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New England Autumn Foliage Express

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8 days Sold out
4.3 stars(152 reviews)
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Uncover the magic that surrounds New England in the autumn on this daylight-only rail journey.

Travel among a group of like-minded travelers led by a professional tour manager

Mobility Rating 3

2025 Tour code: NFE25

About the tour

Watch as the warm hues of autumn overtake the landscape on this 8-day guided journey through New England. The tour begins as the group discovers the Colonial history of Boston. From Boston, we travel out of the city and into some of the best places for fall foliage viewing in all of the United States. The first stop is North Conway, where we will travel down the Kancamagus Highway and take a mid-day journey on the Conway Scenic Railroad. Next, it is a ride on the Mt. Washington Cog Railway. From there we head to Vermont where we board Amtrak's Vermonter. In Mystic, we will visit the nation's most impressive maritime museum, Mystic Seaport. Moving on, a Newport Mansion and all of the sites of Hyannis lie ahead. The group will enjoy one final train ride aboard the Cape Cod Central Railway before the journey concludes in Boston. With dinners that immerse us in the culture of New England, amazing sightseeing opportunities and ample time to explore on your own, as well as with the group, this fall foliage adventure is second to none.

Unforgettable Experiences

View the Foliage Aboard Three Scenic Rail Journeys
View the Foliage Aboard Three Scenic Rail Journeys
Get a new perspective on the fall colors aboard three scenic rail journeys: Conway Scenic Railroad, Mt. Washington Cog Railway, and Cape Cod Central Railroad
Ride aboard Amtrak's Vermonter
Ride aboard Amtrak's Vermonter
Soak in the fall scenery aboard Amtrak's Vermonter from Burlington to Brattleboro.
America's Top Fall Foliage Drive
America's Top Fall Foliage Drive
Ride along Kancamagus Highway and admire the brilliant fall colors
Uncover Boston's Historic Sites
Uncover Boston's Historic Sites
Enjoy a city tour through Boston visiting historic sites and visit the famous Freedom Trail.
Mystic Seaport Museum
Mystic Seaport Museum
This seaside museum offers a glimpse at the modern and historic elements of the Maritimes.

What’s included

Itinerary

Day 1 - Boston

Arrive in Boston and make your way to your downtown hotel on your own. You will have some time to settle into your accommodations or to begin your explorations of this historic city. This evening meet your Tour Manager and fellow travelers in the lobby of the hotel for an introductory meeting. Dinner is at leisure at one of the many fantastic eateries that call Boston home. Overnight Boston, MA.

Day 2 - Boston/North Conway

Follow the same pathways as our forefathers with a guided tour through Boston this morning. We will see where Paul Revere set out on his iconic ride, and see the sites along the Freedom Trail. The tour concludes as we arrive at Quincy Market, where you will have time to peruse the food stalls and grab a bite to eat. Later this afternoon, the group will transfer to North Conway, NH. Our day of adventure concludes as we all sit down to dinner. We will feast on seasonal New England cuisine and enjoy each other's company before retiring to our hotel for the night.  Overnight North Conway, NH.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 3 - Kancamagus Highway/Conway Scenic Railroad

As you board the motorcoach this morning; you are in for a true treat along the Kancamagus Highway. Fiery colors explode in all directions as the coach moves down this famed tree lined highway. This afternoon, more foliage lies ahead as we board the Conway Scenic Railroad. We will board at Crawford Notch and enjoy a one-way ride that ends in North Conway. As the train arrives at the historic station in downtown North Conway, you will have the remainder of the day at your leisure. There are a variety of boutiques and shops in town, as well as restaurants that offer cuisine ranging from bar food and pizza to upscale offerings. Overnight North Conway, NH. 

Includes
  • Breakfast
Day 4 – Mt. Washington Cog Railway

Take a ride to the summit of Mt. Washington aboard the world's first mountain-climbing cog train, which dates back to 1869. Not only will you see nature's brilliant colors, you will also soak in views over five states and possibly even Canada from the top. The group enjoys lunch at the base of the mountain at the onsite restaurant before boarding a motorcoach bound for Burlington, VT on the shores of Lake Champlain. As we arrive, old New England charm surrounds. There are charming shops, chapels, museums, and restaurants lining the streets. Your evening is at leisure to enjoy the amenities of this small town. Overnight Burlington, VT.

Please Note - For departures Oct 08 we will stay at the Hilton Burlington Lake Champlain Hotel.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch
Day 5 - Amtrak’s Vermonter/Mystic, CT

As you wake this morning, take in the mountain views as we make our way to the Amtrak station. Our next train ride beckons, this time taking us from Burlington to Brattleboro aboard the Vermonter. Colorful trees surround the tracks, and the New England panoramas are sure to impress. As we arrive in Brattleboro, we will transfer to Mystic by deluxe motorcoach. We will arrive at our hotel to check in and freshen up, then the group will meet for dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight Mystic, CT. 

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 6 - Mystic Seaport Museum/Newport Mansion/Hyannis

Transport yourself back in time with a visit to the Mystic Seaport Museum this morning. This seaside museum offers a glimpse at the modern and historic elements of the Maritimes. Visit the shipyard to see the amazing craftsmanship that goes into wooden shipbuilding, visit the 19th-century living village and immerse yourself in the amazing history of New England through fantastic exhibits. As our time at the museum wraps up, our motorcoach once again hits the road - this time bound for Newport, RI. Here, we will tour one of the beautifully appointed mansions that call Newport home. Moving on, we have one final stop for the day: Hyannis. Overnight Hyannis, MA. 

Includes
  • Breakfast
Day 7 - Hyannis/Cape Cod Central Railroad

Soak in the unique essence of Hyannis this morning. Stroll along Main Street to experience the charming locally owned stores, the art galleries and the restaurants. There are bookstores and music shops, clothing boutiques and gift shops that offer souvenirs for every taste. This afternoon we will ride aboard the Cape Cod Central Railroad which offers a look at the beauty of coastal New England. We will see cranberry bogs and sand dunes, salt marshes and wildlife. The train travels through the oldest town on the Cape, Sandwich, and learn about the history of the region as you admire the vistas. Following the train ride, the group will convene for a Farewell Dinner. Overnight Hyannis, MA. 

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8 - Tour Conclusion

Our grand fall foliage adventure comes to a close as we are transferred to Boston this morning. A group transfer to Boston South Station or Boston Logan Airport will accommodate planes and trains departing after 1:00 p.m. 

Includes
  • Breakfast

Additional information

Departure times

Departure times vary based on selected rail vacation. This information will be provided in your final documents. For more information please speak with your rail specialist.

Mobility information

Due to the nature of our tours, they are generally unsuitable for those with restricted mobility. Please reference our Mobility Ratings Information, and if you’d like to discuss any particular vacation with us in this respect, then please don’t hesitate to call us at 1-877-929-7245.

Hotels

Hilton Boston Park Plaza

Hilton Boston Park Plaza

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Hotel Vermont, Burlington

Hotel Vermont, Burlington

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Holiday Inn Cape Cod - Hyannis

Holiday Inn Cape Cod - Hyannis

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North Conway Grand Hotel, North Conway

North Conway Grand Hotel, North Conway

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Trains

Amtrak's Vermonter
Cape Cod Central Railroad
Conway Scenic Railroad
The Mount Washington Cog Railway

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Reviews

4.3 stars4.3 / 5 · 152 reviews

  1. 5 stars
    (77)
  2. 4 stars
    (51)
  3. 3 stars
    (17)
  4. 2 stars
    (3)
  5. 1 star
    (4)

Christie Matthees

5 stars

Submitted 22/Oct

The tour manager and our bus driver where amazing. The bus was very nice and comfortable. The leaves where lacking in color in certain due to the drought during the summer, but still so many beautiful areas. The places we stayed at night where wonderful. We had a great time.

Collected by Trustpilot

Laurie Burns

5 stars

Submitted 22/Oct

The itinerary was great!! Loved the mixture of the bus and the trains.

Collected by Trustpilot

Kimberly Glover

5 stars

Submitted 22/Oct

This was my first Vacations by Rail trip and I loved it!! It was wonderful to just sit back knowing that everything was already planned and taken care of. Our tour manager Moriah and motor coach driver Azah were fantastic and took great care of our group. Will definitely do more vacations through this company.

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Doyle P Gary

5 stars

Submitted 21/Oct

Recently took the New England tour with Vacations by Rail. Had a wonderful time that was well planned and excellently executed by our Tour Manager Linda Doner. She was outstanding and took care of every detail and need by the group. Highly recommend the tour next fall to whoever is considering booking with them. Getting to ride on four different trains along with the leaves and views were the highlights of the trip.

from Vacations By Rail
Hello Doyle! I'm thrilled to hear you had a wonderful time on the New England tour and that Linda helped make the experience so special. The combination of scenic train rides and vibrant fall foliage truly makes it unforgettable. I also appreciate you sharing your beautiful photos—they perfectly capture the spirit of the journey!
1 comment

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Charles Fagan

5 stars

Submitted 21/Oct

Hilton Park Plaza is a great location and an awful hotel as a first impression. Dated tiny rooms with horrible beds-ugh.Way overpriced Sights and stops were perfect. Vermonter Hotel was special. Wished we had a few more hours at each overnight stop. Always collapse in bed and back on the road early! Saw and learned a lot. Bus riding got long but survived! Great staff.

from Vacations By Rail
Hey Charles! Thank you for your honest feedback — I'm glad to hear you enjoyed the sights, stops, and especially the Vermonter Hotel, and that our staff made a positive impression. I'm sorry to hear the Hilton Park Plaza didn't meet your expectations and appreciate your comments on pacing and accommodations. Insights like yours help us improve the experience for future travelers.
1 comment

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Lillie Simmons

5 stars

Submitted 20/Oct

Great tour director; knowledgeable , caring, calm and capable.

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