Explore with Viking—North America

Explore Norfolk’s colorful Botanical Garden and view its diverse collection of plants. Board your motor coach and travel through Norfolk, en route to the Norfolk Botanical Garden. Established during the mid-20th century, today it is Virginia’s largest botanical garden and powered entirely by renewable energy. During its early days, it was designed exclusively to nurture azaleas; today, it is home to many more plants, including holly, orchids and roses. Upon arrival, you will glimpse some of the 60 themed gardens across its 175 acres during a tram ride through its grounds. Afterward, you will have free time to explore further on your own, perhaps visiting the idyllic Japanese Garden or the Bristow Butterfly Garden, which is home to more than 50 native species. After time to browse the gift shop, you will return to your awaiting ship.

Explore the history of American achievement during the 20th century at the Henry Ford Museum of Innovation. Founded by famed automobile manufacturer Henry Ford, the museum contains an extensive collection of historically significant artifacts and Americana that tell the story of 20th-century American society. Enjoy a guided tour, during which you can admire American ingenuity through exhibits showcasing the evolution of presidential limousines during the past century and a replica of the airplane flown by the Wrights at Kitty Hawk in 1903. Enjoy free time to browse the museum’s many culturally important items, such as the limousine President John F. Kennedy was riding in on November 22, 1963 in Dallas, President Abraham Lincoln’s chair from Ford’s Theatre and the Montgomery bus where civil rights icon Rosa Parks refused to surrender her seat in 1955.

Discover the charming downtown of Alpena during a guided walk. Meet your knowledgeable guide and set out to see the sights of the town called the “Sanctuary of the Great Lakes.” You will pass notable landmarks, including the IOOF Centennial Building, a well-preserved example of late Victorian-era commercial architecture, as well as a number of historically significant and uniquely shaped buildings that tell the story of the development of Alpena. Learn the story behind the inspiring murals on display throughout the downtown district and gain insight into local life in Alpena. Cap your walk with free time to explore the displays and artifacts at the Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center, including an immersive storm experience while standing on the deck of a full-size replica of a schooner. Afterward, you will walk back to your ship.

Step back in time to the 18th century during a fascinating visit to the historic Fortress Louisbourg. This living museum faithfully recreates life during colonial times. At the fortress, join your Parks Canada guide as you experience the year 1744 during a tour of the largest reconstructed 18th-century French fortified town in North America. During its heyday, it was one of France’s linchpins of trade and military strength in the New World. Today, the surviving structure features more than 50 buildings across 12 acres. Following your tour, enjoy free time to explore on your own. Continue your journey and stop to view the iconic Louisbourg Lighthouse, a historic structure with roots dating back across three centuries. After time for photos, you will return to your awaiting ship.

Discover the historical sights and yesteryear charm of scenic Mackinac Island. A National Historic Landmark, the island has undergone extensive preservation and restoration, including the banning of almost all motor vehicles. You will embark on a horse-drawn carriage ride to view major landmarks. See Fort Mackinac, one of the few Revolutionary War fortresses still in existence. Built atop a bluff overlooking the Straits of Mackinac, this former military outpost was the site of two strategic battles during the War of 1812. Admire the elegant facade of the Victorian-era Grand Hotel; a vacation destination for several US presidents, the hotel’s 660-foot-long front porch is billed as the “longest in the world.” Stroll the bustling downtown streets, then enjoy free time to explore the shops or sample the island’s renowned fudge.

Get to know Charleston’s illustrious past during a narrated drive and leisurely walk among its historic landmarks. Meet your knowledgeable guide and embark by motor coach for a scenic journey through the city. Admire the stately homes and gardens as you pass through Harleston Village and see the College of Charleston, the Old Exchange and Provost Dungeon, the Charleston City Market and more. Listen to the stories behind the important buildings that dot the picturesque Historic District, some of which date back to the mid-18th century. Step off your coach for a walk through the Historic District, visiting the Heyward-Washington House with its magnificent collection of Charleston-made furniture and the Nathaniel Russell House, a stunning neoclassical home with an elegant interior. See the St. Michael’s Anglican Church’s impressive clock tower before returning to your ship by coach.

See the sights of Milwaukee, on the shores of Lake Michigan, during a panoramic excursion. Meet your guide at the pier and set out by motor coach to delve into the city’s past and present. Your guide will regale you with historic tales of the first European settlers who arrived on these shores during the early 19th-century, creating distinctly German, Irish, Polish and Italian neighborhoods. Stop in front of the Milwaukee Art Museum to behold the stunning Quadracci Pavilion, a winged structure designed by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava. Learn about the North Point Lighthouse and stop to visit the Pabst Mansion, a grand Flemish Renaissance Revival-styled house built for the founder of the Pabst Brewing Company. Cap your tour with a visit to Milwaukee-born Harley-Davidson campus and gift shop, before returning to your ship.

Investigate the rugged coastline of Cape Breton Island during an exhilarating Zodiac ride. Board your Viking Zodiac and set off from your Expedition ship with a small group of fellow travelers on to the waters of the North Atlantic Ocean. Your Viking specialists will choose the best route along Cape Breton Island’s coast based on the weather and water conditions. Admire jagged and craggy cliffs, as well as the many capes, keys and coves that dot the shoreline. Keep watch for possible sightings of local wildlife, such as migratory seabirds and gray or harbor seals. Your Expedition team will answer any questions you may have along the way, as well as share stories and insights. At the end of your excursion, your Zodiac will return to your ship.

Immerse yourself in Thunder Bay’s maritime heritage during a museum visit and boat ride over storied shipwrecks. Begin your exploration at the Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center. Enjoy a guided tour of the exhibits, including a replica of a 19th-century schooner and simulator where you can experience the sensation of being caught in heavy weather on the water in the middle of a Great Lakes storm. Learn about the history of Great Lakes shipping and the many tragic shipwrecks that reside on the bottom of Lake Huron, as well as stories of miraculous survival, then view artifacts recovered from the lake. Afterward, embark on an informative cruise into Thunder Bay with an expert archaeologist on board a purpose-built, glass-bottom boat. Gain insight into the wrecks that lie beneath the lake’s surface, the methods used to map their locations and the research being conducted in the sanctuary.

Explore the highlights of Mackinac Island and enjoy lunch at the iconic Grand Hotel. You will embark on a leisurely horse-drawn carriage ride—almost all motor vehicles are banned from the island—to see the island’s major landmarks. View Fort Mackinac, one of the few Revolutionary War fortresses still in existence. Built to defend the surrounding waterway, this former military outpost sits atop a 150-foot-tall bluff overlooking the Straits of Mackinac; it was the site of two strategic battles during the War of 1812. Continue to the elegant Victorian-era Grand Hotel; built in 1887, this Queen Anne-style hotel is a registered National Historic Landmark. Here, you will savor its fabled buffet-style lunch while admiring sweeping views of the Straits of Mackinac from the world’s longest front porch. Afterward, enjoy free time to explore the downtown.

Step into the past during a visit to the former capital of 18th-century Virginia. Call at the historic district of Colonial Williamsburg, where you will meet your guide and embark on a tour of this living-history museum. Here, you will find several hundred restored buildings dating to the 18th century, when the city served as the capital of Virginia. See the Palladian architecture of the Governor’s Palace and stroll along Duke of Gloucester Street, the area’s main thoroughfare. Enjoy lunch at a local eatery, accompanied by a glass of wine or beer. After, you will have free time to explore the district further; perhaps browse the stores at Merchant Square or visit the DeWitt Wallace Decorative Arts Museum to glimpse American and British antiquities and art from the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries. At the end of your excursion, return to your awaiting ship.

Explore the seafaring heritage of Norfolk during an excursion to museums showcasing regional maritime history. Drive to Newport News, located on the Historic Virginia Peninsula, gaining insight into the rich maritime history of Hampton Roads, one of the nation’s oldest ports. At The Mariners’ Museum and Park, browse the many exhibits ranging from military history to sailing in the world-renowned America’s Cup. At the park’s USS Monitor Center, view artifacts from the ironclad USS Monitor. Then, enjoy free time for lunch and further exploration. Continue to the Nauticus, a maritime discovery center, where you will visit the Hampton Roads Naval Museum and climb on board the historic USS Wisconsin, one of the last and largest battleships ever built. After, you will have a chance to see the rest of the ship, Nauticus and the Hampton Roads Naval Museum at your leisure.

Explore two historic and well-preserved Michigan lighthouses on the shores of Lake Huron. Embark on a scenic drive by motor coach to the northeastern shores of the lake. Here, you will find the two lighthouses, separated by just a mile. Visit the Old Presque Isle Lighthouse, built in 1840 and reaching a height of 30 feet; the oldest accessible lighthouse in Michigan, it is rumored to be haunted by a former keeper. Afterward, travel to the nearby New Presque Isle Lighthouse, built in 1870 to replace its counterpart and reaching 113 feet tall. Both stops will include guided tours of the buildings and the grounds. You will also have an opportunity to climb the stairs to the top of each tower, where you will admire sweeping views of the lake and harbor. At the conclusion of your excursion, you will return to your ship.

Delve into the world of automobile manufacturing during a visit to the Ford Rouge Factory. Designed by renowned architect Albert Kahn and built along the banks of the Rouge River in Dearborn, the River Rouge Complex opened in 1928 and was a manufacturing marvel, the largest integrated factory in the world at the time. Throughout its history, it has produced such iconic vehicles as the stylish Thunderbird and high performance Mustang; today, it produces the F-150 pickup truck. Upon arrival, meet your docent, who will lead you on a two-hour tour. Marvel at the immense scale of the factory’s size as you learn about its storied history of harnessing American ingenuity to facilitate game-changing technology and sustainable design. You will also get an inside look at the production of the F-150 and gain insight into modern manufacturing’s most progressive concepts.

Admire the power and majesty of nature during an excursion to view the world-famous Niagara Falls. Retreating glaciers and meltwater combined to create the falls—Horseshoe, American and Bridal Veil—at the end of the last Ice Age more than 10,000 years ago. Reaching heights of up to 187 feet and measuring 2,590 feet wide, an astounding 600,000 gallons per second wash over Horseshoe, the tallest of the falls. From your berth at Port Colborne, travel north through the Canadian countryside of the Niagara Peninsula to the falls, which straddle the border between the United States and Canada. Take a walk along the top of the gorge, gazing down in awe at the thundering waters as they cascade over the edge of the falls. Afterward, you will return to your awaiting ship.

Marvel at the power of Horseshoe Falls during a thrilling boat ride to the turbulent pools at its base. Reaching heights of up to 187 feet and measuring 2,590 feet wide, an astounding 600,000 gallons per second wash over Horseshoe, the tallest of Niagara’s three waterfalls. From your berth, travel north through the Canadian countryside of the Niagara Peninsula to the falls, which straddle the border between the United States and Canada. Take an eye-opening stroll along the top of the gorge, gazing down in awe at the thundering waters as they cascade over the edge of the falls. Then, don your rain poncho and take an exciting boat ride to the foot of Horseshoe Falls. Look up to view the falls as they cascade from above, creating a wall of mist and a deafening roar. Afterward, you will return to shore and your ship.

Investigate the rugged beauty of the Canadian Shield during an exhilarating Zodiac ride. Board your Viking Zodiac and set off from your Expedition ship with a small group of fellow travelers on to the waters of the St. Lawrence River that flow around Trois-Rivières. Your Viking specialists will choose the best route based on the weather and water conditions. Admire the relatively flat landscape, dotted with rivers and several different kinds of forest. Keep watch for possible sightings of local wildlife, such as warblers, ducks and loons, and raptors such as ospreys and hawks. Your Expedition team will answer any questions you may have along the way, as well as share stories and insights. At the end of your excursion, your Zodiac will return to your ship.

Immerse yourself in the religious heritage of Trois-Rivières during a trip to a historic shrine to the Virgin Mary. Set out to discover the monasteries, convents, churches and shrines that have been a part of the city’s history for centuries. See landmarks, such as the Ursulines Monastery and the Gothic-style Assumption Cathedral, renowned for its beautiful stained glass windows. Stop at Cap-de-la-Madeleine to visit the Notre-Dame-du-Cap Sanctuary, an important shrine to the Virgin Mary; Pope John Paul II paid his respects here in 1984. Learn about its history as you tour its modern basilica and old sanctuary, admiring its impressive stained glass windows and strolling through its magnificent gardens. Afterward, head to the Boisé Sugar Shack to learn about traditional methods of producing maple syrup. After a tasting, return to your ship.

Discover the eclectic architecture, colorful street life and bustling squares that comprise the heart of Toronto. Embark on a panoramic drive through Canada’s largest metropolis, located on the scenic shores of Lake Ontario. Toronto is home to many different architectural styles, from early 19th-century buildings to modern 21st-century skyscrapers that define its skyline. See the iconic, needle-shaped CN Tower, one of the world’s tallest buildings at 1,815 feet high. View the modern City Hall and its predecessor, the Romanesque-style Old City Hall, both of which surround expansive Nathan Phillips Square. Take in the city’s diverse neighborhoods, enjoying the sights of its vibrant shopping and entertainment district as you travel along a stretch of historic Yonge Street; a major thoroughfare since 1794, it runs north for more than 53 miles from the harbor toward Cook’s Bay.

Admire the coastal charms of Peggy’s Cove and discover Halifax’s link to the RMS Titanic. Drive with your guide along the coastal highway affectionately known as the Lighthouse Route. Upon arrival at Peggy’s Cove, enjoy free time to explore during a stroll on your own. Here, see the most photographed lighthouse in the world, part of a breathtaking seascape that also includes a granite sculpture by local artist William deGarthe. You may also admire the colorful houses and fishing shacks perched along the rocky shore, ponder the unusual rock formations forged by glaciers, or browse the village shops. Return to Halifax via St. Margaret’s Bay for a visit to Fairview Lawn Cemetery, the final resting place for 121 passengers of the Titanic. Learn more about the ship, its ill-fated maiden voyage and the passengers interred here during an informative guided walk.

Discover Quebec City’s Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and view the stunning scenery at Montmorency Falls. In Upper Town, pass Dufferin Terrace, where Samuel de Champlain built his fort in 1620, and the elegant Château Frontenac, perched atop a hill overlooking the St. Lawrence River. Then, enjoy an opportunity for independent exploration in the Lower Town; see Place-Royale, once home to wealthy merchants, and Notre-Dame des Victoires, North America’s oldest Catholic church. At the Plains of Abraham, where the French surrendered New France to the British in 1759, admire sweeping vistas from Cap-Diamant, before continuing along the scenic Grande Allée. See the Parliament Building, an imposing Second Empire-style building, as you venture outside the city for a photo stop at the majestic Montmorency Falls, its roaring waters falling 272 feet to the St. Lawrence River below.

Experience the beauty of Nova Scotia’s coast from the water during a ride in a Special Operations Boat. Board your vessel from the ship’s shell door landing, with assistance by a member of Viking’s Expedition Team. Once securely on board, lines will be untethered, and your thrilling journey will begin. As you motor across the water, enjoy the scenery of one of the largest natural deepwater harbors in the world, and imagine its past as one of the most significant seaports on the Eastern Seaboard. Your highly maneuverable vessel will allow you to reach less accessible locations along the water’s edge. Knowledgeable specialists will be on hand to explain the natural and cultural history of the port, and to alert you to the presence of wildlife in the area. At the end of your excursion, your Special Operations Boat will return you and your fellow travelers to your ship.