Eastern USA & Canada Escape (16 destinations)

Explore the city of New York, a key player in the global commerce and finance space, on a full free day! Be sure to plan visits to iconic attractions like Times Square, Broadway, the Empire State Building and the spectacular Statue of Liberty. Marvel at one of America's most famous skylines onboard a ferry from the New York harbour. Tick must-see sights like Central Park and the Natural History Museum off your bucket list! For the ultimate New York experience, taste the classic pizza slice, bite into a corn dog or indulge in a cream cheese bagel. Did you know that a subway ride has been almost exactly the price of a New York slice for nearly 50 years?

There's so much more of New York to explore today! As one of the world's top filming locations, there are plenty of famous stops to check out. For example, films likeSupermanandThe Avengersand TV shows likeGossip Girlwere filmed in Grand Central Terminal. If shopping is more your speed, visit Madison Avenue, where luxury designs fill the shops or Union Square for trendy shopping and local eateries. Broadway, America's musical Mecca, is just a few blocks north. And since the Big Apple never sleeps, the bars are open to explore until early morning! Regardless of what you choose, your time in New York is bound to bring home lasting memories.

Ending off the New York holiday this morning, it's time to meet your tour leader and tour group. Depart the Big Apple and head to Boston. Spend time in Newport, Rhode Island, before the next leg of this Eastern USA & Canada tour. What started as a port in the 1600s is an artists' sanctuary today. This is a popular US holiday destination and also home to the Naval War College. Enjoy lunch in your free time before driving through the state of Connecticut on the way to Boston. Once there, mingle with the group over an included dinner.

• Visit Newport, a charming New England seaside town

Start the full day in Boston on a guided driving tour. Be on the lookout for iconic landmarks such as Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market. Thereafter, choose to join the visit to the famous and esteemed Harvard University. Explore the capital of Massachusetts with free time for the remainder of the day. Consider embarking on a hop-on hop-off bus tour for an easy way to see the top attractions! From wealthy neighbourhoods like Beacon Hill to Bunker Hill, a 221-foot-high monument in honour of the American Revolution's first battle, there is so much to explore today!

• See the sights on a Boston driving tour

Say bye to Boston and cross over into Canada today! En route, see the beauty of the White Mountain National Forest before visiting Flume Gorge in New Hampshire. Flume Gorge is a natural gorge extending 800 feet at Mount Liberty's base and narrowing to 12 feet apart at times. The boardwalk that leads into the gorge also makes for an incredible photo opportunity. Spend some free time finding a lunch spot in Littleton and cross into Canada thereafter! The country's sole walled town, Quebec City, is the tour's first stop in Canada and home to the evening's accommodation. Choose to settle down for the night or traverse the city on foot!

• Enjoy a scenic White Mountain National Forest drive

• Explore Flume Gorge at the base of Mount Liberty

Explore Quebec City on a walking tour this morning, including the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Old Quebec. Be sure to discover more of the city's interesting places such as Chateau Frontenac and the Quebec fortifications. Thereafter, enjoy free time for personal exploration for the rest of the day. If a day trip sounds inviting, choose to join the Montmorency Falls optional excursion this afternoon and marvel at this dazzling waterfall. Otherwise, wander around and see where the city takes you!

• Embark on a guided tour of Quebec City

• Visit Old Quebec, a UNESCO World Heritage Site

Today, depart Quebec and journey to this Canada vacation's next stop – the capital city of Ottawa. En route, enjoy some free time in Old Montreal to grab lunch. There are many local delicacies to try out! For example, poutine, which consists of fresh, hot French fries drenched in gravy and topped with cheese curd. After checking in at the hotel upon arrival in Ottawa, embark on a walking tour from Parliament Hill and spot some of the top attractions in Ottawa. End the walking tour at ByWard Market by snapping a photo with the OTTAWA sign and grabbing some dinner before returning to the hotel for the night.

• Experience Old Montreal

• Discover Ottawa on a walking and driving tour

The Eastern U.S. & Canada tour journeys forth to Toronto today via McDonalds Corner. Here, indulge in an included breakfast, consisting of French toast, pancakes and a demo of maple syrup – one of Canada's top exports! Discover all there is to know about this Canadian treat with a tour of the maple syrup farm and museum. After arriving in Toronto later, embark on a city orientation tour with the tour leader. After settling in, this evening is yours to explore! Alternatively, choose to join the optional excursion to CN Tower and take in the incredible city views.

• Eat breakfast at a Maple farm

• Tour the vibrant Toronto city centre

What would a Canada vacation be without experiencing Niagara Falls? Journey to the world-renowned falls after leaving Great Lake Ontario's shores behind. En route, take advantage of a visit to Niagara-on-the-Lake, a charming town famous for its wineries. Sample delicious wines at a local winery and be sure to try Canadian ice wine. The magnificent Horseshoe Falls are next on the journey! Choose how you want to experience the falls – join a boat tour optional excursion to marvel at the falls in person or enjoy an aerial vantage point on the helicopter ride optional excursion. Explore in this evening's free time; from traversing Clifton Hill to casinos and evening experiences at the falls, there's plenty to see and do!

• Taste ice wine at a local winery

• Visit Niagara-on-the-Lake

• Encounter the spectacular Horseshoe Falls

The States are calling today, with so much more of the USA to explore! Depart Canada and journey on towards Detroit. This spirited city is famous for its muscle cars and American Motown music history. While the recession had its impact on Detroit, the city landed on its feet and started its reinvention. Uncover the city's rich history and revival with your tour leader on an orientation driving tour through the city. Thereafter, choose to join the optional walking excursion to explore some more. Alternatively, explore at leisure for the rest of the evening.

• Discover Detroit on a driving tour

Pittsburgh is calling! Journey to Pittsburgh via Cleveland today – the next stop of the U.S. & Canada tour. Explore the world's Rock 'n Roll capital on a visit to the House of Blues and find a lunch spot. There's never been a better time to try classic American cuisine like the Polish Boy. This sandwich is native to Cleveland and expertly combines a bun, grilled kielbasa sausage, chips and coleslaw. Another option is to join the trip to the iconic Rock & Roll Hall of Fame! The tour continues to Pittsburgh thereafter, where a trip up Mount Washington on the century-old Duquesne Incline awaits. Marvel at the city views and its three rivers from this spectacular vantage point.

• Visit Cleveland, Ohio; home to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

• Take a trip on the Duquesne Incline

Today, depart Pittsburgh after breakfast and journey to Washington D.C., the capital city of the USA. Travel east, and embark on a city tour immediately upon arriving in Washington! This iconic American city has many historic monuments and landmarks to witness. Visit the resting place of late president JFK at the Arlington Cemetery before exploring more of the city's attractions en route to this evening's accommodation. Pose in front of the White House and uncover a piece of history at the WW2 Memorial. Enjoy free time to explore this evening after checking into the hotel.

• See Arlington Cemetery and JFK’s final resting place

• Explore Washington, D.C. and its many monuments

Explore a city unlike any other with a full free day in Washington! Start the day with an orientation drive and see the National Mall and Smithsonian Museums. Then, choose to join the Extended Washington D.C. Sightseeing Tour optional excursion. Learn more about the city's impactful history and see top attractions like the Korean War and Vietnam Veterans memorials and the Jefferson and Lincoln memorials. Or instead, choose to get on the Old Town trolley that visits some more must-see sights. Be sure to check out the unmissable Smithsonian Museums and The National Museum of Natural History!

While this is the last day of the Eastern USA & Canada tour, today offers plenty to explore! Depart Washington D.C. en route to New York via Philadelphia. Try some of the delicious street food in your free time (Philly cheesesteak is a favourite!) and enjoy a leisurely exploration. Alternatively, join a walking tour with your tour leader and tick the top sights off your bucket list, including the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, Ben Franklin Grave and Betsy Ross House! This afternoon, the tour heads back to New York City. After arriving back in the Big Apple, the tour concludes. Expat Explore wishes you an incredible journey ahead! May you always cherish the lifelong memories from this tour.

• Visit Philadelphia, the birthplace of the United States