My East Coast Adventure

So, I’ve just returned from a work trip to New York, Niagara Falls and Toronto. Yes, that’s right you read it correctly a work trip. Wow and what a trip it was. I was given the opportunity at the very last minute to join a colleague and help our Tailor-Made team by escorting some of our passengers on a tour. I couldn’t say no to that.

We flew to New York and checked in at The Stewart Hotel. A nice cosy Hotel, rooms a bit small but you expect that in New York city. Great location though as opposite Penn Station and Madison Sq Gardens and easy walking distance to Times Sq and ok it was a bit of a stroll to Bloomingdale’s near Central Park but I had to get a couple of gifts whilst there! She wouldn’t have forgiven me had I come home empty handed.

The tour for us started by taking our guests to the Empire States building which is pretty impressive and I certainly recommend that you do this when you visit New York. There’s also the Rockefeller centre to consider. I’ve been lucky enough to experience them both. Now for the Empire States building, I recommend just the normal ticket. Don’t go and pay the extra $20pp to go 20 floors higher as this is just a waste of time. The photos are very misleading, they have celebrities in the photos and appear to all be 20 floors higher but in fact when you go up there you can’t actually go outside and can only look through the glass. I found this most disappointing. The lower floor is actually better and the view hardly changes. So, if you like the feel of fresh air and to be outside don’t be ripped off and pay $20pp because you will feel it’s a let-down.

Anyway, a good view, the typical usual photos and it was a bright sunny day too and warm which is always nice. The following day it was an early start as we had to all meet in the lobby for breakfast and then off to Penn Station and board the Amtrak train to Niagara Falls. We would be departing the U.S.A side and then you would transfer over the border to Canada.

The train itself is quite roomy and the seats recline very well as this is a 9 hour journey. Yes, you could fly to Toronto instead but it was a good experience and I’m glad I got to try it. Myself and my colleague Peter were kept busy as we were looking after our guests for their food and beverages on board. Amtrak could have been a little better prepared for a full train including our 90 guests, in terms of having enough stock. Their supplies weren’t the best but to be fair they don’t often have a large group or a full train every day to deal with or expect to nearly run out.

The journey itself was comfortable, a lot better than British Rail that’s for sure. The views were hardly the same as going on the Rocky Mountaineer but it was nice and I would do it again.

At Niagara Falls we enjoyed a nice hotel and over looking the falls. Not all rooms here had a falls view and would be worth paying that little extra as a view of the falls from your window is pretty impressive. Niagara Falls on the Canadian side is I think better than the America Falls on their side. It’s a great wonder of the World.

We also did The Hornblower which is a small boat to the bottom of the Falls. This is around £24pp to do but again well worth it. They provide you with complimentary ponchos as you will find it windy and will feel the mist and get wet. The boat heads towards the falls and then turns around. You’re not on there long but you can get some good photos and you would only kick yourself if you went home without doing it once there.

After leaving Niagara Falls we took a drive up to Niagara on the Lakes which is a pretty little town and not too far away. Quite a nice scenic drive and well worth visiting. A stop here for lunch before heading onto the city of Toronto.

Toronto to me was a little like Calgary. I liked it here. A typical city. Busy with traffic, tall buildings, a lot of them glass buildings and plenty going on if you want a night out. A couple of stadiums for the home teams and of course there’s the CN Tower.

This again around the £20pp for admission. There’s a revolving restaurant here too but we only did the Tower view. Next time I come back here I think I’ll book into the restaurant as I’d like to experience that.  Like the Calgary Tower it does have a glass floor but isn’t so big. Calgary Tower is probably more scarier for that reason if you have a fear of heights and freaked out by standing on glass. Incredible views from here and another of those that you just have to tick off to say you’ve done.

Overall a fantastic trip. The experience with Go West for the tour and Amtrak train and seeing the beautiful town of Niagara on the Lakes. Doing the CN Tower and the Hornblower at the bottom of the falls is a must. In New York, I’d choose either or when it comes to the Empire states building or the Rockefeller Centre. If you ever plan a visit and want to travel by Amtrak train, A top tip avoid doing this on a Monday, as the border crossing is always delayed on a Monday. Pick another day of the week if you can. This probably more so with coaches on a tour than if you were self driving over the border.

It was a pleasure to help escort the tour and represent our company and was an awesome itinerary of seeing two great countries and travelling up the east Coast.

If you have any questions or planning a trip and would like some advice or help putting something together just give me call. This works well with a cruise as a cruise and stay option. Endless possibilities.