Pennsylvania itinerary
 

I am going to meet my husband in Philly after 3 days in NYC. Would you please look over my itinerary and give me feedback. It may be a bit tight and we are open to adding a day or 2 if needed. Also, if you see anything I shouldn't miss please let me know. We have done Winterthur, Longwood Gardens, etc a few years ago during October so won't do them again (loved that area).

Monday, Oct 16 arrive in Philly in the PM (4 nights)
Tues., Oct 17 Independence Hall and other sites in that area, i.e. Congress Hall, Nat'l Constitution Center etc
Wed. Oct 18 Eastern State Penitentiary and Philadelphia Museum of Art (open till 8:45 on Wed
Thurs -City Hall , Reading Terminal Market and maybe Masonic temple or just explore the city
Friday- Oct 20- pick up car- maybe Chanticleer Garden, Valley Forge and then to Lancaster County (1 night) (what about where Washington crossed the Delaware, I do not see much about that)
Saturday- visit Lancaster county, (It is not advisable to visit on Sundays) then drive to Gettysburg (2 nights)
Sunday, Oct 22- visit Gettysburg
Monday, October 23- finish Gettysburg if we need more time. Drive to Harper's Ferry then to Winchester, VA (2 nights)
Tuesday, October 24 My husband had a great great grandfather who fought in the battle of Winchester so he wants to explore the area.
Wednesday- have some time to spare and then drive to Falling Water (we can not tour the homes on Wednesday (1 night)
Thursday- tour Falling Water and probably another Frank Lloyd Wright home (s) We want to get reservations ASAP. Then possibly drive to Pittsburgh or spend another night and just drive to the Pittsburgh airport the next day.

Can't decide if we want to go to Pittsburgh for 1 night/day and will we need another day in Winchester or somewhere else. We visited Virginia a few years ago and did quite a bit.
I WILL SO APPRECIATE YOUR FEEDBACK.

I would head to Pittsburgh and get a taste of that very cool city. (See denisea's recent trip report.)

You said you had visited Longwood Gardens before but their displays constantly change. They have just added a brand new fountain and light display. If you have time one evening it's worth a visit.

I don't think we have the time for Longwood and we actually saw it in October last time as well but thanks for you input. Have you ever visited Chanticleer Gardens?

I probably wouldn't spend 2 nights in Gettysburg. You can tour the battlefield in 1 day, then leave.

New Hope and Lahaska are just north of Washington Crossing. They're quaint towns -- lot of antique shops, restaurants -- if that's your style.

I do love that, just wonder if I can fit it in.My problem is I love it all. Is there any museum for Washington Crossing the Delaware?

In Philadelphia I enjoyed the Philadelphia Historical Museum. It is on 7th Street very near the historical district. I found it very interesting and only took about an hour to go through.

The Italian market near 9th and South Street was pretty interesting also. The Magic Garden was beautiful. If you do not have time to see inside the actual building, a short walk around the area will give you a feel for the beauty of the work inside.

Washington Crossing State Park is north of Philadelphia, along the Delaware River, opposite Trenton NJ.

https://www.nps.gov/nr/travel/delaware/was.htm

There is another FLW house outside of Pittsburgh called Kentuck Knob that is supposed to be excellent. Haven't been, but have seen this and Fallingwater linked together online as a good pairing if in the area.

I think we will do Fallingwater and Kentuck Knob.

I agree with just one night in Gettysburg, to give you more time somewhere else. Pittsburgh really is a great city and you could use the time there. (Of course, you could always use it in Philadelphia, but your Lancaster scheduling--not on Sunday--is important.)

If your route takes you in the vicinity of Harrisburg the State Capitol building is particularly lovely inside. They offer tours.

A brief stop in Philadelphia should be the Dream Garden mosaic (quite different from Magic Gardens, also recommended!) in the Curtis building across the street from Independence Hall.

Johnstown and the Flood Memorial/Museum would be an interesting stop on that Wednesday that you're on your way to Fallingwater.

Enjoy Pennsylvania!

Agree on the PA state capitol building -- have seen 35 such spots in my travels and for me it ranks no. 1. There's also a good state history museum and a decent civil war museum in Harrisburg.

The 9/11 Memorial in Shanksville, PA is interesting. We spent maybe 2 hours there.

Would be interested to hear what you think of Fallingwater. Could not fit it in when we were in the area.

Would be interested to hear what you think of Fallingwater. Could not fit it in when we were in the area.