Philadelphia & Amish Country Day Trip from New York with Buggy Ride

The Liberty Bell and Independence Hall

Philadelphia was the first capital of the United States, and the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall are at the heart of that history. In Independence Hall the Declaration of Independence was adopted in 1776 and the Constitution was drafted in 1787. The building is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and the nearby Liberty Bell, with its famous crack, is the best-known symbol of American freedom.

Your guide explains the stories behind the bell and the hall, and there is time for photos. Many travellers search for a Philadelphia day trip from New York to see these sights, and the coach makes it easy, since the journey takes around two and a half hours each way.

Elfreth's Alley, the Rocky statue and the city sights

Elfreth's Alley, dating back to the early 1700s, is often described as the oldest continuously inhabited residential street in the United States, with its small brick row houses and flower boxes. It is a quiet contrast to the main historic sites and a favourite photo stop.

The tour also passes the Betsy Ross House, the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, City Hall and Love Park, and stops at the bronze Rocky statue by the Philadelphia Museum of Art, where fans of the film run up the famous steps. The list of stops can vary from day to day, but the highlights are always included.

Lancaster County and the Amish market

After Philadelphia the coach heads west to Lancaster County, land of the Amish, a traditional community that lives without many modern conveniences. The landscape of farms, barns and fields is very different from the city, and your guide explains how the Amish live and why they use horse-drawn buggies.

You visit an Amish market, where you can see local crafts, quilts and produce, and have a break for lunch, which is not included. The market visit is one of the most enjoyable parts of the trip, and it is a chance to meet a different side of America from the city.

The Amish buggy ride and planning your day

The buggy ride takes you through the countryside at the pace of a horse, past fields and farmhouses, and gives a feel for Amish daily life. The Amish value their privacy, so please ask before taking photos of people.

The trip lasts about 12 hours, and the return time is shown in your voucher. Wear comfortable shoes, since you walk in Philadelphia, and bring water and a jacket. The tour is in English, and meals are not included. Infants need a backpack or a chest carrier on this trip, and it helps to charge your phone the night before, since you will want to take photos all day.