Photo: Kevin Burkett · CC BY-SA 2.0Philadelphia & Washington DC in 4 Days: The Amtrak History Trip
Two days in Philadelphia walking the birthplace of American independence, then a short Amtrak ride to Washington DC for two days of memorials, the Capitol and the Smithsonian museums. This history-focused route pairs the Revolution with the republic it created. The plan re-plans itself around how you travel — swap museums for memorials, or a splurge dinner for cheesesteaks, without breaking the day.
Pick a style, a budget and a pace — the route and days below re-plan themselves.
11 stops · 8 meals · 2 hotels · 1 transferThis is the editor’s pick.
4 days, 2 cities
From Philadelphia to Washington DC, with 1 move between cities. The map shows the whole route — pick a day to zoom in.
Philadelphia
Old City & Independence · Museum District & Fairmount
- Day 1Old City & Independence: Independence Hall & the Liberty Bell
- Day 2Museum District & Fairmount: The Art Museum & Boathouse Row
- Train to Washington DC · 2h 50m
Washington DC
National Mall · Capitol Hill
- Day 3National Mall: The Lincoln Memorial & the Washington Monument
- Day 4Capitol Hill: The Capitol & the Library of Congress
The 2,000-pound cracked bell behind glass, with exhibits tracing its rise from State House bell to symbol of abolition and civil rights. Free, and you walk right up to it.
- Arrive before the 9am opening to beat the longest lines.
Stand in the Assembly Room where the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were debated and signed. Ranger-led tours cover both documents and the room's 18th-century story.
- The 9:00-9:50am open house needs no ticket — go then to skip the line.
- See the signing room first, then step across to the Bell — arrive before 9am to beat the line.
A family-run Old City sandwich shop since 1947 — classic cheesesteaks, hoagies and roast pork, with vegan and gluten-free options.
An early-1910s-style ice-cream saloon and soda fountain on Market St — elaborate sundaes, phosphates and homemade ice cream in a period room.
A cobblestoned 1720s lane billed as America's oldest continuously inhabited residential street. Walk it free; the museum at #124-126 shows colonial everyday life.
- The museum is open Friday to Sunday, 12 to 4pm.
An Old City farm-to-table New American restaurant with a lively Farm Bar — half-price happy hour Tuesday to Friday, 5 to 7pm.
A tech-savvy boutique on Spring Garden — smart mirrors, phone check-in, 24/7 front desk, about 0.3 miles from the Art Museum.
- Check-in from 4pm, check-out 11am.
America's first penitentiary (1829): a brooding Gothic ruin with Al Capone's cell, Death Row, and the Steve Buscemi-narrated audio tour on mass incarceration's history.
- Daytime admission includes 'The Voices of Eastern State' audio tour.
A seasonal American neighborhood restaurant on Fairmount Ave a block from Eastern State — fresh salads and mains on a garden patio.
- Fare's garden patio is three minutes from Eastern State for a post-prison lunch.
A neighborhood coffee house on Fairmount Avenue — specialty coffee, homemade baked goods and a full lunch menu.
The iconic encyclopedic museum at the end of the Parkway: 240,000-plus works, and the 72 Rocky Steps with the skyline view.
- Your ticket is valid two consecutive days and includes the Rodin Museum.
The historic rowing-club boathouses on the Schuylkill, listed on the National Register in 1987. At night, 6,400 LEDs outline them — one of the city's best after-dark views.
- The lights run from sunset to sunrise.
A pan-Asian BYOB a block from the Art Museum — sushi and Asian-influenced plates, dinner nightly.
- Kitchen closes 9:30pm Monday to Thursday.
Stay put: 18 min walk back from Boathouse Row tonight, 8 min walk to Eastern State in the morning.
Philadelphia to Washington DC
200 km, rated for speed and cost. For a first-timer trip on a comfortable budget at a balanced pace, take the Northeast Regional. It's not the quickest or the cheapest, but it's the best match for a first-timer trip.
DC's oldest saloon (1856) by the White House — oysters, burgers and steaks in landmark Victorian rooms.
- Very busy — reserve or expect a wait at peak times.
Closer: &pizza, 5 min out of your way
The 555-foot obelisk honoring George Washington, with an elevator to an observation deck and four-sided city views.
- Timed tickets release 30 days ahead and sell out fast — reserve online for a 1-dollar fee.
The nineteen-foot seated Lincoln in a Greek-temple memorial above the Reflecting Pool. Free and open 24 hours.
- No tickets needed — it's open around the clock.
Modern Korean from the Mandu family — standout for adventurous eaters.
- Dinner only; book ahead.
An all-American themed Kimpton near Union Station and the Capitol.
- Free wine hour; an easy walk to the Capitol.
The seat of Congress — the Rotunda, the Crypt and Statuary Hall. Guided tours are free with advance booking.
- Reserve timed passes online in advance; tours enter through the Visitor Center.
The world's largest library — the Jefferson Building's Great Hall, the Gutenberg Bible and the Main Reading Room.
- Free timed-entry passes required; closed Mondays.
- The Capitol's Rotunda, then the Library of Congress's Great Hall — six minutes.
A cafe in the National Gallery Sculpture Garden — salads and sandwiches by the fountain.
Lines of food trucks along Madison and Jefferson Drives — the practical way to eat cheaply on the Mall.
- Trucks cluster near the museums around midday; bring cash as a backup.
The Declaration, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights displayed in the Rotunda — the founding documents themselves.
- Free timed-entry tickets required; book online ahead.
- The Mall's food trucks park three minutes from the Archives — the practical lunch.
A stretch
Modern Indian famous for palak chaat — the Obama-era favorite still draws crowds.
- Book ahead for weekend dinners.
Stay put: 19 min walk back from the National Archives tonight, 16 min walk to the Capitol in the morning.
Where to stay in Philadelphia & Washington DC
Ranked for first-timer travelers on a comfortable budget. The places this plan sleeps in come first.
Philadelphia
The Maj Hotel
A tech-savvy boutique on Spring Garden — smart mirrors, phone check-in, 24/7 front desk, about 0.3 miles from the Art Museum.
Lokal Hotel
A design-forward boutique aparthotel in Old City — apartment-style suites with full kitchens and self check-in.
HI Philadelphia Hostel at City House
A budget hostel two blocks from the Liberty Bell in a historic 19th-century building — shared or private rooms, open kitchen and nightly events.
Washington DC
Kimpton George Hotel
An all-American themed Kimpton near Union Station and the Capitol.
Hotel Indigo Old Town Alexandria
A modern boutique on the Alexandria waterfront with river views.
Tabard Inn
A historic 1922 inn with antique-filled rooms and a beloved garden restaurant.
Flights to Philadelphia & Washington DC
Fly into PHL (PHL)
Flight results via Travelpayouts — we may earn a commission on bookings.
Getting around Philadelphia & Washington DC
How to actually move around each city — transit, rideshare, bikes, and taxis.
Philadelphia
Public transit
SEPTA runs Philadelphia's buses, trolleys, two subway lines (the Market-Frankford L and Broad Street B) and Regional Rail. Everything is tap-to-pay: a contactless credit/debit card, phone or watch works on all modes, with the same fares as the SEPTA Key card.
- SEPTA contactless pay
Tap a contactless bank card, Apple Pay, Google Pay or Samsung Pay on buses, the L and B subways, trolleys and Regional Rail. Base fare is $2.90; bus and subway rides include two free transfers within 120 minutes when you use the same payment method.
Tip: For Regional Rail, tap in before boarding and tap out at your destination so you're charged the right zone fare.
- SEPTA Key card
The reloadable SEPTA Key card ($4.95) holds Travel Wallet funds and weekly ($31) or monthly ($116) TransPasses for unlimited bus, subway and trolley rides. Buy one at station fare kiosks, SEPTA sales locations or retailers.
Tip: Register the card at SEPTAKey.org so you can recover your balance if it's lost.
Rideshare
Uber and Lyft both operate across Philadelphia and are the easiest way to reach the airport or late-night destinations. At PHL, follow the signs to the designated TNC/rideshare pickup area on the arrivals roadway.
- Uber
Uber operates citywide in Philadelphia, including UberX, Comfort and XL. At Philadelphia International Airport, request your ride after collecting luggage and meet the driver at the marked rideshare pickup zone; airport pickups carry a small surcharge.
Tip: Center City to PHL typically runs $25–40 depending on traffic and surge.
- Lyft
Lyft runs throughout Philadelphia with standard, XL and scheduled rides. Works the same as Uber for airport and downtown trips; compare both apps at peak times since surge pricing differs.
Tip: Schedule airport pickups in the app the night before an early flight.
Bikes
Philadelphia's city-owned bikeshare is Indego, with stations across Center City, University City, South Philly and along the Schuylkill River Trail. The Schuylkill River Trail and Kelly Drive are the best car-free rides in the city.
- Indego bikeshare
City-owned bikeshare with classic and electric bikes at hundreds of stations. A single ride costs $4.50 for 30 minutes on a classic bike; a 24-hour guest pass is $15, monthly Indego30 is $20 and annual Indego365 is $156. E-bikes add 30¢ per minute on single rides. Unlock and pay in the Indego app.
Tip: Dock the bike firmly at the end of every ride to avoid extra 30-minute charges.
Taxis
Philadelphia's roughly 1,500 medallion taxis are regulated by the Philadelphia Parking Authority. Hail one on the street in Center City, find them at hotel and station taxi stands, or summon one with the Curb app.
- Curb taxi app
The Curb app hails licensed Philadelphia taxis with upfront pricing shown before you book, plus in-app payment and no surge pricing. It covers the city's medallion fleet regulated by the Philadelphia Parking Authority.
Tip: Upfront fares are distance- and time-based, so they're often cheaper than rideshare during surge.
- Street-hail taxis
Metered taxis can be hailed on the street, especially in Center City, Old City and around 30th Street Station. Fares are set by the Philadelphia Parking Authority; tipping 15–20% is the norm.
Tip: Cabs take cards, but confirm the card reader works before the ride starts.
Washington DC
Public transit
WMATA's Metrorail and Metrobus cover the Mall, Capitol Hill, Georgetown (via bus), and Arlington. The Metro runs 5am-midnight weekdays, 7am-midnight weekends.
- WMATA Metrorail
Six-line subway system connecting downtown DC, National Mall (Smithsonian, Archives, Federal Triangle stations), Capitol Hill (Capitol South, Union Station), and Arlington/Alexandria.
Tip: Buy a SmarTrip card ($2) at any station; fares are distance-based ($2.25-$6.75 peak). The $13.50 Day Pass pays off after 3+ rides.
- Metrobus
Extensive bus network filling gaps where Metro doesn't reach, including Georgetown (30-series lines) and late-night service.
Tip: Same SmarTrip card works; $2.25 base fare. The Circulator bus ($1) loops the Mall and Georgetown.
Rideshare
Uber and Lyft operate throughout DC with typical urban wait times of 3-7 minutes.
- Uber
Full Uber service (UberX, Comfort, XL) available across the District, Arlington, and Alexandria.
Tip: Surge pricing hits during rush hour and major events on the Mall; Metro is often faster for Mall-to-Capitol trips.
- Lyft
Lyft operates with similar coverage to Uber in the DC metro area.
Tip: Compare both apps — prices vary by 10-20% during peak times.
Bikes
Capital Bikeshare has 700+ stations across DC, Arlington, and Alexandria. The Mall and Tidal Basin are flat and bike-friendly.
- Capital Bikeshare
Docked bikeshare with e-bikes available; stations every few blocks downtown and along the Mall.
Tip: $8 day pass includes unlimited 45-min rides. The ride around the Tidal Basin is the best 30 minutes in DC.
Taxis
Licensed DC taxis use metered fares; hail on the street or use the Curb app.
- DC Taxis (Curb app)
Metered taxis — $3.50 base + $2.16/mile. The Curb app hails and pays for licensed DC cabs.
Tip: Taxis can't use bus lanes; during rush hour they're slower than Metro for downtown trips. Tip 15-20%.
Keep exploring
More itineraries for this trip.
- Photo: Kevin Burkett · CC BY-SA 2.03 days
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Photo: Diliff · CC BY-SA 3.05 days5 Days in New York City & Washington DC: Icons, Monuments & the Amtrak Link
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