Real East USA Adventure
Real East USA Adventure
Real East USA Adventure
12 Days Starting and ending in USA
Visiting: New York (Newark), Philadelphia/Washington DC, Washington DC, Appalachian Mountains, Nashville, Louisville, Chicago, Sundusky, Niagara Falls
Tour operator:
Tour code:
SSYE
Specialist Group:
18-30 Somethings
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
1 - 13
Physical rating:
Low
Age range:
18-29 years
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians
Tour operated in:
EnglishTour Overview
Hit the road on a trip like no other through the eastern USA, where each city is a culture unto itself. One day you’re in Nashville munching Southern-style biscuits for breakfast, the next you’re wandering around the iconic buildings of Chicago. This 18-29s tour is full of flexibility, making it perfect for the independent traveller who wants to see as much of this part of the country as possible in a short amount of time. The Victorian-era homes of Louisville, the winding Shenandoah River, thundering Niagara Falls and a sunset over Lake Erie – this is a real east USA adventure.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: New York (Newark)
Location: New York (Newark)
Accommodation: Hotel
Welcome to New York! There are no activities planned until your welcome meeting in the hotel lobby at 6 pm. If you arrive early there’s no shortage of fun in the city that never sleeps. You can get a delicious crash course in how immigration has shaped the city on a Tenements, Tales, and Tastes tour with Urban Adventures. Stroll through New York's unique culturally signifcant sites in the Lower East Side, Chinatown and Little Italy, trying food along the way and gaining an appreciation for those who risked everything in search of the American dream. Find out more at urbanadventures.com/Tenements-Tastings-Tales-A-Tour-Of-New-York-Lower-East-Side.
Day 2: Philadelphia/Washington Dc
Location: Philadelphia/Washington DC
Accommodation: Camping (with facilities)
Leave the skyscrapers in the rear-view mirror and head towards Washington DC. Along the way make a stop in Philadelphia, where you’ll have time to check out a few highlights before continuing to the USA’s capital. Spend a couple of hours in Philly and take in some icons of the Old City. Check out the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall and the 72-steps outside the Philadelphia Museum of Art that Rocky climbed while training for the fight of his life (ask your dad). Continue to DC for a free evening in the capital. Tonight, maybe grab some buddies and head out in search of dinner. You can plan your schedule and consult your maps over a bowl of ramen in Chinatown, or maybe over a beer at one of the rowdy bars in Georgetown.
Included Activities:
-
Day 3: Washington Dc
Location: Washington DC
Accommodation: Camping (with facilities)
Hit the streets today at your own pace. Many of the iconic monuments and museums in DC are free to visit, including the White House, National Archives, National Gallery of Art and the National Museum of Crime and Punishment. Prefer the structure of a guided tour? Ask your leader about the optional Bike and Roll tour options and you could be exploring the city on a bicycle or segway in no time. News buffs might want to check out the Newseum, where (for a small entry fee) you can learn about the First Amendment, press freedom and the historic threats to both.
Optional Activities:
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Day 4: Appalachian Mountains
Location: Appalachian Mountains
Accommodation: Camping (with facilities)
This morning you’ll head into Virginia along the scenic Skyline Drive in Shenandoah National Park. It’s a long drive, but an incredibly beautiful one. We’re not saying a ‘Take Me Home, Country Roads’ singalong is mandatory, but it is a great way to pass the time and get into the spirit of the journey. The beauty of travelling in a small group is that there’s a certain amount of flexibility on these drives. See something incredible you want a closer look at? If everyone’s on board, go for it. You’ll arrive in the Blue Ridge Mountains after an approximately 5-hour drive.
Included Activities:
-
Day 5: Nashville
Location: Nashville
Accommodation: Camping (with facilities)
Drive approximately 4 hours to Nashville, Tennessee. Settle into the campground and then get your bearings on an orientation tour with your leader. See some highlights of the city, including Broadway – home to historic buildings and honky-tonks. After you’ve familiarised yourself with the city, talk to your leader about what else is on offer in the home of country music. If you have time, perhaps visit the Country Music Hall of Fame, which contains the golden Cadillac that once belonged to Elvis. When the sun goes down in Nashville, it’s time to hit the honky-tonks. Head to the Wildhorse Saloon tonight, where you’ll soon be stomping the boards with the locals during a line dancing lesson.
Optional Activities:
-
Day 6: Nashville
Location: Nashville
Accommodation: Camping (with facilities)
Meals Included: breaksfast
Start your day in Southern style with a breakfast of coffee and hot, buttery biscuits. This down-home staple is kind of like a savoury scone but tastier. After breakfast, enjoy a free day in Nashville. Maybe celebrate the ‘Man in Black’ with a trip to the Johnny Cash Museum. Or perhaps take a tour of the Ryman Auditorium, one of the city’s most famous performance halls. If you’re having difficulty deciding what to do, pick your leader’s brain for details of the optional activities on offer. If you’ve got a hankering for more southern-fried goodness, ask your leader where to grab a plate of ‘meat and three’. That’s what locals call a meal that includes your choice of meat (usually the options include fried chicken and country-fried steak) plus three side dishes such as collard greens, mashed potato and creamed corn.
Included Activities:
-
Optional Activities:
-
-
-
-
Day 7: Louisville
Location: Louisville
Accommodation: Camping (with facilities)
Leave Nashville behind today and drive north for around 3 hours to Louisville, Kentucky. On arrival, you'll have free time to explore this huge city. You may have heard of the city’s namesake derby or baseball slugger, but the city’s got a multitude of unexpected charms to go along with its big hitters. An inventive but unpretentious food scene makes Louisville the perfect place to try variations on classic Southern dishes like hot, fried chicken and crab legs. The city is also home to some gorgeous parks (120, to be exact) and the largest collection of Victorian-era homes in the country, both of which can be explored on foot (and mostly for free). Of course, Kentucky is also known for its tipple of choice – bourbon. You could always take a self-guided trip between distilleries on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. Just be aware that any activities undertaken today will be at your own expense.
Optional Activities:
-
-
Day 8: Chicago
Location: Chicago
Accommodation: Hostel
Meals Included: dinner
Sit back and relax on the 6-hour drive to Chicago. With more than 45 kilometres of lakefront paths, Chicago is one of the world's most walkable cities, so what are you waiting for? This a great opportunity to bust out your walking shoes and start exploring on foot. Maybe head to Millennium Park, a massive public space with gardens and artwork throughout. Make sure you check out the Cloud Gate, the massive silver sculpture (also known as ‘The Bean’) that reflects the cityscape on its shiny surface. Another great way to see the city is by walking along the Magnificent Mile, an upscale stretch lined with attractions like then Art Institute and the Wrigley Building. Dinner tonight is included and a Chicago classic – deep-dish pizza. After dinner, perhaps grab some of your fellow travellers and head to the John Hancock Center to take the elevator to the 95th floor. Here you’ll find the Signature Room, where for the price of a drink you can enjoy sweeping views of the city.
Included Activities:
-
Optional Activities:
-
Day 9: Chicago
Location: Chicago
Accommodation: Hostel
Take a whole day to explore Chicago, with heaps of optional activities to choose from. Check out the full list of recommended optional activities below and, as always, make sure to grill your leader for advice. The Museum of Contemporary Art is a tranquil place to while away a few hours for a small cover charge. If your interests lie more with politics, the past, or both, the History Museum is great place to learn more about Chicago. If you’d like to be shown the city by someone who knows it inside-out, consider booking a tour with Bobby’s Bike Hike.
Optional Activities:
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Day 10: Sundusky
Location: Sundusky
Accommodation: Camping (with facilities)
Skirt the edge of Lake Erie and cross the Midwest into Ohio, with Sandusky as your destination (approximately 2 hours). Choose whether to join the group on an optional trip to Cedar Point Amusement Park, the so-called ‘Roller Coaster Capital of the World’ (extra cost). Cedar Point also features the Millennium Force, which has been voted the greatest roller-coaster in the world, making it the place to be if you love an adrenaline hit. If you’re not big on thrills, you may prefer to head to the nearby beach and simply stretch out on the sandy shoreline. In the late afternoon, set up camp near Lake Erie and wander down to the lake’s shore for a memorable sunset.
Day 11: Niagara Falls
Location: Niagara Falls
Accommodation: Camping (with facilities)
Visit one of the country's greatest natural attractions – Niagara Falls. Continue along the border of Lake Erie all the way to this famous sight, which sits sandwiched between the borders of the USA and Canada (approximately 4.5 hours). There are numerous viewpoints from which you can appreciate the power of this amazing set of falls, including from the water on an optional Maid of the Mist cruise. For the ultimate show, head to the falls at night and see them lit up in all their glory.
Optional Activities:
-
Day 12: New York (Newark)
Location: New York (Newark)
Return to New York today (approximately 7 hours). Traffic coming into the city can be incredibly busy, so please be prepared for delays. This is the perfect time to listen to a podcast or crack open a book. Arrive in Newark in New Jersey. There are no included activities planned on arrival, and no accommodation included this evening. If you plan to stay in New Jersey (or make the short trip to NYC by boat, train or bus) we can help you book additional accommodation (subject to availability). Chat to your travel agent or an Intrepid representative before you begin your tour.
Optional Activities:
-
-
-
-
-
What's Included
-
Chicago-style deep dish pizza dinner
-
Philadelphia - City highlights stop
-
Nashville - Southern Style Biscuits & Coffee
-
Shenandoah National Park
-
Meals
1 breakfasts, 1 dinners
-
Accommodation
Camping (with facilities) (8 nights), Hostel (2 nights), Hotel (1 night)
Transport
- Private vehicle
Accommodation
- Camping (with facilities) (8 nights), Hostel (2 nights), Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
- Philadelphia - City highlights stop
- Shenandoah National Park
- Nashville - Southern Style Biscuits & Coffee
- Chicago-style deep dish pizza dinner
Check out our Q&As
-
What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Please contact us for latest COVID-19 policies
-
How long has the tour company been trading?
Intrepid Travel has been taking travellers around the world for over 30 years
-
Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
-
What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Since 2002, The Intrepid Foundation has supported over 130 organisations across the world. We’re creating positive impact through the joy of travel, community and connection.
-
Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Over 50% of traveller travel solo with Intrepid. You can choose to share a room with another solo travelle of the same sex for no additional charge, or choose to pay a single supplement if you’d like your own room. Please request this when booking, and we will secure you a single supplement wherever possible. Please note, if you are booking a last-minute trip, it may be harder for us to secure a single room
Reviews of this Operator
Book with Confidence
-
Free Date Changes
Intrepid Travel allows you to make 10 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 56 days before the start of the tour.
-
Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Intrepid Travel allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform intrepid travel, 56 days before departure.
-
Low Deposit
Intrepid Travel requires a minimum deposit of 200 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 56 days before departure.
-
Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of intrepid travel charges.
Up to 56 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 55 days before tour starts: Forfeit 30% of booking price.
At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 60% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
-
COVID Protection
Trips from 1 January 2023 onwards
From 1 January 2023, Intrepid will no longer require travellers to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19.
However, we continue to strongly recommend that all travellers and leaders get vaccinated to protect themselves and other Specific proof of testing or vaccination may still be required by your destination or airline. Please ensure you check travel and entry requirements carefully.
This policy excludes all Polar trips and select adventure cruises, where testing and vaccination remains a requirement. Please refer to the Essential Trip Information of your chosen tour for more details.
Why book with tourhub?
Safe & Secure
Your money is protected in an external trust until you travel.
100% Guaranteed Refunds if your trip is cancelled.
The safest way to make overseas, multi-currency payments.
Guaranteed Best Value
Industry leading discounts, we won't be beaten on price.
No cancellation or amendment fees from tourhub.
(Operator terms may apply)
Expert Knowledge
Reliable & unbiased advice from travel experts.
Direct contact with the tour operator via our messaging service.
Inspiration & advice from a community of 6000+ real travellers, influencers & content creators.
Trusted Service
Official partners & licensed agents of 1000+ tour operators worldwide.
Don't just take our word for it...
"Tourhub: Friendliness, Professionalism & Integrity I would happily give tourhub a 6* review if I could..."