Upstate New York & Niagara Self-Drive Tour

Self-Drive: Upstate New York and Niagara

13 days from £3400 per person

Route: New York – Milton & Hudson Valley – Catskills – Watkins Glen & Finger Lake Region – Niagara-on-the-Lake – Buffalo

Renowned for beautiful landscapes, quirky towns, rolling vineyards and one of the world’s greatest cities, New York State is paradise for those looking for a self-drive adventure centred around food, drink and spectacular scenery. Embark on a 13-day Eastern USA journey encompassing scenic state parks and cascading waterfalls with local wineries and farm-to-table restaurants, as well as bucket list destinations such as New York and Niagara Falls. Starting in the Big Apple, explore everything this incredible city has to offer before travelling upstate to the beautiful Hudson Valley. Visit quaint towns and craft breweries and hike past the mountains and lakes of Bear Mountain State Park. Continue via the Catskill Mountains to the picturesque Finger Lakes Region which is home to the city of Ithaca and the famous Seneca Lake Wine Trail. Cross over into Canada for two nights where you will stay at Niagara-on-the-Lake and enjoy a trip to the thundering Niagara Falls.

Day 1 UK to New York

Today marks the start of your journey by boarding your international flight from the UK to New York. On arrival, make your own way to your centrally located hotel in Times Square. One of the most vibrant and captivating cities in the world, New York is bursting with world-class shopping, globally acclaimed cuisine and award-winning Broadway Shows. (N)

Accommodation in New York: Ameritania Hotel

Days 2 & 3 New York

You have the next two days at leisure in New York to explore the vast array of attractions, museums and restaurants. Art enthusiasts should head to the Met, MoMA or Guggenheim for some of the world’s most impressive collections, or sports fans should catch a Yankees baseball or Knicks basketball game for a bucket-list experience. Soak up the atmosphere of Times Square, wander through leafy central park and head to the Top of the Rock to experience incredible 360-degree views at sunset of New York’s skyline, the perfect way to end a busy day of sightseeing. (N)

Accommodation in New York: Ameritania Hotel

Day 4 New York to Milton – 80 miles

This morning collect your hire car and drive upstate to Milton in the Hudson Valley, a picturesque town where you will stay for the next three nights. The Hudson Valley is renowned for its beautiful state parks, quaint towns and stunning scenery as well as an innovative food and drink scene including fantastic farm-to-table restaurants and craft breweries. (B)

Accommodation in Milton: Buttermilk Falls Inn & Spa (or similar)

Days 5 & 6 Hudson Valley

Spend the next couple of days exploring the Hudson Valley Region. Uncover the beautiful state parks that Upstate New York has to offer including Minnewaska State Park which features three sky lakes, tumbling waterfalls and scenic hiking trails, or Bear Mountain State Park which is known for its lush mountainous peaks and lakes which are perfect for picnics, fishing and walking. During your stay you may also want to visit the quaint old-hippy town of Woodstock, enjoy some wine tasting at local vineyards or explore New York’s capital Albany which is home to the State Capitol building and The Egg – a striking performing arts centre. (B)

Accommodation in Milton: Buttermilk Falls Inn & Spa (or similar)

Day 7 Milton to Watkins Glen via the Catskills – 226 miles

Today embark on your journey to the Finger Lakes region, stopping en route at the stunning Catskill Mountains. Stop off and take a short hike at Peekamoose Valley to the cascading Buttermilk Falls, or explore the Frick Pond Loop which encompasses forest, meadow and wetlands. Continue on to the lakeside village of Watkins Glen in the Finger Lakes region where you will stay for the next three nights. (N)

Accommodation in Watkins Glen: Watkins Glen Harbor Hotel (or similar)

Days 8 & 9 Finger Lakes Region

Over the next two days, explore the beautiful Finger Lakes region dotted with rolling vineyards, glistening lakes and picturesque parks. Watkins Glen State Park is a must-see in the area where you can take picturesque hikes through the deep gorge passing cascading waterfalls, lakes and covered bridges. Visit the lakeside city of Ithaca, home to Cornell University, beautiful botanical gardens and the wooded gorges and natural pools of Robert H. Treman State Park. The region also offers some of the country’s best wineries – spend an afternoon tasting local wines on the Seneca Lake Wine Trail. (N)

Accommodation in Watkins Glen: Watkins Glen Harbor Hotel (or similar)

Day 10 Watkins Glen to Le Roy – 98 miles

Enjoy a scenic lunch overlooking the glistening lake at Watkins Glen before departing the region and driving towards the small town of Le Roy. Enjoy an afternoon at leisure discovering what the area has to offer. (B)

Accommodation in Le Roy: Farmers Creekside Tavern & Inn (or similar)

Day 11 Le Roy to Niagara-on-the-Lake – 83 miles

This morning continue your journey to the Canadian border. Cross into Canada and take a short drive to the picturesque Niagara-on-the-Lake situated on the shore of Lake Ontario. Check into your boutique hotel and spend the afternoon at leisure. Wander down the tree-lined old town, explore the local wineries or drive to the nearby 19th century Fort George. (N)

Accommodation in Niagara-on-the-Lake: Queens Landing (or similar)

Day 12 Niagara-on-the-Lake

Today drive to Niagara where you will visit the iconic Niagara Falls. Experience the thundering waterfall, misty haze and scenic surroundings of this great wonder and enjoy a boat ride where you will get up close to the cascades and spray of Horseshoe Bend. Alternatively, you can visit the lower viewing platforms just behind the falls for a fantastic vantage point. Back on arrival in Niagara-on-the-Lake, explore more of the region’s wineries or soak up the local heritage in the old town. (N)

Accommodation in Niagara-on-the-Lake: Queens Landing (or similar)

Day 13 Niagara-on-the-Lake to Buffalo / Buffalo to the UK

Today marks the end of your Upstate New York and Niagara journey. Cross back over the border and re-enter the US and take a short drive to Buffalo. Here board your flight back to the UK. (N)

Self-Drive: Upstate New York and Niagara

13 days from £3400 per person

ITINERARY HIGHLIGHTS

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Pettitts guide to price for this itinerary would be £3400 per person

Itinerary: Self-Drive: Upstate New York & Niagara

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