10-Day East Coast USA Tour Packages
What if you could spend ten days exploring America's East Coast? New York's energy, Washington's monuments, Boston's history, maybe down to Charleston or up to Maine. You'll experience East Coast cities that feel completely different from each other, taste regional foods, and see American history come alive through actual historic sites.
Insider tips: Recommended 10-day East Coast USA tour itineraries
Compiled by
MelissaEast Coast USA travel expert at TourRadar
9 Days in the Appalachian Mountains, incl. Kentucky and The Smokies
Southern culture and natural beauty merge during 9 days across 7 cities from Louisville to Charlotte. Highlights include Churchill Downs, Buffalo Trace Distillery, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and Biltmore Estate. Package includes 8 nights lodging, 13 meals, and expert guides for around $3,200.
- Day 1
Louisville, Kentucky
Arrive in Louisville and check into your downtown hotel. Visit Angel's Envy distillery in the late afternoon before 5pm to avoid crowds on Whiskey Row. End your day with dinner at Proof on Main for authentic Kentucky farm-to-table food.
- Day 2
Louisville Derby Heritage
Get to Churchill Downs by 8:30am before tour buses arrive. Visit the Kentucky Derby Museum. Take an afternoon walking tour of Old Louisville's Victorian mansions. Wear comfortable shoes for the cobblestone streets. Visit either Louisville Slugger Museum or Frazier History Museum. Book the Slugger factory tour in advance as spots fill quickly.
- Day 3
Bourbon Trail to Lexington
Start at Buffalo Trace, the oldest operating bourbon distillery in America. Take the 90-minute tour to see how bourbon is made. Drive to Lexington through horse country (about 1.5 hours). Visit private horse farms to see Kentucky's thoroughbred industry up close. Wear closed-toe shoes since farm grounds can be muddy.
- Day 4
Lexington & Berea
Spend your morning in historic downtown Lexington. Drive 45 minutes to artistic Berea for the afternoon to meet local craftspeople. Have dinner at historic Boone Tavern and ask for a table with a view of the college square. "The artists' demonstrations in Berea were fascinating - don't miss the folk arts center."
- Day 5
Kentucky to Tennessee
Take a scenic 3.5-hour drive through Daniel Boone National Forest to Gatlinburg. Bring motion sickness medication for the winding roads. Spend the afternoon in Gatlinburg and take the aerial tramway for mountain views. If you're planning to visit Dollywood, go after 4pm when it's less crowded and cooler.
- Day 6
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Explore the Smokies with a local guide. Watch sunrise at Newfound Gap. Pack warm layers as mornings are cold even in summer. Have a picnic lunch at Clingmans Dome. Remember to bring water since facilities are limited. Visit the Cherokee Qualla arts cooperative in the afternoon. Try moonshine tasting at Ole Smoky before 7pm to avoid lines.
- Days 7-8
Asheville, North Carolina
Drive two hours to artistic Asheville through mountain landscapes. Visit River Arts District galleries and craft breweries. Spend the next day at the Biltmore Estate. Arrive when they open (9am March-Dec, 10am Jan-Feb) to avoid crowds. The gardens are beautiful in spring but bring rain gear since mountain weather is unpredictable.
- Day 9
Departure from Charlotte
Drive two hours to Charlotte airport. Schedule flights after 11am to avoid morning traffic. If you have time, visit the NASCAR Hall of Fame. It opens at 9am and is close to the airport.
10 Day New England Itinerary, incl. Boston and Acadia National Park
Rich history unfolds over 10 days across 11 cities from Boston to Bar Harbor. The route includes iconic sites like Plymouth Rock, Newport's mansions, and Acadia National Park, with 9 nights in premium hotels including Holiday Inn Boston Bunker Hill.
- Days 1-2
Boston & Coastal Maine
Begin your New England journey in Boston. On Day 2 take the scenic coastal route north to Portsmouth NH. "The cobblestone streets of Portsmouth's historic district are perfect for a morning stroll before the day crowds arrive." Stop at Cape Neddick Lighthouse before 11 AM to avoid tour buses. Have lunch in Kennebunkport then continue to Portland. Spend your evening exploring the Old Port district's seafood restaurants. Book dinner reservations ahead during busy season.
- Days 3-4
Acadia & Bar Harbor
Take the 3.5-hour drive northeast to Mount Desert Island. Give yourself two full days to explore Acadia National Park. Start on the 27-mile Park Loop Road early before it gets busy. "The sunrise atop Cadillac Mountain was magical, but bring extra layers. It's surprisingly chilly up there at 5 AM." Stay in Bar Harbor where you can browse local shops and try excellent lobster rolls. The free Island Explorer shuttle is a great way to avoid parking problems.
- Days 5-6
White Mountains
Travel inland through Maine's lakes to reach New Hampshire's White Mountains. The Kancamagus Highway offers beautiful views but gets crowded during fall foliage. Start your drive before 9 AM. Stop at Flume Gorge around 4 PM for the best photo lighting. Visit a local maple farm to learn about syrup making and enjoy free samples. Book your stay in Bretton Woods for convenient mountain access.
- Day 7
Newport, Rhode Island
Make the 4-hour drive south to Newport. Visit the impressive Gilded Age mansions. Skip the crowded Breakers and start at Marble House instead. Take a walk on the Cliff Walk but wear good shoes for the rocky sections. You'll find plenty of restaurants on Thames Street. Book ahead for weekend dinners in summer.
- Days 8-9
Cape Cod & Plymouth
Take two days to discover Cape Cod's beaches and towns. Consider taking the 2-hour ferry to Martha's Vineyard but book early in summer. Visit Provincetown at the tip of the Cape. Use the shuttle from MacMillan Pier since parking is limited. On your way back to Boston stop in Plymouth to see Plymouth Rock and the Mayflower II. Visit the Plimoth Patuxet living history museum for a better understanding of colonial life.
- Day 10
Boston Freedom Trail
Complete your trip where you started. Walk the 2.5-mile Freedom Trail from Boston Common to Bunker Hill Monument. Stop for lunch at Quincy Market. "Walking the Freedom Trail gives you a real sense of Revolutionary history, but the cobblestones can be slippery when wet." If you're flying out during evening rush hour leave extra time to reach Logan Airport. Traffic can be unpredictable.
Fall Colours of New England
New England's charm spans 13 key destinations over 10 days, from Boston's Freedom Trail to Provincetown's artsy galleries. The route includes Cape Cod's sandy beaches, Vermont's Green Mountains, and Maine's seaside villages. Accommodations at Fox Ridge Resort in North Conway and Holiday Inn Boston Bunker Hill, with 5 included breakfasts and luxury coach transport for approx. $310 per day.
Boston USA
34 miPlymouth USA
28 miHyannis USA
4 miYarmouth USA
18 miCape Cod USA
10 miProvincetown USA
24 miYarmouth USA
4 miShow 5 more
Hyannis USA
59 miProvidence USA
145 miKillington USA
55 miStowe USA
16 miMontpelier USA
41 miKillington USA
86 miNorth Conway USA
57 miKennebunkport USA
24 miPortsmouth USA
51 miBoston USA
Explore our featured East Coast USA tours
TourRadar earns higher commission on featured adventures here.
What people love about 10-day East Coast USA tours
- Colours of New England
This was a terrific tour and I recommend it to everyone! The tour guide, Susanne was very knowledgeable and has a very dry wit (listen closely or you'll miss, and it's great!). Every place on the tour was a perfect example of any-and-every thing you would expect to see in New England. Expect to wake up early, see a lot and be home by sundown. Some of our fellow tourists chose to arrive a few days early, to see more of Boston (you only spend a day there, at the end) and I wish I had done that. Also, there is an extended 3-day tour of New York City, if you wish to add that onto your tour. If you have never been to NY, then I would recommend adding it. Thanks, AmericanTours International! P.S, "Good Morning, Dave!" (we love you)
- Fall Colours of New England
My eyes feasted with fall colors. Most hotels were good but some could be better. Wished a little bit more time on some of the stops.
- Autumn Colours
This was a fabulous tour - great scenery and outings, lovely meals, appropriate accommodation and a first class tour director (Dave S). Highly recommended.