U.S. New York to Boston Historic Grand Tour
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Cherry Blossoms in Washington DC ©Courtesy of washington.org
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Liberty Bell © Photo by John Sterling Ruth for Visit Philadelphia®
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Boston Fan Pier at sunset ©Kyle Klein (Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau)
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Central Park, New York ©NYCotels.com
New York to Boston East Coast wanderings
Enjoy a fantastic cultural tour across the great U.S. East Coast with your group. Explore urban gems from New York to Boston with stops in Philadelphia and Washington D.C. – this adventure hits all the top sights. During the trip expect fine views from the famous Statue of Liberty to a green escape in Central Park. While also learning about U.S. art in the atmospheric Museum of Modern Art. Additionally, if history is the appeal, the stops at the Arlington National cemetery and the 9/11 memorial create powerful moments of reflection, also visits to the Library of Congress, U.S. Capitol building and Independence Hall are fascinating historical experiences. There’s even time for a quick look around Harvard. Another unique attraction, Mount Vernon remains the most visited historic home in the USA, drawing 1 million visitors each year to its restored mansion and beautiful gardens. Depending on dates there is the chance to enjoy the Illuminate Thanksgiving event – an inspirational program of music and live art with a special candle lighting ceremony.
Creature comforts
From New York to Boston look forward to private transfers and recommended hotels throughout. Also all tips and gratuities to private guides and drivers are fully inclusive. Time isn’t wasted with Washington D.C to Boston covered by air travel. Furthermore, return UK to U.S. flights form part of the excellent, fully inclusive itinerary.
Dates
Dates on request
Suggested Itinerary by Air
Day 1
UK – New York, U.S.
Take your UK flight to New York. On arrival clear US customs & immigration and then you will be transferred to your hotel.
Day 2
New York
Board the coach after breakfast for your guided tour of the city. You will have a round trip cruise to Liberty & Ellis Islands where you can see the famous Statue of Liberty & visit the Ellis Island Museum. Time will be spent at the 9/11 memorial, to allow reflection on a day that changed the city. There will be a walk along the Highline, an elevated linear park on the West Side between the Meatpacking District & Chelsea, you will also visit the iconic Times Square.
Day 3
New York
Forever at the forefront, the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) is not only devoted to presenting the best in contemporary art, but also to promoting the understanding of modern art and expanding the definition of what is considered art in the first place. Whether it’s showing you something you’ve never seen before, or showing you how to see something familiar in a new way, the MoMA is always an eye- and mind-opening experience! You will also visit Central Park with its famous carousel & boating lake. The afternoon is yours to enjoy the best the city has to offer.
Day 4
New York to Philadelphia
Check out of the hotel, then board the coach for the 2 hour journey to Philadelphia. On arrival you will have time at the Independence Hall where the United States Declaration of Independence and Constitution were both signed plus you will visit the Liberty Bell Building. Go beyond the iconic crack to learn how this State House bell was transformed into an extraordinary symbol. Abolitionists, women’s suffrage advocates and Civil Rights leaders took inspiration from the inscription on this bell. You will also visit the Betsy Ross House, the place where, according to legend, the first American flag was made. A guided tour of Christ Church will also enlighten you about the history of the US.
Day 5
Philadelphia to Washington
In the morning, you will visit the Philadelphia Museum of Art before driving to Washington DC, (approx. 3hours). On arrival in the US capital you will check into the hotel and the rest of the day is at leisure.
Day 6
Washington DC
Today your guide will take you around the US capital with visits to the Library of Congress, which is the largest library in the world and makes for a fascinating historical and literary experience. The U.S. Capitol Building is one of the most recognisable buildings in the world and the centre of American democracy. The world-famous domed building is home to the United States House of Representatives and Senate; where America’s congress conduct business. Time will be spent on the National Mall to see the varied monuments & memorials. You will also visit the White House Visitor Centre, which offers visitors a window into the president’s iconic home.
Day 7
Washington DC
Today you will visit the Arlington National Cemetery, America’s largest military cemetery and serves as the final resting place for more than 400,000 military veterans and their immediate family from the fronts of Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as World Wars I and II, the Korean conflict, Vietnam, the Cold War and America’s Civil War. There will be time to explore the iconic home of the USA’s first president. Mount Vernon, the stately Virginia home George Washington shared with his wife, Martha, sits just 25 kilometres from Washington D.C., the nation’s capital. Unique among the metropolitan area’s many political institutions and cultural attractions, Mount Vernon remains the most visited historic home in the USA, drawing 1 million visitors each year to its restored mansion, beautiful gardens and other historic buildings.
Day 8
Washington DC to Boston
Check-out of the hotel and drive to the airport for your flight to Boston. On arrival you will check-in at the hotel and the remainder of the day is yours to explore.
Day 9
Boston
Today you will drive to Plymouth and you will be able to watch the Illuminate Thanksgiving event which is a an inspirational program of music, live art, and a special candle lighting ceremony to commemorate the Plymouth 400 anniversary.
Day 10
Boston
You will have a half day guided tour of Boston taking in the highlights of Boston Harbour, Beacon Hill, Boston Common, Copley Square, Faneuil Hall, Back Bay along with Cambridge MIT and Harvard. The afternoon will be free to celebrate Thanksgiving.
Day 11
Boston U.S. – UK
There is free time in the morning to take advantage of the Black Friday sales before heading to the airport for your flight back to the UK.
Recommended Hotels:
Holiday Inn Express Chelsea, New York
Hilton Garden Inn
Double Tree by Hilton Down Town
Holiday Inn White House
When To Go:
November to February is winter low season, therefore expect dark, cold weather and lower prices for accommodation whilst some seasonal sights may have shorter hours or close. From December onward is ski season increasing prices in mountain resorts. East Coast high Season is June until August with hot sunny days, big outdoor music festivals and peak accommodation prices. April – May and September to October is shoulder season with mild weather which can be rainy. Wildflowers bloom in May and areas of foliage such as New England and Blue Ridge Parkway remain busy during the Fall.
Things To Know:
Etiquette
No need to be overly physical when greeting someone; some Americans hug but most shake hands. Don’t assume you can smoke – even outside. There is little tolerance for smoking which is banned in some public parks. Try to be on time. Americans can consider it rude to be kept waiting. It’s common practice to greet the staff when entering and leaving a shop, Americans also smile a lot to be polite.
History
Indigenous culture began around 12,000 BC, followed by early days as an English colony in the 16th century. Rising to the forefront of world economy, war against the British, expansion in the west, slavery and its abolishment, Civil War and Reconstruction, the Great Depression, the post war boom and recent 21st century conflicts – the U.S. has a complex identity.
Health and Insurance
The U.S. has a high level of hygiene, so diseases are not a significant problem. There are no required vaccines, and tap water is safe to drink. Bring any medications you may need in labelled, original containers. Purchase travel insurance to cover any unforeseen medical bills.
Stats
Currency: US dollar, Primary Language: English, Population: 179.9 million, Time Zone: Eastern (5 hours behind GMT), Central (6 hours behind GMT).
Visa Requirements:
British Citizens require prior authorisation to enter the United States using a British Passport. You will need either a VISA, which you can apply for at the US Embassy, or an Electronic System for Travel Authorisation, also known as the Visa Waiver Programme. This allows travel to the US for up to 90 days for tourism, business and transit to another country, purposes. Most people will qualify to enter the US using the VWP if they are British, hold a British passport, haven’t been arrested for certain crimes, aren’t a dual national of Iran, Iraq, Sudan or Syria, haven’t travelled to Libya, Iraq, Somalia, Sudan, Syria or Yemen since March 2011, and can show you have the funds available to support yourself during your stay.
For more information please visit the link below:
https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/usa/entry-requirements
