Grand Northern
Overview
Highlights
- Scenic drive through Maine's wilderness
- Cross the Canadian Border/Arrive in Quebec
- Explore the only walled city in North America
- Stroll the streets on a walking tour
- Drive through the American Midwest's beautiful farmlands
- Enjoy an evening in Madison, home to the University of Wisconsin
- Explore Custer State Park
- Visit Mt Rushmore
- Discover a Native American legend at the Crazy Horse Memorial
- Visit a panoramic viewpoint for photos
What's this trip about?
Details
Travel Themes
Destinations
Attractions
Activities
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Itinerary
The dizzying city of New York is home to a whopping 8 million stories, and from the minute you meet up with your Contiki crew, you’ll have your own to add to the mix. Today we make for Boston, stopping by New Haven, Connecticut on the way - home to Yale University, kn...
Boston is steeped in history, so weave your way through the 18th century today on the Freedom Trail. This red-brick path winds past a plethora of sites integral to the revolution, and is guaranteed to inspire your inner rebel. Visit Harvard University (yes, the very s...
With the luck of the Irish, we pack our bags without leaving anything behind and make for Quebec via the wilds of Maine. Whizzing by jaw-dropping scenery and spotting the occasional moose out the window is sure to give you a second wind before we cross the border to C...
With its cobbled streets and ancient stone houses, Quebec City’s UNESCO World-Heritage-listed old town is an open-air museum. After a history lesson with a Local Guide, get out and explore more of what the region has to offer: its vibrant art scene, Parisian-style eat...
Bid Quebec au revoir as we head towards the jazzy island city of Montreal. Pretty scenic views, yes yes yes, we're talking panoramic. Camera at the ready. Together, we’ll take a spin around Montreal’s Old Port and quays before driving up to Mt Royal, which offers sen...
Today is all yours - soak up as much of Montreal’s creative juices and infectious joie de vivre as you can take. Add some cutting-edge threads to your wardrobe at The Main, munch your way through various countries at Jean-Talon market and dance the night away at a jazz bar downtown or in the Latin Quarter. It would be rude not to grab a serving of poutine on the way home, wouldn’t it?
Still bopping along to the sax from the night before, we bid farewell Montreal. These 1000 islands are as pretty as a picture and a great way to relax and take in the views before we hit the city. On our stop, you'll have chance to board a boat and float your way alon...
It’s time to wash away the city grit at what is undoubtedly the best-known waterfall on the planet: Niagara Falls. You can’t get much wetter than at the world’s ninth-largest waterfall. Experience Niagara Falls’ surging power first-hand on the Niagara Cruise boat by g...
Toronto is another one of Canada's mulit-cultural hotspots. Maybe catch a baseball game, Head to the of the CN Tower, visit Gallery 44 or Toronto Park for people watching. Tonight, feel the global vibe of this city's nightlife.
We leave Toronto behind us and continue on back across the border into the US and Cleveland, home to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. What was once a workingman's town has now had a complete musical make over and cultural re-awakening. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame i...
Departing Cleveland today we'll head through America's Midwest as we move on towards Chicago, known as the ‘windy city’. Next up, the Great Lakes and Chicago. Fusing the cutting-edge and the traditional, Chicago serves up innovative architecture and all-American spor...
Head to Navy Pier for great city views, bike around town for a street level perspective, jump on an architectural cruise to further understand the city’s skyline, scoff down a Chicago style street hot dog or even see the White Sox or the Cubs play in a huge stadium game. You can't leave Chi -town with sampling their famous deep-dish pizza - come hungry!What. A. Day.
After two days of food, sports, museums and shopping in Chicago, we continue on into the USA’s heartland - beautiful Wisconsin. Next stop: Milwaukee. It’s home to the nation’s largest beer brewers and also Harley Davidson. Later on we pull into the town of Madison, ...
Cross the Midwest and see the pretty as a picture Minnesota farmlands before hitting the wild yet wonderful state of South Dakota. We travel across the county’s biggest prairies and enter a region once dominated by the Sioux Tribes – the only Native American Nation t...
After learning about Sioux Falls (Sioux is the name of a native American tribe we'll have you know) and seeing the beautiful landscapes, it is time to move on to Mt. Rushmore, but not without a stop off at Badlands National Park on the way. An interesting name, and an...
It's a crazy concept but yes, there are 18m (60ft) faces of Presidents, Jefferson, Lincoln, Washington and Roosevelt carved into the side of a stony mountain. It is quite surreal to see it in such natural surrounds, especially knowing that it took 14 long years to cre...
After reliving in the old Wild West complete with saloons and gambling parlours, we cut across Wyoming. It is here we learn about the Pony Express and cowboy culture. Saddle up and get ready for two nights in the western of Cody. Use your free time here to visit the ...
Nature works in very mysterious ways sometimes. Yellowstone National Park is the incredible result of a massive volcanic eruption, and what a sight it is. The scenery is like something out of a film, and if you are lucky (and super quiet) you might even get to experi...
After a chilled night in the peaceful surrounds of Cody, we hop back on the coach and head onto Jackson Hole, but not before stopping off at two National Parks. Thought you'd seen it all? Yellowstone, we're not finished with you yet. It's back to the park for a last ...
It's back on the coach this morning with wide eyes as we travel through the stunning mountain ranges of Idaho and onto Salt Lake City, but not before thrill seekers could take to the Snake River for some rafting to really awaken the body and mind. This city is known ...
SLC, you've been grand, but nature calls and we're ready to take it on with all we've got. You've probably seen it on Pinterest, and today Bryce Canyon is yours for the taking. OMG's and 'ohhh and ahhh' will be the words of the day today, as you throw on your comfy wa...
Escape to the mind-blowing Grand Canyon as we see this wonder from a different angle,the less-visited and pristineNorth Rim. Hike along the rim of the canyon at your own pace to really get a feel for the size and drama of it all. There are trails for all levels of abi...
After breakfast, say goodbye Kanab and hello to the finale of the breathtaking outdoors of America for your last wilderness experience of the trip - Zion National Park. Scene change! We cut back into Utah where we visit Zion National Park, with waterfalls, colourful c...
You have today all to yourself but you’ll need to run to a tight schedule to fit in all of Vegas' weird and wonderful charms. Travel the world in a day, taking in the Eiffel Tower, a Venetian gondola and even an Egyptian pyramid, all whilst staying firmly within the c...
We are on the home stretch peeps. We’re leaving Las Vegas on a journey through the vast and dusty Mojave Desert and back into unmistakable scenery of Southern California. Can it be true - is it really over? We'll finish of this truly slife changing trip by book endi...
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Dates & Availability
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The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.
Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.
Contiki Reviews & Ratings
Other Contiki Reviews
Molly O'Dwyer
Apr 2024
Active New Zealand
I already want to go back to NZ on another contiki. One of the best experiences of my life!
Molly O'Dwyer
Apr 2024
Incredible Tour Manager and Bus driver!
Our tour manager and Bus driver were incredible. They made the trip...
Trusted Customer
Apr 2024
Anonymous
I loved how everything was organized and planned for me
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We’re firm believers that life’s greatest experiences are made better by the people you share them with. That’s why Contiki invented group travel for young people in 1962 and we’ve spent the past 53 years perfecting it. You’ll explore amazing destinations with a group of 18-35 year olds from around the world who share your passion for adventure, good times and creating memories that define what it is to be young, wild and free.
No two travellers are the same and we know that, which is why we offer eight unique ways to explore the world. We have a number of options to choose from to create a vacation that’s perfect for you, from budget to accommodation style.
We're all about exploring the world with like-minded people, which is why we only run trips for 18-35 year olds, to celebrate being young, spirited and curious. You can expect to join a group of 18-53 awesome people from around the world on our Europe, Australia, North America and New Zealand trips, and in Asia and Latin America it's all about small group adventures with up to 25 travellers. Don't worry if you're not traveling as a couple or with a friend from home – though there are plenty of pairs, 50% of our travellers set off solo, meaning you'll have a ton of opportunities to make new friends.
With over 270 trips around the world and plenty of departure dates to work into your schedule, you'll never be short of options on where to go for your next great adventure.
About the company:
Contiki are the world leaders in social youth travel. We’ve been providing amazing travel experiences for young travellers, from 18-35 years old, since 1962. Imagine how good you would be at something if you had been doing it for more than 60 years?
Everything about Contiki is deeply rooted in our core values ‘Make Every Moment Count’ and ‘We’re about people’. We don’t just talk the talk, we walk the walk and live by our brand philosophy of ‘Travel.Together.’ which means to travel with one another, the destinations we visit, the cultures we enjoy and the environment, too.
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