Compare The Gifts of Niagara: From the Falls to the Underground Railroad by Road Scholar vs Washington, D.C., Niagara Falls & N.Y.C. 2023 Classic Group by Insight Vacations
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4.5 | Great
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5 | Excellent
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| Duration | 6 days | 9 days |
| Price From | $ 799 | $ 3,195 |
| Price Per Day | $ 133 | $ 355 |
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| Trip Style | Small group tour | Group tour |
| Lodging Level | Standard | Premium |
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| Flights & Transport | Airfare included | Airfare included |
| Activities | N/A |
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| Description | Immerse yourself in the story of Western New York through its Underground Railroad history, Native American heritage and, of course, the grandeur of Niagara Falls. | See the U.S. capitol and the Big Apple like never before on this 9-Day guided tour of the U.S. In Washington, D.C., walk past the White House and Washington Monument and through the National Mall; and later, pay homage to fallen soldiers at the Lincoln and World War II memorials. Visit Gettysburg with a Local Expert, who will guide you through one of the Civil War’s most pivotal battles. Cruise to the base of the cascading Niagara Falls. Travel to the Finger Lakes, where eleven lakes lap against the forest and nearby towns; and taste fine wines and microbrews at a local winery. Admire the iconic skyline of New York City before ascending to the Top of the Rock for a birds-eye of the skyscrapers, parks, and rivers below. Later, cruise the harbor past the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. |
Day
1
Check-in, Welcome Dinner, Orientation, Class
Center of Renewal at Stella Niagara, NY D Center of Renewal Retreat & Conference Center
Activity note: FINAL SCHEDULE DETAILS FOR ENTIRE WEEK ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE DEPENDING UPON SPEAKERS' AVAILABILITY. Detailed schedule with starting times will be provided when you register on-site. Feel free to call us in advance if you need specific details in advance of your arrival that are not reflected within this booklet (716-754-7376, Ext. 1).
Afternoon: Check-in from 1:00 to 4:45 pm. Earlier check-ins available with advance notice. Once on the Stella Niagara campus, be sure to use the "Center of Renewal Entrance" and NOT the "Main Entrance". The Center of Renewal entrance is a porch with black railings, plenty of signs in the windows, and it is the last building on the right after the "Main Entrance".
Dinner: 5:00 pm Dinner at Center of Renewal
Evening: 6:15 pm | Formal welcome and orientation session to introduce you to the program highlights this week. 7:30 pm | Welcome wine-and-cheese social
Day
2
Cave of the Winds, Native Americans, Underground Railroad
Center of Renewal at Stella Niagara, NY B,L,D Center of Renewal Retreat & Conference Center
Activity note: Begin our first full day with a better understanding of Native Americans in Western New York history. Join us on the Cave of the Winds walking tour right up to the edge of Niagara Falls ... from the bottom up! Learn about the Underground Railroad from various perspectives, including a group discussion on key topic areas.
Breakfast: 8:00 am | Breakfast at Center of Renewal
Morning: This morning we will focus on the important role of Native Americans in the history of the Niagara Frontier, as presented by a member of the Cayuga Nation.
Lunch: 12:00 pm | Lunch
Afternoon: Experience the power of Niagara Falls as you might never imagine, up close and personal. Guests on the Cave of the Winds Niagara Falls tour follow wooden walkways along Niagara River nearby the torrents of Niagara Falls. Enjoy Niagara Falls as never before at Cave of the Winds Niagara! (In case of unexpected extended weeks of cold weather causing excessive build-ups of snow & ice, the walkways might be closed to the public. In this unlikely event, we will substitute another enjoyable activity.)
Dinner: 5:00 pm | Dinner at Center of Renewal
Evening: This evening we will learn about the impact of the Underground Railroad and the Niagara Frontier during the Civil War. The group will also be invited to share in discussion questions appropriate to the topic.
Day
3
Niagara Falls, Boat Ride, Illumination of the Falls
Center of Renewal at Stella Niagara, NY B,L,D Center of Renewal Retreat & Conference Center
Activity note: Morning lecture on Niagara Falls State Park. Afternoon boat ride up to the Falls. Evening illumination of the Falls. VALID PASSPORTS ARE REQUIRED TO CROSS THE BORDER THIS EVENING!
Breakfast: 8:00 am Breakfast at Center of Renewal
Morning: Morning lecture with Carol Rogers, knowledgeable educator from Niagara Falls State Park who will discuss Niagara Falls geography and natural history. Also explore what Niagara Falls is like in the wintertime and discover if the Falls have ever frozen over.
Lunch: 12:00 pm Lunch at the Center of Renewal.
Afternoon: 1:15 pm | Enjoy a field trip and ride on the "Maid of the Mist" boat (pending seasonal availability and weather restrictions) and other nearby sights ... a breathtaking afternoon experience!
Dinner: Dinner in Niagara Falls, Ontario Canada
Evening: BRING YOUR PASSPORT to view panoramic Niagara Falls from the Canadian side of the Falls this evening. We'll stay in Canada long enough to experience the nighttime colorful illumination of the Falls before returning to the USA.
Day
4
Canada: Skylon Tower, Botanical Gardens, and Butterflies!
Center of Renewal at Stella Niagara, NY B,L Center of Renewal Retreat & Conference Center
Activity note: Enjoy lunch atop the Skylon Tower, and an afternoon at the Niagara Parks Botanical Gardens and Butterfly Conservatory. VALID, GOVERNMENT-ISSUED PASSPORTS ARE REQUIRED TO CROSS THE BORDER TO
Day!
Breakfast: 8:00 am | Breakfast at Center of Renewal
Morning: Board the bus for Canada trip. IMPORTANT! BRING VALID PASSPORT AND JACKET or SWEATER FOR TRIP TO CANADA (it gets cool near the Falls at night). We'll be in Canada all day through early evening when we will then return to the USA, not before. Feel free to bring a pillow from your room in case you want to take a nap on the bus; just remember to return it to your room after the bus trip ends later this evening.
Lunch: Enjoy a special dinner-type lunch served in the revolving restaurant at the top of the Skylon Tower overlooking Niagara Falls -- breathtaking views and a wonderful meal, too! Skylon Tower's world-famous dining simply must be experienced. Their award-winning continental cuisine is presented in an elegant setting 775 ft. above the Falls. Experience once-in-a-lifetime views of Niagara Falls and the Great Gorge. Lunch includes admission to the Skylon Tower Ride-to-the-Top and the Indoor/Outdoor Observation Decks after lunch.
Afternoon: Continue our visit on the Canadian side of the Falls and Ontario, Canada with an afternoon at the 100-acre Niagara Parks Botanical Gardens, maintained by the School of Horticulture, and the fascinating Butterfly Conservatory. This magical attraction features over 2,000 colorful tropical butterflies floating freely among lush, exotic blossoms and greenery. Paths wind through the rainforest setting, past a pond and waterfall and the Emergence window, where butterflies leave their pupae and prepare to take their first flight. Relax at your own pace with this self-guided walking tour.
Dinner: Casual lunch-type dinner on your own along the way.
Evening: As we prepare to cross the border back into the USA, enjoy our early evening ride along the scenic 14-mile drive, featuring floral displays and other sights.
Day
5
H2O power, Old Fort Niagara, Native American history
Center of Renewal at Stella Niagara, NY B,L,D Center of Renewal Retreat & Conference Center
Activity note: Learn about how Niagara Falls affects massive amount of hydroelectric power. Learn about Niagara Frontier history from the 1600s on at Old Fort Niagara.
Breakfast: 8:00 am | Breakfast at Center of Renewal
Morning: This morning we'll board the bus for a field trip to New York State Power Authority to learn about hydroelectric power in the Niagara Frontier. Enjoy a fabulous view of the Niagara Gorge and Lower Niagara River from the deck of the Power Authority.
Lunch: 12:00 pm | Lunch
Afternoon: After lunch, we'll visit Old Fort Niagara in the nearby Village of Youngstown. There, we'll explore highlights of Native American history, the 1600s-1700s, the War of 1812, and much more.
Dinner: 5:00 pm Dinner
Evening: Open evening
Day
6
Final Learning Session, Lunch, Independent Departures
Center of Renewal at Stella Niagara, NY B,L
Activity note: See how much you learned via the fun game, "All You've Wanted to Know about Niagara Falls" complete with prizes. Check out from your room by 10:00 AM, enjoy lunch, and prepare for a relaxing trip home or to your next destination. Thank you for joining us!
Breakfast: 8:00 am Breakfast at Center of Renewal
Morning: Free time until 10:00 am to finish packing and checking out from room. 10:15-11:45 am | Final learning session and fun competition exercise: "All You've Wanted to Know about Niagara Falls", facilitated by adult learning facilitator and Center of Renewal executive director Nancy P. Askins, PhD. Enjoy this session structured as an enjoyable end-of-week learning game complete with prizes for the highest scores, with insightful fun for all.
Lunch: 12:00 pm | Lunch at Center; program officially ends after lunch. Have a safe trip home, and thank you for enjoying our Niagara Falls area Road Scholar lifelong learning adventure!
Day 1: A Monumental Time in Washington, D.C.
Welcome to Washington, D.C., the nation's capital and a haven for history and art buffs alike. On arrival at the airport, your transfer will take you to the luxurious Fairmont Hotel Georgetown.Join your Travel Director and meet fellow guests at a private Welcome Dinner with drinks at 18:00.
Day 2: Washington, D.C. Sightseeing Relaxed Start
In the morning, learn about the proud heritage of a nation. View the stately White House, striking Washington Monument, and sprawling National Mall. Reflect on the country's most turbulent days at the Lincoln Memorial and the somber World War II Memorial. The rest of the day is at your leisure. Ask your Travel Director for their sightseeing and dinner recommendations to help you to make the most of America’s capital.
Day 3: Gettysburg and Harrisburg
Join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience in Gettysburg as you meet your Local Expert at the site of one of the Civil War's most pivotal, and fatal battles. Today the Gettysburg Foundation focuses not just on preserving artifacts from the battlefield but also on education to promote democracy.Move on to Harrisburg, the state capital of Pennsylvania situated on the Susquehanna River. This historic hub is now a beautiful and vibrant city.Enjoy Dinner with wine at a local restaurant in Harrisburg.
Day 4: On to Niagara
Make your way to the Corning Museum of Glass, where you can learn about the art, history, culture, technology, science, craft, and design that tells the riveting story of the museum's single material, glass. Sandblast your own keepsake before watching master artisans at work.Cross the Canadian border to arrive at Niagara Falls, where your hotel overlooks the majestic Horseshoe Falls – the largest of the three waterfalls in this area.
Day 5: Niagara Up-Close
View thundering Niagara Falls during a thrilling cruise to the base of the cascades.Visit Vineland Estates Winery for a tour and tasting with lunch. This stunning venue with extensive vineyards also showcases several restored historic buildings.This afternoon witness the falls in a new light from below and behind, as you descend 150 feet (46 metres) by elevator to observe the phenomenon.This evening, you'll have time to relax on your own.
Day 6: The Finger Lakes of New York
This morning you'll leave the falls behind and travel to the Finger Lakes region of New York. This beautiful natural setting features eleven glacial lakes situated among forested hills and quaint small towns. Pay a special visit to the Three Brothers Wineries and Estates near Seneca Lake, featuring wineries, a microbrewery, Slushie Hut and Cafe all focused on local sustainability. Become a student aboard the MV Teal as you engage in Floating Classroom activities run by the non-profit Discover Cayuga Lake. Experienced educators will provide narration and hands-on ecology lessons as you participate in this scenic eco-tour on the Finger Lakes' longest lake.
Day 7: A Bite of the Big Apple
Take a bite of the Big Apple on a tour of the city's highlights with a Local Expert.See the Empire State Building and the mirrored peak of the Art Deco Chrysler Building as you admire one of the world’s most iconic skylines.Afterward, ascend to the Top of the Rock – the 70th floor of the Rockefeller Center Building – for a sweeping view of the skyscrapers, parks, rivers and urban canyons that make up the teeming isle of Manhattan.
Day 8: Exploring N.Y.C. Relaxed Start
This morning, choose to enjoy a harbour cruise with impressive views of the Manhattan skyline, Ellis Island, and the towering Statue of Liberty. Glide down the Hudson River and get a glimpse of several stunning landmarks. Alternatively, if it’s tranquility you’re after, relish the calm of Central Park with a scenic bike ride. The rest of the day is yours to spend as you please.A lively Celebration Dinner this evening concludes your journey. Join your fellow travellers at Redeye Grill, a sophisticated, timeless, and comfortable dining experience in Midtown Manhattan.
Day 9: Depart New York City
It’s time to say goodbye to the Empire State. A morning transfer will take you to JFK International Airport, LaGuardia Airport or Newark Liberty International Airport for your flight home. Alternatively, choose to see more of New York by extending your stay at your own rhythm.
