Compare Washington, D.C., Niagara Falls & N.Y.C. 2023 Classic Group by Insight Vacations vs Spy Kids: Sleuths & Secrets With Your Grandchild by Road Scholar

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.

Day 1 Check-in, Program Registration, Orientation, Welcome Dinner Washington, DC

Hotel check-in from 4:00 p.m.

Program Registration: 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. After you have your room assignment, come over to the Road Scholar table to register with the program staff and get your welcome packet containing the up-to-date schedule that reflects any changes, other important information, and to confirm the time and location of the Orientation session. If you arrive late, please ask for your packet when you check in. Orientation, 5:15 p.m.: The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. Periods in the schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding. This is a Road Scholar Intergenerational program. Grandparents are responsible for their grandchildren. If/when separate age group activities are conducted concurrently, program staff will supervise. Children are never to be left unsupervised.

At leisure to prepare for the week ahead.

At the hotel, we will enjoy a welcome dinner, plus iced tea, water, coffee, and soft drinks; other beverages available for purchase.

Day 2 International Spy Museum Washington, DC

Walking 2 miles to/from museums & metro stops, use of public transportation.

We will start this morning with a walk over to the brand new International Spy Museum for a self-led visit. The museum just reopened it's doors in May of 2019, and is “…the only public museum in the U.S. dedicated solely to espionage and the only one in the world that provides a global perspective on the ‘invisible’ profession...” Its large and extensive collection includes amazing artifacts of international espionage, many never displayed publicly before. Many of these objects are being seen by the public for the first time. The museum seeks to present the history of espionage throughout history, apolitically, with accurate, unbiased information. Following this, we will have a workshop hosted by Spy Museum staff. Let’s take a crack at being spies and see if we have what it takes. In this hands-on activity we will play the role of a U.S. intelligence officer on a mission to learn about collecting information from foreign adversaries.

Returning to the Spy Museum, let’s take a crack at being spies and see if we have what it takes. In this hands-on activity, led by museum staff, we will play the role of a U.S. intelligence officer on a mission to learn about collecting information from foreign adversaries. Following our workshop, we will visit the FBI headquarters by motorcoach for an independent exploration of their exhibit, detailing the agents’ experience. We’ll see artifacts from some of the most well-known cases in history.

At the hotel, we will enjoy a movie night together, watching some of our favorite fictional spies.

At the hotel, we will enjoy a meal with coffee, tea, water included.

Boxed lunches at the museum

At the hotel, we will enjoy a meal with coffee, tea, water included.

Day 3 Mount Vernon, Spying & The Revolutionary War Washington, DC

Getting on/off motorcoach.

We will board the motorcoach and head out to Virginia to visit George Washington’s former estate at Mount Vernon, a National Historic Landmark. On our way to Virginia, we will watch a film about General Washington's group of Spies in the Revolutionary War, The Culper Spy Ring. Once arriving at Mount Vernon, we will start with a visit of the mansion, led by a knowledgeable expert, where we will learn the history of George and Martha Washington’s beloved home and how Washington personally supervised the design and expansion of this impressive mansion.

We will explore Mount Vernon on our own before heading back into Washington, D.C. Mount Vernon includes four different gardens, the tombs of George and Martha, and a working farm and recreations of his distillery and gristmill.

At the hotel, we will experience a performance from a historical interpreter who will tell us more about the Revolutionary War.

Hotel meal.

At Mount Vernon, we will order lunch from the full menu using a voucher, with coffee, tea, water included.

At a local restaurant, we will sit for dinner. Coffee, tea, water included.

Day 4 Gadgets Lecture, The City of Spies by Motorcoach, Free Time Washington, DC

Getting on/off motorcoach. Walking up to 2 miles during visits to national monuments/memorials.

We will have a presentation from a former technical officer at the CIA, similar to the role of a real-life “Q” from Ian Fleming’s Bond series. They will host a demonstration about spy devices and how a spy uses them. Following our lecture, we will board the motorcoach to head out on an expert-led exploration of Washington, D.C., home to dozens of the most well-known monuments and memorials in the country, like the Lincoln Memorial and the World War II Memorial. We will also learn more about this city of spies.

The rest of the day is on your own to explore Washington, D.C. with your grandchild. Our Group Leader will be available to offer suggestions on local activities and restaurants.

At leisure.

Hotel meal.

At a local restaurant, we’ll have a meal. Coffee, tea, water included.

On your own to try what you like.

Day 5 Code Making & Breaking Washington, DC

Participants will need to get on and off the motor coach. Expect to stand for up to 1 hour at a time. The drive time to the National Cryptologic Museum is approximately 45 minutes and we may encounter city traffic

We will start with a field trip by motorcoach to the National Cryptologic Museum, adjacent to the National Security Agency headquarters at Fort Meade in Maryland. The museum is the NSA’s principal public portal. Its thousands of artifacts preserve and illuminate the history of cryptology. As we go through the halls with a volunteer museum docent, we will learn how codes are “broken” and explore the museum's collection of Enigma machines.

We will return to D.C. where our Group Leader will host a fun activity before we can take part in a graduation ceremony—grandparents and grandchildren are no longer junior detectives, but the next international spy!

At leisure.

Hotel meal.

At the Cryptologic Museum, we will enjoy boxed lunches consisting of a choice of sandwich, sides, and water.

We will enjoy a farewell dinner at the hotel, sharing experiences of the week with our fellow Road Scholars.

Day 6 Program Concludes Washington, DC

Hotel check-out by 11:00 a.m.

If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on another rewarding program in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!

Hotel meal. This concludes out program.