Best of · DAY TRIPS FROM THE USA

The 15 Day Trips from the USA Worth the Early Start

83 day trips  ·  from $35 a seat

One spare day and a long list of options. These 15 day trips from the usa are the ones worth the early alarm, each with its cost and its real length.

Small Group Yosemite and Giant Sequoias Day Trip from San Francisco - The early start and the road to the park
Day Trips, Day Trips from the USA, Small-Group Day Trips, Small-Group Day Trips in the USA, Tour Reviews

Small Group Yosemite and Giant Sequoias Day Trip from San Francisco

1.Small Group Yosemite and Giant Sequoias Day Trip from San Francisco

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3,671 reviews · 14 hours (approx.) · from $239Our pick

Leave San Francisco before sunrise for Yosemite with a group of up to 15. Walk beneath giant sequoias, stop at Tunnel View, Bridalveil Fall, Half Dome, Yosemite Falls, and El Capitan, then enjoy free time in Yosemite Valley. Guides such as Derek, Trevor, Kurt, and Steven add history, climbing stories, and practical help throughout the long day.

“Yosemite is, of course, an amazing place in our world. Having an expert and generous guide like Derek made the experience particularly wonderful. He played films about famous rock climbers to orient us to the meaning of famous cliffs like El Capitaine, enhancing my experience once we stood in front of its majestic face. He also helped us out by taking photographs whenever the opportunity presented. He did a great job, so much so that when I shared the photos with my children via text, one proclaimed I looked like I was in a National Geographic shoot. The entire trip was well planned to include enough food and rest stops.…”

Check availability →Read our full review

From NYC: Guided Day Trip to Washington DC by Van or Bus - Leaving Manhattan before the city wakes up
Day Trips, Day Trips from New York City, Day Trips from the USA, Guided, Tour Reviews

From NYC: Guided Day Trip to Washington DC by Van or Bus

2.From NYC: Guided Day Trip to Washington DC by Van or Bus

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 3,418 reviews · 15 hours · from $104

Travel from Manhattan to Washington DC by air-conditioned bus or van with an English or Spanish-speaking guide. You’ll visit Arlington Cemetery, the Iwo Jima Memorial, the National Mall, the White House, and the Capitol, then get 90 minutes for lunch, photos, or a museum. Guides such as David, Jose, and Augustin are praised for clear, lively commentary.

“It was a perfect trip! Augustin and Enrique are the best! Nothing to improve!”

Check availability →Read our full review

Boston to Martha's Vineyard Day Trip with Optional Island Tour - Crossing the Cape Cod Canal and Nantucket Sound
Day Trips, Day Trips from Boston, Day Trips from the USA, Island Day Trips, Tour Reviews, Tours, Wine Tasting Day Trips

Boston to Martha’s Vineyard Day Trip with Optional Island Tour

3.Boston to Martha’s Vineyard Day Trip with Optional Island Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 3,162 reviews · 12 hours (approx.) · from $129

Take an early minibus from Boston to Falmouth, then ride the Island Queen ferry to Martha’s Vineyard. Explore independently or add a narrated island tour with stops in Edgartown and Aquinnah. Guides such as Johnny Boston, Elaine, Tom, and Jonathan are praised for making the long road journey lively and useful.

“This was a very fun, informative, and interesting trip. Our driver, Jonathan, was very knowledgeable about the history of Massachusetts and was very accommodating to everyone. Would highly recommend this trip to anyone wanting to go from Boston to Martha’s Vineyard and back.”

Check availability →Read our full review

From Miami: Key West Day Trip with Pickup at Selected Hotels - Pickup at Miami Beach and Downtown Miami hotels
Day Trips, Day Trips from Miami, Day Trips from the USA, Tour Reviews

From Miami: Key West Day Trip with Pickup at Selected Hotels

4.Key West Day Trip with Pickup at Selected Hotels

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 2,918 reviews · 14 hours · from $39Best value

Ride from selected Miami Beach and Downtown Miami hotels to Key West with an English or Spanish-speaking guide. The scenic drive takes about 3.5 hours each way, leaving you six hours for Duval Street, Hemingway’s Home, beaches, food, shopping, or optional activities such as snorkeling. Guides such as Tamara and Pepe help you plan your day.

“Excellent day trip to Key West….. information regarding trip should state a breakfast stop is made on the way down (helpful as it’s a very early start) but not on the way back! 6 hours on Key West & tour guide was helpful in describing some things to do & we were able to purchase tickets on bus also…”

Check availability →Read our full review

From Las Vegas: Grand Canyon South Rim Day Trip - The Route 66 ride from Las Vegas
Day Trips, Day Trips from Las Vegas, Day Trips from the USA, Tour Reviews, Valley and Gorge Day Trips, Valley Day Trips in the USA

From Las Vegas: Grand Canyon South Rim Day Trip

5.Grand Canyon South Rim Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 2,147 reviews · from $86

Take a 15 to 16-hour bus trip from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon National Park’s South Rim. Ride Route 66, stop at Mather Point and Bright Angel, and get about three hours at the canyon. Guides such as Curty, Robert, Russ, and Kevin are known for lively commentary, but expect a very early start and a long ride.

“We originally gonna go to south rim but jay called me and recommend if we wanted to go to west rim instead and im glad we went to west rim. We had a good tour guide Laila and driver nelson. Laila explained everything about the grand canyon. Really recommend this tour.”

Check availability →Read our full review

San Francisco: Muir Woods and Sausalito Half-Day Trip - The San Francisco pickup and ride north
Day Trips, Day Trips from the USA, Half-Day, Tour Reviews

San Francisco: Muir Woods and Sausalito Half-Day Trip

6.San Francisco: Muir Woods and Sausalito Half-Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 1,722 reviews · 5 hours · from $95

Leave central San Francisco by mini-bus for an early visit to Muir Woods, where you get 90 minutes among towering coastal redwoods. Your guide, names such as Lawton, Mitch, Sharon, or Brian, shares local history along the way. After a bridge photo stop, enjoy 45 minutes in Sausalito, with an optional ferry return at your own cost.

“Hannah was fabulous!! Really informative and outgoing personality!! We had a wonderful time!!”

Check availability →Read our full review

Half-Day Trip from Key West with Kayaking, Snorkeling & Sunset - Kayaking into the mangrove backcountry
Day Trips, Day Trips from the USA, Evening Experiences, Half-Day, Snorkeling and Diving Day Trips, Tour Reviews

Half-Day Trip from Key West with Kayaking, Snorkeling & Sunset

7.Half-Day Trip from Key West with Kayaking, Snorkeling & Sunset

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,683 reviews · 4 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $115

Join Danger Charters from 255 Front Street for a small-group schooner trip combining sailing, mangrove kayaking, and reef snorkeling. Guides such as Micah, Katie, Laura, Bible, and Anthony lead the way. Choose morning or afternoon, with sunset included on the PM trip. Gear, wetsuits, snacks, beer, wine, and soft drinks are provided.

“It was a great great experience - everything that was promised was delivered. Kayaking through the mangroves, snorkeling in the sea and the sunset all were amazing! However, I would recommend this for someone who has already been to the Keys at least once.”

Check availability →Read our full review

From SF: Yosemite Day Trip with Giant Sequoias Hike & Pickup - The drive from San Francisco to Oakdale
Day Trips, Day Trips from the USA, Hiking Day Trips, Tour Reviews

From SF: Yosemite Day Trip with Giant Sequoias Hike & Pickup

8.From SF: Yosemite Day Trip with Giant Sequoias Hike & Pickup

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 1,331 reviews · 14 hours · from $239

Leave San Francisco before sunrise for a 14-hour Yosemite tour in a comfortable van. You’ll see Tunnel View, Bridalveil Falls, Half Dome, Yosemite Falls, El Capitan, Valley View, and the giant sequoias of Tuolumne Grove. Guides such as Derek, Kurt, Trevor, Brian S., and Steve add park stories, photo help, and climbing lore along the way.

“Yosemite is a stunning place! Trevor was our guide and he was extremely friendly and cheerful, what made our trip even more enjoyable. On our way there and back we watched a few movies about rock climbing and Yosemite's history, it was very interesting and now I can brag to my friends about it 😄 thank you so much for the incredible day! I definitely recommend this tour.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Key West Day Trip from Miami with Activities - The bus ride and Seven Mile Bridge
Day Trips, Day Trips from Miami, Day Trips from the USA, Tour Reviews

Key West Day Trip from Miami with Activities

9.Key West Day Trip from Miami with Activities

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 1,296 reviews · 15 hours (approx.) · from $39

Ride from Miami to Key West by bus, crossing more than 40 bridges and the famous Seven Mile Bridge. You get about six hours in Key West for Hemingway House, Mallory Square, lunch, or an optional snorkel cruise, glass-bottom boat, trolley, Conch Train, or parasailing session. Guides such as David and Thamara have been praised for clear information and helpful suggestions.

“Very good experience, worth for the money rather driving 7-8 hrs in traffic by ourselves during a busy Christmas eve”

Check availability →Read our full review

Alcatraz Tour Plus Muir Woods and Sausalito Day Trip - Starting the morning in central San Francisco
Day Trips, Day Trips from the USA, Tour Reviews, Tours

Alcatraz Tour Plus Muir Woods and Sausalito Day Trip

10.Alcatraz Tour Plus Muir Woods and Sausalito Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 1,194 reviews · 7 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $159

Spend about 7.5 hours pairing Alcatraz with Muir Woods and Sausalito. A guide such as Danny or Kenneth leads the road portion, while Alcatraz includes the ferry and Cellhouse audio tour. Expect redwoods, Golden Gate photo stops, free time in Sausalito, and an independent visit to the former prison.

“Absolutely loved going to Muir Woods was one of my trip highlights. Sausalito was overhyped. Tour guide was good.”

Check availability →Read our full review

From San Francisco: Day Trip to Yosemite National Park - The early start and four pickup zones
Day Trips, Day Trips from the USA, National Park Day Trips, National Park Day Trips in the USA, Tour Reviews

From San Francisco: Day Trip to Yosemite National Park

11.From San Francisco: Day Trip to Yosemite National Park

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 883 reviews · 15 hours · from $209

Travel from San Francisco to Yosemite in a bio-fueled mini-coach, with a guide such as Sharon, Noah, or Aiden sharing California and park history. See El Capitan, Bridalveil Fall, Yosemite Falls, and Inspiration Point, then enjoy three to four hours to walk, picnic, or visit the valley sights.

“We’ve had a great trip with our guide Noah. He was very friendly and had much informations for us. Only the ride was a little bit hard for us because of the bad streets. But all in all, we recommend the trip.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Mount Vernon and Old Town Alexandria Day Trip from Washington DC - Arriving at George Washington’s Mount Vernon
Day Trips, Day Trips from the USA, Tour Reviews

Mount Vernon and Old Town Alexandria Day Trip from Washington DC

12.Mount Vernon and Old Town Alexandria Day Trip from Washington DC

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 874 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $99

Travel by small bus from central Washington DC to George Washington’s Mount Vernon, with admission, a mansion tour, and about three hours to explore. Your guide also points out Old Alexandria sites such as Robert E. Lee’s boyhood home, Christ Church, and the waterfront. Guides including Robert, Bobby, Chris, and Dr. Ali have been praised for lively historical commentary.

“Tour guide was excellent, unfortunately a significant portion of the mansion is closed for renovation. Overall park and museum is good. Recommend waiting until after 2026 for 250 anniversary celebration”

Check availability →Read our full review

From NYC: Day Trip to Philadelphia and Amish Country - The 6:30 AM start from New York
Day Trips, Day Trips from New York City, Day Trips from the USA, Tour Reviews

From NYC: Day Trip to Philadelphia and Amish Country

13.From NYC: Day Trip to Philadelphia and Amish Country

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 805 reviews · 14 hours · from $149

Leave New York at 6:30 AM for a full-day guided trip to Philadelphia and Lancaster County. See Independence Square, the Liberty Bell, Elfreth’s Alley, and the Rocky Steps, then enjoy an Amish buggy ride and market visit. Guides may speak English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, or Japanese. Lunch is not included.

“Great trip. Truly loved the experience. The Amish part was definitely my favorite. Would love to do it again and definitely recommend it.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Mt Hood Day Trip from Portland to Multnomah Falls and Hood River - Rowena Crest and the shape of the Gorge
Day Trips, Day Trips from the USA, River and Rafting Day Trips, River Day Trips in the USA, Tour Reviews, Waterfall Day Trips, Waterfall Day Trips in the USA

Mt Hood Day Trip from Portland to Multnomah Falls and Hood River

14.Mt Hood Day Trip from Portland to Multnomah Falls and Hood River

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 695 reviews · 8 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $133

Travel from Portland in a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter with a local guide such as John, Rob, Phoebe, or Gunnar. Visit Multnomah Falls, Rowena Crest, Hood River, and Timberline Lodge, with scenic stops through the Columbia River Gorge and Mount Hood National Forest. Lunch is on your own, and groups are limited to 13 people.

“It was an amazing experience. Rob is a great tour guide and a professional driver. This has been one of the non forgettable moments.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Fisher Towers Half-Day Rafting Day Trip from Moab - Colorado River: float, splash, and wildlife
Day Trips, Day Trips from the USA, Half-Day, River and Rafting Day Trips, River Day Trips in the USA, Tour Reviews

Fisher Towers Half-Day Rafting Day Trip from Moab

15.Fisher Towers Half-Day Rafting Day Trip from Moab

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 684 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $97

Float through the Fisher Towers section of the Colorado River on a four-hour Moab trip with NAVTEC Expeditions. Guides such as Trevor, Annie, Lexi, and Carter handle the rowing while you enjoy red-rock canyons, wildlife, light rapids, and local stories. Inflatable kayaks are available by request, and the 12 p.m. half-day trip includes a buffet lunch.

“Wonderful experience, excellent guide. Amazing scenery, had snacks and water on the inflatable boat. Rapids were not too bad.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Scroll to Top

Day trips by the kind of day

Pick a coastline, a mountain pass, a ruin or a cellar.