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 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 · 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

- 08:30 to 09:10 · Breakfast near Independence Mall · Independence Mall, Philadelphia
- 09:15 to 09:50 · Check in for Independence Hall and allow for security · Independence Hall, Philadelphia. Use National Park Service instructions and adjust the schedule around your tour reservation.
- 10:00 to 10:45 · Take the Independence Hall tour · Independence Hall, Philadelphia. Check current timed ticket requirements and arrive early enough for security.
- 11:00 to 11:50 · See the Liberty Bell Center · Liberty Bell Center, Philadelphia. Allow for a separate entrance line and keep time for the exhibits before the bell.
- 12:05 to 13:10 · Lunch in Old City · Old City, Philadelphia
- 13:25 to 15:30 · Visit the National Constitution Center · National Constitution Center, Philadelphia. Check opening days and the timing of the presentations you want to see.
- 15:45 to 16:45 · Walk past Congress Hall and the Second Bank · Independence National Historical Park, Philadelphia. Use the exteriors as the default and enter only if hours and access fit.
- 18:00 to 19:30 · Dinner near Washington Square · Washington Square West, 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 · 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 10 · 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 11 · 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 12 · 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.