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Map of East Coast Camping Adventure including United States Of America

Discover the history and natural wonders of the East Coast

From the excitement of New York City to the scenic streets of Philadelphia and on to Washington DC, home to famous museums and monuments such as the National Air and Space Museum, United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, National Museum of Natural History and the White House, and Capitol Building, this trip has it all. See another side of life when you visit an Amish farm in Pennsylvania, then cap off your trip with the famous Maid of the Mist boat tour at Niagara Falls before you return to New York City. Add comfortable camping accommodation and you’ve got the perfect East Coast adventure.

This trip is for 18 to 29-year-olds

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Terms & Conditions
Start
Jersey City, United States
Finish
Jersey City, United States
Destination
United States
Style
Basix
Theme
18 to 29s
Code
STRE
Physical rating
Ages
Min 18, Max 29
Group size
Min 1, Max 13

Travel solo, together

You're never alone when travelling solo with Intrepid

Why you'll love this trip

  • Wandering and photographing the celebrated urban park and aerial greenway in New York City along the Highline Trail.

  • Explore the streets of Philadelphia and admire the scenic car-free boulevards, the historic Liberty Bell, and Independence Hall.

  • See another side of life when you visit an Amish farm in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and learn about their customs and traditions.

  • Get wet on the famous Maid of the Mist boat tour as you marvel at the power and beauty of Niagara Falls.

  • Hike the three-mile round trip gorge trail at Watkins Glen State Park, which passes by, over and under 19 picturesque waterfalls.

Is this trip right for you?

  • This trip includes time spent travelling in a private vehicle with your group. Extra space can be tight, and conditions may feel a little cramped. It’s all part of the adventure and a great way to get to know your fellow travellers. Please read the itinerary carefully for travel time estimates.

  • Although our private vehicles do have air conditioning, it has to work pretty hard to keep a full group cool. Expect to feel hot during summer and cold at other times of the year, especially at night. Please consider the season and research the weather conditions to determine the best time to travel for you. Remember to come prepared with adequate clothing.

  • This trip involves either a partial or full camping experience, giving you access to more remote destinations at close proximity, and the joy of camping under the night skies and beside a campfire. This is a participatory trip – a fancy way of saying you’re not just along for the ride, but you are part of a team! Be prepared to roll up your sleeves and help out with camp activities like food prep and washing up. It’s all about giving your new travel mates a hand, and everyone knows there’s nothing worse than trying to put up a tent on your own!

  • Ensure you bring sturdy walking shoes and comfortable clothes. To make the most of the trip, it's best if you have at least a moderate level of fitness.

Maid of the mist in front of the American Falls, Niagara Falls
Watkins Glen State Park waterfall canyon in Finger Lakes, New York, USA
Buildings in Greenwich Village in Manhattan, New York City, USA
Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
An Amish horse and carriage in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, USA
New York City, USA on the High Line Park.

Itinerary
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Meet your leader near New York City at the Grove Street Station in Jersey City at 10am for a Welcome Meeting followed by a leader-led walk-through Greenwich Village to the Highline Trail, a former elevated train line reinvented as a lush public park. After free time for lunch, depart New York and head to your comfortable campground in the nearby foothills of the Pocono mountains.

Today’s driving time is approximately 1.5 hours.

It’s very important that you attend the Welcome Meeting at 10am as we will be collecting insurance and emergency contact details at this time. If you are going to be late, please let your travel agent or Intrepid know.
Accommodation
  • Camping (with facilities) (1 night)
Included Activities
  • New York City - Greenwich Village & The Highline Leader-led Walk
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.

This morning, kickstart your journey along North America’s history trail and drive south towards the nation's capital, stopping at Philadelphia on the way for a look at some of the highlights of the Old City, including the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall. You will also discover Philadelphia’s scenic car-free streets, get a feel for what an East Coast historic neighbourhood looks like, and perhaps take a seat on one of the Once Upon A Nation storytelling benches in the historic district. Grab some lunch in Philadelphia before travelling to your campground near Washington DC.

Today’s driving time is approximately 4.5 hours.
Accommodation
  • Camping (with facilities) (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Philadelphia - Reading Terminal Market
Optional Activities
  • Washington, D.C - Philadelphia - City Highlights Tour - Free
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.

This morning join your leader for an orientation tour of Washington DC, then the rest of your day is yours to explore Washington DC your way. We suggest grabbing a map and planning your day to ensure that you maximise your time in this iconic city. Choose from around 100 famous world-class museums such as the National Air and Space Museum or National Museum of Natural History or seek out one of the smaller museums hidden around the city. Washington DC is also overflowing with famous monuments and buildings like the White House and Capitol Hill so you’ll find plenty to keep you entertained today.
Accommodation
  • Camping (with facilities) (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Washington DC - Leader-led walking tour
Optional Activities
  • Washington DC - National Museum of Crime and Punishment - Free
  • Washington DC - National Museum of American History - Free
  • Arlington - National Cemetery DC - Free
  • Washington DC - National Museum of Natural History - Free
  • Washington DC - National Gallery of Art - Free
  • Washington DC - International Spy Museum - USD21
  • Washington DC - Bike and Roll Tour - USD45
  • Washington DC - National Archives - Free
  • Washington DC - National Air & Space Museum - Free
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.

Depart Washington DC and drive to Lancaster County in Pennsylvania. The state of Pennsylvania is home to the greatest number of Amish in the USA, with a community of around 30,000 in the Lancaster area. Known for their resistance to modern technology and traditional values, visiting an Amish community can feel like taking a step back in time. Take a traditional buggy ride, then visit a local dairy farm where you’ll meet some locals and learn about Amish customs and culture.

Today’s driving time is approximately 3 hours.
Accommodation
  • Camping (with facilities) (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Lancaster - Amsish Buggy Ride
  • Lancaster - Working Dairy Farm Visit
Optional Activities
  • Lancaster - Shady Maple Smorgasbord Dinner - USD25
  • Authentic Pennsylvania Dutch cooking - Free
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.

After breakfast, settle back and relax for the scenic journey north through the rolling farmland of Pennsylvania into upstate New York. In the afternoon, visit the United States’ side of Niagara Falls and ride the iconic Maid of the Mist boat right up to the base of Horseshoe Falls. You’ll almost certainly get drenched so wear your poncho! Later in the afternoon, drive to your campsite and pitch your tent in the heart of the great outdoors, share stories with your fellow travellers around the campfire, and make s’mores (a traditional sweet night time campfire treat in North America) as you watch the stars sparkling overhead.

Today’s driving time is approximately 7 hours.
Accommodation
  • Camping (with facilities) (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Niagara Falls - Maid of the Mist Boat Tour
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.

After breakfast, you’ll discover the most “gorges” part of New York state in the Finger Lakes region. These eleven glacier-formed lakes offer breathtaking views of rolling vineyards and sparkling water, but the most astonishing attractions here are the many waterfalls and limestone gorges. Hike the three-mile round-trip gorge trail at Watkins Glen State Park, which passes by, over and under 19 picturesque waterfalls, and has photo opportunities galore.

Today’s driving time is approximately 2.5 hours.
Accommodation
  • Camping (with facilities) (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Finger Lakes - Watkins Glen Gorge Hike
Optional Activities
  • Buffalo - Silo City Tour - USD24
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.

You’ll be closing your East Coast loop today as we head back to New York City. No accommodation is provided tonight, but if you do wish to spend extra time in New York, we'll be happy to book additional accommodation for you (subject to availability).

Today’s driving time is approximately 6 hours.
Accommodation
  • No accommodation tonight (1 night)
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.
Want to tailor this itinerary?

Meals

No meals are included on this tour

Transport

Private Van

Accommodation

Camping (with facilities) (6 nights)

Included activities

  • New York City - Greenwich Village & The Highline Leader-led Walk
  • Philadelphia - Reading Terminal Market
  • Washington DC - Leader-led walking tour
  • Lancaster - Amsish Buggy Ride
  • Lancaster - Working Dairy Farm Visit
  • Niagara Falls - Maid of the Mist Boat Tour
  • Finger Lakes - Watkins Glen Gorge Hike

Dates & availability

Trip departures are unavailable.

There are currently no scheduled departures on our East Coast Camping Adventure trip. If you are interested in other trips in the region visit one of the links below.

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Important notes

1. Your adventure begins promptly at 10am on Day 1 at Grove Street Station in Jersey City, and finishes on arrival in Jersey City at approximately 5pm on Day 7.
2. A sleeping bag is required for this trip.
3. Please note that the legal drinking age in the US is 21 and in some parts of Canada it's 19.
4. On Day 1 of the trip your leader will collect from each traveller funds in the amount of $10 USD per person per day of the trip. This money is contributed to a central fund and is used to cover gratuities throughout your journey. Participation in the gratuity kitty is mandatory and takes the guess work out of deciding who to tip and how much.

Essential trip information

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

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