New England States

Welcome aboard! Rustad Tours is on a journey to the Northeast to explore the six New England States. Along the way, we’ll view the powerful and majestic Niagara Falls. Our scenery may be ablaze with fall colors. Lunch will be included in Black River Falls and this evening our accommodations are in a western suburb of Chicago. (L)

This morning our motorcoach skirts around the southern tip of Lake Michigan to Elkhart, Indiana, known as the “MH/RV Capitol of the USA.” We tour the RV/MH Hall of Fame & Museum. The Hall of Fame aims to document the history of “RV/MH World” which has been around for 100 years. The massive, 100,000-square-foot building features an amazing collection, from the 1913 Earl Travel Trailer to new ones, made from some very unusual materials. You’ll enjoy the state-of-the-art exhibits, interactive displays, and historical artifacts that make it a truly incredible, one-of-a-kind museum! After an included noon meal, we continue our travels into Ohio to downtown Cleveland and our accommodations at the Drury Inn & Suites. (B) (L)

Get ready for an amazing day with some of the most stunning sites you’ll ever see at Niagara Falls in New York. By early afternoon, our motorcoach will arrive at the Niagara Falls State Park, the oldest state park in America. After a short walk, we board the Maid of the Mist boat where you’ll “Explore the Roar!” Your journey begins at the observation tower where you’ll be given a souvenir poncho to wear aboard the double-decker boat. The Maid of the Mist ferries past the American Falls to the basin of the Horseshoe Falls where you’ll experience the dramatic power of Niagara Falls like never before! We arrive at the Hyatt Place Hotel for a one-night stay. Rustad Tours has included an evening meal at our hotel. (B) (D)

This morning, you’ll get one last look at Niagara Falls from Terrapin Point before traveling to Alexandria Bay, New York, a small town on the Saint Lawrence Seaway. We’ll board Uncle Sam’s Sightseeing Boat for a narrated tour of Thousand Islands, a sightseer’s paradise with rich history and unique culture. Before returning to the mainland, we get off at Heart Island and tour Boldt Castle to learn about a tragic love story and experience the magnificence of a bygone era. Construction of the castle began in 1900 at the bidding of hotel magnate George Boldt as a tribute to his loving wife Louise. Unfortunately, Louise passed away just months before the completion of the castle. After her death, the property became vacant for over seventy years. This gorgeous European style castle is nestled in the heart of the scenic Thousand Islands. We return to the mainland by late afternoon and travel to our hotel in Watertown, NY. (B)

This morning we travel through picturesque upstate New York. You’ll relish the beauty of the fall colors as we travel through the Adirondack Mountains, past pristine lakes, and through quaint towns. In Lake Placid, NY, which hosted the Winter Olympics in 1932 and 1980, you’ll have some free time for an included lunch, some shopping, and perhaps a visit to the Olympic Hockey Arena if you wish. This afternoon we are taking a short bus ride to the Olympic Ski Jumping Complex. Information about ski jumping exhibits, competitions, and athletic training are all important components of the complex. You’ll marvel at the feats of ski jumpers that fly the length of a football field and aerialists that spin and flip in the air. At the top, the Sky Deck offers 360-degree panoramic views which include the vistas of the Adirondack high peaks. From here, we travel to Essex where we’ll meet a ferry to take us across Lake Champlain and into the gorgeous state of Vermont, the first of the six New England States we visit. Our accommodations will be in South Burlington. An evening meal will be included at our hotel. (B) (L) (D)

Get your cameras ready for breathtaking views along our travels throughout Vermont and New Hampshire today! People come here from all over the world at this time of year to enjoy peak foliage—for good reason! This morning’s drive takes us through a broad fertile valley accentuated by the picturesque Green Mountains near Stowe, Vermont, which is known as the “Ski Capital of the East” and the location of the original “White Christmas” movie that was filmed here. Stowe, Vermont, also became the home of the Von Trapp Family of the “Sound of Music” movie. You’ll get a view into the Von Trapp Family history at the lodge through pictures and a video that tells the story of their escape out of Austria to Stowe, Vermont. By mid-morning, we will visit Morse Farm Maple Sugarworks for their sugarhouse tour and tasting. Multimedia displays, the Country Store, and the outdoor Vermont Farm Life Museum are all part of your Morse Farm experience. For added fun, Burr Morse has created whimsically carved folk characters that will delight you. Along our way, we’ll enjoy an included lunch before entering New Hampshire. This afternoon, get ready for aerial views from the top of Cannon Mountain. The Cannon Mountain Aerial Tramway is New Hampshire’s only aerial tramway and North America’s first! An enclosed cable car tram shoots you up to the side of Cannon Mountain to the 4,080-foot summit in under 10 minutes. On a clear day, you’ll be able to see the mountains of four states and Canada, too! Enjoy your free time with a casual walk to the 360-degree observation deck and café to enjoy a coffee or snack! More stunning sites are in store for you during our drive to Portland, Maine, to our accommodations where an evening meal is included tonight. (B) (L) (D)

Portland is Maine’s largest city of only 66,700, but is considered a vibrant metropolis. Its charm and distinction boast secluded beaches situated on island shorelines and centuries-old lighthouses, including the lovely Portland Head Lighthouse, perfectly positioned on the rocky coastal bluffs. But above all, the city is a port hub at heart, once serving as the largest in 17th century New England. You’ll love this charming city! Our local guide will tell tales of the secrets of the city that rattled a few bones in the closets of Portland’s past. From Portland, we take a short ride to Kennebunkport for an included noon meal before you enjoy a narrated tour of this unique coastline village. View the summer home that George and Barbara Bush had for years, the Wedding Cake House, sea captain homes, and the rocky coastline. By late afternoon our travels take us south to Randolph, MA, where we can unpack for a relaxing three-night stay. (B) (L)

It’s no secret that Boston is rich in history, from the American Revolution to the site of the first public school. This city has lots of stories to tell! Our local guide will join us for a tour revealing years of history dating back to the early days of our nation’s founding, including Paul Revere’s famous midnight ride. We’ll view the USS Constitution, travel down the streets of Harvard University, and see where “the shot heard ‘round the world” that sparked the American Revolution. An included lunch is provided followed by free time at the historic Quincy Market, constructed in Greek Revival Style. This amazing marketplace opened in 1826 to the public serving both the locals and visitors of Boston throughout the years. Its role has changed from selling fresh produce to wholesale products and now is known as a festive marketplace! After a full day of exploring Boston, we will return to the hotel for a relaxing evening. (B) (L)

Our travels take us south to Plymouth, MA, where we’ll visit the Plimoth (a 17th-century spelling with an ‘I’ instead of ‘y’ to distinguish the plantation from the town) Plantation, a living history museum that offers a powerful personal encounter with life in the 17th century. The authentic performances will take you back in time, touch your heart, and enrich your mind. Later, our group will board a boat and cruise the Atlantic Ocean on a 4-hour whale watch. (P.S. If the weather is stormy and the swells are high, we go to plan B. I guess if the captain doesn’t want to go out, we shouldn’t either!) The knowledgeable naturalists will guide us on an unforgettable cruise to a marine sanctuary and one of the primary feeding grounds for a variety of whale species, resulting in the experience of a lifetime! Noon lunch will be included on the cruise. After our cruise, we travel a short distance to Plymouth Rock, the traditional site of dis-embarkment of the Mayflower Pilgrims who founded Plymouth Colony in 1620. After a very historic and memorable day, we return to our hotel for a free evening. (B) (L)

This morning we will arrive in Newport, RI, where a guide will greet us to discover “America’s first resort”, also known for its rich sailing history. After our city tour, we’ll enjoy an included meal. This afternoon you’ll enjoy a tour of The Breakers, a grand Vanderbilt mansion, now a National Historic Landmark. Cornelius Vanderbilt established his family fortune in steamships and later in the New York Railroad, which was a pivotal period in the development of the industrial growth of our nation in the late 19th century. Its name comes from the waves that continually crash into the cliffs below. By late afternoon we will leave Rhode Island and travel to our hotel in Mystic, CT. (B) (L)

So far, we’ve visited major attractions in five of the six New England States. A visit to the 17-acre Mystic Seaport Museum in Connecticut will complete our New England Tour. It’s the largest maritime museum in the U.S., and is notable for its collection of sailing ships and the recreation of a 19th-century seafaring village. Over 100 ships and boats are on display along with many other relics that trace the history of shipbuilding and maritime activities. After touring Seaport Village, you’ll enjoy a boat ride on the Mystic River aboard the Sabino. This little steamboat is perhaps the most beloved of all the vessels! After an included lunch at Seaport Village, we say farewell to the six New England States and travel to our accommodations in Lake Ariel, PA. (B) (L)

Our travels take us around the southern edge of New York providing us with breathtaking fall colors as part of our scenery. Arriving at the Corning Museum of Glass in Corning, NY, you can view the past, present, and future of glass. We will also have a chance to watch skilled craftsmen blow hot glass to fashion vases, pitchers, and bowls before ending the visit in the gift shop! An included lunch is at the museum. Our destination tonight will be in a suburb of Cleveland at a Drury Inn. (B) (L)

Ohio is like a coin. On one side you have the big industrial cities and on the flip side, you have the small towns and farms of Middle America. This morning, we join the Ohio Turnpike and travel west through Ohio to Archbold to enjoy an included lunch at the Sauder Village Buffet & Gift Shop. This village transports you back to the 1800s, when the simple things in life were the most memorable! Explore the gift shop or quilt shop and be sure to savor a home-style meal at the Barn Restaurant! Sauder Village is one of Ohio’s largest living history museums. Although time here doesn’t allow us to explore the entire village, you’ll enjoy the small town vibe and hospitality. By late afternoon we skirt around Chicago to our accommodations in Schaumburg. (B) (L)

The green state of Wisconsin that we left behind just thirteen days ago may be at peak color by the time we arrive. A stop will be made to pick up some Wisconsin cheese before arriving for an included noon lunch at the Perkins Restaurant in Black River Falls, WI. This afternoon, we will stop in the Twin Cities area before arriving back in Kerkhoven by early evening. (B) (L)