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.

Visit Chicago Riverwalk and Holy Name Cathedral for their historical value. Your cultural itinerary includes sights like The Art Institute of Chicago and Oriental Institute Museum. There's lots more to do: explore the landscape on two wheels at Lakefront Trail, examine the collection at Richard H. Driehaus Museum, identify plant and animal life at Montrose Point Bird Sanctuary, and admire the striking features of Chicago Cultural Center.

To see more things to do, traveler tips, and other tourist information, use the Chicago visit site.

Sydney, Australia to Chicago is an approximately 23.5-hour flight. Traveling from Sydney to Chicago, you'll gain 16 hours due to the time zone difference. Plan for a bit warmer temperatures traveling from Sydney in July, with highs in Chicago at 33°C and lows at 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.

Your cultural itinerary includes sights like The Metropolitan Museum of Art and The Met Cloisters. Do your shopping at SoHo and Chelsea Market. The adventure continues: examine the collection at New York Public Library, take a stroll through Greenwich Village, make a trip to Times Square, and explore the world behind art at Frick Collection.

To see reviews, ratings, maps, and more tourist information, read our New York City tour planning website.

Fly from Chicago to New York City in 5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. The time zone changes from Central Standard Time to Eastern Standard Time, which is usually a 1 hour difference. Expect a daytime high around 35°C in July, and nighttime lows around 26°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 25th (Thu) to allow time to take a train 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.

Do some cultural sightseeing at National Air and Space Museum and Capitol Hill. You'll discover tucked-away gems like Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History and Georgetown. The adventure continues: take in the spiritual surroundings of Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, see the interesting displays at The National Archives Museum, take in the exciting artwork at National Gallery of Art - Sculpture Garden, and explore the world behind art at National Gallery of Art.

For reviews, traveler tips, ratings, and tourist information, you can read our Washington DC journey maker website.

You can take a train from New York City to Washington DC in 3.5 hours. Other options are to fly; or drive. July in Washington DC sees daily highs of 37°C and lows of 26°C at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 30th (Tue) so you can travel back home.