Trip #16: New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania

Sometimes there is so much to see that it is impossible to squeeze it all in and such was the case on our trip to explore these three hugely important states. My kids and I could have easily spent an entire week in New York City alone so it was more than a little frustrating to have to pick and choose what would have the most significance on our trip. I think this itinerary worked well for the most part except when we encountered a few surprises like losing my wallet and a massive rainstorm which forced us to miss most of New Jersey. Some of the less obvious highlights were Valley Forge, The Amish communities and the Eerie Canal cruise. Any way you slice it though, New York, Pennsylvania and New Jersey are all rich is history and culture and it was thoroughly exciting (and delicious!) taking in all in.

States New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania

Theme Bright Lights, Big Cities and Bold IdeasDuration 12 Days

 

Day 1

• Fly to New York
Explore Times Square

Day 2

• Explore Lower Manhattan
9/11 Museum
Wall Street
The Museum of American Finance
Katz's Deli and the Lower East Side
The Tenement Museum
Sunset Statue Cruise
The Empire State Building

Day 3

• Explore Upper Manhattan
United Nations Tour
Grand Central Station
Central Park
Metropolitan Museum of Art
MOMA
See a Broadway Show

Day 4

• Explore Brooklyn
Ride the Subway
New York Transit Museum
Brooklyn Bridge
• Try NY Pizza (Julianna's and L & B Spumoni Gardens)
Brighton Beach
Coney Island-Luna Park

Day 5

• Explore New Jersey
Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island tour
Thomas Edison Laboratory
• New Jersey State Capitol
The Jersey Shore-Seaside Heights
• Overnight near Atlantic City

Day 6

• Drive to Philadelphia-Explore historic district
Visitors Center
The Liberty Bell
Independence Hall
Ben Franklin Museum
B. Free Post Office

Day 7

• Explore Philadelphia
U.S. Mint
The Betsy Ross House
The Rocky Statue and steps
Try a Philly Cheesesteak

Day 8

Valley Forge
State Capitol (Harrisburg)
Explore Amish town of Intercourse
Amish Buggy ride (Bird in Hand)
Hershey World
• Overnight near Hershey

Day 9

• Drive to Pittsburgh
Ducky Tours
Heinz History Center
Andy Warhol Museum

Day 10

• Drive to Buffalo
Teddy Roosevelt Inaugural Site
Niagara Power Visitor Center
Niagara Falls
Cave of the Winds
• Overnight in Buffalo

Day 11

Erie Canal Cruise (Lockport)
The Strong Museum (Rochester)
Baseball Hall of Fame (Cooperstown)

Day 12

• Drive to NYC and fly home

Actually, we stayed one more day and enjoyed 4th of July festivities aboard a boat watching the fireworks in the harbor which we rate a 10++++—if you time it right—you can too!