Historical Tours & Trips in East Coast USA
Explore a wide diversity of historical tours through East Coast USA. We have 71 adventures that vary from 4 days to 15 days. With the greatest number of departures in September, this is also the most popular time of the year.
10 best historical East Coast USA tours
Compiled by
MelissaEast Coast USA travel expert at TourRadar
- Untold Tales of Historic Trails with Extended Stay in New York City
- New England Holiday featuring the historic Omni Mount Washington Resort (Boston, MA to Newport, RI) (2026)
- Niagara Falls & Historic East Coast Explorer - 4 days
- Discover America's East Coast: New York to Niagara
- Celebrating America's 250th Anniversary (Boston, MA to Washington, D.C.)
- Islands of New England (Providence, RI to Cape Cod, MA) (2026)
- Colors of New England (Boston, MA to Portland, ME) (2026)
- Washington and New York
- Big Apple to Capital Adventure - 6 days
- Southern Charms
Duration 12 days Destinations Philadelphia, Washington DC, Mount Vernon, Fredericksburg, Richmond, Williamsburg, Charlottesville, Shenandoah National Park, Gettysburg, LancasterSee all destinations Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Cosmos From $3,319
5% Off- US$3,169
Boston's Beacon Hill has cobblestone streets lined with Federal-style rowhouses, and the Old South Meeting House is where revolutionary meetings sparked independence. Newport's Breakers mansion displays Gilded Age Vanderbilt opulence with a 15-foot poinsettia tree in the Great Hall, and the Omni Mount Washington Resort in Bretton Woods has hosted Thomas Edison, Winston Churchill, and multiple U.S. presidents.
Duration 7 days Destinations Boston, Bretton Woods, Newport Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Collette From
5% Off- US$3,699
Duration 4 days Destinations New York City, Niagara Falls (USA), Philadelphia, Lancaster, Washington DC Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator On The Go Tours From
5% Off- US$1,190
Independence Hall in Philadelphia is where you'll see the room where the Declaration of Independence was signed, and the Liberty Bell sits nearby. Washington D.C. brings The People's House White House tour, plus the Lincoln Memorial and World War II Memorial, with views of the U.S. Capitol Building's exterior.
Duration 7 days Destinations New York City, Philadelphia, Washington DC, Harrisburg, Niagara Falls (USA) Age Range Ages 8+ Operator Omega Tours From
5% Off- US$2,457
Revolutionary sites stretch from Boston's Lexington Battle Green to Philadelphia's Independence Hall. The tour includes Alexander Hamilton's grave at Trinity Church, Valley Forge National Park, and Mount Vernon estate. Colonial life comes alive at Wright Tavern.
Duration 9 days Destinations Boston, Lexington, Concord, MA, New York City, Philadelphia, Valley Forge National Park, Washington DC, Mount Vernon Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Collette From $4,699
9% Off- US$4,299
Colonial roots run deep at Plymouth Rock, while Newport's preserved Breakers mansion showcases Gilded Age grandeur. The tour includes Nantucket's Whaling Museum, Providence's historic Brown University Campus, and the Kennedy family legacy in Hyannis Port.
Duration 8 days Destinations Providence, Newport, Plymouth, Cape Cod, Hyannis, Nantucket, Sandwich, Martha's Vineyard Island, Boston Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Collette From
9% Off- US$4,199
Boston's historic district anchors this colonial journey through Vermont's Woodstock, featuring Georgian homes and covered bridges. Maine's oldest lighthouse at Portland Head Light and Kennebunkport's Walker's Point, former home of President George H.W. Bush, complete the experience.
Duration 8 days Destinations Boston, Woodstock, Stowe, North Conway, Kennebunkport, Portland Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Collette From
9% Off- US$4,799
Historical sites stretch from DC's Vietnam Memorial and Lincoln Memorial to Manhattan's Wall Street. The journey features authentic Amish farm visits and Battery Park's liberty views, with comprehensive monument tours.
Duration 5 days Destinations Washington DC, Lancaster, New York City Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Europamundo From
9% Off- US$1,176
Philadelphia's Independence National Park has the Liberty Bell that rang for independence in 1776, then you'll visit the Lincoln Memorial, Korean War Memorial, and Vietnam Veterans Memorial. The Iwo Jima Memorial in Virginia, White House, and Capitol follow, with a stop in Lancaster to see the Amish community and their 18th-century ways.
Duration 6 days Destinations New York City, Philadelphia, Washington DC, Lancaster Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator On The Go Tours From
9% Off- US$1,760
Boone Hall Plantation offers 345 years of history with its Black History exhibit, and Fort Sumter is where Civil War fighting began in 1861. A carriage ride through Beaufort's old district shows pre-war homes from Forrest Gump, then Charleston's Rainbow Row and Patriots Point Naval Museum await.
Duration 7 days Destinations Charleston, Beaufort, Jekyll Island, Savannah Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Globus From $4,459
6% Off- US$4,209
What people love about Historical Tours in East Coast USA
- American Gateway – 4 Days
The itinerary for the 4 days are good to cover many places. Tour guides were knowledgeable and shared history and tips on where to go or eat etc and managed time well.
- Niagara Falls, Washington DC, Philadelphia & Amish Country 4D/3N (from New York)
A hectic and fast paced trip, starting with early mornings. Loved Niagara Falls and being able to go to the Canadian side for one night (remember to apply for a Canadian Esta and bring your passport). Pennsylvania and Amish country side was a treat. Wish we had more time there. Love hearing about American history. Then Washington DC- amazing city. We disembarked after touring DC monuments and aeronautical museum and spent two more days in DC. Wharf, eateries, sights and monuments within reach.
- New England's Fall Foliage (Classic)
Great tour. Our trip director/narrator Howie Geib was excellent. Bus driver Alex was also excellent. Accommodations was spot on.. I would recommend this tour to all. .
What our customers ask about Historical Tours & Trips in East Coast USA
What are the must-see historical landmarks on an East Coast USA Historical tour?
The East Coast presents a rich collection of historical sites spanning several states. In Boston the Freedom Trail guides visitors through the city's revolutionary past. Philadelphia's Independence Hall stands as the birthplace of American democracy while Washington DC's National Mall features the Lincoln Memorial and Capitol Building. In Virginia Colonial Williamsburg gives visitors a glimpse into 18th-century life with costumed interpreters and period buildings. A TourRadar traveler noted "the authentic recreation of 18th-century life really brought history to life." Many tours include accommodations at conveniently located hotels like the Holiday Inn Arlington at Ballston. These locations serve as ideal starting points for exploring Revolutionary War sites and early American settlements throughout Massachusetts Pennsylvania and Virginia.
When is the best time to take a Historical tour of the East Coast USA?
The prime season runs from May through October when comfortable temperatures make outdoor exploration enjoyable. Fall months (September-October) offer pleasant weather and fewer crowds at major sites such as Independence Hall and the Freedom Trail. According to one TourRadar traveler "The fall colors in October added an extra magical element to our visits to historic sites in New England." Spring brings its own appeal especially in Washington DC where cherry blossoms frame the monuments in April and May. Hotels like the Omni Shoreham see high demand during these peak periods when the weather is most suitable for walking tours.
What historical period does an East Coast USA tour typically cover?
These tours span America's foundational years from the colonial period through the Civil War. Visitors explore the earliest English settlements like Jamestown Virginia (1600s) key Revolutionary War sites including Philadelphia's Independence Hall and significant Civil War locations such as Gettysburg. One TourRadar traveler remarked "From colonial Williamsburg to Mount Vernon to the Lincoln Memorial we really got a complete picture of American history." Many tours incorporate stays at historic properties including The Greenbrier which traces its own history from 1778 through its time as a WWII hospital.
What's typically included in a Historical East Coast USA tour?
Standard tour packages cover accommodations at hotels like the Westin Jersey City Newport transportation between destinations and expert historical guides. Most tours provide entrance fees to museums and monuments some meals (usually breakfast) and guided tours of major sites. A TourRadar traveler shared "Our guide's knowledge of Colonial history and the American Revolution made every site come alive from Independence Hall to Gettysburg." Transportation typically involves comfortable coaches between locations with guided walking tours through historic districts Revolutionary War battlefields and colonial settlements.
How physically demanding are Historical tours in East Coast USA?
These tours generally fall into the "Easy" to "Moderate" range of physical activity. Daily activities involve 2-3 hours of walking on mostly flat terrain through historic areas and museums. A TourRadar traveler observed "While we covered many historical sites in Boston and Philadelphia the pace was comfortable with plenty of breaks at historic cafes and restaurants." Most accommodations like the Dylan Hotel NYC are centrally located reducing walking distances. Some locations such as Valley Forge National Historical Park require more extensive walking on uneven ground.
How long do Historical tours of East Coast USA typically last?
Tour durations range from 5 to 11 days with various options to match different schedules and interests. The "Washington and New York" 5-day tour covers essential sites while the "Washington NY and Boston" 6-day option provides deeper historical context. A TourRadar traveler noted "Our 8-day tour gave us enough time to really appreciate the historical significance of each location from Colonial Williamsburg to Boston's Freedom Trail." Comprehensive tours covering Philadelphia Boston New York and Washington DC typically require at least seven days to fully experience each destination.