Best of East Coast USA - Classic Group

Best of East Coast USA - Classic Group

250 Views
9 Days From

$4258

Best of East Coast USA - Classic Group

9 Days Starting in Bar Harbor and ending in Washington D.C.

Visiting: Bar Harbor, Acadia National Park, Quebec City, Kennebunkport, Boston, New York City, Philadelphia, Washington D.C.

Tour operator:

Insight Vacations

Tour code:

ABECWZN20

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Group size:

20 - 40

Physical rating:

Low

Age range:

5-99

Special diets catered:

Please Advise Request

Tour operated in:

English
From: $4258

NB: Prices correct on 05-Nov-2024 but subject to change.

This tour is no longer available, please see similar tours below or send an enquiry

Tour Overview

Discover the iconic sights and unique regional character of East Coast USA. Starting your journey in Maine, enjoy the rocky shoreline, majestic views and rugged nautical charm of Acadia National Park. Tour part of Boston’s famous Freedom Trail, a 2.5-mile trail with 16 historically significant sites before arriving at the bright lights of New York City. Join a local expert to see the iconic sights and skyline of the Big Apple and join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience tasting local specialties at a neighborhood public market. In Washington, D.C. see the Lincoln Memorial and the World War II Memorial and conclude your journey in style with a dinner cruise on the Potomac River.

Highlights

  • content:

    Choice Highlights

    • New York City: Newly constructed in Midtown Manhattan, Summit One Vanderbilt has amazing views of the NYC skyline, especially the Chrysler Building. Summit One has four levels of multi-sensory space that represent art and design. With amazing views of the NYC skyline, guests will walkthrough a five-part-story-driven immersive art experience that includes reflective glass, optical illusions and art installations meant to challenge your perspective. Outside, there is also a wrap-around viewing deck that allows for amazing views and photos

  • content:

    Top Rated Highlights

    • Acadia National Park: Take in the natural beauty of Acadia National Park, with its dramatic rocky shoreline and rugged nautical charm. You'll witness amazing views of the park from the top of Cadillac Mountain, while guests wanting to explore on foot can join their Travel Director to view well known spots such as Thunder Hole.
    • Kennebunkport: Follow the rocky Main shoreline to the picturesque town of Kennebunkport. Here you’ll dock square in the center of town and have a chance to check out its quaint boutiques and local craft shops, selling everything from art to hand crafted jewelry.
    • Boston: Explore the great city of Boston, with your Travel Director and learn about its transformative past. You’ll follow part of the red-brick Freedom Trail that brings the story of the American Revolution to life. Journeying to other historically significant sights that include the Boston Common, the Old Corner Bookstore and the Bunker Hill Monument in Charlestown. View the colorful neighborhood of Back Bay and the lively North End, otherwise known as Boston’s Little Italy.
    • New York City: Take a bite of the Big Apple, as a Local Expert shows you the very best of what the city has to offer. Including intimate looks at Times Square and Rockefeller Center. Also view other icons of the famous city skyline such as the Empire State Building, and the Art Deco filled Chrysler Building.
    • Philadelphia: Explore the UNESCO-listed Independence National Historic Park and see the famous crack that runs down the Liberty Bell, whose inscription has inspired so many in history to "proclaim liberty.” It is the first and only institution in America established by Congress to increase the awareness and understanding of the Constitution on a nonpartisan basis among the American people.
    • Washington, D.C.: Take a city tour of the history lined streets of Washington, D.C. and learn about the proud heritage of a nation. View the White House, the striking Washington Monument, and sprawling National Mall. Reflect on the country's most turbulent days at the Lincoln Memorial and the somber World War II Memorial.

  • content:

    Make Travel Matter

    Ottawa: Learn about the Manitobah Mukluks Storyboot Project, a key initiative that aims to revive the traditional arts by creating partnerships with elders and artisans who fashion mukluks and moccasins in the traditional way. After receiving the prestigious TreadRight Heritage Initiative grant, the project now endeavours to expand its partnerships, teaching opportunities and artisan support network.

    Bar Harbor: Get up close and personal with the indigenous community and their history meeting a local Wabanaki storyteller for a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience. Step inside Bar Harbor's Historical Society’s waterfront building to delve into the world of Indigenous oral traditions and music through an insightful presentation. You’ll be fascinated by the stories of the Wabanaki people’s homeland from this family operated and woman-owned business. This experience addresses United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 11 by preserving local traditions, protecting natural and built heritage sites and promoting cultural vibrancy.

    Washington, D.C.: This striking museum has collected more than 36,000 artefacts that reflect history, politics, sports, arts and entertainment. Explore the richness and diversity of the African American experience, what it means to their lives, and how it helped shape this nation.

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    Authentic Dining

    Bar Harbor: Enjoy an authentic Maine Lobster dinner as you feast on the fresh and local delicacy known for its tender and rich flavor. Raise a glass as you mingle with new friends over this delectable Highlight Dinner.

    Washington: Join your Travel Director and fellow guests for a dinner and toast to new friends and fantastic memories.

  • content:

    Insight Choice

    New York City: Newly constructed in Midtown Manhattan, Summit One Vanderbilt has amazing views of the NYC skyline, especially the Chrysler Building. Summit One has four levels of multi-sensory space that represent art and design. With amazing views of the NYC skyline, guests will walkthrough a five-part-story-driven immersive art experience that includes reflective glass, optical illusions and art installations meant to challenge your perspective. Outside, there is also a wrap-around viewing deck that allows for amazing views and photos

    New York City: Embark on a captivating 2.5-hour walking tour through the heart of New York City, starting at the iconic Grand Central Terminal and learn the storied transportation legacy of this historic landmark. Immerse yourself in the luminosity of Broadway in the Theater District, marvel at the architectural opulence of Radio City Music Hall, pause to contemplate the grandeur of St. Patrick's Cathedral, and explore the legendary Rockefeller Center with its Art Deco splendor. Traverse the celebrated Fifth Avenue, discovering both highlights and hidden gems in this renowned shopping and cultural district. Conclude the journey at your hotel.

Itinerary

Expand All

Day 1: Arrive In Bar Harbor

Location: Bar Harbor

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Harborside Hotel Spa & Marina, Bar Harbor

Welcome to Bar Harbor, a vibrant historic city on Maine's scenic Atlantic Coast. The evening is saved for a delectable Welcome Dinner with your new friends, as you feast on authentic Maine lobster, a local specialty and one that won't disappoint.

Day 2: Explore Acadia National Park

Location: Bar Harbor, Acadia National Park

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Harborside Hotel Spa & Marina, Bar Harbor

Meals Included: Breakfast

Take in the natural beauty of Acadia National Park, with its dramatic rocky shoreline and rugged nautical charm. You'll witness amazing views of the park from the top of Cadillac Mountain, while guests wanting to explore on foot can join their Travel Director to view well-known spots such as Thunder Hole. You'll have time to explore Bar Harbor on your own. Stop for an ice cream or head to the bustling souvenir stores to stock up on some holiday treats. This afternoon, visit the Bar Harbor Historical Society’s charming waterfront building to meet a local Wabanaki storyteller for a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience of Indigenous traditional music.

Day 3: Coastal New England To Boston

Location: Quebec City, Kennebunkport, Boston

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Hyatt Regency, Boston

Meals Included: Breakfast

Follow the rocky Maine shoreline, stopping in picturesque Kennebunkport, a glitzy New England resort town and the iconic home of the Bush family. The town has a number of fine, well-preserved mansions, many of which have been turned into charming inns.

Day 4: Boston, The Cradle Of Liberty

Location: Boston

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Hyatt Regency, Boston

Meals Included: Breakfast

Famous for its American Revolutionary war history, Boston is a place for keen history buffs. Join your Travel Director as they guide you along the Freedom Trail, a route that leads you to several historically significant sites, including the Old State House and the meeting house where the Boston Tea Party of 1773 was planned. The rest of your day is at leisure. Perhaps take a stroll to Downtown Crossing or historic Faneuil Hall. For food lovers in search of the city's best street eats, head to Boston's North End. Due to its large Italian community, this part of town houses some of the best Italian bakeries in the city, as lines of shoppers circle the block to get their hands on fresh cannoli and other treats.

Day 5: A Bite Of The Big Apple

Location: Boston, New York City

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: The Knickerbocker, New York City

Meals Included: Breakfast

Follow the bright lights to New York City. Choose to visit one of the city's newest attractions, Summit One Vanderbilt with stunning views of the New York skyline, or explore Midtown's fascinating architecture on foot with a Local Expert. This evening, your hotel is in the heart of Time Square and a short walk from iconic attractions like the Rockefeller Center, Brayant Park, and Broadway Theater.

Day 6: A Manhattan Masterpiece Relaxed Start

Location: New York City

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Marriott Marquis, New York

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Explore the City that Never Sleeps with your Local Expert before heading out on your own. If it's tranquillity you're after, relish in the calm of Central Park, an expansive space designed by renowned landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted. Later, visit Essex Lower East Side Neighborhood Market for a food tour and demonstration.

Day 7: Liberty In Philadelphia And D.C. Relaxed Start

Location: New York City, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C.

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Melrose Georgetown Hotel, Washington, D.C.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Travel to Pennsylvania's largest city, Philadelphia, where the Liberty Bell first chimed and Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence. Explore Independence National Historic Park and visit the Liberty Bell with your Travel Director. Journey to Washington, D.C., the nation's capital. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure. Perhaps join an optional Illuminations Tour in the evening to see the capital's sights in a new light.

Day 8: Washington, D.C. Sightseeing And Leisure Time

Location: Washington, D.C.

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Melrose Georgetown Hotel, Washington, D.C.

Meals Included: Breakfast

In the morning, immerse yourself on a sightseeing tour and delve into the proud heritage of a nation. View the White House, the striking Washington Monument, and the sprawling National Mall. Reflect on the country's most turbulent days at the Lincoln Memorial and the World War II Memorial. Next, MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® visiting the National Museum of African American History and Culture, the newest member of the Smithsonian Institution and the only national museum devoted exclusively to the documentation of African American life, history, and culture. The rest of the day is at leisure. Join your Travel Director and fellow guests for a Celebration Dinner and toast to new friends and fantastic memories.

Day 9: Depart Washington, D.C.

Location: Washington, D.C.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Depart at your leisure to Dulles International Airport or Reagan National Airport for your flight home. Alternatively, extend your stay to depart at your leisure.

What's Included

  • Meals

    8 Breakfasts (B), 1 Dinner (D), 1 Dinner with Wine (DW), including special dinners like an authentic Main Lobster dinner in Bar Harbor and a Celebration Dinner in Washington DC.

  • Unique Experiences

    Cooking demonstration in Ottawa, visit to the Manitobah Mukluks Storyboot Project, cruise to the base of Niagara Falls, and city tours with Local Experts in Montreal, Quebec City, New York City, and Washington, D.C.

  • Special Access

    Visit historic Kingston, Notre-Dame Basilica of Montreal, Ile d'Orleans, Quebec City, Acadia National Park, Kennebunkport, Boston's Freedom Trail, Times Square in NYC, Philadelphia's Liberty Bell, and more.

  • Accommodations

    Stay in carefully selected hotels throughout the tour, enhancing your experience of the destinations visited.

  • Transportation

    Travel in comfort with transportation provided throughout your tour, including city tours and transfers between destinations.

What's Not Included

  • Airfare

    International and domestic airfare to and from the start and end points of the tour are not included.

  • Travel Insurance

    Travel insurance is not included and is recommended for all travelers.

  • Optional Activities

    Any optional activities or excursions not mentioned in the tour itinerary are not included.

  • Personal Expenses

    Personal expenses such as laundry, telephone calls, room service, alcoholic beverages, and minibar charges are not included.

  • Gratuities

    Gratuities for Travel Director, driver, local guides, and hotel staff are not included.

Dining Summary

  • 2 Dinner with Wine (DW)
  • 8 Breakfast (B)
  • 1 Dinner (D)

Insight Experiences

  • Ottawa: Gain new culinary skills and learn more about regional cuisine with a local chef during a cooking demonstration at C'est Bon.
  • New York City: This late afternoon, enjoy a visit to Essex Market, a cornerstone of the Lower East Side for over 100 years. Meet and hear the stories of local vendors while tasting their noteworthy specialties from around the world. Enjoy and learn from a live cooking demonstration while hearing how our visit to this non-profit run market contributes to countless programs aimed to provide quality, affordable food to the community and foster entrepreneurship as well as economic development.

Summary

  • Embark on a cruise to the base of Niagara Falls.
  • Visit historic Kingston • Notre-Dame Basilica of Montreal • Ile d'Orleans • Quebec City • Acadia National Park • Kennebunkport • Boston's Freedom Trail • Times Square in NYC • Philadelphia's Liberty Bell • Washington D.C.
  • City tours of Montreal, Quebec City and New York City with Local Experts; Washington, D.C.
  • Welcome Dinner in Toronto • Cooking Demonstration and three-course Highlight Dinner in Ottawa • Dine-Around Evening in Quebec • Highlight Dinner with lobster in Bar Harbor • Celebration Dinner in Washington, D.C.

Check out our Q&As

  • What kind of dinner can I expect on the first day in Bar Harbor?

    On the first day in Bar Harbor, you will enjoy a delectable Welcome Dinner featuring authentic Maine lobster, a local specialty.

  • What activities are available in Acadia National Park?

    In Acadia National Park, you can take in the natural beauty with its dramatic rocky shoreline and rugged nautical charm. You can witness amazing views from the top of Cadillac Mountain and explore well-known spots such as Thunder Hole. There is also time to explore Bar Harbor on your own.

  • What can I do in Kennebunkport?

    In Kennebunkport, you can explore the picturesque town, check out its quaint boutiques and local craft shops, and see the fine, well-preserved mansions, many of which have been turned into charming inns.

  • What historical sites will I visit in Boston?

    In Boston, you will follow the Freedom Trail, which leads to several historically significant sites, including the Old State House and the meeting house where the Boston Tea Party of 1773 was planned. You can also visit Downtown Crossing, historic Faneuil Hall, and Boston's North End.

  • What are the options for exploring New York City?

    In New York City, you can visit the Top of the Rock Observation Deck for stunning views of the skyline or take a scenic bike tour of Central Park. You will also have the opportunity to explore the city with a Local Expert and visit the Essex Lower East Side Neighborhood Market for a food tour and demonstration.

  • What will I see in Philadelphia?

    In Philadelphia, you will explore Independence National Historic Park and visit the Liberty Bell, where you can learn about its historical significance.

  • What are the highlights of the Washington, D.C. tour?

    In Washington, D.C., you will view the White House, the Washington Monument, and the National Mall. You will also visit the Lincoln Memorial, the World War II Memorial, and the National Museum of African American History and Culture. The tour concludes with a Celebration Dinner.

  • What happens on the last day of the tour?

    On the last day, you will have a morning transfer to Dulles International Airport or Reagan National Airport for your flight home. Alternatively, you can extend your stay at your own pleasure.

  • Can I join the tour once it has departed?

    We regret that no refunds can be made for absences from a tour, including experiences such as missed meals or sightseeing.

  • How long has the tour company been trading?

    Since 1978.

  • What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?

    Insight Vacations is a founding member of the TreadRight Foundation, a joint initiative created by the brands within The Travel Corporation (TTC) almost 15 years ago to ensure our impact through tourism is positive. Our ethos to #MakeTravelMatter guides our decision-making at every level of our business.

  • Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?

    Yes

  • Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?

    You have two options as a solo traveller. Either choose to be matched with a same sex partner for a room share - at no extra cost. Or choose a room of your own with a reduced or even free private room upgrade on select tours.

  • What policies are in place for Covid-19?

    Please contact us for latest COVID-19 policies

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Book with Confidence

  • Low Deposit

    Insight Vacations requires a minimum deposit of 350 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of insight vacations charges.

    Up to 91 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

    At 90 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.

    At 29 days before tour starts: Forfeit 80% of booking price.

    At 1 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.

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