Day : 1
Boston
Number of Days : 1
Meet up with your Contiki Team in the one & only Boston. We’ll explore this historic city on a sightseeing tour before having the rest of the day free.
Day : 2
Boston
Number of Days : 1
With a full day here, you’ll get a feel for this user-friendly city, which is easy to explore on foot.
In your free time, walk through a living time line and follow Boston’s famous Freedom Trail, which takes you past 2 and a half centuries of history. Learn about Boston’s rebellious role on its road to independence as you explore the cobbled lanes and historic hot spots.
Discover more of Boston. Pound the pavements or choose our optional Hop-on-Hop-off trolley tour and cover more of the city. You’ll get the background on Boston’s famous Tea Party, when Boston citizens threw tons of tea into the harbor in protest against the British Crown.
Head back to Faneuil Hall & Quincy Market for a bit of souvenir shopping and a dose of history. Dubbed the “Cradle of Liberty” this famous brick building has played a key role in the city for over 250 years. Check out the stalls loaded with New England’s crafts, pick up some Boston-made items and order some local food at a push cart eatery or restaurant.
For a bit of the local lifestyle, take in the waterfront by following the Haborwalk. Made up of 62.8 km (39miles) of paths weaving through diverse neighborhoods, it is a great way to experience Boston’s maritime flavor and see its working ports in action.
Get into the city’s café culture on Italian flavored Hanover Street in Boston’s oldest residential district. Sip on a cappuccino as you take in the city’s iconic brick architecture.
If you just want to relax, kick back with the locals and people-watch in one of the nine parks that make up the city’s “Emerald Necklace”. You could return to Boston Common, where public hangings took place in the old days, – now it’s a great place to hang out.
Day : 3
Boston to New York City
Number of Days : 1
Hello New York! Get ready for 2 awesome nights in one of the world’s hottest cities. We’ll dive right in to the Big Apple & spend the afternoon discovering this iconic city’s sights from Wall Street, to the Guggenheim & Soho. After dinner, we head up to the 86th floor of the empire state building for unbeatable views of Manhattan by night, then hit the streets and get amongst the buzz and atmosphere of New York.
Day : 4
New York City
Number of Days : 1
Today, it’s all about ME Time! For something different, you can opt for an NYC food cart tour-the foodie in you will love it. Or take the rest of the day to explore. Shop 5th ave, visit Times Square or wander through NYC’s vibrant neighborhoods like the Lower East Side or Hell’s Kitchen. Tonight, do it local and head out for Pizza, cocktails, or catch a famous broadway show.
Day : 5
New York City to Philadelphia
Number of Days : 1
Spend the morning in New York with a trip to the Statue of Liberty before heading off to Philly; the “City of Brotherly Love” & the home of the Philly cheesesteak sandwich.
Day : 6
Philadelphia to Washington D.C.
Number of Days : 1
On your way to the nation’s capital, we’ll turn back the clock with a visit to Amish Country.
Later, we’ll visit Arlington National Cemetery, where JFK is buried and thousands of US soldiers lie. You’ll see the sobering sight of endless rows of white headstones and have the chance to watch the Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
Tonight we’ll see the sites on an illumination tour of the city’s famous monuments.
Day : 7
Washington D.C. to Pittsburgh
Number of Days : 1
Visit the Civil War site of Gettysburg, where President Lincoln gave the famous Gettysburg Address. Then it’s onward to Steel City, Pittsburgh. For an amazing view of the city and its three rivers, take a ride on the century old Duquesne Incline and view the city from its observation deck atop Mt. Washington. Afterwards, you and your crew could head out to one of the many fun neighbourhoods’ for a night on the town with the group.
Day : 8
Washington D.C.
Number of Days : 1
With a full day to explore the capital, you can visit some fascinating museums and monuments, or hang out in the city’s vibrant neighborhoods for a different feel.
Get a dose of culture at the Smithsonian Museums. This is a one-stop culture spot, made up of 19 different museums. It has it all – from natural history to space, so the choice is yours, and best of all, it’s free!
You can also visit the world-class Holocaust Museum and learn about one of history’s darkest moments as you honor the victims.
For something fun and intriguing, head to the Spy Museum. Find out about infamous FBI cases and what it means to be a secret agent, while you listen to bugs and play around with gadgets and interactive displays.
For something more upbeat, get down and funky in Adams-Morgan, another trendy district.
Day : 9
Pittsburgh to Niagara Falls
Number of Days : 1
Say farewell USA as we cross into Canada for a day exploring Niagara Falls. This world famous spot is right on the border of the USA and Canada, and we’ll get you closer to these epic falls. Jump on board the ‘Hornblower’ and cruise along the river to the base of the world’s largest falls by volume for a closer look. You’ll see the incredible volume of water pouring over the cliff and feel the sheer power of the spray. But don’t worry – there is an included rain poncho to keep you dry. If that's not enough why don't you secure a seat on the helicopter and see everything from a different view. When the evening arrives, after a pretty eventful day, you will get to witness the beautiful illuminations of the Niagara falls, then you will get the option of going to watch an IMAX movie. Fouuff… what a day!
Day : 10
Niagara Falls to Toronto
Number of Days : 1
Soak in the vineyards vibes & orchards of Niagara on the Lake. Tour a winery & sample some regional drops before arriving in Toronto.
Day : 11
Toronto
Number of Days : 1
Toronto is loaded with things to do, so some ideas for your free time include getting away from it all by jumping on a local ferry and heading out to one of Toronto’s leafy islands. With no cars, cute cottages and windswept nature, these are the perfect places to chill out.
Or, for something different, visit the fantastic Bata Shoe Museum and see its quirky, impressive collection of footwear.
If something sporty is more your thing, head to the Hockey Hall of Fame and honor Canada’s national sport.
Otherwise, explore Toronto’s melting pot, experience different pockets of culture and taste food from all over the world.
Start by having a bit of fun in colorful and chaotic Chinatown.
It’s packed with little shops selling anything from knick knacks to lanterns, and its streets are full of stalls dishing up all sorts of tasty Asian dishes. Check out the bustling vibe of near-by Kensington Market, a vibrant, multi-cultural neighborhood that is fascinating to walk around. Popular with locals, Kensington Market serves up bakeries, tapas (Spanish style nibbles), international grocery stores, Mexican and Jewish food, vintage stores and one-of-a kind boutiques. Round off your experience with some espresso and pastries in Little Italy.
Get your heart racing in an optional excursion up CN tower, where you can walk the glass floor and enjoy the widest-reaching vistas in Toronto.
Tonight, enjoy an optional dinner at Wayne Gretsky’s. This popular restaurant is owned by the man Canadian’s commonly refer to as “The Great One.” After dinner, get ready to laugh as we see a show at the popular Second City Comedy Club. Famous alumni include of Second City include, Steven Colbert, Tina Fey, and Mike Meyers among many, many others. You never know who might be famous one day, so save your program!
Day : 12
Toronto to Montreal
Number of Days : 1
As we stick to the St Lawrence River Valley, you’ll see the local fresh water wonder: the 1000 islands of different sizes that are scattered across Lake Ontario and the river.
Continue on to the island city of Montreal. A happening hub and home to the famous Montreal Jazz festival, this hot, creative city mixes up a North American feel with French influence. It also has amazing food and is thriving with festivities.
Get familiar with the city when we arrive. Your Tour Manager will show you some of Montreal’s signature sites. See the copper dome of St Joseph’s oratory, the biggest monument built to honour Canada’s patron saint. You’ll get a look at Montreal’s most famous architectural curiosity: the 1976 Olympic stadium, complete with the world’s tallest inclined tower. Catch some of Montreal’s relaxed vibes down at the Old Port and get the background on its maritime history as the group drives around the quays. The well-preserved riverside old-town was a key player in early Montreal’s development.
Then, we’ll take a drive up Mt Royal, which serves up sweeping views over the city. Check out this enormous park that was designed by the same person who landscaped New York’s famous Central Park.
Day : 13
Montreal
Number of Days : 1
With a free day ahead of you, explore Montreal’s creative core and joie de vivre (joy of living).
See some of the city’s innovations, like the world-famous Biodome, where you can walk through different eco-systems, from ocean fronts to woodlands, and get up close to all sorts of wildlife.
Montreal is a great place to shop. On St Laurent Boulevard (it’s affectionately dubbed “The Main”) look through cutting-edge boutiques, jewelery stores and artists’ workshops. Otherwise just hang out in an outdoor café among the throngs of people and get a real feel for Montreal’s street life.
For a different shopping experience, head underground to Montreal’s famous underground-city. With 19 miles of shops and restaurants right under the heart of the city, it’s got it all.
Lunchtime: go local and head to Jean-Talon Market, with its bustling stalls and friendly atmosphere. Try some tasty baked goods, fresh produce or delicious snacks, like calamari and chips. Then kick back with some of the best coffee in town from near-by Little Italy.
Tonight, explore Montreal’s amazing nightlife with some friends. There’s so much to choose from – jazz bars in the down town area, the student vibes of the Latin Quarter, the clubs of Rue St. Catherine or the festive outdoor atmosphere and cozy lounge bars back up the hill on Mt Royal, where Rue St. Denis is a happening night spot.
Afterward, round off your night with a Montreal favorite: poutine (French fries with gravy and cheese curd).
Day : 14
Montreal to Boston
Number of Days : 1
Today it’s on to historic New England with a tasty stop and a historic stop along the way. Excitement will be high as you pull up to the home of Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream. Your mouth will be watering as you get to try all the delicious flavours in the ice cream factory, then you’ll be stopping off at Montpelier for a wander and to walk off all the free ice cream you inhaled. There is a lot to see today and at the end you will get an 80’s throwback, as you visit the bar where everybody knows your name ‘Cheers’ Bar, which you can reflect on over dinner with the crew.
