texasjo

Planning a fall trip to PA, arriving in Philadelphia on Saturday about 5 p.m. and renting a car for 10 days. We want to drive a loop around the state over to Pittsburgh and back to Philadelphia for return flight. Would also like to drive to Cape May and Atlantic City (one night only). We are interested in history and scenery and not really into shopping. I'm having trouble trying to map out best route despite lots of research - so much to see and do!! I would appreciate any help offered.

Planned to go into Phil center on arrival but want to see the Barnes collection and it is open only on weekends. We also want to see Valley Forge so thinking we could go directly there for Sat night and then visit VF and Barnes on Sunday and then into the city that evening. Or, would it be more reasonable to go from VF/Barnes and visit Washington Crossing and then on over to ATl City and Cape May and then back up into Phil? We want to book for the Tut Exhibit (and Barnes) so, even though it's early, I need to lock in dates since that is the last week of the exhibit.

Thanks in advance!

FlyingMaltese

The Barnes Foundation is short drive from downtown Philly, about 25 minutes. There is a really nice road that connects between City Line Ave and Valley Forge, where there a ton of elegant Main Line mansions. Its been a while since I've been out that way. So, maybe someone from Philly could help us out.

Atlantic City is a fifty minute drive from Philly without traffic. Cape May is another half hour from Atlantic City. Atlantic City is in the opposite direction of the Barnes and Valley Forge.

Since you are interested in Impressionist art, make time for the Rodin Museum--the second largest collection of his work in the world. Also, the Philadelphia Museum of Art has an impressive collection of Impressionist art.

KarenAG

Your museum visit are time sensitive so I'd suggest doing them the first few days. Atlantic City is almost the same every day except for some shows and Cape May is about the same, as is Washington's crossing. On your way to Pittsburg, you would probably like the Lancaster area with the Amish then Hershey with the chocolate and Harrisburg is a pretty city on the Susquehanna(sp) River. You may want to see all you want in the Philly area and then you can take major highways to the other locations. Perhaps a few days in Philly, 2 days in AC and Mays Landing, back to Phila area for Washington's crossing and then the Tpk. for the western part of the state?

schmerl

When you decide which day you want to do the historic section of Philadelphia, go to the Visitor's Center in the morning to get your free, but timed ticket to Independence Hall You can also order this on line in advance if you know your touring day. Make sure you visit the Constitution Center and Liberty Bell also. They are all in the same area. Franklin Court Museum is also good and is near Christ Church cememtery where Franklin is buried. There are many walking tours for the historic district.
For great info on Phila., go to
www.gophila.com
You also may want to check out this tour:
www.onceuponanation.org.
Also, here's a link to a map.
Check out http://www.independencevisitorcenter.com/map_cc.pdf

BarryK

You don't say where you're coming from, or where you've been before, but it might make more sense to cover NYC, Balto, Annapolis, and/or DC rather than going to Pittsburgh. These cities along the east coast are much closer to Phila than going to Pittsburgh.

Phila to Pgh is about 5.5-6 hours along the PA Tpk, which is not a fun drive at all (we make the trip a few times a year.) The western half of the state is hilly and you'll be stuck behind 18 wheelers playing passing games, hogging up both lanes on the up-hills.

syd

If you are at all interested in gardens, I'd suggest a visit to Longwood Gardens and a drive through the Brandywine River area.

pollyvw

To satiate your interest in scenery, consider at least part of PA Route 6 that transverses the northern part of the state. National Geographic has called it 'one of America's most scenic drives.'

http://tinyurl.com/yrponk
http://tinyurl.com/28ydu2

texasjo

Thanks everyone! Driving times and suggestions are very helpful and the great websites are some I had not found (I have been using gophila a lot). We do plan to visit the historic district sites and also want to do the mint tour and the Underground RR Museum. I've researched Longwood Gardens and Brandywine region and those also are on our list. But we will have to make choices (difficult!) as there isn't time to do everything.

We are from Texas and have made several trips to the Eastern part of the country, including DC area and Gettysburg and Lancaster area. My husband wants to revisit Gettysburg and visit Falling Water (which also requires a resv, not open Mondays), thus all the way to Pittsb. Thought it would also be nice drive for fall folliage although we may be a bit early since we moved the trip up a week to see Tut. And, we do know about Route 6 and want to drive some part of that northern route. Any suggestions for which part?

I guess my confusion is after Phila, do we go down to Cape May and up to AtlC and over to Trenton and go northern route outbound to Pitts or reverse it and head to Gettysburg after the NJ jaunt?? I mentioned Washington Crossing on the way to Atlantic City in first post because it looks like WC is nearer Trenton so thought that might be logical combination without backtracking. We have made several trips photographing lighthouses but have never been to Cape May LH so we don't want to miss it since we're that close or we would eliminate NJ detour. What would be the easiest and most reasonable flow? We do prefer to travel back roads rather than the turnpikes when feasible and would probably do so westbound as well, time permitting of course.

Looking forward to hearing from all. Thanks!

bookhall

You've got a bit of a dilemma. I'm in Harrisburg--I don't envy you the driving....

I'm going to offer a solution loaded with my biases.

Start in the Philadelphia area. Then, get out to the Pittsburgh-area for the FLW properties. I assume you're going to catch the early-morning deluxe tour at Fallingwater, then head over to Kentuck Knob.

At this point, I'd drop down to 68 in MD. Follow it to 70, then on to Baltimore, where you'll catch 695. Follow that south to 97, which takes you to 50 (near Annapolis) where you'll go across the Bay Bridge.

Then head to Lewes, DE. A delightful little town, where you can also catch the Cape May-Lewes Ferry. It's a nice ride of a little over an hour, and drops you off, of course, at Cape May. Then head up the Jersey coast to Atlantic City, then on to Phila. for your return.

texasjo

Thanks bookhall, it is a dilemma! I will get out the maps and check out your suggestion. Any advice on which part of Route 6 you like?

RuthMc

For your stay in Phila to see the Tut exhibit, look into hotels that have packages that include VIP tickets to the exhibit in the cost of the hotel room. We booked a Saturday night at the Residence Inn which includes the Tut tickets for Saturday. The nice thing about these tickets is that they're not timed--you can go in any time during the day. Here's (hopefully) the link to the page that list the participating hotels: http://www.kingtut.org/plan_your_vis...hotel_packages. Hope you enjoy your visit.

bookhall

I hate generalizing. However, visitPA.com divides that area into three regions. The eastern quarter is the Poconos, not bad for what it is. The central half is out back of beyond--prime nature territory, and a lot of it. The western quarter is the Lake Erie area: My son went to school there (PS Behrend,) and I rather like the city.

I think you best make up your own mind on this--you're the best judge of your likes and dislikes.

Just did some quick checking. PHL to Scranton is 133 miles. From there to Erie (Rt 6) is 321 miles, and on to Pittsburgh (which I also think is neat) is another 128 miles. About 600 miles total.

texasjo

Thanks. I have researched several sites for scenic/historic drives and have a lot of info on Route 6. Thought some of you familiar with it might have specific suggestions, but I'm sure we'll drive some part of it.

I appreciate all the replies. I'm going to get tickets for Tut Exhibit and Barnes to firm up those dates and plan from there. (The lodging/VIP tickets are nice but pricier so we'll settle for times for Tut.) Is one day reasonable to see the historic district sites?

Suki

I'm sure Route 6 is great, but it seems like a lot of driving. I suggest you do what someone above posted. Go west from Philadelphia first and then do a southern route to Lewes and then Cape May. Leave time on the return trip to go up to Washington Crossing and New Hope/Lambertville area. You can see a lot of the historic center in 1 day.

You will love The Barnes Foundation. It's amazing.

arabianjedi

I'm a New Zealander who, because of very close friends, has spent many happy holidays in south central PA and also in beautiful Bucks County area, just north of Philadelphia. Can I make several recommendations: Doylestown in Bucks County is an interesting place with the old Mercer (?) mansion and tile works, and en route I think to Washington Crossing (there's also a beautiful little town near the crossing that has the venerable Bucks County Playhouse, can't recall the name of the town. Now for further west Harrisburg is Ok but the real highlights for me in that area are Gettysburg, the new civil war museum in Harrisburg and then the area around Hershey, Ephrata, Carlisle. Carlisle itself is a very old and stately town with many historic buildings. Also don't miss Boiling Springs and in particular the artisans gallery there for fantastic arts and crafts gifts.

GBC

I live in Bucks County, PA. I'm going to jump in here.

The town with the Bucks County Playhouse is New Hope, PA.

The historic sites of Philadelphia can be done in a day. Start at the visitor center for Independence Hall.

You must decide based upon your prior experience and interests but my view is that 'bookhall', above, has a good approach. I would find Route 6 less interesting than his suggestion (sorry, National Geographic.) The Grand Canyon of PA is worth a visit but it is in a remote area which doesn't connect well with your trip.

Allow at least a half day for Cape May. A walking tour there is worthwhile if you can fit it in. The lighthouse is at Cape May Point which is just a few minutes drive to the southern tip of New Jersey.

Really try to include Falling Water which, I feel, is very special. Also outstanding is the Barnes. Not too far from the Barnes is Longwood Gardens. Longwood is beautiful at any time but since your trip is in the fall, and you have so much to include, you may wish to omit it.

Welcome back to Pennsylvania.

BTilke

Since you want to visit Washington Crossing, it makes sense to visit New Hope (however, I am not a big fan of the place).
As you say you are interested in history, you should also consider making a day trip to Behtlehem for both the historic district and the amazing steelworks. The images of the abandoned steelworks are stunning (do a search for Bethlehem Steel in the travel section of the NYTimes...unfortunately, the link is way too long to paste)

http://www.historicbethlehem.org/places/
http://www.bethlehem-pa.gov/about/im...lehemSteel.htm

SusieQQ

Since you are going the whole to Pittsburgh, I would suggest stopping in Johnstown:

http://www.jaha.org/FloodMuseum/history.html

http://www.nps.gov/jofl/

http://www.inclinedplane.com/

texasjo

All these suggestions are so exciting--thanks! The only problem is everyone sounds like something we'd love to do, so planning after Phila is going to require some tough choices. I have tickets for Tut Exhibit and The Barnes Foundation lined up, but I'll have to wait for to reserve for Fallingwater closer to time, and Cape May and the LH are definites. Just a couple more questions for now:

How long for Longwood; would 3-4 hours be worth a visit? We might be able to do that on day of return (flight not until 6 pm). What would be time required to drive to the airport from Longwood?

Found by accident today a really great rate at Hampton Inn near convention center but required to pay now with fee for cancellation. Best rate I've found and reviews mostly favorable but some not so about the area. Would it be a safe area for walking at night?Holiday Inn rate was not as good, but still good. Would it be a better choice?

GBC

Hi
Longwood can be done in three hours - I don't know about the time to get to the airport from there but check mapquest or yahoo.
If you are a frequent traveler I think you would be fine with the Hampton Inn.

If you are going as far west as Falling Water I would urge you to try to fit it in. It is especially nice in the fall.