Best of America

Meet your leader near New York City at the Grove Street Station in Jersey City at 10am for a Welcome Meeting before hitting the road toward the nation’s capital of Washington DC. You’ll enjoy a stop in Philadelphia along today’s journey where you’ll get a chance to visit some of the highlights from the Old City including the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, and the famous ‘Rocky’ steps. Enjoy a little free time to grab some lunch in Philly before we continue our journey to our campground for the evening near Washington DC.

There’s plenty to see and do in Washington DC, and it can be tricky to know where to start – so we’ve got the morning sorted for you! You’ll join your leader for a guided tour of the city. This is the perfect way to get your bearings before spending the day exploring at your leisure. If museum-hopping is your thing, Washington has you covered with almost 100 world-class museums to choose from. The National Air and Space Museum, the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum, the National Museum of Natural History and the Newseum are just a few. And, of course, you can’t visit this iconic city without checking out its famed monuments like the Lincoln Memorial, Capitol Building or Washington Monument. This evening you might choose to visit the Georgetown area which comes alive with no shortage of animated bars and restaurants overlooking the Potomac River.

Kiss the city goodbye today as we escape to the Blue Ridge Mountains, part of the Appalachian Mountains. Along the way, we’ll make a pit stop at Shenandoah National Park, one of the highest and most scenic portions of the Appalachians. From here, we’ll continue the journey along the winding mountain highway of Skyline Drive, with spectacular views framing the drive. Along the way, we’ll stop to stretch our legs under the impressive oak trees and admire the gorgeous views. Later in the afternoon, we’ll drive to our campsite and pitch our tents in the heart of the great outdoors. Tonight you’ll share stories with fellow travellers around the campfire and make s’mores (a traditional nighttime campfire treat).

Dust off your cowboy hat, today we’re hitting the world’s country music capital – Nashville, Tennessee. Enjoy a short orientation walk with your local leader in Nashville’s Downtown area. You’ll discover the entertainment hub of Broadway with energetic honky tonk bars and live music and learn more about the musical history of the city. The afternoon is yours to explore as you wish. Perhaps, visit the Country Music Hall of Fame to check out a golden Cadillac that once belonged to the king of rock and roll, Elvis Presley. Or, discover the iconic music venues of Grand Ole Opry House and Ryman Auditorium. In the evening, you might like to round up your group and head out for some famous Nashville hot chicken.

Say goodbye to the glitz and glamour of ‘Nashvegas’ this morning as you continue your musical pilgrimage to the birthplace of rock and roll: Memphis, Tennessee. Your leader will introduce you to the city on a walking tour that winds through the best parts of Memphis. You’ll head down bustling Beale Street, where traditional blues clubs and ritzier bars rub shoulders – you can bet your leader will determine the tourist traps from the more authentic bars worth a look. The afternoon is at your leisure to explore the parts of the city that interest you most. Perhaps, make your way to the famous Sun Studio, the ‘Birthplace of Rock’, which boasts the first recordings of legendary performers like Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash and Jerry Lee. If history is your thing, you might visit the National Civil Rights Museum, where Martin Luther King Jr was assassinated. In the evening, be sure to tuck into a traditional Memphis-style barbecue – trust us, you won’t regret it.

Get your headphones ready for a long drive across the state of Mississippi and prepare to get down in New Orleans (AKA the ‘Big Easy’). With a mixture of Creole, Cajun and European culture intertwined in the architecture, eats and beats here, there’s plenty to do and explore in this unique city. Join your leader and hit the streets for a walking tour that’ll give you a feel for the eclectic French Quarter, the historic heart of the city that’s famous for its cast-iron balconies and vivacious nightlife. Your leader will point you in the direction of all the best spots, and then the afternoon is yours to explore at your will. You might spend your time wandering down Bourbon Street or through the former plantation area of the Garden District. This evening, be sure to head out for a typical Cajun-style dinner and take in the uber-cool atmosphere that envelops the entire city.

Day two in New Orleans sees you exploring the Garden District. This quaint part of the city is sure to be a highlight. Wander the oak tree-lined streets and marvel at opulent mansions as your leader peppers the walking tour with quirky facts and history. From here, the day is all yours to explore the Big Easy as you wish. You might like to marvel at the street performers at Jackson Square, explore the countless museums, hang out in a jazz bar or eat your way around the flavoursome French Quarter.

Today we hit the road for Texas. It’s a long drive, so be prepared to sit back and relax. Never fear; we’ll make a few stops along the way to stretch your legs, and the passing road trip scenery won’t disappoint.

This morning, we’ll hit highway 10 and make our way to San Antonio. Once here, you’ll have the day to explore the town at your leisure. Perhaps, visit the legendary Alamo, a reconstructed Spanish-American fort from the 18th century and a symbol of Texan independence. In the afternoon, you might like to stroll the charming River Walk or check out one of the many art museums.

Kiss Texas goodbye, we’re setting our sights on New Mexico today. We’ll drive deep into the desert to reach UNESCO-listed Carlsbad Caverns National Park. Home to, you guessed it, Carlsbad Cavern – one of the largest caverns in the world. There are over 120 limestone caves in the park, desert wildlife, flowering cactus and deep rocky canyons. We'll hike through the park and explore some of the most fascinating desert caves.

Today we continue our journey to Santa Fe – the oldest capital city in the U.S. You might like to spend the afternoon exploring the city’s iconic Pueblo-style architecture surrounding the town plaza and abundance of art galleries – there are more than 250 for you to find! Or admire San Miguel Mission, the country’s oldest church.

Today, we’re en route to Mesa Verde National Park, home to the largest and best-preserved cliff dwellings of the Anasazi Native Americans. Offering incredible insight into the past, the UNESCO-listed park protects over 4000 archaeological sites. You’ll get the chance to explore some of the trails and get a closer look at one of the dwellings carved directly into the edge of the cliff. Plus, you’ll have the option to join a ranger-led walk to discover some of the harder-to-find ancient sites.

Today, we’ll continue our drive through the deserts to reach Monument Valley. The iconic landscape of red-toned spires, buttes and mesas has been the set of countless films, TV shows and photographs – and the real deal is even more impressive than what’s seen on screen. Once you’ve arrived at Monument Valley, you’ll have the chance to explore the area and take in the incredible views of the giant sandstone formations scattered across the desert as far as the eye can see. Later on, perhaps check out the gift shop, brimming with native American handicrafts, before visiting the on-site restaurant to grab a bite to eat.

Today we’ll put Monument Valley in the rear-view mirror and make the drive to the Grand Canyon with a stop at a Native American trading post along the way. One of the seven wonders of the natural world, the Grand Canyon is 1.5 km deep, formed by over six million years of erosion from the Colorado River. This is a real highlight of the trip, and you'll be spending two nights here in order to take it all in.

Today is as clear as an Arizona sky in summer. Explore at your own pace, but remember to always have a supply of water and high-energy snacks handy. There are myriad trails and treks to keep the active occupied. You might choose to check out the South Rim Trail or hike your way along the South Kaibab Trail to Skeleton point. Wherever the day takes you, we recommend relaxing by the canyon's edge in the early evening to witness what is sure to be one of the most spectacular sunsets.

Today we leave Monument Valley behind and cross the western deserts of Arizona – Vegas is calling. From a western outpost in the desert, Las Vegas is now a gambling and entertainment metropolis. It’s a city of larger-than-life characters, but beyond the glitz, Vegas is home to diverse urban neighbourhoods and a thriving arts scene. With two nights here, you’ll have plenty of time to get under the surface of this multifaceted city. You might like to catch one of the world-class stage shows, take on a wild roof-top roller coaster or stroll along Freemont Street.

With another day in Las Vegas, continue discovering all things over the top. Food-focused travellers may want to check out one of the celebrity chef restaurants around town (Giada De Laurentiis, Gordon Ramsay and Wolfgang Puck all have places here). See the Eiffel Tower of the USA, check out the Bellagio Fountains or visit one of the wacky museums on offer. Be sure to chat with your leader to get the lowdown on the best spots for dinner and drinks this evening. This is your last night in Vegas, after all.

Today we’ll kiss Vegas goodbye and make our way to greener pastures in the Sierra Nevada mountain range. The Sierra Nevadas are sandwiched between Central Valley and Death Valley, a scenic trip that will take you to the town of Bishop, where you’ll camp the night and visit some nearby natural hot springs. In town, perhaps go to Erick Schat’s European-style bakery for a delicious treat, or stop in tomorrow for a coffee and cake on the way to Yosemite.

Today we’re driving further into the heart of the Sierra Nevada Mountains to the magnificent Yosemite National Park. Passing by the striking Mono Lake, your private vehicle will travel through the Tioga Pass (weather permitting) and past serene vistas like Tenaya Lake and the Olmstead Point viewpoint, where you’ll catch a glimpse of one of Yosemite’s most recognisable features – Half Dome. You'll spend two nights in Yosemite National Park so that there's plenty of time to explore at your own pace.

Today is free to discover Yosemite at your leisure. With colossal granite cliffs, cascading waterfalls and redwood forests, there’s plenty for you to explore. There are countless hikes to embark on, each varying in steepness and difficulty. Hike under the cooling breezes of Nevada Falls (4-5 hours) or to the serene Mirror Lake (45 minutes). Keep an eye out for squirrels and perhaps even a bear along the way. Otherwise, you might prefer to take to two wheels and hire a bike and explore Yosemite Valley. Visit the park's museum, photo gallery, shops and restaurants along the way, and in the heat of summer, a relaxing float down the Merced River is highly recommended.

Your USA adventure comes to an end on arrival in San Francisco after a stop at the Golden Gate Bridge for a walk. No accommodation is provided for tonight. If you do wish to spend extra time in San Francisco, we'll be happy to book additional accommodation for you (subject to availability). You might like to consider booking an Urban Adventures sightseeing tour like Bridge and the Beach, where you’ll see a different side of the Golden Gate from Baker Beach (see urbanadventures.com/destination/san-francisco-tours).