Gilded Age Trips

What To Expect

To Have and Have More:  To set the stage, America coming out of the Civil War was rapidly becoming a global power. The industrial age was displacing the agrarian economy and with the vast underpopulated lands to the west, opportunity took off. To the European immigrant with trade skills, America was indeed the land of opportunity. But a slippery slope. Sure, you could come to New York and within a generation accumulate great wealth. The Carnegies, Goulds, and Vanderbilts all followed this path.

Step into History: Walk the paths once trodden by New York’s melting pot millionaires. They forged a path to societal wealth and changed the landscape in opulent ways mimicking the high societies of Europe.

Support Local, Support Legacy: Every meal savored, every artifact admired, and every moment spent breathes life into local businesses. Your visit is more than just a transaction; it’s a lifeline to the artisans and historians who are the are the guardians of the stories about the way America was built.

Preserve the American Story: With every step through these historic places, you become part of the American story. Your footprints are pledges to protect the legacy for those who will walk this path tomorrow.

Available to Depart From:

We use departure points to calculate drive times. By hand. Because of traffic, the scourge of modern times. But if you don’t see your starting area, pick the closest one to you and plan for the additional time from your location to the departure point.

Suggested For:

• Heritage Devotees
• Fans of Downton Abbey
• Admirers of opulent and lavish art and architecture

Typical Itinerary:

Start your trip at a country estate where our story begins. Long ago, this place was known as the escape for wealthy society, and now you can explore the sites with our handy field guide.

Every adventurer needs to refuel, we list places with bathrooms, snacks and beverages connected to our story. The next stop will be typically be less than 30 minutes away.

This stop features indoor explorations. You may have heard of the site, but we provide a fresh look at how this place made history.

Road trips are about seeing authentic America, and this stop won’t disappoint. We guide you to your next stop that features those charming shops, local eateries and walkable areas that immerse you in a time and place.

Every day has an ending, and the last stop is a place to unwind. We wrap up the story and fill in the details of what happened next.

Things To Bring:

• Comfortable Walking Shoes
• A Curious Mind
• Cash

Additional Details:

We provide all the details you need to know about each stop, but we don’t book tickets, or reservations. We suggest the locations, but you choose how much you want to explore. This field trip is yours to take as many times, or as many days as you feel like.