Scenic Trains of New England—September 25 - October 8, 2012
We begin our journey to New England this morning—where white wooden churches, red clapboard houses, gray timbered barns, cranberries, maple syrup, and delicious seafood abound! Relax in our air-conditioned motorcoach, as we travel through the rolling hills of Wisconsin—taking our usual rest stops and luncheon break. Our accommodations this evening are at a fine Chicago area hotel—you are pre-registered and handed your room key—your escort has handled these details for you!
DAY 2—EASTWARD BOUND
Our day begins with a delicious buffet breakfast! Enjoy the company of the other passengers and play some of the fun-filled games provided on tour, as we travel through Indiana and Ohio. The day passes quickly—your escort provides history and trivia on the places we travel through. Tonight we stay near Erie, Pennsylvania.
DAY 3—NIAGARA FALLS
Niagara Falls is on today’s agenda! We view these magnificent waterfalls while riding on the the Maid of the Mist — a boat tour leading right to the base of the falls. Afterwards, we travel to our home for the night near Watertown, NY.
DAY 4—LAKE PLACID
It’s time for our first train trip as we board the Adirondack Scenic Railroad for the ride from Saranac Lake to Lake Placid. The hills are covered with fall foliage and are simply beautiful! Before long we arrive in Lake Placid—home of the 1932 and 1980 Winter Olympics, where we will stay overnight. You’ll have most of the afternoon off to explore this wonderful village nestled in the heart of the Adirondack Mountains.
DAY 5—ACROSS VERMONT
After a leisurely morning, we travel to Lake Champlain and cross by ferry and enter the beautiful state of Vermont. Then it’s off to Cabot Cheese Factory and Goodrich’s Maple Farm. Cabot Cheeses began in 1919 and we will join a factory tour, watch talented cheesemakers create their award-winning cheddars and enjoy plenty of samples—all in one of the most scenic spots in America. Goodrich’s Maple Farm features a unique post & beam sugarhouse with some of the most innovative evaporation equipment you’ll find anywhere! We spend the next two evenings in Littleton, NH.
DAY 6—HOBO RAILROAD & MOUNT WASHINGTON
Today is a busy day, as we travel on two wonderful trains—the Hobo Railroad and the Mount Washington Cog Railway. The Hobo Railroad in Lincoln, New Hampshire features an hour & twenty minute train excursion into a bygone era when train travel was at its peak. It’s a timeless trip through a natural, woodsy setting along the Pemigewasset River. As you travel along in their vintage cars, you’ll be treated to one of their unique specialties—a Hobo Picnic Lunch! Later this afternoon, we join the Mount Washington Cog Railway on its 140th Anniversary! A ride up Mount Washington on the world’s first mountain-climbing cog railway remains, as it has for well over a century, an exciting and unforgettable experience! The ever-changing surroundings, the magnificent views, the sights and sounds of unique steam locomotives in action, and some of the steepest railway tracks in existence, combine to place it among the best of the world’s great railway journeys.
DAY 7—CONWAY SCENIC RR
All aboard! Today, we ride the Conway Scenic Railroad! On the Notch Train, you’ll enjoy some of the finest natural scenery in the East as you travel through spectacular Crawford Notch—past sheer bluffs, steep ravines, cascading brooks and streams, panoramic mountain vistas, and across the famed Frankenstein Trestle and Willey Brook Bridge—enroute to Fabyan Station. One of the premier scenic train rides in the East, the Crawford Notch excursion allows you the opportunity to relive a legend written in the annals of railroad history, when the first train traveled through Crawford Notch over 134 years ago. We return to Conway for a relaxing evening.
DAY 8—MAINE SCHOONER
We travel to the largest city in Maine—Portland! Enjoy a tour of this wonderful New England city. This afternoon, we have a real treat for you—an excursion aboard an authentic New England Schooner! We board the the Wendameen for a two-hour sail on Casco Bay, the perfect way to experience the beauty of the Maine coast, complete with lighthouses, seals, seabirds and the rugged coastline. If you feel inspired, join the crew to hoist the sails or take a turn at the ship’s wheel. After this adventure, we travel to the Bangor area, our home for the next two evenings.
DAY 9—BAR HARBOR & ACADIA
Today is a special day as we visit one of the most popular resort towns in Maine—Bar Harbor. After free time in this quaint New England town, we hop back on our coach for a tour of Acadia National Park. There is more to Acadia than meets the eye! We’ll take you to the places you have to see, all the while providing you with the stories behind the sights. After the tour, you’ll know about everything from how tonight’s lobster dinner was caught to how Cadillac Mountain got its name. Tonight, you’re in for a special treat as we have an authentic New England lobster bake!
DAY 10—KENNEBUNKPORT
We travel to Kennebunkport today and visit the Seashore Trolley Museum. This is the largest museum of mass transit where you get to relive history and follow the footsteps of generations past. Spend this morning riding their trolleys through the Maine countryside.Take a look through the Town House Restoration Shop and see volunteers hard at work bringing old trolleys back to life. Take a walk around the museum grounds and through exhibit barns where you can see samples of transit history from around the world on display. You’ll ride back into yesteryear at the Seashore Trolley Museum. This afternoon, we travel to Mystic, Connecticut where we spend the evening.
DAY 11—SEAS & STEAM
Our first stop this morning is at Mystic Seaport. The world’s largest maritime museum, Mystic Seaport encompasses 37 acres of indoor and outdoor exhibits, with more than 1 million artifacts, that provide a fascinating look at the area’s rich shipbuilding and seafaring heritage. After this, it’s on to the Essex Steam Train and Riverboat ride—a fun-filled trip for adults and children of all ages! You will be swept away by the hiss of steam, the blast of the whistle, and the clickety-clack of the tracks. You will find forests and streams, beautiful vistas and nostalgic towns, and some gorgeous views of the Connecticut River. After we disembark, board a riverboat for a relaxing and informative ride up this beautiful river. Sit back, take in the fresh air, and learn about the history of the area. We overnight in Danbury, Connecticut.
DAY 12—GOLDEN AUTUMN
The scenery is beautiful as we enter Pennsylvania this morning—orange, russet and gold hillsides are covered with maple, beech, and poplar! Tonight we stay in Youngstown, Ohio.
DAY 13—HOMEWARD BOUND
We begin our journey home today—relaxing as we travel through Ohio and Indiana. Our accommodations for this evening are in Janesville. Enjoy reminiscing with new friends about the fun of our New England train tour!
DAY 14—JOURNEY’S END
We leave Janesville this morning, traveling north through Wisconsin. We make our usual morning rest stop and then lunch is on PTS Tours. Each fall when the leaves start to turn and the crisp smell of autumn is in the air, we will recall the charm and heritage of the New England countryside and your vacation with PTS Tours!