New York City, Washington DC & Niagara Falls (8000)

8 days from New York City to Toronto

2027 Tour Details View 2026 Tour Details »

Experience vibrant cities, historic sites, and awe-inspiring natural wonders on this affordable East Coast vacation. Take in the bright lights of Broadway, neon sidewalks of Times Square, dizzying heights of the Empire State Building, and Rockefeller Center with a Local Guide in the “Big Apple” of New York City. Hear freedom ring in Philadelphia, the birthplace of American democracy and home to Independence National Historical Park and the famous Liberty Bell. Explore the must-see sights with a Local guide in the nation’s capital, Washington, DC. See the Lincoln Memorial, the Washington Monument, Ford’s Theater (site of Lincoln’s assassination), and have photo stops at Capitol Hill and the White House. Enjoy free time to visit the world-famous museums of the Smithsonian Institution, stroll the National Mall, or visit Arlington National Cemetery where the noble changing of the guard watches over the graves of brave soldiers along with John F. Kennedy’s eternal flame. Bid goodbye to the bustling cities and set out to learn about the simple life of the Amish in Pennsylvania’s Lancaster County and then overnight in the ‘Sweetest Place on Earth,’ Hershey, PA. Discover the panoramic wonder of Niagara Falls, complete with a thrilling sightseeing cruise for an up-close look at the Falls where the water comes crashing down at the rate of over 3,160 tons per second! Enjoy free time to visit the Botanical Gardens, ride the aerial cable car, or soar above it all on an optional helicopter tour over the Falls. Then on to Ontario’s capital city of Toronto, for an orientation tour and see the CN Tower, Rogers Centre, and other famous landmarks before departing for home or opt for extra nights to explore Toronto further. From exciting cities to historic landmarks to breathtaking Niagara Falls, this East Coast tour will have you returning home with stories to tell, photos to share, and memories to last a lifetime!

The world is within reach with everything you need for perfectly affordable touring. Cosmos includes hand-selected accommodations, guided sightseeing, and seamless transportation between destinations—with value-minded travel lovers in mind. Explore with expert Cosmos Tour Directors and Local Guides, complimentary headsets, and private, first-class, air-conditioned motorcoach with free Wi-Fi (where available). Enhance your free time to explore like a local with your CosmosGO mobile app!

Your Tour Includes:

• Guided city sightseeing in New York City and Washington, DC
• Orientation tour of Philadelphia, Hershey, and Toronto
• Admission to the Lancaster Amish Farm & House
• Niagara Falls sightseeing cruise

Extend your vacation with select departures that connect with our Ontario & French Canada Tour (8330) or Canadian Train Odyssey Tour (8960) with/without Alaska cruise option!

Dates & Prices Book Online

800.646.5374

New York City, Washington DC & Niagara Falls map

Photo Highlights

Meals

Meals & Itinerary

1 Breakfast

Notes:

• This itinerary enters both the US and Canada.
• Operation of the Niagara Falls sightseeing cruise is subject to favorable weather and/or river conditions (typically favorable May to October). Cruise sightseeing may be substituted by a Journey Behind the Falls excursion when necessary.
• Enjoy the fall colors of New York and surrounding areas on our special fall foliage departures from the end of September to early-October (if Mother Nature permits).

Itinerary

Day 1 NEW YORK CITY

Welcome to the “Big Apple!” Your Tour Director is on hand from 3-6:00 p.m. this afternoon to answer any questions.

Settle in and perhaps head out to start exploring the ‘city that never sleeps’ with its world-famous shopping and restaurants offering nearly 100 different types of cuisine.

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Day 2 NEW YORK CITY

New York City is one of the world’s most exciting cities, buzzing with atmosphere and packed with fascinating sights. On today’s guided sightseeing tour, see the major attractions—Broadway, the Empire State Building, Rockefeller Center, and the 9/11 Memorial. Enjoy the afternoon and evening to explore on your own. Perhaps visit a museum, shop, walk in Central Park, or take in a Broadway show. With so many options, it’s hard to choose!

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Day 3 NEW YORK CITY–PHILADELPHIA–WASHINGTON, DC AREA

Depart Manhattan, heading across New Jersey to Philadelphia, the birthplace of American independence. The “City of Brotherly Love” is steeped in history from Independence Hall, where the Declaration of Independence and Constitution were signed, to the Liberty Bell. Your orientation tour focuses on the historic landmarks as well as more current ones, like the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art made famous in the movie ‘Rocky.’ Stop for lunch at Reading Terminal Market, one of America’s largest and oldest public markets, to experience local favorites like Philly Cheesesteak sandwiches or traditional Pennsylvania Dutch food. Travel to Washington, DC, the U.S. capital and seat of government, for a 2-night stay. Later, an optional evening out features dinner and an illumination tour shining a light on the city’s most famous monuments and memorials by night.

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Day 4 WASHINGTON, DC AREA

The nation’s capital is a sightseeing treasure trove! Your half-day tour with a Local Guide features a visit to the Lincoln Memorial, seeing the Washington Monument and Ford Theatre where President Lincoln was assassinated, and photo stops at Capitol Hill and the White House. The afternoon is free for exploration. Perhaps visit the National Museum of American History to see Dorothy’s ruby slippers from the Wizard of Oz, the National Museum of Natural History to see its fascinating dinosaur exhibits and the Hope Diamond, or the National Gallery of Art to see the only original Da Vinci oil painting in the western hemisphere. (CB)

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Day 5 WASHINGTON, DC AREA–LANCASTER, PA–HERSHEY, PA

This morning, travel to Lancaster County, Pennsylvania stopping at the Amish Farm & House where a Local Guide explains the faith, culture, and way of life of the Amish people for whom tradition forbids the use of electricity or telephones in the home. Continue for an overnight stay in Hershey, PA the ‘Sweetest Place on Earth’ founded by Milton Hershey in 1903 and where chocolate is still made and the streetlamps on Main Street are in the shape of Hershey Kisses!

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Continental Breakfast

Day 6 HERSHEY, PA–NIAGARA FALLS, ON

Travel north through the Susquehanna River Valley, the Appalachian Mountains, and western New York state to the Canadian border. Cross into Ontario and continue to beautiful Niagara Falls for a two-night stay.

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Day 7 NIAGARA FALLS

This morning, enjoy a sightseeing cruise where you’ll get up close views of the thundering world-famous Niagara Falls. Fall in love with the Falls even more on an optional flightseeing excursion by helicopter or on an optional excursion to the soaring Skylon Tower where you can dine while enjoying the magnificent view. Your afternoon is at leisure. Consider visiting the Butterfly Conservatory, Niagara Parks’ Botanical Gardens, or maybe take a ride on the Whirlpool Aero Car over the Niagara Gorge.

NOTE:
Operation of the Niagara Falls sightseeing cruise is subject to favorable weather and/or river conditions. Favorable conditions usually exist from May to October. When conditions are unfavorable, the cruise will be substituted with a visit to Journey Behind the Falls.

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Day 8 NIAGARA FALLS–TORONTO

Travel to Toronto, Canada’s largest city and financial and commercial center. Take an orientation tour that includes seeing the harbourfront, CN Tower, Rogers Centre, and other landmarks before your tour ends. A complimentary transfer to Toronto Pearson International Airport will be provided for those with departing flights. Please schedule flights after 3:00 pm. Guests with extra nights will be taken to our host hotel.

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Tour Director

With COSMOS, there’s no better way to get to know your destination than through the eyes of a Tour Director. We’d like you to meet one of our Tour Directors, who average over a decade of experience and are representative of the type of expert that will be with you on your vacation.

DARYL JENKINS

Escorting tours for more than 15 years

“After a trip to Moscow in 2006, I developed an insatiable desire for travel. I really enjoy working with people, so tour directing seemed like a natural fit. I believe travel is vital to becoming a more well-rounded person. Exposure to other people and cultures gives us a better understanding of just how much we all have in common. I enjoy being able to share places and experiences that I love with others-I look forward to seeing you on the road!”

Accommodations

Optional Excursions

No matter what you’re into: food, wine, history, art, music or anything else, we give you the freedom to personalize your vacation with optional excursions that speak to your interests.

When you book your excursions with us, you can be assured that every optional excursion that we offer coordinates with the free time that you'll have in your destination, so you'll never have conflicts between included and optional activities. Our team of travel experts carefully selects each optional excursion that we offer to ensure that you receive the highest quality at a great value. Our tried-and-true partners have a finger on the pulse of the city in which they operate so they deliver the very best experiences. We offer experiences you cannot create on your own and because you’re booking with us, we coordinate all your transportation and timing needs.

The following optional excursions are examples only for this vacation. These may or may not be offered, and availability is subject to days of operation and seasonality. Please select a departure date to view optional excursions and pricing for a specific date (due to currency fluctuation, pricing shown is subject to change until purchased). Optional excursions are available for purchase on our MyCosmos site 90 days prior to the tour start date.

Price Ranges

$ ($50 USD and under)
$$ ($51 - $100 USD)
$$$ ($101 - $150 USD)
$$$$ (Over $150)

Washington DC

Hershey

Niagara Falls

Washington DC

Dinner and National Monuments by Night

The evening starts with dinner at a favorite local restaurant and is capped off with an illumination tour of several of DC's most famous memorials. A beautiful city any time of day, it is especially beautiful at night! ***Due to availablity it is highly recommended to pre-book this excursion.

Price Range: $$

Hershey

Pennsylvania Dutch style smorgasbord at Hershey Farm

Enjoy an all-you-can-eat buffet, offering scratch-made Pennsylvania Dutch staples, make-to-order items at the grill, and a dessert bar reaturing fresh treats from the bakery.

Price Range: $

Niagara Falls

Niagara Helicopter Sightseeing

Take a thrilling ride over the most famous falls in North America. As the helicopter gently lifts off the awe-inspiring views of the Niagara Region begin to appear below.

Price Range: $$$

The "Starting at" or listed price is based on the lowest price available to book. Price is per passenger based on double occupancy and does not include International airfare; additional fees/charges are not included. If a price is crossed out, the new price includes a limited time promotional offer(s) – please review current promotions or deals for additional information. Some tours require intra-vacation flights (and in some cases intra-vacation segments must be purchased from Cosmos).