Admire historic towns, beautiful fall foliage and the blue waters of the Atlantic on this autumnal rail and sail journey along the Eastern Seaboard

Your autumnal explorations begin today as you arrive in Boston and transfer independently to our hotel, conveniently located in a premier Back Bay location. After checking in and getting settled, take some time to get acquainted with your historic surroundings.

Tales of the American Revolution and the country's infancy await around every corner, allowing you to get to know America's past however you see fit. If time allows, you might like to take an Old Town Trolley tour (payable locally) to get acquainted with the city and see its most impressive sights, or you could explore on foot, wandering amongst the sites of the Freedom Trail.

Returning to the hotel this evening, meet the Tour Manager and your travel group for a brief introductory meeting, and then you are free to find dinner locally. With its coastal location, Boston is renowned for its seafood, and a hearty bowl of clam chowder is the ideal way to warm up on a chilly autumn evening. Overnight Boston, MA.

An early morning transfer takes us to Boston's North Station, where we board Amtrak's Downeaster for the journey deeper into New England to Wells, Maine. We arrive later this morning and join our motorcoach to continue the day's travels to Kennebunkport.

There is some free time to find lunch and admire the seaside ambiance of this fascinating town before we head to the harbor, where we step aboard the 65-foot Kylie's Chance for a sightseeing cruise. Look out over the water as we cruise past colorful forests bordering the water's edge, the Bush family compound, and Bumpkin Island, often occupied by seals. A highlight of the cruise, though, is getting to know Maine's lobster industry. Learn how fishermen trap these beloved crustaceans and maybe even get your picture with the day's catch!

Following our cruise, we head to our hotel in the laid-back town of Ogunquit. With the remainder of your day at leisure, you might like to seek out some seafood for dinner. Overnight Ogunquit, ME.

From the beautiful waterline to the undeniable charm of the town's boutique shops and cobblestone streets, Portland has so much to offer, and we uncover it this morning. We board our motorcoach after breakfast and travel to this coastal gem, where a local guide steps aboard to unveil the area's history, stories and amazing sites. Admire historic buildings and lighthouses with beautiful water views and fire-hued foliage forming the backdrop.

Following the tour, enjoy free time to take in the essence of Portland at your own pace. You might like to find lunch in a local eatery before meandering the cobbled streets or wandering the sandy and rocky beaches. This is an incredibly artistic city with galleries and cultural shops dotted throughout downtown.

Returning to Ogunquit, you can relax in the hotel's peaceful setting, just steps from the water, ahead of a group dinner this evening. Overnight Ogunquit, ME.

Departing Maine after breakfast, we travel into the heart of fall foliage country in Wolfeboro, New Hampshire. It is here that we board the historic MS Mount Washington for a scenic cruise across the beautiful waters of New Hampshire's largest lake, Lake Winnipesaukee.

As we cruise, admire the gold, copper and crimson hues of autumn surrounding the lake and relax as the onboard narration reveals regional stories and historic tidbits. Our cruise takes us across the lake to Weirs Beach, where you have free time for lunch.

Later in the afternoon, our route continues into the White Mountains to Woodstock, New Hampshire, where we board the Café Lafayette Dinner Train for a 20-mile journey through the Pemigewasset River Valley. Savor a chef-prepared five-course dinner in a fully restored dining car as you gaze at the dramatic evening vistas, including multi-hued foliage illuminated by the sinking sun. We continue to our hotel for the night in Lincoln, savoring a free evening with mountain views. Overnight Lincoln, NH.

Today's travels take us back to the coast to Newport, Rhode Island, the yachting capital of the world. This seaside town is nicknamed "New England's summer resort" and is known for its summer "cottages," as well as for being a playground of the rich and famous. But it is not just summer scenery that attracts visitors; Newport is breathtaking in the fall.

Our motorcoach arrives in Newport early this afternoon, and there is free time to wander the colorful downtown district. You could find lunch or shop on Thames Street or stroll along the bustling waterfront with distant foliage views.

Later in the afternoon, we head to the most famous home in Newport: The Breakers, the Vanderbilts' summer home. We tour the 70-room mansion, now a National Historic Landmark, and see how the elite lived during Newport's Gilded Age. Afterward, we check into our hotel with the remainder of the day at leisure to explore this coastal community. Overnight Newport, RI.

Following breakfast at our hotel, we start the day with a cruise aboard the Rum Runner II, a motor yacht constructed during the height of Prohibition. Settle into your seat for a cruise through Newport Harbor and into Narragansett Bay, surrounded by scenes of lighthouses, Newport mansions, former speakeasies and small islands adorned in autumn's spectral hues. As we cruise, we learn about the rum-smuggling routes outlaws took and how this ship played a role in their operations.

The afternoon is free to explore Newport at your leisure, and then this evening, our coach transfers us to Grand Bellevue Train Station to board the Newport & Narragansett Railroad for an elegant dinner train experience.

Views of Aquidneck Island and Narragansett Bay form the backdrop of our route as we dine on chef-prepared cuisine and soak up the vintage Pullman-style experience the train offers. This experience is a truly scenic way to conclude our fall foliage explorations. Overnight Newport, RI.

Few places compare to New England during the fall months, and this trip dove headfirst into its most colorful and charming locations. From the historic city of Boston, we traveled to coastal Maine, admiring lighthouses and the scenic shorelines while learning about the lobster industry and sightseeing on a cruise. From here, our route took us inland to Lake Winnipesaukee and into the colorful White Mountains, before heading back to the coast in Newport, Rhode Island. Complete with multiple cruise experiences, two memorable dinner train journeys and endless autumn scenery, this was a vacation to treasure.

This morning, your time on the East Coast comes to an end. After breakfast, a group transfer to Boston Logan Airport and South Street Station is available for planes and trains departing after 1:00 p.m.

Colonial cities, stunning beaches, and breathtaking scenes of the Eastern Seaboard abound on Amtrak's Downeasterroute. Ideal for commuters and vacationers alike, this comfortable train offers unbeatable views of towns in Maine, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts. Five daily trains run between Boston, MA, and Portland, ME, with select trains venturing even further north to Brunswick, ME. Passengers can complete the route in its entirety in approximately 3 1/2 hours or travel from city to city, breaking the 145-mile route into shorter connections throughout New England.

Passing through the colorful Pemigewasset River Valley and the deep forests of the White Mountains in New Hampshire, the Cafe Lafayette Dinner Train offers guests a gourmet dining experience and superb scenery in one  excursion. The train departs from North Woodstock, NH, and follows a 20-mile roundtrip route over two hours. During its passage, guests are treated to a dining experience reminiscent of those enjoyed by rail travelers many decades ago. Five courses of incredible, locally sourced dishes are presented throughout the evening, each prepared to order by an award-winning chef.   

Surround yourself in the romance of yesteryear aboard Rhode Island's  Newport & Narragansett Bay Railroad. The seaside beauty of Aquidneck Island is on full display as the train navigates its 12 1/2-mile course along  Narragansett Bay. Travelers are seated in fully restored Pullman coaches, with large windows framing the carriages and offering glorious views of the changing scenery. Each trip begins and ends at Portsmouth Station and follows tracks laid in the 1870s along the island's western shores. Guests may select from daytime rides, elegant dinner train experiences, and specialty trains for their nostalgic  voyage.   

Set in Boston's elegant Back Bay neighborhood, the 4-Star Hilton Boston Park Plaza is one of Boston's most historic hotels. Ideally located in the heart of the city, this hotel is steps from Boston Common and the Public Garden, while Beacon Hill and the Theatre District are a short walk away. Amenities include a lobby bar and restaurant serving traditional New England cuisine, along with an Irish pub and coffeehouse. Modern, air-conditioned guestrooms are fully equipped with free Wi-Fi, flatscreen TV, coffee-making facilities, complimentary toiletries, ironing equipment and hairdryer.

The Hampton Inn Lincoln White Mountains is located in downtown Lincoln, surrounded by views of Loon Mountain and lush forests. The 2-Star hotel features an indoor swimming pool and a fitness center and serves a complimentary breakfast each morning. Each air-conditioned guest room is filled with natural light and includes free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, minifridges, microwaves, coffee makers, hairdryers and complimentary toiletries.

Set in downtown Middletown, Rhode Island, just three miles from downtown Newport, the 3-Star Wyndham Newport Hotel sits on the oceanfront overlooking the Atlantic. There is a fitness center and indoor pool on the premises, as well as a restaurant serving seafood. The guest rooms boast ocean or city views and include amenities like free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, minifridges, microwaves, coffee-making facilities, hairdryers and complimentary toiletries.

Just a short distance from Ogunquit Beach, Marginal Way Walk and Ogunquit Playhouse, this 4-Star hotel offers comfortable rooms and a welcoming atmosphere. Amenities include a sun terrace, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, fitness room, hot tub, outdoor fireplace, picnic area and barbecue facilities. Guestrooms are equipped with free Wi-Fi, flatscreen TV, ironing equipment, tea and coffee-making facilities, hairdryer and complimentary toiletries.

Many of our guests choose to spend additional nights before or after their trip. Great Rail Journeys would be happy to make hotel arrangements for you.