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New England in the Fall

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3.7 stars(21 reviews)
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Discover the fiery colors and spectacular scenery of fall in New England on this 9-day rail tour.

You are viewing the 2023 itinerary. Select your departure year
20232024
9 days From $2,545 per person
Travel among a group of like-minded travelers led by a professional tour manager
Save up to $400 pp

Save up to $400 per person on rail vacations with 2023 departures. Book by May 31st to lock in savings up to $400 per person on any 2023 departure.

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2023 Tour code: GR-ESCA-23

About the tour

Spectacular colors and beautiful mountain scenery come together on an autumn adventure along America's East Coast. Quintessential New England touring, iconic heritage railways, and stunning destinations showcase the best of fall in Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Connecticut.

Highlights

What’s included

Itinerary

Day 1 – Boston

Arrive in Boston and meet your tour manager and fellow travelers. Boston is one of America's most influential cities, which can be seen both in its historic and modern sites. Overnight Boston, MA.

Day 2 – Boston Sightseeing/North Conway

Our New England explorations begin today with a guided sightseeing tour, which showcases Boston's popular sights including a portion of the Freedom Trail. We drive through the Back Bay area, past the historic USS Constitution to Copley Square, and Beacon Hill for insight into Boston's history.

This afternoon we join Amtrak's Downeaster for the journey north. Named after the sailing vessels built by Maine's shipbuilders, the Downeaster takes us on a 116-mile journey to Portland, Maine. In Portland, we meet our motorcoach and continue into the White Mountains, one of North America's most beautiful landscapes. Our journey takes us through Maine and New Hampshire during their golden season, when the trees are stunning shades of red and orange. Overnight North Conway.

Day 3 - Mount Washington Cog Railway

This morning we board the Mount Washington Cog Railway - the world's first cog railway, which opened in 1869. The steam-hauled* journey takes us 6,228 feet up Mount Washington to the summit, where panoramic views look out across the stunning White Mountain Range, five states and, on clear days, Canada. We make our return journey by coach, enjoying a scenic drive through the spectacular scenery of the White Mountains. We see Crawford Notch and stop at Faddens Maple Sugarhouse in North Woodstock for lunch. Our journey continues along the Kancamagus Scenic Highway, America's top fall foliage drive, where a breathtaking tapestry of color lines our route. Overnight North Conway.

*Please note: steam-hauled where possible. On occasion the 3-mile trip is made by bio-diesel locomotive.

Includes
  • Breakfast
Day 4 - Conway Scenic Railroad

Today brings another heritage rail excursion through New England's brilliant fall foliage as we embark on a journey aboard the Conway Scenic Railroad. Our journey begins in North Conway, at the charming Victorian station that dates to 1874, where we board this iconic New England heritage train and follow a route first taken by train over 132 years ago. We travel through the scenic Saco River Valley to Bartlett, admiring New Hampshire's scenery as it's covered in a stunning blanket of dark red, yellow and orange. We return to the hotel by coach and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure. Overnight North Conway. 

Includes
  • Breakfast
Day 5 - Plymouth & Cape Cod

We make the journey to Hyannis today. On the way, we stop in Plymouth to discover the highlights of this historical town. We see Plymouth Rock, the spot where early Pilgrims first set foot on land in 1620 after their ship, the Mayflower, brought them to the New World. We also see the Founding Father's Monument, a striking national monument that celebrates the Mayflower Pilgrims. We continue to Hyannis, situated on the Cape Cod peninsula. Overnight Hyannis.

Includes
  • Breakfast
Day 6 – Cape Cod

We experience the beauty and charm of one of America's most iconic coastlines on a tour of Cape Cod. Starting in the picturesque harbour of Hyannis, we have time to absorb the atmosphere and explore the quaint shops and restaurants that line the waterfront. From here we board a coach to explore the Cape Cod National Seashore, seeing the dramatic scenery of windswept beaches and towering dunes. Next, we explore the charming town of Chatham, with its historic lighthouse and picturesque main street before visiting the vibrant and colourful town of Provincetown, where we soak up the artistic and bohemian vibe. Overnight Hyannis.

Includes
  • Breakfast
Day 7 - Newport

Today we drive into Rhode Island with Newport as our destinations. Newport is known for its pristine sandy beaches and impressive mansions. We tour one of the most famous today: The Breakers. This manor was built in 1895 as a summer home for Cornelius Vanderbilt II, Chairman and President of the New York Central Railroad and a member of the famous Vanderbilt family. Today, the striking Italian Renaissance-style home is a National Historic Landmark. 

We continue to the Mystic Seaport Museum, an outdoor museum that recreates a 19th century New England whaling village. Strolling along the re-imagined waterfront, we enjoy a unique glimpse back in time at the country's maritime history. Overnight Hyannis.

Includes
  • Breakfast
Day 8 – Nantucket

Today's excursion takes us by ferry to Nantucket, home to dune-backed beaches, cedar-shingled buildings, high-end boutiques and steepled churches. We take a walking tour of the quaint Main Street ahead of a free afternoon in which you can visit the town's Whaling Museum. Overnight Hyannis.

Includes
  • Breakfast
Day 9 – Tour Conclusion

We return to Boston this morning, where our tour concludes. Your group transfer will arrive at Quincy Market by 11am where you are free to make your way to the airport.

Includes
  • Breakfast

Additional information

Please note

Please note that while every departure of this tour will feature the same excursions, the order may differ from that shown above.

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. If you’d like to discuss any particular vacation with us in this respect, then please don’t hesitate to call us.

Hotels

Revere Hotel

Revere Hotel, Boston

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North Conway Grand Hotel, North Conway

North Conway Grand Hotel, North Conway

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Residence Inn by Marriott

Residence Inn by Marriott, North Conway

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Trains

Amtrak's Downeaster
Conway Scenic Railroad
The Mount Washington Cog Railway

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Reviews

3.7 stars3.7 / 5 · 21 reviews

  1. 5 stars
    (7)
  2. 4 stars
    (6)
  3. 3 stars
    (4)
  4. 2 stars
    (3)
  5. 1 star
    (1)

X Vacations By Rail GRJ

5 stars

Submitted 08 Nov 2022

We thoroughly enjoyed our tour through New England. Joe Royle, our tour guide, was very informative, accommodating and entertaining. Joe, our motor coach driver was very experienced and did an excellent job throughout the trip. We highly recommend this beautiful scenic trip especially in the fall to other travelers.

Collected by Trustpilot

X Vacations By Rail GRJ

4 stars

Submitted 04 Nov 2022

I was not happy with the third hotel. Should have included a breakfast, hotel was older and location was not conducive to restaurants without having transportation. Do not need a free day. Paying for a tour so why have a free day. Again no transportation and having to rely on walking. No one said you needed to have access to Uber to get around. Bus driver and tour manager were helpful and made trip enjoyable.

Collected by Trustpilot

X Vacations By Rail GRJ

3 stars

Submitted 02 Nov 2022

Would have liked to have seen much more. Too much free time and not enough meals for the money.

Collected by Trustpilot

X Vacations By Rail GRJ

5 stars

Submitted 02 Nov 2022

The Tour Manager and Bus Driver made this holiday exceptional. With some of the attractions closing early or unexpectedly they went above the call of duty to make things happen. The only thing I would change would be the one day off. It was difficult to get to any of the attractions because of the hotel location.

Collected by Trustpilot

X Vacations By Rail GRJ

2 stars

Submitted 01 Nov 2022

Unorganized

Collected by Trustpilot

X Vacations By Rail GRJ

5 stars

Submitted 01 Nov 2022

Very nice tour director.

Collected by Trustpilot

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