8-day Tour to Visit Nine Top Schools in the East Coast from NYC

Day 1 Home - New York City

1. 1

   New York City

   Airport Pick-up Information:
   1. The first day of your tour from 08:30 to 24:00 (Please be aware of the listed times and meet there accordingly with our staff after claiming your baggage). We provide complimentary airport pick-up at two major airports of New York on the first day of your tour: John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and LaGuardia Airport (LGA).
   2. Arrival procedure for domestic flights: Arrival→ Baggage claim area→ Meet the tour guide→ Tour guide will arrange for the shuttle bus service.
   3. Arrival procedure for international flights: Arrival→ Go through immigration→ Baggage claim area→ Go through customs→ Meet the tour guide→ Tour guide will arrange for the shuttle bus service.
   4. For those who do not require airport pick-up service on the first day, shuttle service will be provided at the following pick-up locations (please register when booking the tour):
   - 9:30 – 17:00 arrive at Flushing: 37-20 Prince St Flushing Suite 2E Flushing NY 11354

2. 2

   John F. Kennedy International Airport

   The first-day itinerary is for your reference only; the schedule is subject to change upon your arrival.
   Free airport pick-up service is included on the first day (excluding service fee $12/person).
   Thank you for choosing to vacation with us! You can choose any one of the major airports in New York City (JFK, LGA) when you book your flight. (Passengers who arrive at Terminal 7 in the JFK Airport, please wait outside of the baggage claim area).

3. 3

   SoHo

   3 hours 35 min Admission ticket not included

   New York Morning Tour
   • For guests who can meet the tour guide with claimed baggage before 9:00am at JFK/LGA airport.
   • Itinerary: New York City Hall & Brooklyn Bridge (80 mins) → Lunch (45 mins, at your own expense) → New York Chinatown & Little Italy & Manhattan Bridge (60 mins) → SoHo (30 mins)
   Note: Minimum of two people are required in order for it to be operated. Seats are guaranteed for guests who book in advance. This tour will be subject to whether there are vacancies in the car if guests make a reservation during the tour.

4. 4

   Rockefeller Center

   1 hour 55 min Admission ticket not included

   New York Night Tour
   • All guests who can meet tour guide with claimed baggage before 4:30PM can join our tailored night tour to experience the charm of “the city that never sleeps”!
   • Itinerary: Times Square & Broadway (45 mins) → Rockefeller Center & Fifth Avenue & St. Patrick's Cathedral (40 mins) → Manhattan Night View: Long Island City (30 mins)
   Note: Minimum of two people are required. Seats are guaranteed for guests who book in advance.

5. 5

   Somerset

   1 hour 55 min

   For tours departing between 05/23/2024-06/10/2024 and 08/02-09/12/2024, you will be arranged at Embassy Suites by Hilton Piscataway Somerset or similar this night. A complimentary ticket to Liberty Cruise will be given to each guest for compensation.

Day 2 New York City Tour

1. 1

   New York City

   1 hour 55 min

   Today, we will go to Columbia University in Upper Manhattan and take a tour of this Ivy League school. Then, we will head to Central Park, the first man-made landscape park in the United States. There is a park called Strawberry Fields built to commemorate John Lennan. Next, we will drive to the New York Public Library which contains rich collections and visit Bryant Park, an oasis in the downtown area. You may taste delicious cakes and coffee in Lady M cake and Blue Bottle Coffee at your own expense. Finally, we’ll take a stroll in Times Square, which is known as the "crossroads of the world," and you may choose to enjoy a classic Broadway musical at your own expense!
   Itinerary:
   Columbia University (1 hour, official guide included) → Central Park (1.5 hours) → New York Financial Tour (Mandatory, 150 mins) → Broadway

2. 2

   Columbia University

   1 hour Admission ticket included

   Columbia University (1 hour, official campus tour included)
   Columbia University is a private Ivy League research university located in New York City. Established in 1754 as the King's College on the grounds of Trinity Church in Manhattan, Columbia is the oldest institution of higher education in New York and the fifth-oldest institution of higher learning in the United States. It is one of nine colonial colleges founded prior to the Declaration of Independence, seven of which belong to the Ivy League. Columbia is ranked among the top universities in the world by major education publications.

3. 3

   Central Park

   1 hour 30 min

   Central Park
   Central Park has so much to offer, and its options are endless! You can take a tour with a bike rental, enjoy a yoga or fitness session, walk the paved roads, take a few pictures with the city buildings in the background and if you are lucky enough, you can even sight cherry blossom trees at certain times during the year!

4. 4

   Trinity Church Wall Street

   2 hours 30 min Admission ticket included

   Mandatory New York Financial Tour Itinerary:
   First Stop: Canyon of Heroes → Woolworth Building → 15 Park Row (the world’s tallest skyscraper between 1899-1901) → The Porter Building → St. Paul’s Church → Telegraph Building
   Second Stop: Equitable Building → Trinity Church → Bank of New York → Federal Hall → New York Stock Exchange → Trump Building → Deutsche Bank → Charging Bull → Customs House → Standard Oil Building → Cunard Line HQ
   Third Stop: Rockefeller Center (pass by Diamond District and International Gem Tower)
   Fourth Stop: Pulitzer Fountain → Grand Army Plaza → Plaza Hotel → Times Square → Nasdaq MarketSite
   Notes:
   1. The New York Financial Tour attractions will be viewed by car and hiking, and we will stop at four regions.
   2. The above attractions are all outside visited.

5. 5

   Broadway

   30 min

   Broadway has been the heart of the New York's live theater scene for over a century. There is always a plethora of plays in production, ranging from classics to modern experiments, so visitors can always catch a show.

6. 6

   Somerset

   30 min

   For tours departing between 05/23/2024-06/10/2024 and 08/02-09/12/2024, you will be arranged at Embassy Suites by Hilton Piscataway Somerset or similar this night.

Day 3 New York City Tour

1. 1

   New York City

   30 min

   Rise and shine! We will first go to visit New York University. Next, we will drive to the New York Public Library which contains rich collections and visit Bryant Park, an oasis in the downtown area. You may taste delicious cakes and coffee in Lady M cake and Blue Bottle Coffee at your own expense. Then we will take a cruise and travel around the Statue of Liberty!In the afternoon,we will visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art (MOMA).It is recognized as one of the top four museum along with British Museum,the Louvre and the Hermitage Museum.Finally,let's enjoy our time in the popular Hudson Yards!You may take a visit to the Vessel and The Edge,the suspended viewing platform.
   Itinerary:
   New York University & Washington Square Park (45 mins, guided campus tour included) → New York Public Library (Outside visit) +Bryant Park (30 mins) → Liberty Cruise (Optional, 1 hour) → Metropolitan Museum of Art (Optional, 2 hours) → Hudson Yards & Vessel & The Edge (2 hours, The Edge for optional)

2. 2

   New York University

   45 min Admission ticket included

   New York University & Washington Square Park (45 mins, guided campus tour included)
   NYU is one of the most prominent and respected research universities in the world, featuring top-ranked academic programs. Now among the largest private universities in the US, NYU provides a rigorous, demanding education to more than 50,000 students and undertakes nearly $1 billion in research annually. It counts among its faculty recipients of the highest scholarly honors.
   Washington Square Park
   Well-known for its arch, honoring George Washington, the man for whom the park is named after, and its fountain, the arch's elder by 43 years and a popular meeting spot, Washington Square Park also houses several other monuments and facilities.

3. 3

   New York Public Library

   30 min

   New York Public Library (Outside visit) +Bryant Park (30 mins)
   It is the representing building in the New York Public Library system and a landmark in Midtown Manhattan, New York City. The branch, one of four research libraries in the library system, contains nine separate divisions. The structure contains four stories open to the public. The main entrance steps are at Fifth Avenue at its intersection with East 41st Street. As of 2015, the branch contains an estimated 2.5 million volumes in its stacks.
   Bryant Park is a beloved, year-round New York City destination. Known as Manhattan's Town Square, the park is famous for its lush seasonal gardens, free activities, world class restrooms, and al fresco dining. Located adjacent to the New York Public Library and surrounded by iconic skyscrapers, Bryant Park is visited by more than 12 million people each year and is one of the busiest public spaces in the world.

4. 4

   Liberty Cruise

   1 hour Admission ticket not included

   Liberty Cruise
   Any trip to New York City must include a boat cruise around the Statue of Liberty. This iconic landmark has stood in the city that never sleeps for more than 100 years, as a joint effort between the United States and France to celebrate the anniversary of America's independence. Ride on this amazing sightseeing cruise tour on the Hudson River to enjoy the city view from a totally different angle.

5. 5

   The Metropolitan Museum of Art

   2 hours Admission ticket not included

   The Metropolitan Museum of Art
   The Metropolitan Museum of Art contains over two million masterpieces of artwork, over five thousand years old artifacts and offers a grand mixture of cultural art pieces from all around the world! It is one of the largest art museums in the world and you surely do not want to miss out on it. The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s mission is to encourage and educate the future generations of tomorrow to continue the study of fine arts. The museum also offers a variety of events every month and exhibits for everyone to enjoy.

6. 6

   The Vessel

   2 hours Admission ticket not included

   Hudson Yards & Vessel & The Edge (2 hours, The Edge for optional)
   Hudson Yards Is Manhattan’s Biggest, Newest, Slickest Gated Community. You can see it on the skyline or along the Hudson River, upending Manhattan’s silhouette.
   Edge is the highest outdoor sky deck in the Western Hemisphere located at 30 Hudson Yards, with a one-of-a-kind design. It’s suspended in mid-air, giving you the feeling of floating in the sky with 360-degree views you can’t get anywhere else. Look 100 stories down from the thrilling glass floor, lean out over the city on angled glass walls and sip champagne in the sky. Enjoy your adventure up in the sky!

Day 4 Pennsylvania - Baltimore

1. 1

   Pennsylvania

   2 hours

   Today, we will drive to Philadelphia. We will begin our tour by taking a visit to the University of Pennsylvania. One-hour will be arranged to learn about the history and achievements of this famous school. The rest of the three hours will be used to visit the Penn Museum which contains rich collections and then we will dine in the campus cafeteria. Enjoy your leisure time at the University of Pennsylvania! Following, we will head to one of the National Historic Sites of the U.S. - Independence National Historical Park and have a look at the Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell which symbolizes freedom. Finally, we will leave Philadelphia for Baltimore to visit the famous Johns Hopkins University.
   Itinerary:
   Philadelphia → University of Pennsylvania (4 hours, fee included: an official campus guided tour+ a Penn Museum ticket+ a lunch) → Independence National Historical Park & Philadelphia Congress Hall (60 mins) → Baltimore → Johns Hopkins University (1 hour, guided tour included)

2. 2

   University of Pennsylvania

   4 hours Admission ticket included

   University of Pennsylvania fee included: an official campus guided tour+ a Penn Museum ticket+ a lunch
   The University of Pennsylvania (Penn or UPenn) is a member of the Ivy League. The university claims a founding date of 1740 and is one of the nine colonial colleges chartered prior to the U.S. Declaration of Independence. Benjamin Franklin, Penn’s founder, and first president advocated an educational program training leaders in commerce, government, and public service, similar to a modern liberal arts curriculum.
   Penn Museum
   Discover the Penn Museum, one of the world’s finest archaeological and anthropological museums. From stone tools and household items to architectural monuments and rare art objects, the museum illustrates the story of humanity’s history and achievements. Take a look at the unique materials from ancient Egypt, Asia, Mesopotamia, the Americas and ancient Greece and Italy.

3. 3

   Independence National Historical Park

   1 hour

   Independence National Historical Park
   This National Historical Park located in Philadelphia, serves as a way of preserving the importance of the Revolutionary War sites for future generations.
   Independence Hall
   One of Philadelphia's most famous landmarks, Independence Hall in Independence National Historical Park is the location where both the Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution were debated, written, and ratified by the Founding Fathers of the United States.
   Liberty Bell
   The famously cracked Liberty Bell is a sign of American Independence and spirit. Located at Liberty Bell Center in Philadelphia, this symbol of the American Revolution was crafted in 1752 - more than over 250 years ago.
   Philadelphia Congress Hall
   Home of the United States Congress when Philadelphia served as the nation's capital from 1790 to 1800 is the Philadelphia Congress Hall.

4. 4

   Johns Hopkins University

   1 hour Admission ticket included

   Johns Hopkins University (1 hour, guided tour included)
   John Hopkins University is a private research university located in Baltimore, Maryland. Founded in 1876, the university was named for its first benefactor, the American entrepreneur, abolitionist, and philanthropist John Hopkins. The John Hopkins School of Medicine consistently ranks among the nation's very best in education. The architectural style of the campus follows the federal style of Homewood House.

Day 5 Baltimore - Princeton - Cambridge

1. 1

   Baltimore

   1 hour

   In the morning, we will first head to the Baltimore Inner Harbor, one of the world's famous seaports and one of the most popular tourist attractions of Baltimore. You will see numerous shopping malls and trendy bars located in the harbor. Next, we will drive to Princeton University, one of the 14 founding institutions of the AAU and a member of the Ivy League. As of 2019, Princeton University has contributed two presidents, twelve Supreme Court justices and numerous congressmen to the U.S. Finally, we will drive to Cambridge.
   Itinerary:
   Baltimore Inner Harbor (45 mins) → Princeton → Princeton University (1.5 hours, guided tour included) → Cambridge

2. 2

   Inner Harbor

   45 min

   Baltimore Inner Harbor
   The Inner Harbor in Baltimore is a historical seaport, tourist attraction, and landmark of Maryland! The Inner Harbor has everything to offer from scenic waterfront views to spectacular museums. Feel free to grab a bite of fresh seafood to eat at a local restaurant while enjoying the live music from great street artists.

3. 3

   Princeton University

   1 hour 30 min Admission ticket included

   Princeton University(1.5 hours, guided tour included)
   This illustrious university in central New Jersey is one of the oldest and most highly regarded institutions of higher learning in the entire United States of America. It has been associated with 35 Nobel Prize laureates.

Day 6 Boston

1. 1

   Boston

   1 hour 30 min

   Today, we will first strat our first trip to the United States, exploring Boston's "number one" attractions. Afterwards, we will go to View Boston at Prudential Center and the largest urban public library in the U.S. at the Boston Public Library, which has a collection of more than 15 million books, second only to the Library of Congress and the Harvard University Library. You may choose to take the Boston Duck Tour to have a view of Boston from the water. Finally, we will drive to Copley Square, where you can take photos under Trinity Church and John Hancock Tower! For dinner, you can enjoy the local Boston lobster at Quincy Market.
   Itinerary:
   The Firsts of America Exploration Tour (Mandatory, 3 hours) → View Boston at Prudential Center (Optional, 50 mins) → Boston Duck Tour (Optional, 60 mins) → Massachusetts Institute of Technology (1 hour, offical campus tour included)

2. 2

   Harvard University

   3 hours Admission ticket included

   The Firsts of America Exploration Tour (Mandatory, 3 hours)
   The Firsts of America Exploration Tour: Harvard University (1 hour, offical campus tour included) → The Old State House (the birthplace of the American Revolution and the place where the Declaration of Independence was first published) → The Tremont Street Subway Marker (the first subway system) → Boston Common (the first public park) → Boston Public Garden (the first public botanical garden) → Boston Public Library (the first large-scale free municipal library funded by the public) → Boston Trinity cathedral (Outside visit)

3. 3

   Prudential Center

   50 min Admission ticket not included

   View Boston at Prudential Center
   View Boston is a 360° taste of the city, offering breathtaking views atop one of the tallest buildings in New England. You will find plenty of photo opportunities as you roam the 360-degree open air roof deck and stop to enjoy beverages with a view at Stratus. Explore the remarkable 3D model of the city with projection-mapping to dramatically reveal the seasons, spirit, and celebrations that bring Boston to life. Be enveloped by the 270-degree immersive theater screen showcasing street-level exploration of various neighborhoods and behind-the-scenes perspective from some of Boston’s most beloved attractions, including Fenway Park!

4. 4

   1 hour Admission ticket not included

   Boston Duck Tour
   *Note: If the Boston Duck Boat is closed, this attraction will be replaced by Boston Harbor Cruise (Optional, 60 mins).
   The fun of Boston Duck Tours begins as soon as you board your “duck.” You’ll cruise by all the places that make Boston the birthplace of freedom and a city of firsts, from the golden-domed State House to Beacon Hill and the TD Garden, Boston Common and Copley Square to the Big Dig, Government Center to fashionable Newbury Street, Quincy Market to the Prudential Tower, and more. Then you will proceed to visit the Charles River for a breathtaking view of the Boston and Cambridge skylines.

5. 5

   Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)

   1 hour Admission ticket included

   Massachusetts Institute of Technology (1 hour, offical campus tour included)
   The Massachusetts Institute of Technology located in Cambridge, Massachusetts is a research university known for its highly selective and intense academics. MIT alumni include 24 Nobel Prize winners and 22 Rhodes Scholars.

Day 7 Boston - Yale University

1. 1

   Boston Harbor Islands State Park

   30 min

   Today, we will first head to Boston Harbor to admire the wonderful skyline from a unique perspective. There will be a chance to take many amazing pictures here! Then we'll head to the New England Aquarium. There is a huge tank with 200,000 gallons of seawater that directly communicates with the ocean, extending spirally to the ceiling. So, you can see the lively sea creatures swimming just alongside you! After that, we will take a visit to Quincy Market, you can enjoy the local Boston lobster at Quincy Market. Finally, we will drive to Yale University, also a member of the Ivy League. Yale University is one of the most influential private universities in the United States and the third university established in American history.
   Itinerary:
   Boston Harbor → New England Aquarium (Optional, 75 mins) → Quincy Market (75 mins, Boston lobster dinner included) → Yale University (1.5 hours, official campus tour included)

2. 2

   New England Aquarium

   1 hour 15 min Admission ticket not included

   New England Aquarium
   Considered one of the most amazing aquariums in the country, the New England Aquarium houses all manner of aquatic life in its Giant Ocean Tank and also features a large IMAX theater. Discover with us today what makes this aquarium so unique.

3. 3

   Quincy Market

   1 hour 15 min Admission ticket included

   Quincy Market (75 mins, Boston lobster dinner included)
   Quincy Market in the Faneuil Hall marketplace of downtown Boston, it is a historic building that still serves as a souvenir marketplace and food court today. The area has expanded to include two other marketplace buildings as well.

4. 4

   Yale University

   1 hour 30 min Admission ticket included

   Yale University (1.5 hours, official campus tour included)
   Yale University founded in 1701, this world-famous university is the fourth-oldest in the United States. This Ivy-League school is consistently ranked as one of the best institutions of higher learning in the entire world, and admission is extremely competitive.

Day 8 Woodbury Common Premium Outlets - United States Military Academy - New York

1. 1

   Woodbury Common Premium Outlets

   1 hour 30 min

   Today will be the end of our 8-day trip! We will first go to Woodbury Common Premium Outlets to enjoy the fun of shopping and dining. In the afternoon, we will drive to the United States Army Academy, also known as West Point. This school is one of the oldest military academies in the United States, and you will be easily amazed by the students that attend. We will then drive back to New York after the tour.
   Itinerary:
   Woodbury Common Premium Outlets (2.5 hours) → United States Military Academy (Optional, 1.5 hours; A valid passport is required for entrance) → New York

2. 2

   Woodbury Common Premium Outlets

   2 hours 30 min

   Woodbury Common Premium Outlets
   The Woodbury Common Premium outlet mall is located in Central Valley, New York. It is filled with high-value products available at unbelievable discounts. Shop your favorite designer brands at Calvin Klein, Nike, Tommy Hilfiger, Polo Ralph Lauren and so many more designer brand stores.

3. 3

   United States Military Academy

   1 hour 30 min Admission ticket not included

   United States Military Academy (Optional, 1.5 hours; A valid passport is required for entrance)
   This famous military academy was established in 1802, making it the oldest in the US. It is also home to the U.S. military's oldest museum. The tour will be led by the Academy’s official tour guide and we will take a visit to the West Point Museum.