Gems of Southern New England
In addition to its remarkable history, charming communities and glorious scenery, New England proudly boasts miles and miles of incredible bike paths, and our Gems of Southern New England will show you why! This tour traverses the three lower New England States – Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island, with nearly every mile on spectacularly beautiful bike trails! And after five fantastic days of cycling, this tour caps off with two nights in Newport RI, where we’ll explore by bike and by foot, and you can spend time touring the famous Newport Mansions!
Booking This On Demand Tour: This tour is available for custom dates for groups of 4 or more. Please call to discuss dates, details and availability.
TOUR PRICING
Per Person Double Occ: $2489 -- Single Occ: + $600
A deposit of $500 per person is required at time of reservation. You will be invoiced for balance, including any discounts or adjustments. Final balance due 60 days prior to tour.
Please review our Reservation and Cancellation Policy before booking.
THE ESSENTIALS
Duration: 7 Days / 6 Nights
Difficulty: Easy
Total Miles: 155 -- Avg. Daily Miles: 30 miles
Meals: 5 Breakfasts; 2 Dinners
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
Day 1: Orientation and Norwottuck Trail, MA
Cycling: 29 Miles
We’ll pick you up at the designated location and shuttle to the trailhead where we’ll provide tour orientation and bike fitting for those using our rentals. Then we hop on the bikes as we cycle the beautiful, all paved, Norwottuck Trail. In only 4 miles you reach the sprawling campus of U-Mass Amherst and charming Amherst College. In Amherst you can visit the Emily Dickenson Homestead ($$) and the Beneski Museum of Natural History (free). You’ll also want to find a great place for lunch. After lunch you continue on, enjoying the beautiful scenery, and stopping to explore Dinosaur Footprints State Park where we’ll shuttle to our hotel.
Day 2: Farmington Canal Heritage Trail to Hartford, CT
Cycling: 34 Miles
Today we’ll enjoy the first half of the Farmington Canal Heritage Trail. This flat, perfectly paved trail meanders through the gorgeous countryside of Connecticut, following the old canal towpath and the Farmington River.
Day 3: Farmington Heritage Canal Trail to Yale, CT
Cycling: 25 Miles
It’s back on the Farmington Canal Heritage Trail for the second half of this wonderful trail, which today takes us to lovely and historic New Haven and the campus of world famous Yale University. We suggest finding a great place for lunch, you’ll then have the evening to enjoy exploring this lovely area including the campus and grounds of Yale.
Day 4: Washington Secondary Trail, RI
Cycling: 20 Miles
Today we hop over to Rhode Island where we’ll cycle the Washington Secondary Trail, named for the original railway which once utilized this corridor. We start on the west end of the trail which is very rural and offers wonderful scenery and views. As we cycle east, the trail becomes more urban with great views of the city of Providence sprawling before us. We’ll end our day just shy of the city, where we’ll shuttle into downtown for a lovely overnight stay.
Day 5: Blackstone River Trail & East Bay Trail, RI
Cycling: 32 Miles
Today it’s back on the trail as you enjoy cycling along the beautiful Blackstone River and Rhode Island’s famed Narragansett Bay, with breathtaking scenery filling every mile! On the Blackstone River trail you’ll take in magnificent lookouts, some with fabulous waterfalls. In about 18 miles the Blackstone River Trail connects with the East Bay trail, named because it runs directly along the east side of Narragansett Bay providing unparalleled views of the bay, including incredible views of the Pomham Rocks Lighthouse standing sentry in the middle of the bay.
Day 6: Cliff Walk & Tour of Newport’s Historic Mansions, RI
Cycling: Varies
Today we’ll explore by bike and/or foot as we visit lovely Newport RI. Newport's enchanting Cliff Walk delivers stunning panoramic ocean views and crashing waves on one side, and remarkable century-old mansions on the other. During the Gilded Age, America’s wealthiest families flocked to the “City by the Sea” making the area their summer playground. The meticulous preservation of more than a dozen of these homes provides an intimate view of the artistry, personality, and luster of the Gilded Age.
Day 7: Departure
Departure for South Ave Park & Ride approx. ETA 10:30 AM; and Boston Logan Airport approx. ETA 11:15 AM
Optional: If you will be joining the Cape Cod & Martha’s Vineyard Tour, please call our office and we can help you coordinate your travel plans.