

DETAILS
​
PACKAGE AVAILABLE:
Summer, Fall
​
​
TOUR LENGTH:
7 Days / 6 Nights
​
​
​
DAY 1 -
Arrive at your full-service, Utica, NY hotel by 5:00 pm. After you have settled in, gather for a wine and cheese reception served in the hotel’s lounge.
​
Board the coach and travel just down the road to your dinner destination. Colorful booths, posters and neon signs dress up this casual, family-owned American eatery. Their cuisine and customer service are outstanding!


DAY 2 -
Check out of your rooms after an included breakfast served in the hotel. Arrive at the Adirondack Scenic Rail station located just minutes from the hotel. Board the 9:30 am train and travel to Thendara, where you will arrive at 11:30 am. The tracks take you through remote forests, past sparkling rivers, over bridges, past tranquil ponds and streams and into the magnificent beauty of the six million acre Adirondack Park. Become a witness of nature’s bounty and watch for the many animals and birds along the way.
​
Once you arrive in Thendara, board the coach and travel just a short distance to Old Forge, NY. Visit the charming shops and have lunch on your own in one of the local eateries.
​
Depart Old Forge early afternoon and travel deep into the Adirondacks to the Adirondack Experience, The Museum on Blue Mountain Lake. With Blue Mountain rising behind it and Blue Mountain Lake sparkling below, the Adirondack Museum's vast campus features displays in 22 modern exhibition galleries and historic buildings. The exhibitions tell the unique story of the Adirondacks and its people, through outdoor recreation, boats and boating, transportation, the fine arts, work and industry and tourism.
​
Depart the museum late afternoon and travel to your resort hotel in Lake Placid, set on the shores of Mirror Lake. Surrender yourself to the natural and untouched beauty of the Adirondack Mountains. Rejuvenate in the heated indoor pool, take off the chill with a beverage in the hotel’s lounge or take a stroll on the resort’s private beach.
​
This evening, gather for an included dinner served in the resort’s restaurant and enjoy casual dining with sweeping views of the Adirondack Mountains.


Copyright Fort Ticonderoga - Photographer Carl Heilmann II
DAY 3 -
Start your day with a hearty breakfast served in the hotel before you check out of your rooms. Today’s outing gives you an up close and personal experience to witness the challenges of our Olympic athletes.
​
A local guide will meet you at the hotel and join you for an immersion into the Olympics. It is often said that Lake Placid is where “miracles are made.” It was at the Lake Placid Olympic Center, in 1980, that the US men’s hockey team toppled the Soviet Union on its way to winning the gold medal. This is where 16-year-old figure skater, Sonja Henie, won an Olympic gold medal in 1932 and charmed the world. At the Olympic Museum, explore the legacy of the 1932 and 1980 Lake Placid Winter Games with may great exhibits, which include video highlights, athletes’ uniforms and equipment, collections of Olympic Games’ torches, mascots and medals including the first gold medal ever awarded. During your visit, watch a video of the “Miracle on Ice.”
​
You will also visit the Ski Jumping Complex and the site of the Olympic Flame Cauldron. At the Jumping Complex, you will board a double chairlift for a 4-minute ride to the elevator at the ski jump. Then, board the glass elevator for a 2-minute ride to the observation deck. Once at the top of the elevator, the glass-enclosed observation deck offers spectacular, 360-degree views and the breathtaking realization of the steepness of the ski jump! As you depart the Complex, you will witness the Olympic Cauldron located across the street.
​
After your “Olympic Tour” return to downtown Lake Placid and have lunch on your own at one of the local eateries. Say goodbye to your local guide.
​
Depart Lake Placid early afternoon and travel south to Ticonderoga, NY. Late afternoon, step into history at Fort Ticonderoga, a large 18th-century-star fort built by the French at a narrows near the south end of Lake Champlain. Experience the story of how the blood spilled to create an empire in the French and Indian War, resulted in the struggle for America’s independence a generation later. Relive the defining moments in America’s history when nations fought to control a continent. Venture out to explore the museum, grounds and King’s gardens and witness the activities of the day such as the musket demo and fife and drum corps. Your visit includes a 30-minute introduction led by a costumed guide.
​
Depart the Fort about 5:00 pm and travel to Glens Falls, NY where you will arrive about 6:00 pm. Check into your historic, full-service hotel, The Queensbury. The hotel is highly regarded as the town's centerpiece, with its gorgeous architecture, grand lobby, endless amenities, heated indoor pool, restaurant, lounge and more.
After you have refreshed, have dinner on your own in the hotel’s dining room or discover a local eatery located within walking distance of the hotel.


DAY 4 -
After breakfast in the hotel, pack your bags and check out of your room. Board the coach and head to Lake George.
Upon arrival in Lake George, board the Minne Ha Ha, an authentic Sternwheel Steamboat for a tour of Lake George’s Southern Basin. Imagine the way people traveled this lake over 100 years ago. Step back in time, as the Calliope, powered by steam from the vessel’s boiler, serenades you while you board. Enjoy beautiful views of the Adirondack Mountains and see stately homes along the water’s edge.
​
Return to the dock by 11:00 am, board the coach and travel to Kingston, NY. Have lunch on your own in one of the local eateries located near the Catskill Mountain Railroad’s station.
​
Gather at the station about 2:45 pm and prepare to board for your 3:00 pm departure aboard this heritage tourist railroad that began operations in 1982. Steam locomotives were the technology that helped build America’s railroads. This steam locomotive was built by Baldwin in 1924 for the American Viscose Co. of Roanoke, Virginia. In the 1960s it was sold to Gem City Iron & Metal in Pulaski, Virginia. Scott Symans of Dunkirk, NY, purchased the locomotive in 2004 and restored it to operating condition in 2007. Because of its small size, it can be trucked anywhere in the country to operate on any railroad. During your ride, you will witness the natural beauty of the Catskills as you travel along in vintage coaches.
​
Debark the train at 4:30 pm and travel, for a two-night stay, to your full-service, overnight destination located just minutes from the station. Once you have checked in, gather for a wine and cheese reception served in the lounge.
An included dinner is served at a locally owned restaurant located just minutes from the hotel. Winner of many Mid-Hudson Valley Choice Awards, Christina’s Restaurant recently celebrated 25 years in business. The décor is absolutely beautiful and the food……delizioso!


DAY 5 -
Rise and shine for a hearty buffet breakfast served in the hotel. Then, board the coach and head out for a day steeped in history.
​
Travel south along the Hudson River to the National Historic Site of the home, museum and library of President Franklin D. Roosevelt where you will arrive about 9:30 am. Your visit begins with a guided tour of the home of Franklin D. Roosevelt. This National Historic Site preserves the Springwood Estate, the birthplace, lifelong home and burial place of the 32nd President of the United States. Learn the story of the Roosevelt presidency beginning in the depths of the Great Depression and continuing through the New Deal and World War II. You will also visit the Presidential Library and Museum.
By this time, you will be ready for lunch. Visit the on-site, Uncle Sam’s Canteen for lunch on your own.
​
Your next stop is at Val-Kill, the Eleanor Roosevelt National Historic Site. FDR encouraged Eleanor Roosevelt to develop this property as a place where she could develop some of her ideas for work with winter jobs for rural workers and women. She named the spot Val-Kill, loosely translated as waterfall-stream from the Dutch language common to the original settlers of the area. Val-Kill was the only place Eleanor Roosevelt called home. It was here that she pursued her political and social interests, wrote her “My Day” column and worked on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
​
Depart Hyde Park mid-afternoon and travel a short distance to the Culinary Institute of America, the world’s top culinary school that began in 1946, with a daring vision shared by two extraordinary women. From humble beginnings as a storefront cooking school in New Haven, CT, to multiple campuses around the world today, it’s been a remarkable story defined by amazing achievements, academic and professional excellence, diverse and accomplished individuals, and great food! Today, The Culinary Institute of America is widely recognized as the world’s premier culinary college with an industry-wide reputation for excellence and more than 49,000 alumni serving their professions as living testament to the quality of a CIA education.
​
Your visit begins with a brief history of the college followed by a liquid “taste test.” Use your senses of smell and taste as you discover how they are connected in how we perceive the “taste” when we place something in our mouth.
Depart the campus about 4:00 pm and return to the hotel. There will be time to relax and refresh before dinner.
Board the coach and travel a short distance to your dinner destination situated on the banks of the Hudson River on the historic Rondout Waterfront. The building is part of the former Cornell Steamboat Company shops. The Cornell Steamboat Company was the dominating towing company on the Hudson from 1880 to the 1930’s. The building was a “boiler shop.” Boilers for the ships were both built and repaired at this site.
​
The menu seeks to celebrate the fresh and inspired cooking and culture of the American South with an inventive twist on classic Southern cuisine. The South is about succulent, fall-off-the-bone barbecue, fried chicken and pecan pies as much as it is about great bourbon and craft beers. This is certain to be one of your new favorite restaurants!
Return to your Kingston hotel after dinner.

DAY 6 -
Say goodbye to the historic Hudson Valley after breakfast in the hotel. Board the coach, depart the hotel at 8:00 am and travel west to Honesdale, PA. Honesdale is home to the first commercial steam locomotive run on rails in the United States, the Stourbridge Line. On August 8, 1829, the Stourbridge Line started in Honesdale, ran three miles to Seelyville, and returned; Honesdale, therefore, is known as the birthplace of the American Railroad.
​
Your first stop upon arrival is at the Wayne County Historical Society Museum. This museum contains a full-scale replica of the Stourbridge Line. It also displays many historical photographs, artifacts and other exhibits. During your self-guided tour, there will be time to visit the permanent exhibits such as Movin’ Energy, Wayne’s Glass and Faces in Clay that interprets the Native American history of the upper Delaware Valley.
​
Depart the Museum and walk down the street to the Stourbridge Railroad Company. The railroad traces its beginnings to the Delaware and Hudson Canal transporting barges of coal up from Pennsylvania and destined for the Hudson River and eventually the ports of New York City. A gravity railroad was built to carry coal over the mountains from Carbondale to Honesdale in 1829. Coal would be transferred from train to canal boat at Honesdale.
​
Seeking to haul greater amounts, the idea of steam-powered locomotion was proposed. The leaders in steam technology at the time were in Great Britain, and so three engines were ordered and delivered to America. According to the Wayne County Chamber of Commerce, this is the site of “the first commercial locomotive on rails in the western hemisphere!”
​
Your “ticket to ride” includes a hearty, mobile lunch to enjoy in the dining car prior to your 1:00 pm departure.
During your 1-½ hour train ride through the Northern Poconos, the engineer will share tales of the region’s rich history as you gaze out at the beautiful countryside along the Lackawaxen River Gorge.
​
When the train returns to the station at 2:30 pm, board the coach travel to King of Prussia, PA. With a comfort stop along the way, arrive at your full-service hotel for an overnight stay.
​
After you have settled in, take the hotel’s complimentary shuttle to the King of Prussia Mall. There will be plenty of time to explore the shops and to have dinner on your own in one of the multiple eateries. You also have to option to relax and have dinner at the hotel’s Gallery Restaurant.
DAY 7 -
Check out of the hotel after breakfast and begin your travels home. Along the way, everyone will receive a souvenir gift to commemorate his or her vacation.

Your package includes:
-
6 Nights accommodations
-
6 Breakfasts
-
1 Lunch
-
4 Dinners
-
Ride on the Adirondack Scenic Railroad
-
Admission to the Adirondack Experience-the Museum on Blue Mountain Lake
-
Locally guided tour of Lake Placid Olympic Sites
-
Admission to the Olympic Jumping Complex
-
Admission to the Olympic Museum
-
Free time in downtown Lake Placid
-
Admission to Fort Ticonderoga
-
Lake George Cruise aboard the Minne Ha Ha
-
Free time in historic Kingston
-
Ride on the Catskill Mountain Railroad
-
Guided tour of FDR’s Springwood Estate
-
Self-guided tour of the FDR Library and Museum
-
Guided tour of Val-Kill, the Eleanor Roosevelt National Historic Site
-
Tour and “Liquid Taste Test” at the Culinary Institute of America
-
Admission to the Historical Society Museum in Honesdale
-
Ride on the Stourbridge Line
-
Souvenir Gift
-
Baggage service for one piece of luggage per traveler
-
Accommodations, admissions, group meals and baggage service for the coach driver
-
Taxes and gratuities (NOTE: Gratuities for the coach driver and Lake Placid guide are not included and are at your discretion based on service.)