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Vacations By Rail · Escorted small group tour

Ultimate Fall Colors of New England & Maine

Nine-day fall foliage tour from Boston through Maine and New Hampshire by rail and

Illustration of Ultimate Fall Colors of New England & Maine

Vacations By Rail operates this 9-day fall foliage tour from Boston through Maine and into New Hampshire's White Mountains, returning to Boston. The journey weaves together three distinct rail experiences: Business Class travel on Amtrak's Downeaster from Boston to Portland, a cog railway climb to Mount Washington's summit aboard a train operating since 1869, and an evening dinner train through colorful valleys in restored 1950s cars. Days combine coastal Maine culture, Acadia National Park exploration, and historic New England hotels. A Tour Manager accompanies the entire group, guiding visits to Boston's Freedom Trail, orchestrating a traditional lobster boat excursion in Kennebunkport, and arranging a weather station tour at Mount Washington. Most nights stay in one hotel for two consecutive days, creating a relaxed pace. Eight breakfasts, one lunch, and three substantial dinners are included, notably a lobster bake overlooking Frenchman Bay and a five-course meal aboard the Cafe Lafayette Dinner Train. The tour suits travelers seeking guided comfort, those returning to rail travel, photographers drawn to autumn colors, and food enthusiasts eager for Maine seafood traditions.

What to know before you look closer

  • Flights and airport transfers are not included; arrange separately to Boston and from North Woodstock
  • Cancellation and travel insurance are not included and must be purchased separately
  • Only one lunch is included across all 9 days; most lunches will be at your own expense

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Boston

    Arriving in the Cradle of Liberty, Boston

    Arrive in Boston and check into the Fairmont Copley Plaza in Back Bay. Free time to explore, then meet the Tour Manager and group this evening for dinner at a local restaurant.

  2. Day 2overnight: Boston

    Exploring Boston's Freedom Trail

    Guided tour of Boston covering the Freedom Trail, the Boston Public Library, and Quincy Market, with the rest of the day free to explore Boston Harbor and the city's museums.

  3. Day 3overnight: Kennebunkport

    Traveling up the coast to Maine

    Board Amtrak's Downeaster to Portland, Maine, with free time on arrival, then travel by coach to Kennebunkport for a two-night stay, checking into a century-old hotel on the Kennebunk River.

  4. Day 4overnight: Kennebunkport

    An authentic lobster fishing experience

    Free morning at the resort hotel, then an afternoon lobster boat excursion along the Kennebunkport River aboard a traditional Downeast-style boat, watching or helping haul lobster traps. Free time in the afternoon to explore Kennebunkport.

  5. Day 5overnight: Bar Harbor

    A scenic drive to Bar Harbor

    Travel by coach to Bar Harbor, pausing at the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, then check into the waterfront Bar Harbor Inn (dating to 1887). Evening lobster bake dinner in the Porcupine Room overlooking Frenchman Bay.

  6. Day 6overnight: Bar Harbor

    A gem of New England: Acadia National Park

    Full-day guided coach tour of Acadia National Park, including Cadillac Mountain, the highest point on the East Coast, with time for short walks and photography.

  7. Day 7overnight: Bretton Woods

    Into the White Mountains

    Coach journey inland to New Hampshire's White Mountains, stopping in Augusta, Maine, for free time, then checking into the Omni Mount Washington Resort & Spa in Bretton Woods (a National Historic Landmark over 120 years old).

  8. Day 8railovernight: Bretton Woods

    A day of incredible railway adventures

    Ride the Mount Washington Cog Railway to the summit (operating since 1869), including a boxed lunch and a behind-the-scenes weather station tour, then in the evening board the Cafe Lafayette Dinner Train from North Woodstock through the Pemi River Valley for a five-course dinner in vintage 1950s rail cars.

  9. Day 9

    Tour conclusion

    Depart from the hotel after breakfast and return to Boston, where you are free to continue your onward travels home.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 3Board Amtrak's Downeaster in Business Class from Boston to Portland, watching the Maine coast pass by
  • Day 4Join a traditional Downeast-style lobster boat excursion along the Kennebunkport River to haul traps
  • Day 6Full-day guided tour of Acadia National Park includes Cadillac Mountain, the highest point on the East Coast
  • Day 8Ride the Mount Washington Cog Railway to the summit, dating to 1869, with a behind-the-scenes weather station tour and boxed lunch
  • Day 8Board the Cafe Lafayette Dinner Train at North Woodstock for a five-course dinner through the Pemi River Valley in restored 1950s rail cars

Included

  • Expertise of a Tour Manager from start to finish
  • 8 nights' hand-picked hotel accommodation
  • Business Class rail travel on Amtrak's Downeaster
  • Transportation by deluxe motorcoach
  • Scenic rail journeys on the Mt. Washington Cog Railway and Cafe Lafayette Dinner Train
  • Breakfast each day, 1 lunch, 3 dinners
  • Group luggage transfers between hotels from Boston to Kennebunkport
  • All guided tours and excursions

Not included

  • Cancellation & Travel Insurance
  • Flights and Airport transfers

Questions travellers ask

Is rail travel included?
Yes. The package includes Business Class travel on Amtrak's Downeaster from Boston to Portland, the Mount Washington Cog Railway summit ride, and a five-course dinner aboard the Cafe Lafayette Dinner Train. Coach and boat transport are also included.
Is this an escorted tour?
Yes. Vacations By Rail provides a Tour Manager throughout the entire 9 days. All guided tours and excursions are included.
Which hotels are included?
Fairmont Copley Plaza in Boston (2 nights), Nonantum Resort in Kennebunkport (2 nights), The Bar Harbor Inn in Bar Harbor (2 nights), and Omni Mount Washington Resort & Spa in Bretton Woods (2 nights).
What meals are included?
Breakfast each day, one lunch, and three dinners: a group dinner on Day 1, a lobster bake dinner on Day 5, and a five-course dinner on the Cafe Lafayette Dinner Train on Day 8.
How much walking is involved?
The tour has a Mobility Rating 2, which includes short walks in Acadia National Park and at the Mount Washington summit. Most days involve coach travel or hotel-based activities.
When does this tour run?
The operator does not publish specific departure dates in this information. Contact Vacations By Rail to confirm availability and timing.

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