Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
New York City - Lake Placid - North Creek - Ithaca - Niagara Falls
100% customisable for you
Your New York adventure begins today with an early morning eight-hour flight to New York. When you touchdown stateside, make your way into the heart of the city to your stylish hotel which will be your home for the next three nights. Spend the rest of the day exploring the local neighbourhood. Just a few blocks away is the famed Central Park – the perfect spot for mindful meandering – as is the High Line Park, a railroad turned public park offering a different perspective of the city.
This evening, enjoy American-sized portions at one of our trendy Dossier-recommended restaurants nearby. Treat yourself to a thick slice of New York cheesecake before popping into a local dive bar to soak up the atmosphere with a tipple in hand.
Tuck into a towering stack of syrup-soaked American pancakes at breakfast (it’s a rite of passage) before summiting the highest skyscraper in the western hemisphere: One World. With a full day’s access to the Observatory, you can marvel at the concrete jungle below and enjoy zooming up in the impressive elevator, summiting the skyscraper in a mere 60 seconds.
Spend the rest of the day discovering the city. Why not start with the most famous sights? From getting up close and personal with the Statue of Liberty to stepping foot in Times Square and visiting the city’s many museums (don’t miss the colossal Metropolitan Museum of Art), there are countless things to see. For the architecture aficionados, don’t miss a self-guided architectural tour of the city, starting with the famous Flatiron Building.
When dinner comes calling, our Dossier’s got you covered whether you’re craving a Michelin-starred meal or steaming Chinatown dumplings. New York certainly isn’t short of excellent eateries.
Today, you’ll be exploring one of the most famous museums in the world, the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA). Housing masterpieces from the likes of Van Gogh, Picasso, Kahlo and Dali, we could think of worse days than one spent admiring over 200,000 works of art. For lunch, head to a nearby Manhattan institution to refuel.
Once your cultural cravings are satisfied (for now), why not hop on a rental bike to gain a better feel for the city? New York is full of diverse neighbourhoods, each with its own character. Cycle around the swanky Upper East Side, hipster Williamsburg, soulful Harlem, and cosy Greenwich Village to find your favourite corner. Come sunset, pedal to the riverfront to see the skyline silhouetted against the crimson sky.
Delve deeper into NYC’s gourmet scene this evening. A place where iconic steakhouses rub shoulders with dinky diners and contemporary-cool establishments, there’s something for every taste.
It’s goodbye to the Big Apple today and onto the next stop on your itinerary. First, hop on a train heading for Albany, a two-and-a-half-hour journey away. Upon arrival, pick up a rental car for the remainder of your trip, because guess what? It’s road trip time. Roll down the windows and get the speakers blaring (our destination-specific playlist should do the trick).
Drive for just over two hours to reach Lake Placid, nestled in the heart of the Adirondack Mountains. Famed for hosting two Winter Olympics, Lake Placid is a dreamy destination whatever the season. Settle into a cosy hotel for the next two nights, which enjoys beautiful views over the 124-acre Mirror Lake. This evening, venture into the village to find a spot for a tasty dinner.
Akin to an outdoor adventure playground, Lake Placid is a sports enthusiast’s dream. Try your hand at paddle boarding and kayaking, discover wild swimming at nearby Flume Falls, or enjoy a boat tour around the glassy waters of Mirror Lake and Lake Placid.
Beyond the water, the Adirondacks also host a plethora of incredible hiking trails. For easy (yet rewarding) hikes, amble along one of the beautiful Brewster Peninsula Nature Trails. If you fancy something more challenging, you can summit the fifth-highest peak in the state, Whiteface Mountain, on a ten-mile loop trail. Alternatively, drive up the Whiteface Memorial Highway for the same 360-degree views minus sore legs…
Bid Lake Placid farewell this morning and head to your next destination in the Adirondack Mountains. It’s a short drive (around one-and-a-half hours) to the charming hamlet of North Creek where you’ll spend two nights in a rustic lodge tucked in the mountains of upstate New York.
Take in gorgeous views across the tranquil Thirteenth Lake from the lodge’s private beach this afternoon or get acquainted with your surroundings on a short hike such as the Balm of Gilead, a two-mile round trip boasting clifftop views across the lake and mountains. At dusk, take a stroll around the quaint historic town before refuelling with dinner and a beer or two.
For keen hikers, nothing beats a day spent exploring the Adirondack Mountains. We can arrange for you to head out on a guided six to eight-hour hike, such as the picturesque Peaked Mountain. Or, you could opt for a shorter round trip (we like the Blue Ledge on the Hudson River or OK Slip Falls).
There’s ample opportunity for mountain biking here, too, with a network of trails winding through shaded forests and along rocky ridges. And don’t miss a chairlift ride up nearby Gore Mountain for stunning views across a carpet of peaks and pines.
Otherwise, relax in your cosy lodge, take a dip in the inviting lake or lounge on the private beach with a good book. Dine at your hotel or head into town for dinner before rounding off your time in North Creek with a nightcap.
Your road trip continues this morning with a three-and-a-half-hour drive to Ithaca (no, not the Greek island). You’ll spend three nights in the city, in a homely hotel in the heart of the Finger Lakes region. Home to the prestigious Cornell University, Ithaca is a charming city with a vibrant atmosphere.
Explore on foot, following the beautiful Cascadilla Gorge Trail from downtown to the Cornell campus, passing trickling waterfalls as you walk along historic stone paths. Take yourselves on a self-guided campus tour to see where brilliant minds are taught and inspired, and don’t miss a visit to the gorgeous Cornell Botanic Gardens, a tranquil oasis of plants, ponds and blooms.
Afterwards, head to Ithaca Commons to peruse boutique shops for local wares or hunt for treasures in the antique shops. This evening, end up in an eatery on ‘restaurant row’ where everything from pizza to sushi awaits hungry bellies.
Spend the next two days discovering more of Ithaca’s sights. As well as cultural must-sees such as the Museum of the Earth, Johnson Museum of Art and the Sciencenter, Ithaca is near some spectacular nature spots. Venture to Buttermilk Falls, Taughannock Falls or Robert Treman State Park for towering waterfalls, natural swimming pools and meandering woodland trails.
Cayuga Lake – the longest of the Finger Lakes – is where to go for all your water-sporting needs, whether kayaking, boating or fishing. Find a spot to enjoy a sundowner (your hotel’s gorgeous grounds will do) and make the most of the spa facilities; soak in the sauna and steam room or treat yourself to a relaxing massage.
Fancy hopping over into another country today? We can help with that. Savour a final breakfast at your hotel in Ithaca this morning before driving two hours north to the city of Rochester. Here, board a three-hour train winding its way across the US border to Niagara Falls in Canada.
Spend the next two nights in a glossy 22-storey hotel (complete with a rooftop pool and bar) which offers unbeatable views of the famous falls. Relax by the pool, work up a sweat in the gym, soak in the spa and enjoy dinner with a view.
End your trip on a high note today as you get up close to the incredible power of the quick-flowing Niagara Falls, one of the world’s most impressive natural wonders. Board a catamaran to cruise past the three colossal waterfalls making up Niagara. You’ll be crossing the frothy waters between the thundering American Falls, the curved Horseshoe Falls and the smallest of the three, Bridal Veil Falls, so prepare to get (very) wet. Being immersed in the roaring sounds of the falls in an experience you’re unlikely to forget. Keen for more? Enjoy a top-down view of the falls on a trek through Niagara Falls State Park or from the pedestrian Rainbow Bridge. Top off a fantastic day exploring this awe-inspiring natural world with a final fall-side dinner.
Sadly, your adventure comes to an end today. There’s time to snap any final photos of the falls before hopping on a transfer to Toronto airport (around a one-and-a-half-hour drive away), passing alongside the beautiful Lake Ontario en route. Reminisce about your wonderful trip on the seven-hour flight back to the UK, and time will (literally) fly by…
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
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Our team of destination experts will get to know you and your unique requirements for your holiday
We work with you to build an ultra-personalised holiday itinerary with your choice of accommodation, experiences and activities
All of our holidays include little extras designed to make a big difference to your trip, from fast-tracking you through airport check-in and security to our network of local Concierges
