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 Ideas | Duration 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!
