New York City, Upstate & Niagara

Day 1 – Welcome to New York City!

Optional transfers from home or our departure points this morning will have us at the Los Angeles International Airport for our scheduled non-stop flight arriving in New York City this evening. Those guests not taking advantage of the optional group airfare should arrive at the Newark International Airport by 5:00 p.m. if they want to be included on the complimentary transfer to the hotel . Upon arrival, we’ll board a deluxe motorcoach and travel to our Manhattan hotel to begin a two-night stay. Our stately, upscale, full-service hotel is situated on 7th Avenue between 52nd and 53rd streets in the Times Square District. Enjoy the balance of the evening at leisure – Times Square and a variety of restaurants are just a few short, walkable blocks from the hotel.

Day 2 – New York City

Join your tour director on an optional walking excursion (no additional cost) to NBC Studios this morning to see the Today Show taping live! We’ll then join a local guide for a comprehensive driving tour of Manhattan with multiple stops. We’ll tour inside St. Patrick’s Cathedral and walk through Rockefeller Center before we continue to Central Park for a short walk to see Strawberry Fields the tribute to the late John Lennon. See the Lincoln Center, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Guggenheim Museum, the celebrity apartments along Central Park East and West, the Plaza Hotel, the legendary Ed Sullivan Theatre, Radio City Music Hall, and much more in Midtown Manhattan. We continue to Lower Manhattan and visit the National September 11 Memorial & Museum. The Museum displays artifacts associated with the events of 9/11, while presenting stories of loss and recovery. On a self-guided tour you’ll come to better understand what happened on 9/11, how people responded in the aftermath of the attacks, and the history and rebuilding of the World Trade Center. Enjoy ample time at your leisure to pay your respects at the 9/11 Memorial, two reflecting pools, set in the footprints of the North and South Towers of the World Trade Center. Both pools have cascading waterfalls which are the largest man-made waterfalls in North America. Inscribed around the bronze edges of the pools are the names of those who died on 9/11. Visit The Survivor Tree, the 8 foot tall Callery Pear tree that was found barely alive among the rubble of the fallen towers. Nursed back to health and replanted in the plaza, it has since flourished and has grown to 30 feet in height. The tree embodies the story of survival and resilience important to the history of the World Trade Center and 9/11. We return to the hotel late this afternoon with the evening at leisure. Optional tickets for a variety of Broadway musicals are available for this evening (prices vary and show selection will be available with final invoice) – most theaters are just a short walk from the hotel.

Day 3 – New York City to the Hudson River Valley

This morning we travel out of Manhattan taking in views of Columbia University, Riverside Church and Grant’s Tomb before crossing the George Washington Bridge and continuing to the beautiful Hudson River Valley. We’ll enjoy a guided tour of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point which will showcase these hallowed grounds where American heroes like Generals Patton, Eisenhower and MacArthur graduated. We’ll take in the view from Trophy Point and see the Cadet Chapel and Michie Stadium – home of Army Football. We continue to Hyde Park and visit the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Home & Presidential Library. See his cluttered White House desk (left as it was the last day of his presidency), his beloved 1936 Ford Phaeton with the original hand controls, and the home where FDR and Eleanor entertained world leaders. Pay your respects to FDR and Eleanor, both laid to rest in the rose garden. This evening we’ll enjoy an included dinner at a restaurant overlooking the Hudson River before we begin a two-night stay at our downtown Poughkeepsie hotel. (Dinner)

Day 4 – The Hudson River Valley

Following an included breakfast, we’ll be joined by a local guide for a full-day of touring the Hudson River Valley. At Val-Kill National Historic Site, we’ll see where Eleanor Roosevelt lived and made her mark on civil rights and humanitarian issues. We’ll visit the Culinary Institute of America, the premier cooking school in the United States. Enjoy a student-guided tour followed by a student-made and student-served lunch here. At Vanderbilt Mansion National Historic Site, a docent-guided tour will showcase this country castle containing 54 rooms and offering majestic views of the Hudson River and Catskill Mountains! This evening we’ll enjoy an included dinner at the Mohonk Mountain House, the iconic resort situated on a rocky ridge overlooking a glacial lake, pristine gardens, and the Mohonk Forest Preserve. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 5 – The Hudson River Valley to Cooperstown

After an included breakfast , we’ll take a walk over the Hudson River via the Walkway Over the Hudson – the longest elevated pedestrian bridge in the world! Late this afternoon we arrive in the small town of Cooperstown. Set along the edge of tranquil Otsego Lake, the little village of Cooperstown boasts an almost unfair amount of history for its size. Enjoy time at leisure for browsing and dinner on your own in this charming town that is home to tree-lined streets and beautiful Victorian-era houses. (Breakfast, Lunch)

Day 6 – Cooperstown to 1000 Islands

Following an included breakfast, we’ll visit the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. Enjoy ample time at leisure to explore this amazing museum that features entire exhibits devoted to Babe Ruth (complete with his bat and his locker), Hank Aaron, and the Hall of Fame Gallery where the bronze plaques for all the Hall of Famers are displayed. This afternoon we continue north to Alexandria Bay in the heart of New York's1000 Island region. Situated at the southern end of the Saint Lawrence River and eastern shore of Lake Ontario, most people’s only knowledge of this area is the salad dressing that originated here. Enjoy an included dinner at our waterfront resort. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 7 – 1000 Islands to Niagara Falls

Enjoy an included breakfast before we begin a narrated two-nation boat cruise to discover this stunningly beautiful region known as the “Venice of the New World.” We’ll see Millionaire’s Row and enjoy time to explore Boldt Castle on Heart Island. This afternoon we continue west to the Canadian side of Niagara Falls (a valid passport is required for this tour). We'll enjoy a two-night stay (with views of Niagara Falls from your hotel room) at an elegant, AAA Four Diamond hotel located in the heart of Niagara's entertainment district. (Breakfast)

Day 8 – Niagara Falls

After an included breakfast we’ll join a local guide for a tour of the Niagara Falls area. We’ll visit the picturesque Floral Clock and take in views of the Falls from a variety of view points. We’ll then don our complimentary ponchos and board Hornblower’s 700-passenger boat for the awe-inspiring Voyage to the Falls. Enjoy a memorable, included farewell dinner this evening. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 9 – Erie Canal, Journey Home

Following an included breakfast we’ll enjoy a narrated boat cruise on the Erie Canal including “locking through” two sets of locks. We continue to Buffalo for an afternoon flight returning us to Los Angeles this evening. Those guests not taking advantage of the optional group airfare, should depart the Buffalo International Airport no earlier than 3:00 p.m. Back in Los Angeles, those with pre-arranged transfers will be returned to their respective drop-offs. We’ll long remember the incredible memories of the beautiful sights and experiences while on this exciting journey to the "Empire State"! (Breakfast)

While we make every effort to operate our tours as outlined in the itinerary, we ask for your understanding, flexibility and to retain a sense of adventure while traveling with us. While these have always been necessary traits for travelers, they are needed now more than ever! Situations may arise that necessitate changes to the itinerary. Should we need to adjust the itinerary either prior to or while on tour, these changes will be communicated to you and only done when absolutely necessary. Now more than ever, our 30 years of knowledge and tour planning experience helps us navigate a unique travel environment on your behalf. You can put your trust in us knowing we are experts in travel planning and will do everything possible to provide wonderful new experiences and create amazing new memories for our guests while on the road with us.