
moderate
4 days
Suitable for travelers in normal health who can handle multiple short walks and several long coach rides; stair and short gorge hikes require basic mobility.
Four days, four American touchstones: a fast-moving coach tour from Boston through New York, Philadelphia, Washington D.C., Corning’s glass museum and the roar of Niagara Falls. Expect early mornings, optional boat rides, and tight, well-paced stops that cover big history and bigger views.
The bus pulls away from Boston before dawn, headlights cutting through October air as the city shrinks into blocks of streetlights. You fold into a seat with a coffee and a map of four days: New York’s canyon of glass and steel, Philadelphia’s colonial squares, the marble monuments of Washington, D.C., and finally the thunder and spray of Niagara. The rhythm is measured—long highway legs broken by concentrated slogs of walking and curated stops—so you get the sense of a coastline stitched together by history and horsepower.

Pickups typically start around 5:45–6:15 AM—arrive 10 minutes early to secure your seat and luggage space.
Bring a valid passport if you plan to visit the Canadian side of Niagara or take cross-border options—some activities require it.
Niagara’s mist penetrates clothing—pack a waterproof shell and quick-dry layers for Cave of the Winds or Maid of the Mist.
Expect walking on uneven surfaces (Watkins Glen trails, Capitol grounds, cobblestones in Philadelphia); sturdy shoes matter.
The route stitches together colonial and federal-era America—Philadelphia’s Independence National Historical Park and Washington’s Capitol reflect political foundations, while Old Fort Niagara preserves frontier military history.
Niagara and surrounding parks manage heavy visitation through designated viewing decks and seasonal closures; stick to marked paths and avoid single-use plastics to reduce impact.
Provides traction and comfort for city streets, park trails, and Niagara observation decks.
Protection from mist at Niagara and spring showers; packs small in your daypack.
spring specific
Required for identification and mandatory if you plan to cross into Canada or board certain attractions.
Keeps snacks, water, camera, and layers handy during short walking stops and museum visits.
summer specific