vs West Point, New York- Saturday, September 15, 2018 New York is not a city, It s a World September 9 th 17 th, 2018-7nts/9days from: $2595quad/ $2795 tpl/ $3195 dbl/ $4495 sgl If you have traveled with us to Boston & Western Massachusetts, Washington, D.C and Sydney, Australia, this UH Road Warrior tour to New York City is one you won t want to miss. Welcome to New York City, one of the greatest cities in the world, epicenter of the arts, dining and shopping capital, the ultimate trendsetter. Come, join us, and explore, be it the best of Broadway shows, shopping or simply to see the sights: The Statue of Liberty, Empire State Building, Brooklyn Bridge, Central Park, historic neighborhoods, or the numerous world-famous museums. There are famous sites at every turn and it seems there s just never enough time to see them all. Accommodations for our seven-night stay is at the 4-star Sheraton New York Times Square, just a short walk to Times Square, Broadway, and Rockefeller Center. Right around the corner is the 7 th and 53 rd subway stop with direct service to Ground Zero Memorial and Museum. On this tour we have included two touring days that will offer you memories for many years to come. It includes a full day guided Triboro tour as we discover Harlem, the Bronx, Queens, and Brooklyn. In Harlem, a performance by the ARC Gospel Choir and their beautiful acapella sounds. In the Bronx, a stop at the Grand Concourse, home to Yankee Stadium for time to explore and shop at the team store. Lastly, the Williamsburg neighborhood of Brooklyn, known for its quaint streets. Our second touring day, a drive to West Point for a two-hour guided tour, History & Tradition. Enjoy hearing about West Point s fascinating history along with visits to the Old Cadet Chapel and West Point Cemetery. After the tour, lunch at the historic Thayer Hotel, offering commanding views of the Hudson River and the U.S. Military Academy. It s not over yet we have also included a two-day hop-on, hop-off bus tour for you to enjoy at your leisure on the free days.
And then there is game day, as we travel back to West Point for a game day experience like no other. Michie Stadium has by far one of the prettiest settings, sitting beside a reservoir with views overlooking the Hudson. If by luck the leaves have begun to change color, it will be an autumnal splendor. Built in 1924 with a current capacity of 38,000, Michie Stadium will be celebrating its 94 th season on the campus of the U.S. Military Academy. Be part of this once in a lifetime experience. Join the corps of cadets as they jam the stands. Look up as parachutists drop in with the game ball and stand by as a cannon fires off after every Army score. Itinerary/Details Day 1 September 9 th, 2018 Sunday Depart from Honolulu United Airlines #362 Departs Honolulu 2:55 pm Arrive Newark 6:42 am +1 Please meet your Panda Travel escorts at least 2.5 hours prior to the flight departure time at the United Airlines check-in area. You will need to check in at one of the kiosks and pay the baggage fees. After clearing TSA, please meet up again at the departure gate. Day 2 September 10 th, 2018 Monday Newark New York City (L) On arrival at Newark Airport, please proceed to the baggage claim area. Once everyone has claimed their bags, off to our charter buses for the ride into the city. The drive time can be between 1-1.5 hours due to traffic. Once at our hotel, The Sheraton New York Times Square Hotel, we have arranged for a buffet lunch and private room where you can relax until our rooms become available. After lunch, get out and enjoy a little of the city! Once you have your room keys, the remainder of the afternoon and evening is free. Your Panda Travel escorts will be available to take you out for a walk around the area to point out the highlights around our hotel. Day 3 September 11 th, 2018 Tuesday New York City (B) After breakfast, enjoy a complete free day to explore the city. Today marks the 17 th anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks. As we pause to remember the events of that tragic day, various ceremonies will be taking place down by Ground Zero. While the 9/11 Memorial Museum will be open solely for family members of the victims of the attacks, you may still travel down by subway conveniently located around the corner from our hotel at 7 th and 53 rd. Later today, at dusk, look up in the sky for the Tribute in Light, a commemorative public art installation. Twin beams reaching up to four miles into the sky from light bulbs positioned into two 48-foot squares, echoing the shape and orientation of the Twin Towers. This iconic symbol honoring those killed while also celebrating the spirit of New York is lit from dusk on 9/11 until dawn on 9/12. The Memorial Plaza is open
to the public from 3:00pm to midnight for the viewing. It can also be viewed from a 60-mile radius around lower Manhattan. Day 4 September 12 th, 2018 Wednesday New York City (B/L) After breakfast, please meet your Panda Travel escorts in the lobby as we are off on a full day tour, Triboro Tour. Our scheduled departure time is at 8:45am. With our local guides we head uptown Manhattan to Harlem. Learn about its origins as a rural Dutch community to its transformation into a summer retreat for New York s most prominent families. Later, at the turn of the century, it became a mecca for African-American writers and artists. Learn about Harlem s troubled times during the 60 s & 70 s to its present-day renaissance. This tour will take you past some of Harlem's most famous landmarks - nostalgic reminders of Harlem's Golden Age. Once here, sit back and enjoy the beautiful acapella sounds of the ARC Gospel choir. Hear their powerful voices singing songs of praise and share their experience. ARC stands for Addicts Rehabilitation Center, the oldest drug-free treatment program center in New York State. This Gospel choir was formed to finance treatment for the people in the community to help them recover from drug addictions. From here we are off to the Bronx, often referred to as the Boogie-Down Bronx. The South Bronx is known for its influence on Latin music and greatly recognized for its impact on global pop culture with the emergence of Hip-Hop, Breakdance and Urban Graffiti. On tour, see historic landmark landmarks, attractions, and the cultural diversity of its neighborhoods. Highlights include the South Bronx, legendary Yankee Stadium, the Grand Concourse with its Walk of Fame, and Little Italy. Enjoy time here to explore the Bronx Walk of Fame, honoring well-known men and women from the Bronx, in recognition for their exceptional achievements. Honored inductees have their names written on a plaque and placed on the Grand Concourse, which is the highest honor bestowed on a resident or former resident of the Bronx. Famous people inducted include filmmaker Stanley Kubrick, singer Tony Orlando, actress Diahann Carroll, comedian Red Buttons, and basketball s Ed Pinckney. A famous U.S. military general and former Secretary of State from the Bronx honored here is Colin Powel. You will also have time to see the new Yankee Stadium and visit the official gift shop. A tour of the stadium is not included in today s tour, but you can always travel back on one of your free days. Next, we are off to Queens and its burgeoning neighborhoods of Astoria and Long Island City before heading out to Brooklyn. We will be making a stop in Williamsburg, the hipster capital of the world and a great place to people watch. A BBQ lunch is on tap for today at a local restaurant in downtown Brooklyn before exploring DUMBO, a unique neighborhood nestled between the Manhattan and Brooklyn Bridges. Now, we make our way back to our hotel, arrival by 5:00pm. Once back the remainder of the afternoon and evening is free.
Day 5 September 13 th, 2018 Thursday New York City-West Point-New York City (B/L) After breakfast, please meet your Panda Travel escorts in the lobby as we are off to West Point, arriving by 9:45am. Once here we will be met by local guides for the two-hour History & Tradition Tour. It is a combined bus and walking tour with stops at the Cadet Chapel, Trophy Point overlooking the Hudson, Battle Monument, the Parade Field, West Point Cemetery, and the Old Cadet Chapel. This fascinating tour emphasizes the history of West Point through the stories of some of U.S. military s most famous individuals laid to rest in these hallowed grounds. Hear about Alonzo Cushing, George Custer, Ed White II, William Westmoreland, David Mickey Marcus, Norman Schwarzkopf, and many more. After the tour, enjoy a buffet lunch at the historic Thayer Hotel, on the banks of the Hudson River. The Historic Thayer Hotel at West Point has been a national treasure since opening in 1926. Visited by past U.S. Presidents, international leaders, and celebrities alike, this hotel is like no other in the world. Discover a captivating blend of over 200 years of military history within these walls. After lunch, free time to explore the newly constructed Visitors Center and West Point Museum. The Visitors Center has interactive displays highlighting the cadet experience through four years of west Point. The West Point Museum, one of the oldest and largest military in the Americas, is located right behind the Visitors Center and free of charge. There are also gift shops in both. From here we make our way back to New York City and our hotel. Once back, the remainder of the afternoon and evening is free. After breakfast, enjoy a complete free day. Day 6 September 14 th, 2018 Friday New York City (B) It s a good day to make use of the Hop-on Hop-off bus touring around the city. Day 7 September 15 th, 2018 Saturday New York City-West Point-New York City (B/L) Its Game Day! After breakfast, please meet in the lobby at the designated time as we make our way to West Point to see our beloved Rainbow Warriors battle the Black Knights of Army. Game time is still TBA. Game day at West Point offers a unique college football experience. Sports Illustrated has rated Army's Michie Stadium one of the top sports venues of the 20th century, thanks in part to its splendid views of the Hudson River Valley. The decades of traditions surrounding Army football provide an "unbelievable moment" for those in attendance, describes ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. Weather permitting, a must see, the time-honored tradition of a full-dress cadet parade that takes place on "The Plain. It begins promptly at 9:00am.
From here, off to the UH Tailgate party followed by the game. After the game please make your way to our buses for the ride back to New York City. Once back, the remainder of the afternoon and evening is free. Day 8 September 16 th, 2018 Sunday New York City (B) After breakfast, enjoy a complete free day. Possibilities for this day include: Marcus Mariota & the Tennessee Titans are scheduled to battle the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ- date & times won t be available until the schedule comes out in March of 2018. New York Yankee or New York Mets possible home game. Day 9 September 17 th, 2018 Monday New York City-Honolulu Please meet your Panda Travel escorts in the lobby with your bags by 5:15am as we bid New York City good-bye and begin our journey back home. United Airlines #363 Departs Newark 8:20 am Arrive Honolulu 1:36 pm