Historic Hudson River Valley & Finger Lakes Regions of New York

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Day 1 – Home to Lansing, IL

Our travels begin today as we travel across Wisconsin and into Illinois. We’ll enjoy the sights along the way and get to know our fellow travelers as we look ahead to the Finger Lakes and Hudson River regions of New York!

Included Meals: Lunch 

Hotel: Holiday Inn Express 

Day 2 – Lansing to Erie, PA

I-80 is our roadway today as we travel to Erie, PA. Farmlands to woodlands is the scenery out the windows of our luxury motorcoach. We’ll arrive in Erie in time to enjoy dinner before a restful night.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch 

Hotel: Holiday Inn Express 

Day 3 – Erie to Rochester, NY

This morning we travel into New York and our first stop is at Niagara Falls State Park. Here we will view the magnificent Niagara Falls from on top of the falls and also below the falls as we board the “Maid of the Mist” for a great boat ride. You’ll enjoy the views and feeling the power of this natural wonder! Later as we travel towards Rochester, we will stop for a cruise on the Erie Canal. We’ll learn the history and enjoy the beauty of this great waterway as we travel through some of the locks! Then it’s into Rochester where we will spend the next two nights at a downtown hotel!

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch 

Hotel: Hilton Garden Inn, Rochester 

Day 4 – Rochester

Our day in Rochester will be spent learning about the history of this town with our step-on guide and visiting some of these historic sites including the George Eastman Museum. Eastman was the pioneer of popular photography and motion picture film and this museum has wonderful collections of photography and cinema related items. We’ll be able to tour the mansion and gardens of the visionary entrepreneur and philanthropist Eastman. We’ll make a stop at the local Artisan Works with very interesting displays of local artists that will entertain even the non-artistic! A special dinner this evening will end a great day in Rochester.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner 

Day 5 – Rochester to Elmira, NY

This morning following breakfast we travel into the heart of the Finger Lakes region of New York. This region, which centers around long lakes known as finger lakes that were carved by glaciers over two million years ago, is known for outdoor recreation, arts, wine, museums and more. We’ll taste and see what the region has to offer in the next couple of days. Let’s begin today by traveling to the shores of Cayuga Lake to visit a tranquil 65 acre Victorian Farm. At this farm we will enjoy the gardens and ponds as well as a tour through the restored farmhouse which showcases MacKenzie-Childs designs. It will be a wonderful morning and of course there are always opportunities to purchase some of the MacKenzie-Childs creations! We’ll travel next to the west shores of Seneca Lake for Sunday brunch at Belhurst Castle. Built in the 1890’s, this “Castle” will be an ideal location for brunch with its stunning views of the lake! Take your time and enjoy the surroundings, it’s a special gift today! Further south we travel to Pleasant Valley Winery for a historic tour and special wine tasting. We’ll be awed by their eight remarkable stone buildings that are listed on the National Historic Registry. Tonight we check into the Hilton Garden Inn in Elmira for 3 nights!

Included Meals: Breakfast, Brunch 

Hotel: Hilton Garden Inn – Elmira/Corning (3 Nights) 

Day 6 – Ithaca

After a great breakfast we travel towards the town of Ithaca today. Our first stop is at Buttermilk State Park to view the Buttermilk Waterfalls! The beauty of the foaming cascade formed by Buttermilk Creek as it flows down the steep valley side toward Cayuga Lake will offer some great picture opportunities this morning. Once in Ithaca we will visit the Cornell Lab of Ornithology! Simply stated, we are going to learn about birds and enjoy viewing many as we walk pathways or watch from the large wildlife observation area inside the Visitor Center. Not far away is the Cornell Plantations Botanical Gardens where we’ll take in ornamental and practical herbs, rhododendrons, ornamental grasses, conifers and many other plants along the trails. Don’t forget to visit the special gift center! Lunch time today will be spent at the Downtown Ithaca Commons area, a pedestrian mall and the heart of this great little city. You’ll have time to find a bite to eat as well as browse some of the local shops! This afternoon you are in for a treat! We are going to spend some time at Lively Run where we will meet the “kids!” Not just any kids, but the special goats that are the producers of a very high quality goat cheese! Hear the story of how the production takes place, plus enjoy the taste of this special cheese! Dinner tonight is at a great restaurant, but before we return to our hotel, we will stop at a 150 ft waterfall that is right in the heart of the city!

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner 

Day 7 – Corning and Elmira

This morning we will begin our day with a visit to Corning Glass! Here we will see a contemporary art and design gallery as well as watch glass blowing demonstrations. The museum covers everything glass and will be of interest to everyone! Yup, you guessed it, they do have a gift shop where you can purchase some special Corning products and also a café for lunch! This afternoon we will travel the short distance to Elmira where our step-on guide will take us on a “Twain Country Tour.” Mark Twain wrote most of his novels here, so we’ll get a chance to stop and see his personal study where that took place. We’ll also learn about the area which includes Civil War and Underground Railroad history. This evening we travel to Watkins Glen on the shores of Seneca Lake where we will board the Seneca Legacy for a wonderful Dinner Cruise! Enjoy a great meal along with some wonderful scenery as we leisurely cruise this special Finger Lake!

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner 

Day 8 – Elmira to Fishkill, NY

After spending a few days in the Finger Lakes region of New York, it’s off to the beautiful and historic Hudson River Valley for the next 4 nights. We’ll stop this morning in Binghamton, NY at the visitors center and visit the Roberson Museum and Science Center. The Birthplace of IBM and also the flight simulator, this area was known as the “Valley of Opportunity.” But, another important part of this area’s history is what we will enjoy next: Carousels! Binghamton is home to six restored, antique carousels and we are going to get a chance to ride on one of them! Listen to the music and let the younger you come to life! It will be a great time! Down the road we go with the Catskill Mountains in view as we travel towards the Hudson River Valley. Our stop for the next four nights will be in the town of Fishkill, on the east side of the Hudson River!

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch 

Hotel: Hampton Inn (4 Nights) 

Day 9 – Hudson River Valley

This morning we travel to the “Vanderbilt Mansion National Historic Site.” The site is not just a tribute to one of America’s wealthiest, but a glimpse into the life of all American Millionaires during the time we called the Gilded Age. We’ll enjoy a tour of the mansion and also a walk on the beautiful estate which is located on a bluff overlooking the Hudson River. Then we stop at the Culinary Institute of America to learn how their students prepare for exciting careers in food and we’ll even taste some of their fabulous cuisine! This afternoon a stop at the Franklin D. Roosevelt National Historic Site awaits us. A tour of his home, library, grounds, and a visit to the visitor center creates an afternoon to remember!

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch 

Day 10 – Hudson River Valley and West Point

This morning we travel to the West Point Military Academy. A step-on guide will board our coach and we will learn the story of West Point, its role in the Revolution, its famous history, as well as stories about graduates who shaped our nation. What a great opportunity for the R&J Travelers this will be! We’ll have time to enjoy the West Point Museum following our tour and of course a stop in the West Point Gift Shop! Later we will travel up river towards Newburgh where we will enjoy lunch on the banks of the Hudson before we take a scenic river cruise on the Hudson River. Enjoy the sights and relax as you take in the beautiful afternoon!

Included Meals: Breakfast 

Day 11 – Sleepy Hollow

Washington Irving spent the last 25 years of his life in Tarrytown and now his life and the “Legend of Sleepy Hollow” live on! Today we will make our first stop at the Sleepy Hollow Cemetery where we will be joined by a guide who will share with us stories of the “Headless Horseman” as well as others buried here including Washington Irving and Andrew Carnegie. Later we will visit the Rockefeller Estate, Kykuit! Built by the founder of Standard Oil, Kykuit is the pre-eminent domestic landmark in the Hudson Valley. We’ll enjoy the elegant rooms, the expansive, beautifully kept gardens and the collection of carriages and classic autos. Stories of the Rockefellers will entertain us as we enjoy this journey! More special sights along the river will be part of our day and we’ll return to our hotel this evening having enjoyed our last few days in the Valley!

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch 

Day 12 – Fishkill to Youngstown, OH

Our time in the Hudson River Valley comes to a close as we cross over the bridge and cross the Hudson River for the last time on this adventure. We will travel west today along some very pleasant and scenic roads as we make our way to Youngstown, OH for the night.

Included Meals: Breakfast 

Hotel: Country Inn & Suites 

Day 13 – Youngstown to St Charles, IL

Enjoy breakfast this morning before boarding our motorcoach for our travels across Interstate 80 heading west! We’ll enjoy great conversations and activities on our coach as we travel towards our destination tonight, St. Charles, IL.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner 

Hotel: Hampton Inn 

Day 14 – St Charles to Home

The final day of our journey begins this morning as we cross the Fox River and travel into Wisconsin with our destination of Minnesota not far up the road. We’ll enjoy lunch together today and then offer warm farewells to our new friends and traveling partners as we head for home!

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch