This 15-day tour will have you hot on trails of American patriots as you begin in New York and carve out the foothills of the northeastern states on a self-driven tour down America’s great highways. Historic monuments that paved the way for revolution meet you in places like Cape Cod, Boston, Gettysburg, Washington, and Philadelphia. Cross the border to America’s northern neighbour and tour the French-Canadian hubs of Quebec City and Montreal before setting your sights towards Ottawa, Toronto, and Niagara Falls.
Draw your own conclusions whether or not New York is the greatest city in the world and allow yourself to be dazzled by its bustling streets. After picking up your wheels, you’ll hit the road for the shores of Cape Cod where seafood shacks, quaint villages, and stoic lighthouses dot the landscape. Grab a lobster roll or two before buckling up for the revolutionary route that awaits you in Boston, tracing the steps of patriots who laid the stones for democracy in America.
Allow salty air to roll in your open windows as you head up the Eastern Coastline, stopping in Salem to learn about its infamous Witch Trials. Leaving spooky vibes behind, you’ll continue onwards to Maine where you’ll experience the rugged beauty and sapphire waters of Acadia National Park. Set up camp in Bar Harbour, nestled between Cadillac Mountain and the rocky coastline, and sample some world-famous Maine lobster.
Crossing the Canadian border, you’ll enter the Francophone province of Quebec, where rolling farmland and maple sugar shacks pave the way towards its capital. In Quebec City, feast your eyes on its European architecture and treat your taste buds to some poutine, one of Canada’s most iconic dishes after walking the walled city’s historic street. The towering Chateau Frontenac and the cobblestone streets that surround it will send you back in time as you take in the melody of the French language that surrounds you.
In Montreal, ascend to the top of Mont Royal, the centrally located mountain in the city’s core that offers sweeping views over the financial district and leafy parks. After working up an appetite, grab some smoked meat or wander into a new restaurant, with no shortage of eclectic eats to choose from as Canada’s culinary capital.
As you move into anglophone Ontario, you’ll tour Ottawa, the government capital and home to its impressive Parliament buildings. Heading south you’ll come to Toronto on the shores of Lake Ontario, where ethnically diverse neighbourhoods beckon you to explore their unique spirits. Crane your neck upwards at the CN Tower, the world’s largest free-standing structure, and take a walk across its glass floors if you dare.
Heading to Niagara, fruit trees and wineries are abundant as you trace their watery source to Niagara Falls. With over 28 million litres cascading over the falls per second, you’ll feel its force as mist sprays at you from all angles, understanding what makes it one of the natural wonders of the world.
As you cross its waters and head into Upstate New York, you’ll seek out your next waterway at the glacial Finger Lakes, providing a quiet spot for New Yorkers to relax and unwind. Carry on to Pennsylvania with a blast from the past as you explore its rural beauty and Amish community keeping old world traditions alive today. In Gettysburg, you’ll walk the Civil War battlegrounds where Union and Confederate forces once clashed, as one of the most decisive battles of the era.
Your history lessons continue as you move into the nation’s capital in Washington D.C, exploring the White House, Lincoln Memorial, Capitol Hill, and many museums. The spirit of American liberty isn’t complete without a trip to Philadelphia, where you’ll spend some time before returning your car to New York.
