Overview
Enjoy free time to visit the world-famous museums of the Smithsonian Institution, stroll the National Mall, or visit Arlington National Cemetery where the noble changing of the guard watches over the graves of brave soldiers along with John F. Kennedy’s eternal flame. Bid goodbye to the bustling cities and set out to learn about the simple life of the Amish in Pennsylvania’s Lancaster County and then overnight in the ‘Sweetest Place on Earth,’ Hershey, PA.
Discover the panoramic wonder of Niagara Falls, complete with a thrilling sightseeing cruise for an up-close look at the Falls where the water comes crashing down at the rate of over 3,160 tons per second! Enjoy free time to visit the Botanical Gardens, ride the aerial cable car, or soar above it all on an optional helicopter tour over the Falls.
Then on to Ontario’s capital city of Toronto, for an orientation tour and see the CN Tower, Rogers Centre, and other famous landmarks before departing for home or opt for extra nights to explore Toronto further. From exciting cities to historic landmarks to breathtaking Niagara Falls, this East Coast tour will have you returning home with stories to tell, photos to share, and memories to last a lifetime!
Itinerary
Welcome to the “Big Apple!” Your Tour Director is on hand from 3-6:00 p.m. this afternoon to answer any questions.
Settle in and perhaps head out to start exploring the ‘city that never sleeps' with its world-famous shopping and restaurants offering nearly 100 different types of cuisine.
New York City is one of the world's most exciting cities, buzzing with atmosphere and packed with fascinating sights. On today's guided sightseeing tour, see the major attractions—Broadway, the Empire State Building, Rockefeller Center, and the 9/11 Memorial. Enjoy the afternoon and evening to explore on your own. Perhaps visit a museum, shop, walk in Central Park, or take in a Broadway show. With so many options, it's hard to choose!
Depart Manhattan, heading across New Jersey to Philadelphia, the birthplace of American independence. The “City of Brotherly Love” is steeped in history from Independence Hall, where the Declaration of Independence and Constitution were signed, to the Liberty Bell. Your orientation tour focuses on the historic landmarks as well as more current ones, like the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art made famous in the movie ‘Rocky.'
Stop for lunch at Reading Terminal Market, one of America's largest and oldest public markets, to experience local favorites like Philly Cheesesteak sandwiches or traditional Pennsylvania Dutch food. Travel to Washington, DC, the U.S. capital and seat of government, for a 2-night stay. Later, an optional evening out features dinner and an illumination tour shining a light on the city's most famous monuments and memorials by night.
The nation's capital is a sightseeing treasure trove! Your half-day tour with a Local Guide features a visit to the Lincoln Memorial, seeing the Washington Monument and Ford Theatre where President Lincoln was assassinated, and photo stops at Capitol Hill and the White House.
The afternoon is free for exploration. Perhaps visit the National Museum of American History to see Dorothy's ruby slippers from the Wizard of Oz, the National Museum of Natural History to see its fascinating dinosaur exhibits and the Hope Diamond, or the National Gallery of Art to see the only original Da Vinci oil painting in the western hemisphere. (CB)
This morning, travel to Lancaster County, Pennsylvania stopping at the Amish Farm & House where a Local Guide explains the faith, culture, and way of life of the Amish people for whom tradition forbids the use of electricity or telephones in the home. Continue for an overnight stay in Hershey, PA the ‘Sweetest Place on Earth' founded by Milton Hershey in 1903 and where chocolate is still made and the streetlamps on Main Street are in the shape of Hershey Kisses! (CB)
Travel north through the Susquehanna River Valley, the Appalachian Mountains, and western New York state to the Canadian border. Cross into Ontario and continue to beautiful Niagara Falls for a two-night stay.
This morning, enjoy a sightseeing cruise where you'll get up close views of the thundering world-famous Niagara Falls. Fall in love with the Falls even more on an optional flightseeing excursion by helicopter or on an optional excursion to the soaring Skylon Tower where you can dine while enjoying the magnificent view. Your afternoon is at leisure. Consider visiting the Butterfly Conservatory, Niagara Parks' Botanical Gardens, or maybe take a ride on the Whirlpool Aero Car over the Niagara Gorge.
Please Note: Operation of the Niagara Falls sightseeing cruise is subject to favorable weather and/or river conditions. Favorable conditions usually exist from May to October. When conditions are unfavorable, the cruise will be substituted with a visit to Journey Behind the Falls.
Travel to Toronto, Canada's largest city and financial and commercial center. Take an orientation tour that includes seeing the harbourfront, CN Tower, Rogers Centre, and other landmarks before your tour ends. A complimentary transfer to Toronto Pearson International Airport will be provided for those with departing flights. Please schedule flights after 3:00 pm. Guests with extra nights will be taken to our host hotel.
Trip Inclusions
- Guided city sightseeing in New York City and Washington, DC
- Orientation tour of Philadelphia, Hershey, and Toronto
- Admission to the Lancaster Amish Farm & House
- Niagara Falls sightseeing cruise
- The world is within reach with everything you need for perfectly affordable touring. Cosmos includes hand-selected accommodations, guided sightseeing, and seamless transportation between destinations—with value-minded travel lovers in mind. Explore with expert Cosmos Tour Directors and Local Guides, complimentary headsets, and private, first-class, air-conditioned motorcoach with free Wi-Fi (where available).
- 1 Breakfast
- New York City: Cambria Hotel New York - Chelsea (Moderate First-Class)
- Washington DC: Hyatt Place Alexandria Pentagon South (First-Class)
- Hershey: Best Western Plus Hershey (Superior Tourist-Class)
- Niagara Falls: Best Western Plus Cairn Croft Hotel (First-Class)
- Airport transfers at your arrival and departure destination are not included in the price of the tour.
- Itinerary and inclusions subject to change.
- Price is for land, cruise and specified internal flights. International flights not included.
- This itinerary enters both the US and Canada.
- Operation of the Niagara Falls sightseeing cruise is subject to favorable weather and/or river conditions (typically favorable May to October). Cruise sightseeing may be substituted by a Journey Behind the Falls excursion when necessary.
- Enjoy the fall colors of New York and surrounding areas on our special fall foliage departures from the end of September to early-October (if Mother Nature permits).
- Extend your vacation with select departures that connect with our Ontario & French Canada Tour (8330) or Canadian Train Odyssey Tour (8960) with/without Alaska cruise option!
Enjoy inside visits to North America's must-see sites with a great mix of included excursions, free time and affordable value. Read more
Cosmos build free time into every one of their holidays, so you can eat, shop, and explore the way you want. Read more
Cosmos' easy going, fun-filled and multilingual Tour Directors and Local Guides love exploring as much as you do. Read more
Trip Reviews (11)
Our tour mix was good, Americans, Australians, English and read more kiwis! A young schoolboy and his grandmother , young couples and older couples, families and single travellers. The ones we got to know the most were those who did the optional extras. Everyone was really looking out for each other and couples joined up with a single if they were going somewhere, it was a friendly bunch.The optional extras were good. Everyday we moved 4 rows which was good, gave us another view and we met a new person in the seats across the aisle!
The hotels were all very good. Only Niagara Falls had a fridge and a supermarket next door to buy real milk! The New York hotel had no beverage making facilities in the rooms. New York location fantastic, Niagara had a bus stop at the gate into the falls and you could purchase a daily pass , Philadelphia was in the city, Washington hotel was out of town in the most beautiful old town / suburb Alexandria.
Day 1 was a non event, we just got tour information handed to us. Everyone commented it would have been nice to have a social hour for people to introduce themselves etc especially as everyone staying in same hotel and get a short outline of the following day. At times it felt like we were asking the Tour Director what time do we meet etc . The Globus handbook for the tour could be written so that it could be used as a trip diary etc. Local guides in all places were really good. We had never been in a bus tour holiday before. We enjoyed it very much and will now probably do another one.
Dates & Pricing
Welcome Back Credit
GJ Loyalty Discount
A definite departure means minimum numbers have been reached for this departure to operate. For all itineraries that include a cruise, Cosmos may apply a surcharge depending on the cabin categories available on your selected departure. Your Travel Advisor will provide this information in your quote if applicable. Your Travel Advisor will also apply any appropriate discounts automatically and detail any currently applicable 'Exclusive Specials'.
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Pricing and trip details are correct at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by Cosmos. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from the cruise-line and should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.
