USA Vacations

Massachusetts

Absorb the history and beauty of New England on this 9-day fall foliage vacation. After your arrival in Boston, travel along Maine's rocky coast to Portland. Then enjoy two evenings in Bar Harbor on Mount Desert Island, Maine's oldest summer resort. See picturesque Acadia National Park and enjoy a traditional Maine lobster bake. Next, travel to New Hampshire to see the scenic White Mountains, the renowned Kancamagus Highway, and Dartmouth College. Then cross the border into Vermont for a visit to a living history museum and working dairy farm. Re-enter Massachusetts for visits to the Norman Rockwell Studio and Museum and Sturbridge Village, a 19th-century living history museum. Head to Connecticut and spend the night at Foxwoods Resort before continuing to Mystic Seaport and Newport, with its elegant mansions. Complete your New England vacation with sightseeing in historic Boston.

Day 2 Boston–Portland–Bar Harbor
From Massachusetts, head north via New Hampshire’s short shoreline and along Maine’s rocky coast to Portland, one of New England’s most famous cities. Stroll down the cobblestone streets of Portland’s famous Old Port Exchange, lined with its many boutiques, coffee houses, and art galleries. The next two nights are in Bar Harbor on Mount Desert Island, Maine’s oldest summer resort. Your dinner this evening is a typical LOBSTER BAKE featuring Maine lobster, steamed mussels, and delicious corn on the cob. (B,D)

Day 3 Bar Harbor
Nowhere along the Atlantic seaboard is the rock-bound coast as picturesque as in ACADIA NATIONAL PARK, one of America’s most visited national parks. Take the scenic park road and enjoy the spectacular panorama from the summit of Cadillac Mountain, the first place in the continental United States to see the sunrise. Afternoon is at leisure to pursue your favorite interests and activities. Maybe join an optional whale-watching expedition or stroll around the charming Bar Harbor waterfront with its many shops, galleries, and boutiques. This evening, choose from the many fine specialty restaurants this quaint seaside community has to offer. (B)

Day 4 Bar Harbor–North Conway
Back to the mainland and west through Maine for vistas of sparkling lakes and forests. Then, on to New Hampshire and the scenic White Mountains, New England’s greatest range and premier outdoor playgrounds. At Pinkham Notch, board the Wildcat Mountain GONDOLA for a thrilling ride to the 4,397-foot summit. Savor the 360-degree panorama of Mount Washington Valley and the famous Presidential Range, whose peaks are named after many U.S. presidents. Also enjoy the RAVEN INTERPRETIVE PROGRAM focusing on the unique environs of northern New England and local wildlife. (B)

Day 5 North Conway–Franconia Notch–Killington
Depart for a beautiful drive through Franconia Notch and along the renowned Kancamagus Highway. Hugging the Connecticut River, head south to Hanover to see the Dartmouth College campus, one of the nation’s eight prestigious Ivy League institutions. Cross the river into Vermont and stop in Woodstock , its village green reminiscent of 19th-century England. Next, visit BILLINGS FARM AND MUSEUM, a living museum of Vermont’s rural past as well as a working dairy farm. (B,D)

Day 6 Killington–Stockbridge–Sturbridge
This morning, visit the NEW ENGLAND MAPLE MUSEUM to learn about the history of sugaring over the past 200 years and to sample various grades of maple syrup. Next, journey south to Stockbridge in the Berkshire Mountains for a visit to the NORMAN ROCKWELL STUDIO AND MUSEUM, which houses a large collection of works by one of America’s favorite artists. Continue on to Sturbridge, one of New England’s most charming towns, where you will enjoy dinner at the Salem Cross Inn. (B,D)

Day 7 Sturbridge–Newport
This morning you’ll visit STURBRIDGE VILLAGE to explore early New England in the company of farmers, craftsmen, and fascinating characters at this 19th-century living history museum. Head south to explore MYSTIC SEAPORT, a living museum showcasing the many activities that might have been found in a New England coastal village in the 1800s. Next, travel to Rhode Island, the “Ocean State.” (B)

Day 8 Newport
Today, enjoy a Newport orientation tour and see the first state house, the nation’s oldest synagogue, and the city’s oldest meeting house and library. Afterward, explore the extravagant lifestyle of a bygone era when visiting THE BREAKERS, shipping magnate Cornelius Vanderbilt’s turn-of-the-century mansion. Your afternoon is free for exploring on your own. This evening, your Tour Director hosts a special farewell dinner at a local restaurant. (B,D)

Day 9 Newport–Boston
Depart this morning for Boston. Your tour of the city’s landmarks with a Local Guide focuses on the city’s most prominent landmarks, including the historic sites near Boston Common; Old State House; Old North Church, from where Paul Revere got the signal to start his famous ride; Freedom Trail; and Faneuil Hall, with an opportunity to browse through Quincy Market. After a transfer to the airport for guests who have homebound flights, the motorcoach continues downtown to the Boston Park Plaza Hotel, where the vacation ends. Please schedule flights from Boston’s Logan Airport after 3:30 pm. (B)

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