Combining the history, culture,gardens, and culinary heritage of the Mid-Atlantic states, this 14-day voyage on the Yorktown is not one to miss! Set out from historic Alexandria, Virginia and be transported back to American colonial history. Enjoy your cruise and you sail north, rounding the tip of Manhattan and up the Hudson River to land in vibrant New York City.
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
Arrive in Alexandria and board the Yorktown. Settle in to your cabin and familiarize yourself with the ship and her crew.
Day 2: Alexandria / Mount Vernon, Virginia
Visit Mount Vernon, George Washington’s massive estate and gardens. Tour this historic location's sweeping grounds, mansion, museum, slave quarters, and gardens.
Day 3: Yorktown / Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia
Williamsburg is the nation’s premier living museum, offering visitors a glimpse of life as it was in the 17th and 18th centuries. After a guided tour, enjoy time at leisure to explore the museums and side streets. Alternatively, visit Willoughby-Baylor House & Garden, which was built in 1794.
Day 4: St. Michaels, Maryland
Arrive in St. Michaels, a quaint waterfront village set on a picturesque peninsula. Visit the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum and its interactive exhibits, which explain the geologic, economic and social history of the Bay. Explore the manicured town which features manicured colonial, federal, and Victorian homes as well as art galleries and interesting maritime history.
Day 5: Annapolis, Maryland
Enjoy a morning tour of the Maryland State House, the oldest U.S. capitol in continuous legislative use, the William Paca House and Garden, the estate of a former governor of Maryland, and the historic U.S. Naval Academy. Enjoy time at leisure to stroll through Annapolis' historic neighborhoods before returning to the Yorktown. Sail through the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal en route to Philadelphia.
Day 6: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Visit historic Philadelphia to view Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell. Alternatively, visit the newly-opened Philadelphia branch of the Barnes Foundation, housing an extensive collection of paintings from European and American masters of impressionism, post-impressionist, and early modern art. In the afternoon take a relaxing excursion to Longwood Gardens, which feature exquisite flowers, majestic trees, and opulent architecture on 1,077 acres of land.
Day 7: New Castle, Delaware
Choose from a number of excursions. Spend a full day at Winterthur, the premier museum of American decorative arts, complete with a 60-acre naturalistic garden and a 175-room house furnished with antiques. Or explore lovely New Castle, which includes the early 19th-century Read House & Gardens, New Castle Court House Museum, and Mt. Cuba Center. The latter is recognized as having the region's finest woodland wildflower gardens.
Day 8: Cape May, New Jersey
Arrive in Cape May, one of the oldest resort towns in the United States. Wander the trails of Cape May Point State Park and glimpse wildlife from the observation decks throughout the park. Continue to the historic Cape May Lighthouse, which was built in 1859. Enjoy time at leisure to stroll the town's charming streets lined with Victoria houses and horse-drawn carriages.
Day 9: Yonkers, New York
Arrive in Yonkers and drive to Sleepy Hollow to visit Kykuit, home to four generations of Rockefellers. Later, visit the Union Church, which is adorned with art by Matisse and Chagall.
Day 10: Kingston, New York
Arrive in Kingston, New York's first state capital. From here, drive to Olana, an eclectic villa which houses over 40 works of art and is a designated National Historic Landmark. Alternatively, take an excursion to Montgomery Place and Blithewood Gardens. Montgomery Place is a unique example of Hudson Valley estate life and nearby Blithewood Gardens features a formal Italian garden set within a breathtaking backdrop of natural beauty.
Day 11: Poughkeepsie, New York
From port in Poughkeepsie, choose to visit Hyde Park for an excursion to the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum. Visit Eleanor Roosevelt’s Val- Kill, a National Historic Site, where Eleanor lived until her death. Alternatively, visit the Dia Art Foundation in the town of Beacon, whose works include art from the 1960s to the present.
Day 12: West Point, New York
Visit West Point, the United States Military Academy. Overlooking the Hudson River, West Point is a National Historic Landmark. In the afternoon, cross the river to the Boscobel House and Gardens, or visit the incredible and unique 500-acre sculpture and landscape garden at Storm King Art Center.
Day 13: New York City
Enjoy a full day in New York City, considered to be the cultural capital of the world. In the morning, drive to Wave Hill, a spectacular garden oasis which overlooks the Hudson River. Explore Wave Hill’s many gardens, including the Flower Garden, the Conservatory, the Paisley Bed, and the Wild, Herb, and Aquatic gardens. In the afternoon, tour historic lower Manhattan which highlights New York's colonial heritage, diverse history, and contemporary landmarks.
Day 14: New York City / Disembark
After breakfast, disembark the Yorktown and transfer to the airport for your connecting flight home.
Dates & Prices
Per person starting at
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
Initial deposit is $950, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 100 days prior to departure by bank transfer, check or Visa, Mastercard, Discover, or Amex. Credit Card payments subject to 3% convenience fee and maximum $20,000 charge
Everything was amazing! The planning with Adventure Life went smoothly. The actual trip was fantastic! One of the best trips I have experienced. The cruise staff members were knowledgeable and attentive. I will be writing more about this on the blog!
Justin Chappelle
TrustScore 4.8 | 169 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 169 reviews on
32 minutes ago
Friendly and professional interactions. Answered my questions and followed up on initial contact.
Tim Elliott
1 day ago
Adventure Life has been an extraordinary travel resource for us over the years and today was no exception. Our River Cruise booking was handled by Jess (who has been our personal trip planner for several years) the same day as our inquiry. Suggestions were given for cabin choice and pre-trip options (that were not shown on the cruise line's website) like airport transfers and prepaid gratuities. Trip insurance recommendations followed and we were assigned a travel co-ordinator till the end of the tour. All we have to do is show up! Great service from friendly folks.
APtravelwell
2 days ago
My representative Kevin was very responsive generally and in crafting our itinerary to our specific priorities.
Rocco Labella
2 days ago
Although there was a lot of paper work, I received help and guidance when I needed it.
Donna Kirby
3 days ago
Our travel was flawless! The rider pickup (airport, hotel, ship) was seamless. Jane's recommendation for Emerald Cruise Sakara was everything I wanted but the experience was soooo much more. Adventure Life took care of each and every detail and this was the easiest of all my travels.
