17 days in Chicago, New York City & Washington DC Itinerary

A huge and vibrant city, Chicago is home to top-notch theaters, shops, museums, galleries, and restaurants.

Chicago Riverwalk and Holy Name Cathedral will appeal to history buffs. You'll explore and learn at The Art Institute of Chicago and Chicago Cultural Center. There's still lots to do: take a stroll through The Magnificent Mile, admire all the interesting features of Lincoln Park, admire the local landmark of Buckingham Fountain, and sample some tasty brews at a beer tour and tasting.

To find maps, ratings, where to stay, and tourist information, go to the Chicago attractions planner .

Sydney, Australia to Chicago is an approximately 23-hour flight. You can also do a combination of train and flight. The time zone changes from Australian Eastern Standard Time (New South Wales) (AEST) to Central Standard Time (CST), which is usually a -16 hour difference. Expect a bit warmer temperatures when traveling from Sydney in July; daily highs in Chicago reach 33°C and lows reach 22°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 20th (Sat) so you can travel to New York City.

Writer Pearl Buck once called New York City “a place apart,” and this giant urban center remains unlike any other in the world.

Discover out-of-the-way places like Ground Zero Museum Workshop and The Met Cloisters. Satisfy your inner culture vulture at The Metropolitan Museum of Art and Frick Collection. Next up on the itinerary: browse the exhibits of 9/11 Memorial, see the interesting displays at Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum, wander the streets of Washington Square Park, and get a new perspective on nature at American Museum of Natural History.

To see maps, more things to do, reviews, and tourist information, go to the New York City holiday planner .

Getting from Chicago to New York City by combination of flight and bus takes about 5 hours. Other options: fly; or drive. The time zone difference when traveling from Chicago to New York City is 1 hour. In July, daily temperatures in New York City can reach 35°C, while at night they dip to 26°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 25th (Thu) early enough to travel to Washington DC.

The capital of the United States, the District of Columbia contains the lion's share of the country's most treasured monuments, memorials, and public museums.

For shopping fun, head to National Gallery of Art - Sculpture Garden or Washington Harbour. Get a sense of the local culture at Smithsonian American Art Museum and Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. There's much more to do: wander the streets of Georgetown, learn more about the world around you at Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, hike along U.S. National Arboretum, and get engrossed in the history at United States Holocaust Memorial Museum.

To find maps, where to stay, traveler tips, and tourist information, use the Washington DC tour planner .

Fly from New York City to Washington DC in 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or drive. In July, plan for daily highs up to 37°C, and evening lows to 26°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 30th (Tue) early enough to travel back home.