Ultimate Niagara & East Coast Highlights - 5 Days

This morning we depart New York City and travel north, passing through the scenic Delaware Water Gap en route to Watkins Glen State Park in the heart of the Finger Lakes region. Here, we walk through Watkins Glen Canyon, known for its dramatic rock formations and series of picturesque waterfalls.

We then continue towards Niagara Falls, travelling alongside Seneca Lake, one of the largest of the Finger Lakes. We arrive in the late afternoon and explore the US side of Niagara Falls, including the American Falls, Goat Island and Luna Island. We experience the sheer power of the falls aboard the Maid of the Mist boat ride. In the evening, we can admire the falls illuminated in colourful lights.

Meeting point: Outside Port Authority side entrance 330W 42nd between 8th & 9th Ave. New York City, NY at 6:30AM

We begin the day with views of the magnificent Horseshoe Falls, the largest of the three waterfalls that form Niagara Falls. We then visit the charming village of Niagara-on-the-Lake, known for its well-preserved 19th-century architecture.

Our journey continues to Toronto, Canada’s financial and cultural hub. Here, we explore key highlights including HTO Park on the waterfront, Brookfield Place - home to the Hockey Hall of Fame - City Hall, and the Distillery Historic District, a pedestrian area filled with restored industrial buildings.

In the evening, we travel east along Lake Ontario towards the Thousand Islands region. Please note that in April, depending on weather conditions, we may return to Niagara Falls for an overnight stay instead.

We start the day with a cruise through the scenic Thousand Islands along the St Lawrence River, a historic waterway explored by Jacques Cartier in the 16th century. As we cruise, we see impressive private islands and grand homes, including Boldt Castle on Heart Island.

We then travel back towards New York, stopping en route at a large outlet mall for a shopping break, where you can browse a range of well-known brands at discounted prices. We arrive in the evening at our hotel in New Jersey.

We depart New Jersey for Philadelphia, often referred to as the ‘City of Brotherly Love’ and one of the most historic cities in the United States. We visit the Liberty Bell, a symbol of American independence, as well as Constitution Square and Congress Hall. We also stroll along Elfreth’s Alley, the oldest continuously inhabited residential street in the country.

Our tour continues with a panoramic drive through Philadelphia, including the financial district, Benjamin Franklin Parkway and other key landmarks. Before leaving the city, we stop at the famous ‘Rocky Steps’ at the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

We then travel to Lancaster County, home to the Amish community. Here, we take a traditional Amish buggy ride through the countryside and gain insight into a way of life that has remained largely unchanged for centuries. We learn how the Amish maintain self-sufficient farms and incorporate limited technology while preserving their traditions. We also visit a local marketplace, where we can browse handmade crafts and local products.

In the late afternoon, we continue to Washington DC, arriving in the evening.

We begin the day with a visit to the Thomas Jefferson Memorial, set beside the Tidal Basin and often framed by seasonal cherry blossoms. We then visit Arlington National Cemetery, where we witness the Changing of the Guard and see the Kennedy family gravesite.

Next, we explore Capitol Hill, viewing the US Capitol and the White House - key symbols of the American government. We continue to the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, followed by visits to the Lincoln Memorial and the Korean and Vietnam War Memorials.

In the late afternoon, we depart north and return to New York, arriving in the evening.