Including Gettysburg and Philadelphia
Moderate pace with leisurely intermittent walks up to 2 hours on a variety of terrain, including cobblestones and moderate hills. Must be able to climb at least two flights of stairs, negotiate steps without railings and tolerate periods of standing during guided tours. Some days may include 3–5 km of walking over the course of the day.
We leave Toronto/Burlington on our luxury coach and spend our first night in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. This historic town is the state’s capital, boasting an impressive capitol building and a dubious claim to fame: after almost being named the country’s capital, it lost out to Washington, DC.
We continue our scenic drive to Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, driving along winding highways through the beautiful Allegheny Mountains. We stop at Gettysburg National Military Park, where a costumed guide will take us through the famous battlefield, sharing the fascinating and tragic history of one of the Civil War’s most pivotal battles. Our next stop is Arlington National Cemetery, the moving place where over 400,000 US service members, veterans, and their families are honoured. It’s also home to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, which is a tribute to unidentified soldiers who died in service to the nation. We will take a tram tour of the grounds before heading to Washington for a 3-night stay.
Today we spend our day on a comprehensive guided tour of the American capital, seeing iconic highlights including the National Mall, the Library of Congress, the Supreme Court, the Washington Monument, Capitol Hill, the Capital Building, the White House and more.
In the morning, we visit Mount Vernon, the historic estate of George Washington, where we will see his mansion, gardens, and a museum that provides insight into his life and legacy as the first American president. Then we head to the Smithsonian, where you can choose from 19 museums including the Museum of Natural History, the Museum of American History, the Air and Space Museum, the American Art Museum – or whatever intrigues you most. After some free time in the afternoon, we will enjoy an illuminated tour of the city.
Today we drive to Philadelphia for a tour that includes Elfreth’s Alley, Christ Church, Independence Hall (where the Declaration of Independence was signed), the historic Liberty Bell, the waterfront at Penn’s Landing, the Historic District and the Philadelphia Museum of Art, home to Rocky’s statue and the famous steps! After the tour, we check into our central hotel and gather for our Farewell Dinner.
We continue our drive back to Burlington and Toronto. Following a stop at the Duty-Free Store at the border, we arrive home in the early evening.
You may cancel your tour up to 60 days prior to departure (90 days prior for tours requiring a visa, cruises or rail journeys) for any reason, and receive a full refund of your deposit / payment (less the $75 administration fee).
Cancellation & trip interruption insurance included!
Included in the cost of your tour is our Cancellation Insurance Policy, which provides coverage in case of emergency injury or illness (including Covid), right up to your date of departure (terms and conditions apply).
Our Manulife Out-of-Country Health Insurance Plan covers expenses related to Trip Interruption in case of emergency injury or illness. For tours within Canada, Senior Discovery Tours will cover such expenses (terms and conditions apply to all policies).
