Itinerary
- Day 1
Toronto
You'll start in Toronto checking out the CN Tower and Yonge-Dundas Square to get a feel for the city. If you're up for it, there's an optional ferry over to Centre Island where you can relax for a bit. Later in the evening, head to King Street West for dinner and drinks to wrap up your first day.
Optional Activities
- Glass elevator ride in CN Tower to 346 meters
- Ferry to Centre Island
- Dinner and drinks on King Street West
Landmarks Yonge-Dundas Square CN Tower Centre Island King Street West - Day 2
Toronto
After breakfast, you'll see the Gooderham Building and Nathan Phillips Square, two of Toronto's most recognizable spots. Around lunchtime, make your way to St. Lawrence Market to grab something to eat. By late afternoon, head down to the Harborfront where the Simcoe WaveDeck offers nice views to end the day.
Optional Activities
- Breakfast at Kupfert & Kim with waffles and maple syrup
- Lunch at St. Lawrence Market
- Ice skating at Nathan Phillips Square in winter
- Stroll along the Harborfront
- Walk on Simcoe WaveDeck
Landmarks St. Lawrence Market Gooderham Building Nathan Phillips Square Harborfront Simcoe WaveDeck - Day 3
Niagara Falls
You'll take a guided trip out to Niagara Falls today. On the way, stop at the Floral Clock and Niagara Whirlpool for photos, then you'll get to try maple syrup at Maple Leaf Place. The main event is seeing the Horseshoe Falls, and after that you'll head back to Toronto.
Included Activities
- Guided tour to Niagara Falls with stops at Floral Clock and Niagara Whirlpool
- Maple syrup tasting session at Maple Leaf Place
- View of Horseshoe Falls
Landmarks Niagara Falls Horseshoe Falls Floral Clock Niagara Whirlpool Maple Leaf Place - Day 4
Toronto to Vancouver
You'll fly west to Vancouver and land in one of Canada's most liveable cities. From there, you can take an optional SkyTrain into town to explore Gastown, where Victorian architecture and the famous steam clock give the neighborhood real character.
Optional Activities
- SkyTrain transfer from airport to city
- Explore Gastown
Landmarks Gastown - Day 5
Vancouver
This day mixes urban and natural attractions. Start at Canada Place watching seaplanes, then walk along Burrard Inlet and Coal Harbour. Later you'll bike through Stanley Park, and finish up at Granville Island where the shops and food options are really good.
Optional Activities
- Visit Canada Place
- Stroll along Burrard Inlet and Coal Harbour
- Bike rental and cycling in Stanley Park
- Explore Granville Island and Public Market
Landmarks Canada Place Burrard Inlet Coal Harbour Stanley Park Granville Island Granville Island Public Market - Day 6
Vancouver to San Francisco
You'll arrive in San Francisco and begin exploring Market Street. Ride the historic cable cars around town, check out Union Square with its shopping and restaurants, find your way to the winding Lombard Street, and end at the Golden Gate Bridge for photos.
Optional Activities
- Cable car ride on Powell-Hyde line
- Visit Union Square
- Explore Lombard Street
- View Golden Gate Bridge
Landmarks Market Street Union Square Lombard Street Golden Gate Bridge Powell-Hyde Cable Car Line - Day 7
San Francisco
Head to Fisherman's Wharf where you can see Alcatraz Island across the water and watch sea lions at Pier 39. The Maritime National Historical Park has historic ships to look through, and the Ghirardelli chocolate factory lets you sample their chocolates.
Optional Activities
- Walk from Aquatic Park Pier with view of Alcatraz
- Visit Maritime National Historical Park
- Watch sea lions at Pier 39
- Tour Ghirardelli chocolate factory and sampling
Landmarks Fisherman's Wharf Aquatic Park Pier Alcatraz Pier 39 Maritime National Historical Park Ghirardelli chocolate factory - Day 8
San Francisco to Solvang
You'll pick up your rental car and drive down Highway 1. You'll see the 17 Mile Drive, the Lone Cypress tree, cross the Bixby Creek Bridge, and stop at McWay Falls waterfall. Later you'll arrive in Solvang, which has Danish-inspired architecture throughout town.
Included Activities
- Rental car pickup
- Drive Highway 1 scenic route
- Visit Lone Cypress
- Cross Bixby Creek Bridge
- View McWay Falls
Landmarks Highway 1 17 Mile Drive Lone Cypress Bixby Creek Bridge McWay Falls Solvang - Day 9
Solvang to Los Angeles
Driving to Los Angeles, you'll explore the more glamorous side with a visit to Beverly Hills and a drive along Mulholland Drive. You can walk the Walk of Fame, and then head to Griffith Observatory to catch the sunset with views of the city and the Hollywood Sign.
Optional Activities
- Detour to Beverly Hills
- Drive Mulholland Drive
- Visit Walk of Fame
- View Hollywood Sign from Griffith Observatory
- Sunset viewing from Griffith Observatory
Landmarks Beverly Hills Mulholland Drive Walk of Fame Hollywood Sign Griffith Observatory - Day 10
Los Angeles
You'll start at Santa Monica Pier where you can ride the colorful Ferris wheel and roller coaster. After that, head to Venice Beach to walk the Ocean Front Walk, see street artists performing, check out Muscle Beach, and just soak in the California beach atmosphere.
Optional Activities
- Visit Santa Monica Pier
- Ride Ferris wheel at Santa Monica Pier
- Ride roller coaster at Santa Monica Pier
- Explore Venice Beach
- Walk Ocean Front Walk
Landmarks Santa Monica Pier Venice Beach Muscle Beach Ocean Front Walk - Day 11
Los Angeles to Williams
You'll drive to Joshua Tree National Park and hike the Nature Valley Trail surrounded by massive boulders and the famous Joshua Trees. Then you'll continue to Williams, a historic Route 66 town that sits near the Grand Canyon.
Included Activities
- Visit Joshua Tree National Park
- Hike Nature Valley Trail
Optional Activities
- Observe wildlife including iguanas, coyotes and bird species
Landmarks Joshua Tree National Park Nature Valley Trail Mojave Desert Williams Route 66 - Day 12
Williams to Las Vegas
Today you'll visit the Grand Canyon with admission paid on site. You can explore multiple viewpoints on the South Rim by car or use the free shuttle, or if you're feeling up to it, hike the Bright Angel Trail. Stop at Hopi Point for sunset, then drive through Nevada heading toward Las Vegas.
Included Activities
- Visit Grand Canyon South Rim
Optional Activities
- Drive to multiple viewpoints on South Rim
- Use free shuttle to viewpoints
- Hike Bright Angel Trail
- Sunset viewing at Hopi Point
Landmarks Grand Canyon Grand Canyon South Rim Bright Angel Trail Hopi Point - Day 13
Las Vegas
You'll explore Las Vegas's themed hotels and casinos including the Venetian with its canals, the Luxor with Egyptian theming, and Paris Las Vegas. The Neon Museum is worth checking out too, with over 200 retro neon signs from the Strip era, some lit up and others lit by spotlights.
Optional Activities
- Explore Venetian with Venice canals
- Explore Luxor with ancient Egypt theme
- Explore Paris Las Vegas with Eiffel Tower
- Visit Neon Museum with 200+ vintage neon signs
Landmarks The Venetian Luxor Paris Las Vegas Neon Museum - Day 14
Las Vegas to New York
You'll fly to New York City and check into your hotel. Later, head to the Edge observation deck for views of the skyline from way up high. Finish your evening at Times Square where the neon lights and screens create an electric feeling.
Optional Activities
- View from The Edge observation deck
- Explore Times Square
Landmarks The Edge Times Square - Day 15
New York
Start early and head to the Brooklyn Bridge to catch the sunrise. Grab bagels from Ess-a-Bagel, then take the free Staten Island Ferry past the Statue of Liberty. After that, visit the 9/11 Memorial, then spend time in Greenwich Village with its boutiques, second-hand shops, and cafes.
Included Activities
- Staten Island Ferry (free)
Optional Activities
- Brooklyn Bridge sunrise walk
- Breakfast at Ess-a-Bagel
- View of Statue of Liberty from Staten Island Ferry
- Visit 9/11 Memorial
- Explore Greenwich Village
Landmarks Brooklyn Bridge Staten Island Ferry Statue of Liberty 9/11 Memorial Greenwich Village - Day 16
New York
You'll have a hearty breakfast at Ellen's Stardust Diner where the waiters sing while serving you. From there, look for last-minute Broadway ticket deals if you want to catch a show. Spend some quiet time in Central Park, then explore Midtown Manhattan's skyscrapers and grab street food.
Optional Activities
- Breakfast at Ellen's Stardust Diner with singing waiters
- Broadway musical performance
- Central Park visit
- Explore Empire State Building and Flatiron Building
- Street food in Midtown Manhattan
Landmarks Ellen's Stardust Diner Broadway Central Park Empire State Building Flatiron Building Midtown Manhattan - Day 17
New York to Departure
You have the final hours to finish anything left on your list before heading to the airport. It's a good time to think back on all the places you've seen and experiences you've had throughout this American road trip.
- Day 18
Arrival
Your plane lands and you'll collect your luggage. After spending weeks traveling across the country, you'll head home ready to tell everyone about everything you did on this trip.
