Let's get one thing straight right away: you cannot see "the USA" in seven days. It's a continent-sized country. Trying to cram New York, the Grand Canyon, and Miami into one week is a recipe for exhaustion, not a vacation. The secret to a fantastic 7-day USA itinerary isn't about distance; it's about depth. You pick one compelling region and explore it properly. This guide cuts through the fantasy itineraries and gives you two actionable, tried-and-tested plans that actually work.

The One Rule You Must Follow for a 7-Day USA Trip

Focus on one time zone. Seriously. Jet lag is real, and domestic flights eat up half a day with airport travel. A successful one week in the USA means minimizing transit and maximizing experience. This guide offers two distinct paths based on your travel personality.

Plan A: The Classic East Coast City Sizzle (NYC & DC)

This is for the urban explorer who wants iconic landmarks, world-class museums, and that fast-paced American energy. You'll fly into New York and out of Washington D.C. (or vice-versa).

Days 1-4: New York City, New York

You need four full days here. Don't argue.

Day 1: Arrival & Midtown Icons. Land at JFK or Newark. Get to your hotel, drop bags, and fight the urge to nap. Hit the streets. Walk through Times Square (it's overwhelming, but you have to see it once). Head to Rockefeller Center. Your goal is the Top of the Rock Observation Deck. I prefer it over the Empire State Building because you get the Empire State in your photos. Tickets are around $40. Book a timed entry online to skip the longest lines. For dinner, ditch the chain restaurants and find a slice of proper New York pizza. Joe's Pizza on Carmine Street is an institution.

Day 2: Central Park & Museum Mile. Start at the southern end of Central Park. Walk through, rent a bike, or just people-watch. Exit near the American Museum of Natural History. General admission is $28, but it's pay-what-you-wish for New York State residents (just be prepared to queue). Spend 3-4 hours here. In the afternoon, head to the Metropolitan Museum of Art ("the Met") on Fifth Avenue. General admission is $30 for out-of-state adults. You could get lost here for days, so pick a wing—European paintings or the Egyptian Temple of Dendur are good starts.

Day 3: Downtown & History. Take the subway to Battery Park. See the Charging Bull. Walk to the 9/11 Memorial & Museum. The museum is heavy but essential; allocate at least 2.5 hours and $33 for tickets. Afterwards, take the Staten Island Ferry. It's free, runs every 20-30 minutes, and gives you the best views of the Statue of Liberty and the Manhattan skyline. You don't need to get off on Staten Island; just take the next ferry back.

Day 4: Brooklyn & Departure Prep. Walk across the Brooklyn Bridge from the Manhattan side. The views are incredible. Explore DUMBO (Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass) and Brooklyn Bridge Park. Grab a coffee and a pastry. In the afternoon, do any last-minute shopping or visit a neighborhood you missed, like Greenwich Village. Pack your bag for an early train tomorrow.

Days 5-7: Washington D.C.

Take an early Amtrak Acela train from New York's Penn Station to Washington D.C.'s Union Station. The journey is about 3 hours and scenic. You'll arrive by late morning.

Day 5: The National Mall. Check into your hotel, then head straight to the Mall. Start at the Lincoln Memorial, walk past the Reflecting Pool to the World War II Memorial, then continue to the Washington Monument. You need free, timed-entry tickets to go up the Washington Monument—book these weeks in advance on Recreation.gov. End your walk at the U.S. Capitol. At night, the monuments are beautifully lit and less crowded.

Day 6: Museums & More. This is your museum day. The Smithsonian museums are free. You can't do them all. My top picks: Air and Space Museum (check for reopening status of the main building), the National Museum of American History, and the National Museum of African American History and Culture. The latter requires timed-entry passes, which are also free but book up fast. Get them online as soon as your trip dates are set.

Day 7: Georgetown & Departure. Spend your last morning in Georgetown. It's a historic neighborhood with cobblestone streets, great for a final breakfast and some window shopping. Visit the Georgetown Waterfront Park. Fly out of Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) or Dulles International Airport (IAD).

Plan B: The Epic West Coast Nature & Cities Mix (LA & Vegas with a Canyon)

This route is for those who want dramatic landscapes paired with iconic city vibes. You'll fly into Los Angeles and out of Las Vegas.

Days 1-3: Los Angeles, California

LA is sprawling. Pick a base—Santa Monica or Hollywood are central for tourists.

Day 1: Hollywood & Griffith Park. See the Hollywood Walk of Fame (it's grungier than you imagine). Visit the TCL Chinese Theatre to see the handprints. In the afternoon, go to Griffith Observatory. It's free to enter (planetarium shows cost extra). The views of the Hollywood Sign and the LA basin are unbeatable. Parking is a nightmare; consider a ride-share.

Day 2: Santa Monica & The Coast. Spend the day in Santa Monica. Walk the iconic pier, ride the solar-powered Ferris wheel. Rent a bike and ride south along the Marvin Braude Bike Trail towards Venice Beach. See the Venice Beach Boardwalk, the skatepark, and the colorful Muscle Beach gym. Have lunch at a casual spot on Main Street.

Day 3: Culture or Studios. Choose your own adventure. Option one: visit the Getty Center. It's free (parking is $20), with stunning architecture, gardens, and art collections. Option two: do a studio tour. Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood in Burbank is excellent (tickets start at $73). You get to see real backlots, soundstages, and props. It's more authentic than the busier Universal tour.

Days 4-5: Las Vegas, Nevada & The Grand Canyon

Fly from LA to Las Vegas (1-hour flight) or drive (4-5 hours).

Day 4: Las Vegas Strip. Check into your hotel. The real attraction is walking the Strip. See the Bellagio Fountains (shows every 30 minutes in the evening), the Mirage Volcano (check if it's still operational), and the inside of the Venetian's Grand Canal Shoppes. See a show if your budget allows. Remember, the hotels are huge—walking from one to another takes time.

Day 5: Grand Canyon Day Trip. This is a long day, but worth it. Book a small-group tour from Vegas to the Grand Canyon's West Rim or South Rim. West Rim is closer (2.5 hours) and is where the Skywalk is, but it's on Hualapai tribal land and feels more commercial. The South Rim (4.5+ hours) is the classic, majestic National Park Service site. Tours include transport and often a stop at the Hoover Dam. You'll be tired, but you'll have seen one of the world's natural wonders.

Days 6-7: Las Vegas Wrap-Up & Departure

Day 6: Off the Strip or Relaxation. Recover from your canyon trip. Consider visiting the Neon Museum, an outdoor gallery of historic Vegas signs (guided tour required, book ahead). Or, just lounge by your hotel pool—that's a quintessential Vegas activity. In the evening, explore the Fremont Street Experience downtown for a more old-school Vegas feel.

Day 7: Last-Minute Sights & Fly Home. Do any last-minute souvenir shopping, have a big brunch buffet (a Vegas tradition), and fly out of Harry Reid International Airport (LAS).

Where to Stay: Picking Your Base for a Week

Location trumps luxury for a fast-paced trip. Here’s a quick comparison of good base neighborhoods for each plan.

Book hotels with good cancellation policies. Prices fluctuate dramatically.

How to Get Around in 7 Days: Transportation Made Simple

For Plan A (East Coast): In NYC, buy a 7-day unlimited MetroCard ($34) or use OMNY contactless payments. The subway is your best friend. For NYC to DC, book Amtrak in advance for the best prices. In DC, the Metro is clean and efficient; get a SmarTrip card.

For Plan B (West Coast): You will need a rental car in LA. Public transport won't cut it for this itinerary. Book in advance from the airport. In Vegas, you can walk the Strip or use ride-shares/taxis. For the Grand Canyon, a guided tour handles transport.

Domestic flights (like LA to Vegas) should be booked at least 3 weeks ahead for decent fares.

Your USA 7-Day Trip Questions Answered