One Week in the USA: New York, Washington DC and Chicago

One week in the USA calls for discipline. The country is vast — roughly the same land area as all of Europe — and the temptation to add “just one more city” is the fastest way to spend your holiday in airports. This itinerary keeps things focused: three cities across the northeastern corridor and Great Lakes, connected by train and one short flight.

New York gives you the cultural intensity. Washington DC gives you history and political scale at zero admission cost. Chicago gives you architecture, food, and a Great Lakes waterfront that most first-time visitors do not expect. Together they cover a lot of what makes the USA distinctive.

The Route at a Glance

Days	City	Transport In
1–3	New York City	International arrival
4–5	Washington DC	Amtrak from NYC (2h 50m–3h 30m)
6–7	Chicago	Flight from DC (2h 15m)

---

Days 1–3: New York City

Day 1 — Midtown and Central Park

Arrive and check in. If your flight lands before noon, head to Top of the Rock (30 Rockefeller Plaza, approximately $43 as of 2026) for the best aerial view of the city — it includes the Empire State Building in the panorama, which the Empire State itself obviously cannot offer. Walk through Central Park from the south entrance at 59th Street. Cover the Mall, Bethesda Terrace, and the Bow Bridge in a 90-minute walk.

Dinner at Don Antonio (309 West 50th Street) — Neapolitan pizza from approximately $16 per pie.

Where to stay in NYC:

• Budget: Pod 51 (230 East 51st Street) — from approximately $150 per night
• Mid-range: citizenM Times Square (218 West 50th Street) — from approximately $250 per night
• Luxury: The Beekman (123 Nassau Street) — from approximately $500 per night

Day 2 — Statue of Liberty and Brooklyn

Morning ferry to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island from Battery Park. Tickets approximately $24.50 as of 2026 — book pedestal access in advance. Allow 3–4 hours for both islands.

Afternoon: walk the Brooklyn Bridge into DUMBO. Late lunch at Juliana’s Pizza (19 Old Fulton Street, approximately $22–28 per pie). Walk the Brooklyn Bridge Park waterfront.

Evening: dinner in the East Village. Veselka (144 2nd Avenue) serves Ukrainian comfort food 24 hours — pierogi, borscht, and burgers from approximately $14–22.

Day 3 — Downtown Manhattan

Morning in SoHo — walk the cast-iron streets, breakfast at Balthazar (80 Spring Street, from approximately $16–28). Walk through Greenwich Village and Washington Square Park.

Afternoon: Chelsea Market (75 9th Avenue) for lunch, then walk the High Line elevated park. The walk from Gansevoort Street north to Hudson Yards takes about 45 minutes.

Evening: catch an early Broadway show. Same-day discount tickets at the TKTS booth (47th Street, opens 3pm) run 20–50% off face value.

---

Day 3 Evening: Train to Washington DC

After your show or dinner, take the Amtrak Northeast Regional from Penn Station to Washington DC Union Station. Evening departures run until approximately 10pm. The journey takes 3 hours 30 minutes on the Regional (from approximately $50–120 as of 2026) or 2 hours 50 minutes on the Acela (from approximately $80–200). Book at amtrak.com at least two weeks ahead for the best fares.

Alternatively, take the morning Acela on Day 4 and arrive by lunchtime.

---

Days 4–5: Washington DC

Washington DC is the rare major city where most top attractions are completely free. The Smithsonian museums, national monuments, and memorials charge no admission.

Day 4 — The National Mall

Start at the US Capitol (East End of the Mall). Free guided tours run every 10 minutes from 8:30am–3:20pm Monday–Saturday. Advance reservations recommended via visitthecapitol.gov.

Walk the length of the National Mall — it is 3km from the Capitol to the Lincoln Memorial. Stop at the National Air and Space Museum (free, open 10am–5:30pm) and the National Museum of American History (free, open 10am–5:30pm). Each museum warrants 1.5–2 hours.

Continue to the Lincoln Memorial (open 24 hours, free) and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. The reflecting pool between the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument is best seen in late afternoon light.

Lunch at Founding Farmers (1924 Pennsylvania Avenue NW) — farm-to-table American food from approximately $18–30 per plate.

Dinner at Old Ebbitt Grill (675 15th Street NW) — DC’s oldest saloon, one block from the White House. Oysters, steaks, and American classics from approximately $22–40.

Day 5 — Georgetown and More Museums

Morning: visit the National Museum of African American History and Culture (free, timed entry passes required — book at nmaahc.si.edu up to 30 days in advance). This is the hardest Smithsonian to get into and arguably the most powerful. Allow 2–3 hours.

Afternoon: walk through Georgetown — the oldest neighbourhood in DC, with Federal-era townhouses, independent shops along M Street and Wisconsin Avenue, and the C&O Canal towpath. Lunch at Martin’s Tavern (1264 Wisconsin Avenue NW), where JFK proposed to Jackie. Burgers and American fare from approximately $16–28.

If time allows, add the National Gallery of Art (free, open 10am–5pm daily). The West Building houses European masters; the East Building covers modern and contemporary art.

Where to stay in DC:

• Budget: Generator Washington DC (1146 16th Street NW) — from approximately $120 per night for private rooms
• Mid-range: The Darcy Hotel (1515 Rhode Island Avenue NW) — from approximately $220 per night
• Luxury: The Hay-Adams (800 16th Street NW) — from approximately $500 per night, direct White House views

---

Day 5 Evening / Day 6 Morning: Fly to Chicago

Fly from Reagan National Airport (DCA) to Chicago O’Hare (ORD) or Midway (MDW). Direct flights take approximately 2 hours 15 minutes. United, American, and Southwest all operate this route frequently. Budget fares from approximately $80–150 one way as of 2026 if booked 2–3 weeks ahead.

From O’Hare, the Blue Line ‘L’ train runs directly to downtown Chicago in approximately 45 minutes for $5. From Midway, the Orange Line takes approximately 30 minutes for $5.

---

Days 6–7: Chicago

Day 6 — The Loop and Architecture

Start with the Chicago Architecture Center river cruise (111 East Wacker Drive). The 90-minute boat tour along the Chicago River is consistently rated one of the best tours in the USA. Approximately $49 per adult as of 2026. Departures from 10am; book online in advance.

After the cruise, walk through Millennium Park. See the Cloud Gate sculpture (“The Bean”), the Crown Fountain, and the Lurie Garden. All free.

Visit the Art Institute of Chicago (111 South Michigan Avenue) — one of the best art museums in the world. Entry approximately $35 for adults as of 2026. Open 11am–5pm daily, until 8pm on Thursdays. The Impressionist collection (Seurat’s A Sunday on La Grande Jatte, multiple Monets) and the American Gothic are highlights. Allow 2–3 hours.

Lunch at Lou Malnati’s (439 North Wells Street) for Chicago-style deep dish pizza. A small deep dish runs approximately $15–20. Expect a 30–45 minute wait at peak times — deep dish takes time to bake.

Dinner at Girl & The Goat (809 West Randolph Street, West Loop) — Stephanie Izard’s flagship. Inventive American food from approximately $18–35 per plate. Reservations essential — book via Tock at least two weeks ahead.

Day 7 — Lakefront and Neighbourhoods

Morning: walk or bike the Lakefront Trail along Lake Michigan. Rent a Divvy bike ($3.30 per 30-minute ride) and ride from Navy Pier south past the Museum Campus. The scale of the lake — you cannot see the opposite shore — surprises most visitors.

Visit the Field Museum of Natural History (1400 South DuSable Lake Shore Drive) — home to Sue, the largest and most complete T. rex skeleton. Entry approximately $30 as of 2026. Open 9am–5pm daily.

Afternoon: explore Wicker Park or Logan Square for independent shops, coffee, and a feel for Chicago beyond the tourist core. Lunch at Big Star (1531 North Damen Avenue, Wicker Park) — tacos and whiskey, approximately $5–8 per taco.

For your final dinner, try Portillo’s (100 West Ontario Street) for Chicago-style Italian beef sandwiches (approximately $8–10) — a local institution since 1963.

Where to stay in Chicago:

• Budget: HI Chicago Hostel (24 East Congress Parkway) — dorms from approximately $50, private rooms from approximately $140 per night
• Mid-range: The Hoxton Chicago (200 North Green Street, West Loop) — from approximately $200 per night
• Luxury: The Langham Chicago (330 North Wabash Avenue) — from approximately $450 per night, river views

---

Budget Summary

Category	Budget	Mid-Range	Luxury
Hotels (7 nights)	$900–1,200	$1,600–2,500	$3,200–5,000
NYC–DC train	$50–80	$80–150	$150–200
DC–Chicago flight	$80–120	$120–200	$200–400
Food (7 days)	$200–350	$400–600	$700–1,200
Attractions	$100–150	$150–250	$250–350
Local transport	$60–80	$80–120	$150–300
Total per person	$1,390–1,980	$2,430–3,820	$4,650–7,450

All prices approximate as of 2026.

---

Packing and Practical Notes

Tipping: 18–20% at sit-down restaurants, $1–2 per drink at bars, 15–20% for taxis. Tipping is not optional in the USA — service workers depend on it.

Power: US outlets use Type A/B plugs (120V, 60Hz). Bring an adaptor if travelling from Europe, Asia, or Australasia.

Phone: Buy a prepaid SIM or eSIM on arrival. T-Mobile and Mint Mobile offer tourist plans from approximately $30 for 30 days with data. Alternatively, activate an international eSIM before departure via Airalo or similar.

Safety: All three cities are safe in tourist areas. Standard urban awareness applies — keep valuables out of sight, stay in well-lit areas at night, and use the subway with confidence during normal hours.