Taking a bus tour from New York through to Philadelphia and Amish country is a great way to see two completely different landscapes and cultures in one action-packed day. Philadelphia is a lively, vibrant and modern city full of important history and landmarks, but the scenic countryside around it feels like a completely different world.
In Philadelphia, the tour will take you from the Liberty Bell to the famous stone staircase that Sylvester Stallone ran up in the ‘Rocky’ movies. You can even try to re-create the moment if you’re feeling fit enough!
From there, you’ll travel into the serene and relaxing country inside an authentic Amish buggy to gain a first-hand insight into rural life in the area. This is a great way to see and understand more of the East Coast without spending a night away from New York.
Click here to reserve your seat for the New York to Philadelphia and Amish Country day tour
First Stop: Philadelphia
It’s an early 7:00 start for the tour, departing from the bustle of New York life and driving on through New Jersey and Pennsylvania to reach Philadelphia. The first place you’ll see is America’s oldest still-inhabited street; Elfreth’s Alley. Your experienced tour guide will fill you in on all the essential local knowledge as you progress to the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, before taking in Independence Hall and Square, and the world-famous Liberty Bell. The tour will pause for a lunch break while we’re in Philadelphia, where every attempt will be made to make sure you get chance to sample the legendary Philadelphia cheesesteak.
Philadelphia played a vital role in securing America’s freedom and independence from Great Britain, which was arguably the defining moment in the history of the United States. That’s why the city is so synonymous with freedom and liberty, making it a great opportunity to connect with history. You’ll see all the sights and find out exactly why they’re so important, but it’s not all facts and figures. Thanks to cinema, the ‘Rocky’ steps are now every bit as well-known as any other attraction in the city. There’s even a statue of Rocky at the top of them which makes for a great photo.
Onto Lancaster County
The Amish culture is right on our doorstep but is very different from our own. Taking a ride through Lancaster County in an Amish buggy, you’ll see and hear every detail of their day to day lives. Don’t just rely on your tour guide to tell you everything though – ask them anything you like. Your tour guide will be used to hearing questions on every topic of Amish life, from how they survive without the internet to what they do for entertainment. You can find out the answers over a lemonade or root beer – all made locally by the Amish – served with cookies. If you’d like to do a little shopping while you’re in Lancaster County, there will be a brief stop at the Kitchen Kettle Village. The village also contains restaurants if you’re still hungry after lunch.
Please be aware that you’ll be spending a lot of the day on the bus, so bring along any provisions you require, including water. With so much to see in Philadelphia, there isn’t any time for groups or individuals to explore the city alone, so we request that you stay with the group and respect the schedule. When you get to Amish Country, please don’t approach any of the local people unless they approach you. This is an introduction to their culture as opposed to a deep exploration of it.
The Essential Points
When your purchase has been processed, you will be issued a voucher. You must present this voucher in order to gain access to the bus. Your voucher can either be printed out and carried or displayed on your mobile phone.
The departure point for this tour is Gray Line Visitors Center, 777 8th Avenue. The time of departure is 07:00 promptly. Latecomers cannot be accommodated.
Click here to reserve your seat for the New York to Philadelphia and Amish Country day tour or for other day tours check out our recommendations.
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