Pennsylvania Travel Forum

Hi,

I have free roundtrip domestic tickets and I'd like to use them to visit a new place in the US. I have always been curious about visiting Amish Country and I hear Philadelphia is a lovely place.

I am thinking about flying out early on a Thrusday - would arrive into Phily around 4 p.m. ET. I would fly back on Sunday around 5 p.m. ET.

What would you suggest as an itinerary considering I like history, culture, architecture and vibrant nature:
- Thrusday late afternoon
- Friday all day
- Saturday all day
- Sunday until 2 p.m.

Thanks!

Just wondering - would your interest in history make Gettysburg a desired stop, less than an hour beyond the Amish Country? In either case, would leave from the airport directly out to the Amish country ( or Gettysburg ), and use Friday for them, arriving to Philadelphia late Friday night. The major historic area in Philadelphia is pretty compact, use Saturday for these attractions. BTW, are you alone or with family? Kids love Sesame Place, just NW of Philadelphia.

Hi there, thanks for the quick reply. I would most likely be traveling solo. Gettysburg sounds interesting too. Where would you recommend I stay on Thrusday evening?

Cheers!

I was going to suggest Gettysburg too, before I read the first two posts.
You won't be sorry. The battlefield tour is a very moving experience.
The ride to and from the Philadelphia airport can be thru Amish country, easily.

While in Philadelphia, visit the Philadelphia Art Museum, which has a good collection. If you like military history, also visit Valley Forge, an area outside of Philadephia where the American soldiers spent a very cold winter in the 1770s during the Revolutionary War. However, if you have to choose between Valley Forge and Gettysburg, definitely choose Gettysburg.

There are also a couple of good things to see along the Pennsylvania/Delaware border:

1. Winterthur - A huge interesting mansion built by the DuPont family that you can tour. It also has beautiful grounds full of gardens. Winterthur is one of the largest mansions in the US. It is located in Delaware, a few miles from the Pennsylvania border.

2. Longwood Gardens - This is a massive garden (100s of acres) that are very nice. There is also a large glass-enclosed section with plants, flowers, and trees from all over the world.

Also, outside of Philadelphia is the Barnes Museum, one of the best small art museums in the USA. Its collection of impressionist paintings is world class. However, you need to make a reservation in advance to visit it.

Thanks for your all your replies. If anyone has any additional suggestions, I welcome them!

I would imagine your renting a car for your journeys? If so maybe you should consider not staying in Philly the first night. It's roughly a two hour drive or more to Harrisburg/Hershey area on the Pa. Turnpike east . Accommodation is less expensive and you can start sight seeing. The Hershey chocolate factory is a good choice of things to do. Then drive south on route 15 to Gettysburg there are loads of places to stay in the area. You can take a tour or do a drive through the park. There are some good places to eat in the town square. Day two: Driving on route 30 west you can reach Chadds Wood there you will find Long wood gardens and the Brandywine Museum which has loads of the Wyeth family works. On certain days Andrew Wyeth's Granddaughter gives tours of the museum. You are a short drive from the city so on your way you could stop off At Valley Forge national park for a walk. If you walk in the park you'll notice how expansive and unafraid the deer are. They are protected in the park and carry loads of deer ticks so check yourself for ticks if you take any walks in the area. When you spend time in the city of brotherly shove. I would recommend buying a tour bus pass that you will see in downtown Philly. It takes you all around the cities main attractions plus the tour guides really impressed me with their local knowledge. I learned heaps about the city from that tour. You can also use it as a taxi to the attractions getting on and off when ever you like. I really can't recommend anywhere to stay as we always stay at my inlaws house in Valley Forge only a short walk from the park. But I will recommend getting lunch in the reading terminal market you choose what you like and check out the amish stalls selling some tasty goodies. Have fun and enjoy Pennsylvania.

Thanks so much! Great suggestion. I can't wait to go!