Named after the sailing vessels built by Maine's shipbuilders in Colonial times, the Downeaster takes us on a 116-mile (187 km) journey through beautiful New England from Boston, Massachusetts to Portland, Maine.
Beginning at Boston's North Station, we travel north through the Massachusetts countryside and shortly after our stop in Haverhill, we cross the Massachusetts/New Hampshire State Line. New Hampshire is one of the original 13 states that founded the United States of America in 1776 and it is full of historic colonial cities such as our first stop, Exeter, which dates back to 1638.
From Exeter the Downeaster follows the Squamscott River and then heads to Durham and Dover. We travel across the New Hampshire/Maine State Line at the Salmon Falls River and continue east towards the Atlantic Coast and the popular holiday resort of Wells.
Briefly diverting away from the coast, the train makes its way north to Saco and finally reaches the sea at Old Orchard Beach. We follow the New England shoreline towards Saco Bay and make an impressive crossing over the Scarborough River, before making the final part of our journey to our destination: Portland, Maine.
Classic
Travel through spectacular mountain scenery lit up with vivid colours on this autumn tour along America's scenic East Coast. Stay in Massachusetts's capital city of Boston with time to explore its unique history and culture, then journey to the charming village of North Conway in the beautiful White Mountains - one of the most stunning locations...