Description

7 DAYS: New York City – Philadelphia (NO NIGHT STOP) – Washington D.C. – Lancaster – Niagara Falls - Finger Lakes – New York City

Starting point: New York City Ending Point: New York City
Price: £880 per person
Departure Date:

• Tuesday, 15 August 2023
• Sunday, 20 August 2023
• Wednesday, 23 August 2023
• Monday, 28 August 2023

Meals Included: Dinner at select locations. Mandatory Food Kitty at $10 per person, per day.

Why you'll love this trip:

• Wandering and photographing the celebrated urban park and aerial greenway in New York City along the Highline Trail.
• Explore the streets of Philadelphia and admire the scenic car-free boulevards, the historic Liberty Bell, and Independence Hall.
• See another side of life when you visit an Amish farm in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and learn about their customs and traditions.
• Get wet on the famous Maid of the Mist boat tour as you marvel at the power and beauty of Niagara Falls.
• Hike the three-mile round trip gorge trail at Watkins Glen State Park, which passes by, over and under 19 picturesque waterfalls.

Is this trip right for you?

• This trip includes time spent travelling in a private vehicle with your group. Extra space can be tight, and conditions may feel a little cramped. It’s all part of the adventure and a great way to get to know your fellow travellers. Please read the itinerary carefully for travel time estimates.
• Although our private vehicles do have air conditioning, it has to work pretty hard to keep a full group cool. Expect to feel hot during summer
• and cold at other times of the year, especially at night. Please consider the season and research the weather conditions to determine the best time to travel for you. Remember to come prepared with adequate clothing.
• This trip involves either a partial or full camping experience, giving you access to more remote destinations at close proximity, and the joy of camping under the night skies and beside a campfire. This is a participatory trip – a fancy way of saying you’re not just along for the ride, but you are part of a team! Be prepared to roll up your sleeves and help out with camp activities like food prep and washing up. It’s all about giving your new travel mates a hand, and everyone knows there’s nothing worse
• than trying to put up a tent on your own!
• Ensure you bring sturdy walking shoes and comfortable clothes. To make the most of the trip, it's best if you have at least a moderate level of fitness.

DAY 1 - New York City

Meet your leader near New York City at the Grove Street Station in Jersey City at 10am for a Welcome Meeting followed by a leader-led walk-through Greenwich Village to the Highline Trail, a former elevated train line reinvented as a lush public park. After free time for lunch, depart New York and head to your comfortable campground in the nearby foothills of the Pocono mountains.

Accommodation: Camping (with facilities) 
Meals Included: None
Included Activities: 

• NYC Greenwich Village & The Highline Leader-led Walk

Driving Time: New York to Pocono Mountrains - 1.5 hours

DAY 2 - Philadelphia en route to Washington DC

This morning, kickstart your journey along North America’s history trail and drive south towards the nation's capital, stopping at Philadelphia on the way for a look at some of the highlights of the Old City, including the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall. You will also discover Philadelphia’s scenic car-free streets, get a feel for what an East Coast historic neighbourhood looks like, and perhaps take a seat on one of the Once Upon A Nation storytelling benches in the historic district. Grab some lunch in Philadelphia before travelling to your campground near Washington D.C.

Accommodation: Camping (with facilities)
Meals Included: None
Included Activities: 

• Philadelphia - City Highlights Tour

Optional Activities: 

• Reading Terminal Market (Free)

Driving Time: New York to Philadelphia - 2 hours; Philadelphia to Washington D.C. - 2.5 hours

DAY 3 - Washington D.C.

This morning join your leader for an orientation tour of Washington DC, then the rest of your day is yours to explore Washington DC your way. We suggest grabbing a map and planning your day to ensure that you maximise your time in this iconic city. Choose from around 100 famous world-class museums such as the National Air and Space Museum or National Museum of Natural History or seek out one of the smaller museums hidden around the city. Washington DC is also overflowing with famous monuments and buildings like the White House and Capitol Hill so you’ll find plenty to keep you entertained today.

Accommodation: Camping (with facilities)
Meals Included: None
Included Activities: 

• Washington D.C. - Leader-led walking

Optional Activities: 

• Washington DC - National Museum of Crime and Punishment - Free
• Washington DC - National Museum of American History - Free
• Arlington - National Cemetery DC - Free
• Washington DC - National Museum of Natural History - Free
• Washington DC - National Gallery of Art - Free
• Washington DC - International Spy Museum - USD21
• Washington DC - Bike and Roll Tour - USD45
• Washington DC - National Archives - Free
• Washington DC - National Air & Space Museum - Free

DAY 4 - Lancaster (Amish Country)

Depart Washington DC and drive to Lancaster County in Pennsylvania. The state of Pennsylvania is home to the greatest number of Amish in the USA, with a community of around 30,000 in the Lancaster area. Known for their resistance to modern technology and traditional values, visiting an Amish community can feel like taking a step back in time. Take a traditional buggy ride, then visit a local dairy farm where you’ll meet some locals and learn about Amish customs and culture.

Accommodation:  Camping (with facilities)
Meals Included: None
Included Activities: 

• Lancaster - Amish Buggy Ride
• Lancaster - Working Dairy Farm visit

Optional Activities: 

• Lancaster - Shady Maple Smorgasbord Dinner - Free

Driving Time: 3 hours

DAY 5 - Niagara Falls

After breakfast, settle back and relax for the scenic journey north through the rolling farmland of Pennsylvania into upstate New York. In the afternoon, visit the United States’ side of Niagara Falls and ride the iconic Maid of the Mist boat right up to the base of Horseshoe Falls. You’ll almost certainly get drenched so wear your poncho! Later in the afternoon, drive to your campsite and pitch your tent in the heart of the great outdoors, share stories with your fellow travellers around the campfire, and make s’mores (a traditional sweet night time campfire treat in North America) as you watch the stars sparkling overhead.

Accommodation: Camping (with facilities)
Meals Included: Dinner
Included Activities: 

• Niagara Falls - Maid of the Mist boat tour

Driving Time: 7 hours

DAY 6 - Finger Lakes

After breakfast, you’ll discover the most “gorges” part of New York state in the Finger Lakes region. These eleven glacier-formed lakes offer breathtaking views of rolling vineyards and sparkling water, but the most astonishing attractions here are the many waterfalls and limestone gorges. Hike the three-mile round-trip gorge trail at Watkins Glen State Park, which passes by, over and under 19 picturesque waterfalls, and has photo opportunities galore.

Accommodation: Camping (with facilities)
Meals Included: None
Included Activities: 

• Finger Lakes - Watkins Glen Gorge Hike

Optional Activities:

• Buffalo - Silo City Tour - USD24

Driving Time: 2.5 hours

DAY 7 - New York City

You’ll be closing your East Coast loop today as we head back to New York City (Jersey City). No accommodation is provided tonight, but if you do wish to spend extra time in New York, we'll be happy to book additional accommodation for you (subject to availability).

Accommodation: Noone
Meals Included: None
Driving Time: 6 hours