Pennsylvania Culture & history

Discover the roots of American democracy on a full-day guided tour from New York City to Washington, DC and Philadelphia. Travel comfortably with roundtrip transfers as you explore iconic landmarks and historical highlights in both cities. Start your adventure early in the morning from Times Square, where a bilingual guide will welcome you aboard. First, head to Washington, DC, the capital of the United States. Visit must-see sites like the Iwo Jima Memorial and the Lincoln Memorial, then enjoy photo stops outside the White House and the Capitol Building. Continue your journey to Philadelphia, the nation’s original capital. After a short lunch break along the way, explore the charming Old City on a walking tour, including stops at Independence Hall and Liberty Bell. Climb the famous Rocky Steps before returning to Manhattan in the evening. Perfect for history lovers, this day trip offers a memorable look at America’s political heritage.

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.

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.

Escape the hectic atmosphere of New York for a night on this 2-day tour to Niagara Falls. Travel to the U.S. side of the Falls and ride on the famous Maid of the Mist boat. Enjoy some time shopping for bargains at the an outlet mall along the way. Day 1: Depart from the centrally-located meeting point in New York on an air-conditioned van or bus and heads north. Pass the beautiful Delaware Gap and Watkins Glen State Park in the heart of the Finger Lakes region. Stretch your legs on a walk through Watkins Glen Canyon and capture pictures of views of the waterfalls. Drive by the stunning Seneca Lake and arrive in Niagara Falls in the late afternoon. Tour the American side of Niagara Falls, including the American Falls, Goat Island, and Sister Island. Admire a night tour of Niagara Falls showcasing the colorful lighting of the thundering waters before settling in into your comfortable hotel room for the night. Day 2: Eat a hearty continental breakfast at the hotel. See both the Niagara and the Horseshoe Falls up close from the Maid of the Mist boat (available from May to October). When the Maid of the Mist is not operating, take a tour of the Power Vista Hydro-Electric Station and visit the Cave of the Winds. Board your bus or van and drive south and back to New York City. Stretch your legs in a more urban area, with a shopping excursion at one of the large outlet malls along the way. Return to the city in time for you to grab a late dinner.

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!

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.

Join us for an unforgettable evening as we take you on a walking ghost tour through the historic district of Gettysburg. Our experienced local tour guide and haunted history expert will regale you with spine-tingling tales of hauntings that continue to linger in the iconic buildings of this area. You'll be captivated by the stories of the restless spirits that still roam the streets and buildings of Gettysburg, making this tour both entertaining and informative. As you walk through the hallowed ground where the decisive battle of the Civil War took place, you'll feel the eerie presence of the lost souls of soldiers who fell during the conflict. The gripping stories of ghosts and hauntings will send shivers down your spine as you immerse yourself in the history and supernatural lore of this historic town. Our tour will provide you with a unique opportunity to connect with the past and experience the lingering spirits of Gettysburg. While we may not be able to enter privately owned buildings, you will be standing on haunted ground throughout the entire evening. Our tour will take you on a mile-long trek across haunted and historic Gettysburg real estate, visiting iconic places such as the Brickhouse Inn, Witness Tree, Farnsworth House, and the Orphanage. Be prepared for a night of thrilling and chilling tales that will leave you with a newfound appreciation for the haunted history of Gettysburg.