Grand Northern

• Overview
• Itinerary & Map
• Highlights & Optional Excursions
• Dates & Rates

Break out your comic book sensibilities, Supermen and Superwomen, because its up, up, and away - no capes or fancy flight gear required. Simply point your mind, body and soul northward, and we'll handle the rest. Ten U.S. states and two Canadian provinces post 'welcome' signs, inviting you to sample, mix and remix their sights and sounds. When not steeped in the hip, nightlife of urban centers, relax in quaint, small towns or savor peaceful, natural locales.

Print Itinerary Itinerary & Map

1. Day New York to Boston

   From the Big Apple to Beantown. Two tantalizing cities, four fabulous East Coast states, and a coach load of Contiki clients all adds up to a whole lot of fun! We'll glance at the lifestyles of the rich and famous as we drive by some of Newport, Rhode Island's summer mansions. "Everybody knows your name" in historic and eclectic, Boston, Massachusetts. See the major sights before settling in and getting to know each other over dinner at our hotel. Hotel (D)

2. Day Boston

   Cheers, Everyone! Hang out with the brains at Harvard University, roll up to the "Cheers" bar, walk in the footsteps of great Americans, savour the sights and smells of Quincy Marketplace and Fanueil Hall, or just hop on and off the optional trolley tour around this amazing town. With more universities than any other U.S. city, there is plenty of nightlife for you to discover. Hotel (B)

3. Day Boston to Quebec City

   Later, U.S.A. Bonjour Canada! France meets North America in the French speaking province of Quebec. After driving through Stephen King territory, the state of Maine, you'll cross over the border into Canada and continue to the unique Quebec City - the only walled city in North America. Brush up on your French over dinner tonight in the heart of downtown Quebec. Hotel (B,D)

4. Day Quebec City

   You'll fall under Quebec City's spell during a guided tour of the Old City, the cradle of French civilization in North America. Soak up Quebec's "joie de vivre" attitude this afternoon with free time to wander the cool cafés and windy streets. Enjoy a breathtaking view of Quebec by joining us for an optional dinner in the city's only revolving restaurant. Hotel (B)

5. Day Quebec City to Montreal

   Ooooh La La! Are we in Paris? Montreal is hip and happening with all the culture, sophistication and cafes as a city in France. Your road crew will show you all the highlights of this charismatic place during a city tour. Hotel (B,D)

6. Day Montreal

   A free day to enjoy the beautiful and historic city of Montreal. Hotel (B)

7. Day Montreal to Toronto

   You'll know why it's called the Thousand Islands as we wander alongside this area of the lovely St. Lawrence River Valley. For a closer look, take an optional boat cruise and check it out. Then we're on our way to Canada's largest city and a spot with international flair - Toronto. An afternoon sightseeing tour will introduce you to the fabulous city. Join us tonight for dinner and then a night out on the town. Hotel (D)

8. Day Toronto

   The sky's the limit! Feel the global groove of this city by visiting its diverse neighborhoods and shopping areas. If you are game, catch an optional tour of Toronto's baseball stadium, Rogers Centre, or get your adrenaline going by zooming up the world's tallest freestanding structure, the CN Tower. Hotel

9. Day Toronto and Niagara Falls

   Wet & Wild. Throw on a blue rain poncho and get wet at the base of Niagara Falls on the "Maid of the Mist" boat cruise. If that isn't enough, perhaps you'd like a bird's eye view of it all on an optional helicopter ride. Still not done? See Niagara Falls lit up at night after dinner with your Contiki mates. Hotel (B,D)

10. Day Toronto to Cleveland

    I Love Rock N' Roll! Get your passports ready as we cruise back into the "Good Old U.S.A." and rock on over to Cleveland, Ohio with a visit to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Jam with your Contiki friends tonight at one of downtown Cleveland's nightspots. Hotel (B,D)

11. Day Cleveland to Chicago

    Sweet Home, Chicago! This city is great - awesome architecture, raw blues, cosmopolitan shopping, and hot bars. After the road crew introduces you to this cool place with a sightseeing tour, why not enjoy a night out on the town? Hotel (B)

12. Day Chicago at leisure

    Catch a birds eye view of the city on top of the world's tallest building, sink your teeth into Chicago's famous thick crust pizza, or ponder the glories of this city's smart museums - today is your day to get out there and blow through this "Windy City." Meet up with your touring buddies for another night of fun in America's third largest city. Hotel (B,D)

13. Day Chicago to Madison

    University town, USA... Welcome to America's friendly heartland! First stop - Milwaukee, Wisconsin, home to the nation's largest beer brewers. We'll stop in Milwaukee with free time for those interested in a brewery tour; then its on to Madison, a cosmopolitan university town. Hotel (B)

14. Day Madison to Sioux Falls

    Crossing the heartland… Catch the pulse of America's Midwest with a drive through Minnesota's beautiful farmlands before arriving in South Dakota, home to the nation's largest buffalo herds. We make our home tonight in Sioux Falls. Hotel (B,D)

15. Day Sioux Falls to Mt. Rushmore

    You'll feel like you've landed on the moon when you journey through Badlands National Park. Take in this fascinating landscape with its colorful buttes, pinnacles, and spires carved out of the Great Plains. We make our home in Deadwood/Lead, once the stomping grounds for some of the "Wild West's" most notorious rough and shady characters. Hotel (B,D)

16. Day Mt. Rushmore

    Sacred heroes of America... It took fourteen years to carve the faces of four American presidents into the cliffs of South Dakota's Black Hills. Our next stop is at the Crazy Horse Memorial, a shrine to the heroic Great Sioux warrior. Hotel (B)

17. Day Mt. Rushmore to Cody

    Howdy, Cowboy! Put on your cowboy hats as we head to Cody, Wyoming, named after western legend, Buffalo Bill Cody. On the way, we'll check out Devil's Tower National Monument, made famous by the movie, "Close Encounters of the Third Kind." Whoop it up tonight at the optional rodeo (seasonal). Hotel (B)

18. Day Cody to Yellowstone

    Before entering Yellowstone, America's largest national park, step back into the Old West by visiting the Buffalo Bill Museum or take an optional white water rafting trip to explore the Shoshone River where pioneers and Plains Indians once traveled. Hotel (B)

19. Day Yellowstone National Park

    There she blows! Watch America's most famous geyser, Old Faithful, blow its stack. We've got the entire day to explore Yellowstone's fantastic waterfalls, mud pots, hot springs, and abundant wildlife. Hotel (B,D)

20. Day Yellowstone to Salt Lake City

    Only in America... The scenery is spectacular today as we head south by the Teton Range with its stunning mountain landscape. We stop in quaint Jackson Hole, Wyoming for lunch before we cross the border into Utah and arrive in its capital, Salt Lake City, home to the 2002 Winter Olympic Games. Check out the impressive golden spires that tower over Temple Square. Hotel (B)

21. Day Salt Lake City to Kanab via Bryce Canyon National Park

    Oooh, aaah... Utah is gorgeous. Before leaving Salt Lake City you'll will have an opportunity to fly over beautiful Park City in a hot air balloon. Then we are off to Bryce Canyon National Park, where the bizarre shaped canyons and spires called "hoodoos" explode with dazzling colors that will blow your mind. We make our home in the town of Kanab. Hotel (B,D)

22. Day Grand Canyon National Park

    A world wonder... We'll take a day trip to one of the seven natural wonders of the world - Grand Canyon. The remote and breathtaking North Rim is less visited, which translates into peace and tranquility - a perfect way to experience this national treasure. Hotel (B)

23. Day Kanab to Las Vegas via Zion National Park

    On to Sin City! Before hitting the bright lights of Las Vegas we'll experience the soaring cliffs, sculptured canyons, and dramatic landscapes of Zion National Park.You'll have the opportunity to do a horseback ride before heading to Las Vegas. Prepare for a sensory experience like no other as we drive the famous Vegas "Strip." You won't believe your eyes at this electric wonderland! After the light show at Fremont Street, party on at an optional Las Vegas cabaret show. Hotel (B,D)

24. Day Las Vegas

    Vegas, Baby! Only in Las Vegas can you visit most of the world's largest hotels and casinos in one day, gamble while you swim, catapult 327 meters (1,081 feet) up in the air from the top of the Stratosphere Hotel, feel like you are in Venice, Egypt, New York, Ancient Rome, and Paris all at the same time, and party like a rock star 24 hours a day! Get out there and do it all - or just lie by the pool and relax. Tonight, party on at one of Las Vegas's premier hot spots! Hotel

25. Day Las Vegas to Los Angeles (Anaheim)

    Goodbye! It's not over quite yet! On our way back to Anaheim you can shop 'til you drop at the outlet stores. Start planning your next Contiki tour, your day at Disney, or a reunion with your new friends before the tour's end late this afternoon. (B)