Things to do in

Independence National Historical Park

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.

Discover Philadelphia history beyond what the guidebooks tell you! View the most iconic historical sites of Independence National Historical Park, admire beautiful architecture, and absorb the rich historical significance of American Revolutionary War landmarks. During our historic Philadelphia walking tour, we’ll pass by Independence Hall, where the Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution were born. We’ll also get a chance to see one of the most iconic artifacts from the American War of Independence, the Liberty Bell, from outside its home inside Liberty Bell Center. Other historic buildings in Old City, Philadelphia, we’ll pass on our tour include the very place where the American flag was created, the Betsy Ross House, and the site where inventor and statesman Benjamin Franklin lived and operated his post office. Your local tour guide will take you down cobblestone streets and past row houses dating back to the city’s Revolutionary War period. You’ll feel transported back in time as you stroll down Elfreth’s Alley, the nation's oldest continuously inhabited residential street. We’ll make our way up the steps and into the recreated site of the President’s House, where you’ll learn not only about the lives of the two leaders who lived here, but the often untold stories of individuals who had their own key roles to play in the founding of our nation. This Philly history tour is for everyone, whether you’re an American history novice or a true history buff! Come join a local tour guide to hear the fascinating story of a fledgling United States, get to know our historic and modern-day city, and enjoy the top historical things to see in Philadelphia!

Join an entertaining evening tour of Philadelphia on a ghostly walking tour by candlelight. You will see Philadelphia's historic districts, including Independence National Park, Old City, and Society Hill in a completely new light! A costumed tour guide will lead you off the beaten path and spin tales of the rich and famous, and of heroes and villains from America's colonial era. You will hear tales of the well-known, like William Penn, Ben Franklin, Benedict Arnold and Mad Anthony Wayne, and tales of the unknown, such as the spectral Quakeress of Washington Square and the ghost of Old Pine Street Cemetery. The tour departs from Signers Garden at 5th and Chestnut Streets, lasts approximately 90 minutes, is appropriate for all ages, and is ideal for anyone with the inclination to hear Philadelphia's dead brought back to life! The Ghost Tour of Philadelphia has offered tours since 1995 and continues to be one of the city's most popular night-time attractions. It was recently named one of the top 15 "must see" attractions in the country by Budget Travel Magazine.

Embark on a 5-day trip to Niagara Falls, Toronto, the 1000 Islands, Philadelphia, Washington DC, and the Amish Country in Lancaster from New York City. Witness the magnificent Niagara Falls, visit the Arlington National Cemetery, and enjoy the convenience of included accommodation and entry tickets. Day 1: NEW YORK – FINGER LAKES – NIAGARA FALLS Depart from the Big Apple heading north where you will pass the beautiful Delaware Water Gap to Watkins Glen State Park in the heart of the Finger Lakes region. Walk through Watkins Glen Canyon to visit the beautiful waterfalls and then continue to Niagara Falls passing Seneca Lake, arriving in the late afternoon. Tour the US side of Niagara including the American Falls, Goat Island, and Luna Island. Experience the power of Niagara aboard the Maid of the Mist. At night, you can appreciate the colorful lighting of the waters. Stay at the Ramada by Wyndham. Day 2: NIAGARA FALLS – TORONTO – 1000 ISLANDS Start with the magnificent Horseshoe Falls view followed by the visit to the picturesque village of Niagara on The Lake. Continue to Toronto, the financial capital of Canada. Visit the HTO Park, Brookfield Place — home of the Hockey Hall of Fame — City Hall, and The Distillery Historic District. Towards the evening, depart Toronto east along the world-famous Lake Ontario for an evening arrival to the 1000 Islands area (in April, based on weather conditions the tour may return to Niagara Falls for overnight). Stay overnight at Gananoque – Comfort Inn (April, Niagara Falls – Ramada by Wyndham). Day 3: 1000 ISLANDS – NEW YORK Start the day with a cruise through the amazing 1000 Islands along the St. Laurence River. See the houses of the rich and famous built atop private islands — such as Boldt Castle and Heart Island. Enjoy a shopping excursion at one of the large outlet malls along the way. Arrive at your hotel in New Jersey at the La Quinta Inn and Suites. Day 4: NEW JERSEY – PHILADELPHIA – WASHINGTON DC Depart from New Jersey to Pennsylvania and to the city of brotherly love Philadelphia. Visit the famous Liberty Bell, Constitution square, and Congress Hall. Continue on a panoramic tour of Philadelphia that includes the financial district, Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Historic Philadelphia, and more. See the famous “Rocky Steps” and then continue to Lancaster county home of the Amish people. Enjoy an authentic Amish Buggy ride through the Amish farm country. In the late afternoon, depart east for an evening arrival in Washington DC where you will stay at the Fairfield Inn and Suites Alexandria. Day 5: WASHINGTON DC – NEW YORK Start the day with a visit to Thomas Jefferson Memorial, by the Tidal Basin, surrounded by famous Japanese cherry blossom trees. Visit the Arlington National Cemetery, the Changing of the Guard, and the Kennedy family gravesite. The next stop is Capitol Hill. See the US Capitol and the White House to understand the core of the US government. Continue to the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History (while the Air and Space Museum is closed due to renovations) before visiting the Lincoln, Korea, and Vietnam Memorials. In the late afternoon, depart for an evening arrival in New York.

Day 1 Today, we will drive to Philadelphia, the City of Friendship, visit the Independence Historical Park and witness the history of American independence. Then go to Washington, the political center of the United States, the capital, where the White House, U.S. Capitol are located. Itinerary: New York → Philadelphia → Independence National Historical Park (30 mins) → Washington D.C. → U.S. Capitol In-depth Tour + The National Archives (Optional, inside visit U.S. Capitol & The National Archives + outside visit Supreme Court of the United States & Library of Congress, 120 mins) → White House (Outside visit, 30 mins) → Lincoln Memorial, Korean War Memorial, Vietnam Veterans Memorial (45 mins) → Hotel Special Notes: If unable to enter U.S. Capitol, the attraction will be replaced with the Washington D.C. In-depth Tour (optional). Washington D.C. In-depth Tour itinerary: Air Force Memorial (20 mins)→ Thomas Jefferson Memorial(20 mins) → World War II Memorial (20 mins) Hotel：Springhill Suites Gaithersburg ; Comfort Inn Shady Grove - Gaithersburg - Rockville; similar Day 2 Today we will be heading to the Corning Glass Museum! The museum is located in western New York and is dedicated to history, art, and the science behind glassmaking. Following, we will be visiting Niagara Falls and overlooking the American Fall, the Horseshoe Fall, and the Bridal Veil Fall! Here, you will be simply amazed by the beauty of the falls and what makes Niagara Falls worth the visit. Itinerary : Corning Museum of Glass (Optional, 90 mins) → Watkins Glen State Park + Finger Lake (Optional, 90 mins, Watkins Glen State Park will not be visited when it is closed) → Niagara Falls Night Tour (Mandatory, 90mins) Notes: 1. Watkins Glen State Park only opens in summer, usually from April to October each year. 2. In order to ensure a better experience for guests, it is guaranteed that guests can watch the fireworks show at the waterfall on that day (except that there is no fireworks show on that day). Hotel：M Hotel Buffalo; Niagara Riverside Resort; similar Day 3 Formed by the Niagara River, which drains Lake Erie into Lake Ontario before going out to Atlantic by the Gulf of Saint Lawrence, the combined falls have the highest flow rate of any waterfall in North America that has a vertical drop of more than 50 m (160 ft). Summer Itinerary: (Applied when Maid of the Mist opens) Niagara Falls Classic Tour (Optional, 2.5 hours, including Whirlpool Park + Cave of the Winds + Maid of the Mist) → New York Winter Itinerary: (Applied when Maid of the Mist closes) Niagara Falls Classic Tour (Optional, 2.5 hours, including Whirlpool Park + Cave of the Winds + Old Fort Niagara State Park) → New York Note: Maid of the Mist Niagara Falls Boat usually closed in winter season, it will not be visited based on attraction closure.

During your visit to New York, don’t miss the allure of visiting one of the most amazing natural wonders of the world, Niagara Falls, and two of the nation’s capitals, Washington D.C. and Philadelphia. On your first day of this combo tour, you will travel by comfortable bus to Niagara Falls, enjoying the scenic landscape of upstate New York (travel time is approximately 7-8 hours, each way. Upon arrival at your destination, you will begin experiencing the adventure, beauty, and natural wonder of Niagara Falls on board the historic Maid of the Mist boat cruise or from other observation points such as the Gorge Walk or other available observation points (when the Maid of the Mist is not running). During your visit, you will learn about the interesting history of these mighty waters and enjoy spectacular views of the falls from different vantage points. After an unforgettable experience and wonderful memories, you will return to Times Square in Manhattan arriving back between 11:00 PM and midnight. Two days later you will depart again from Times Square now heading south to two of the nation’s capitals. Your first destination visit will be Washington D.C. the current capital, where your tour will begin with a visit to the Iwo Jima Memorial, dedicated to honoring the US Marines. You will continue with a visit to the impressive Lincoln Memorial honoring the president who promoted the abolition of slavery in the United States. Washington D.C. is the center for all three branches of the U.S. government. During this tour, you will stop for a classic outside view of the seat of two of them, the White House, home and office of the U.S. President and the Capitol Building, home of the U.S. Congress and where the laws of this country are made. Your visit to Washington concludes with free time for lunch on your own. Your next destination is the first-ever U.S. capital, chosen during the Revolutionary War, Philadelphia, PA. After an approximately 3-hour journey, you'll arrive directly to Philadelphia's historic Old City neighborhood. Your first stop will be at the Independence National Historical Park where your guide will lead you on a brief walking tour. You will have the opportunity to see some of the main historical sites such as the Liberty Bell, the famous symbol of America's independence, and Independence Hall, the birthplace of the United States. It was within its walls that America's founding documents, the Declaration of Independence (July 4, 1776) and Constitution, were debated and adopted. Your visit to Philadelphia concludes with a stop at the Rocky Steps, in front of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, where you'll have an opportunity to re-enact the famous scene from the 1976 movie by ascending to the top of the steps.

Day 1 Begin your journey in Philadelphia with a visit to the Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell. Afterward, travel to Washington, DC to explore highlights such as the Jefferson Memorial and Lincoln Memorial Hall. Then, ascend the U.S. Air Force Memorial for a panoramic view of the Pentagon and the 9/11 Memorial. Additionally, visit the Korean War Veterans Memorial and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, and have an exterior view of the White House. Day 2 Visit Watkins Glen (subject to time, traffic, and weather conditions). Afterward, drive to Buffalo, where you’ll learn more about this once-great industrial hub. Stop at the Navy Park to see the Fletcher-class Destroyer that served in World War II and climb to the Lake Erie observation deck. In the evening, take the elevator through the Cave of the Winds to the foot of the waterfall. Step onto the observation platform at Terrapin Point on Goat Island and Luna Island, touching the water up close. Also, experience the colorful night view of the three major waterfalls – Horseshoe Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, and American Falls. Day 3 Start the day by overlooking the spectacular Niagara Falls from the observation deck. Then, ride the Maid of the Mist to experience the falls up close. Afterward, follow the car to the downstream of the waterfall. Experience the vortex formed by the water flowing down at Whirlpool State Park and learn about the invention and operation of the Niagara Power Vista.

Your multi-day trip begins with a pickup from one of the meeting points in New York City. Head to Washington DC with a short stop at the Independence National Historical Park in Philadelphia. Arrive in Washington DC and check out the U.S. Capitol, the National Archives, the Supreme Court of the United States, the Library of Congress, and the White House. Choose to partake in an optional visit inside the U.S. Capitol and the National Archives. Explore the National Mall and see the Lincoln Memorial, the Korean War Memorial, and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial before retiring to your hotel for the evening. Your stay will be in a hotel like the Springhill Suites or the Comfort Inn Shady Grove in Gaithersburg-Rockville. If the tour is unable to enter the U.S. Capitol, the attraction will be replaced with an optional in-depth Washington D.C. tour. This tour's itinerary includes the Air Force Memorial, the Thomas Jefferson Memorial, and the World War II Memorial. The second day of your tour takes you back north to New York State. Visit the Corning Museum of Glass, Watkins Glen State Park, and the Finger Lakes before arriving in Niagara Falls for an evening tour. Your hotel stay will be in the M Hotel Buffalo, the Niagara Riverside Resort, or similar. Watkins Glen State Park only opens in summer, usually from April to October each year. Please refer to the official website for the special admission date. On the third day, discover the natural wonder of Niagara Falls. In the summer, ride the Maid of the Mist and walk through the Cave of the Winds to get up close to the cascading falls. Visit Whirlpool Park to see Niagara Whirlpool on the Niagara River and the lower Niagara Gorge. In the winter months, visit Whirlpool Park, the Cave of the Winds, and Old For Niagara State Park. From the falls head to Boston and conclude the day at a hotel like the Sonesta ES Suites Boston Burlington or something similar. The final day of your tour takes you through Boston to Harvard University with an official campus tour included, and the Old State House which was the birthplace of the American Revolution and the place where the Declaration of Independence was first published. See the first subway system, the first public park, the first public botanical garden, and the first large-scale free municipal library funded by the public before going to Quincy Market and having an optional Boston lobster meal. End your trip with a drop-off at Boston Logan International Airport, LaGuardia Airport, or John F. Kennedy International Airport.

Day 1, we will begin our journey in Philadelphia, where we will visit Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell. Afterward, we will travel to Washington, DC to explore the city. Highlights include visits to the Jefferson Memorial and Lincoln Memorial Hall. We will also ascend the U.S. Air Force Memorial for a panoramic view of the Pentagon and the 9/11 Memorial. Additionally, we will visit the Korean War Veterans Memorial and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, and have an exterior view of the White House. Day 2, we will drive to Amish Farm and House, we will learn about the unique and humble religious life lead by the tour guide.

Embark on an immersive journey through the rich history, vibrant culture, and iconic landmarks of Philadelphia, the birthplace of American independence. This self-guided audio tour offers you the freedom to explore at your own pace while delving deep into the captivating stories and significant moments that have shaped this historic city. As you wander through the streets of Philadelphia, you'll be accompanied by informative and engaging narration that brings the city's past to life. From the cobblestone streets of Old City to the towering skyline of Center City, each step will unveil a new chapter in Philadelphia's storied past. Discover the legacy of the Founding Fathers as you visit Independence Hall, where the Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution were both signed. Stand in awe beneath the shadow of the Liberty Bell, an enduring symbol of freedom and democracy. Trace the footsteps of Benjamin Franklin as you explore his former residence and learn about his groundbreaking contributions to science, politics, and diplomacy. Marvel at the architectural splendor of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, made famous by the iconic "Rocky Steps." Explore the vibrant neighborhoods of South Street and Northern Liberties, where art, culture, and cuisine converge to create a unique tapestry of urban life. Indulge your senses with a taste of Philly's famous cheesesteaks and immerse yourself in the city's thriving food scene. Learn more about the top 16 tourist attractions in Philadelphia. Its history, culture, myths, architecture, and other important facts are in this audio commentary which starts from the city's central location then the itinerary gradually moves one by one. 1. Eastern State Penitentiary 2. Philadelphia Museum of Art 3. Rocky Statue 4. Rodin Museum 5. Barnes Foundation 6. The Franklin Institute 7. Mütter Museum 8. Reading Terminal Market 9. National Constitution Center 10. Liberty Bell Center 11. Independence National Historical Park 12. Independence Hall 13. National Museum of American Jewish History 14. Museum of the American Revolution 15. Elfreth's Alley 16. Please Touch Museum Whether you're a history buff, a culture enthusiast, or simply a curious traveler, the Philadelphia Self-Guided Audio Tour offers an unforgettable experience that will deepen your appreciation for this remarkable city. So, grab your headphones, press play, and let the journey begin!