Things to do in

Pennsylvania

Learn about American history on a tour of Washington DC and Philadelphia, both of which played important roles in the development of democracy in the USA. Visit the Lincoln Memorial, the National Mall, Independence Hall, and more on a guided day trip with roundtrip transfers from NYC. Your day will begin with an early morning departure from Times Square in Manhattan, where you’ll be greeted by your bilingual tour guide for the day. After 4-5 hours, your first destination will be the nation's current capital, Washington, DC. Once there, visit the Iwo Jima Memorial and the Lincoln Memorial. During the tour, stop for a classic outside view of the White House, home and office of the U.S. President, and the Capitol Building, home of the U.S. Congress. Your visit to Washington concludes with free time for lunch on your own. Your next destination, after a 3-hour journey, will be the first-ever U.S. capital, Philadelphia, PA. Visit its historic Old City neighborhood and the Independence National Historical Park where your guide will lead you on a brief walking tour. Then, ascend to the top of the Rocky Steps before returning to Times Square in Manhattan.

Experience the impossible with an entry ticket to the Museum of Illusions Philadelphia. Immerse yourself in a world where your eyes will be in a constant battle with your brain. Located in the heart of Philadelphia, this brain-boggling museum is a one-of-a-kind destination for optical illusions.  Challenge yourself in more than 60 visual and educational exhibits featuring holograms, stereograms, optical illusions, and immersive rooms designed to tease the senses and trick the mind. Defy gravity, grow and shrink, walk on the ceiling, experience infinite space, and much more. Spend some time in the Smart Playroom with games that will stimulate and challenge your mind. Enjoy some friendly competition with friends and family while simultaneously improving your cognition, problem-solving skills, and memory.  Have fun while learning the mechanics behind each and every illusion you experience. And don't forget your camera or smartphone when you visit as there are eye-fooling photo-ops around every corner.

Explore the origins of America on a hop-on hop-off bus tour of Philadelphia. Discover the city where America’s Founding Fathers first declared independence, and ratified the US Constitution and Bill of Rights. Along the way, enjoy stunning views of historic landmarks including the Christ Church Burial Grounds, Elfreth’s Alley, the Betsy Ross House, and Independence Hall.   Begin your tour at the Bourse Building, across from Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell. Listen to the multilingual audio commentary as you enjoy the views from the open-top deck. See the Friendship Gate in Chinatown and be amazed by the architecture of Philadelphia’s City Hall.   Hop off to explore the various museums along Benjamin Franklin Parkway, including the world's largest collection of post-impressionist art at the Barnes Foundation. Marvel at Philadelphia’s skyline and stop to enjoy a bird’s-eye view from the One Liberty Observation Deck. Pass through the charming neighborhood of Society Hill and end your tour with a drive along the banks of the Delaware River. Stops:  • The Bourse Building  • Betsy Ross House  • National Constitution Center  • Chinatown  • Reading Terminal Market  • Love Park  • Cathedral Basilica  • Logan Circle  • Rodin Museum  • Eastern State Penitentiary  • Special Events - The Perelman Building  • The Rocky Steps and Statue  • West Entrance of the Philadelphia Museum of Art and Boat House Row  • Civil War Memorial  • Please Touch Museum  • Philadelphia Zoo  • Franklin Institute  • Mutter Museum  • One Liberty Observation Deck  • Avenue of the Arts  • Society Hill, Antique Row  • Mother Bethel A.M.E Church  • Headhouse Square  • Vietnam & Korean War Memorials  • Penns Landing  • Museum of the American Revolution  • Christ Church  • The Liberty Bell

Experience the Gettysburg Battlefield in a modern horse-drawn carriage. Sit back and relax as an official battlefield guide takes you for a ride at a slow, comfortable pace. Immerse yourself into the history of the Civil War and rest assured that all your questions about the famous battle that took place here will be answered. See the expansive green fields spread out on all sides and take a moment to remember those who fought here. After the tour, leave Gettysburg with a newfound respect and deep understanding of the events that occurred in July of 1863—the tens of thousands of soldiers that lost their lives and the ordinary townsfolk caught between intense fighting. Learn how the town has remained committed to preserving this history for future generations, keeping a close link to its past.

Discover the historic building of the Eastern State Penitentiary which stands today in ruin, a haunting world of crumbling cellblocks and empty guard towers. Learn about how when Eastern State opened more than 180 years ago, it changed the world of prisons and was copied throughout the world. Known for its grand architecture and strict discipline, this was the world's first true "penitentiary," a prison designed to inspire penitence, or true regret, in the hearts of prisoners. Discover how the building itself was an architectural wonder; it had running water and central heat before the White House. Marvel at the vaulted, sky-lit cells which once held many of America's most notorious criminals, including bank robber "Slick Willie" Sutton and Al Capone. As you explore the building, listen to 'The Voices of Eastern State' audio tour which is included in your admission price. Narrated by actor Steve Buscemi (known for Boardwalk Empire, Fargo, Armageddon, and Ghost World), this rich, stereo soundscape mixes dozens of voices. Hear the stories of 3 former wardens and 25 guards and inmates which create an atmospheric tour as you stroll through Eastern State's cellblocks and yards. When you arrive, receive an MP3 player and headset that will guide you through the penitentiary complex and explain the prison's history. This audio guide contains a main audio route, plus additional stops for subjects like escapes, riots, sports, sexuality, and more. You are free to tour at your own pace and to listen to (or skip) stops based on your interests. Also discover interactive experiences, history exhibits, and a critically acclaimed series of artist installations.

Embark on an immersive, self-guided tour of the iconic Gettysburg Battlefield, tracing the intense three-day conflict of the American Civil War. Start by downloading the Action Tour Guide app, which will function as your personal tour guide, audio tour, and map. Purchase one tour per car, not per person. Everyone listens together! Allowing everyone in your group to partake in the historical journey together. As you approach your first stop, absorb a comprehensive overview of the Civil War's origins, leading to the fierce inaugural clash at McPherson Ridge. Witness the site of a critical tactical misstep at the Railway Cut and ponder the restored unity of the nation at the Eternal Light and Peace Memorial. Ascend an Observation Tower for a panoramic view of the storied landscape. Navigate through seminal locations like Seminary Ridge, a makeshift Union hospital turned battlefield, and the dense Pitzer Woods, transitioning into the second day's brutal skirmishes. Drive by Warfield Ridge, the scene of General Longstreet's aggressive maneuver, and the strategic heights of Little Round Top. The tour continues across the foreboding Valley of Death and past the Devil's Den, each name reflecting the grim history of the sites. Witness the toll on civilians at Abraham Trostle Farm and follow the Union's harrowing retreat at Plum Run, leading you to the grand Pennsylvania State Memorial. The narrative brings you along Culp's Hill and Cemetery Hill, culminating in the third day's desperate confrontations, including the legendary Pickett's Charge and the High Water Mark of the Confederacy. The tour concludes solemnly at Soldiers' National Cemetery, inviting you to honor the fallen Union soldiers and contemplate Abraham Lincoln's timeless Gettysburg Address. This self-guided experience promises a profound connection with one of America's most pivotal and hallowed grounds.

Hear tales of past and present paranormal activity as you visit the most haunted locations in Gettysburg on a family-friendly guided walking tour. Operate special ghost hunting gear to see if you can find evidence of spirits from the other side. Meet ghost-hunting guide at the drummer boy statue in the park on the corner of Wainwright Avenue and Lefever Street. Listen to their brief but fascinating ghost hunting orientation. Walk down narrow streets and alleyways in the historic Old Town. Stop at important historical sites and haunted locations. Listen to spine-chilling details about historical events that led to encounters with the spirits. Discover the city's dark past and keep an eye out for present unexplainable experiences. Enter a spooky ghost hunting spot known for its paranormal activity for the second half of the tour. Conduct spectral inquiries with ghost hunting equipment directed by your guide. 

Enjoy a unique day in historic Philadelphia and Lancaster County, home to Pennsylvania’s Amish community. You’ll travel from New York through New Jersey on your way to Philadelphia, the City of Brotherly Love. On your guided tour of Philadelphia you’ll see Elfert Alley, which is the oldest inhabited street in America. You’ll visit the Liberty Bell and Constitution Hall, and have the opportunity to run up the famous Rocky Steps at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Following your sightseeing in Philadelphia, the tour heads to Lancaster County, home to Pennsylvania’s Amish community. Explore the Amish market and enjoy some country cooking at lunch. After lunch at the Amish market you’ll go on an authentic Amish buggy ride through farm country and learn how the Amish live without the benefit of modern technology. Imagine no electricity, no running water, no telephones, and no appliances!

Walk around Philadelphia with a historian and learn about the American Revolution. Visit important sites like the home of George Washington, the Liberty Bell, and Independence Hall. Meet your guide at 6th and Market Street visitor center to begin the tour. Stroll the historic streets of Philadelphia and learn about the events of the American Revolution. Continue on to other sites connected revolutionary figures like George Washington, Paul Revere, and James Madison. Learn about America's founders from your guide. See the Liberty Bell and the homes of Alexander Hamilton, Benjamin Franklin, and George Washington. Feel free to ask your guide any questions you have about this fascinating historical period. Visit the site of the Continental Congress and learn about other major figures such as Thomas Paine, James Madison, and Patrick Henry.

Go back in time and explore the Gettysburg Battlefield on horseback. Discover important details and insights about the Civil War, its soldiers, and local residents. Ride through Gettysburg National Military Park, visit the Virginia Monument, and take in panoramic views at Spangler Farm. Experience the grounds of the Gettysburg Battlefield on horseback, guided by a Civil War expert. Mount your horse and experience the time of 1863 by using this authentic form of transportation. Learn the intricacies of the greatest Civil War battle and its historical importance. Ride through Gettysburg National Military Park and reach the Virginia Monument, where General Robert E. Lee waited for his returning troops after Pickett's Charge. Follow the path to the historic Spangler Farm and revel in panoramic views of the Peach Orchard and Little Round Top in the distance. Cross Emmittsburg Road onto the Union side of the battle and view the Trostle Farm, including the massive cannonball hole in the barn. After learning the detailed history, fully appreciate the terrain and the events that once prevailed there, before finishing the tour.