Pennsylvania is where America put quill to parchment and an industrial nation found its grit. From the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall to storied neighborhoods and boundary-pushing restaurants, Philadelphia tells the country’s origin story on every cobblestone. Two hours west, Lancaster’s quilted fields and horse-drawn buggies reveal a very different rhythm—the Amish community’s enduring commitment to simplicity.

In five days, you’ll time-travel from colonial streets to covered bridges, sampling soft pretzels, roast pork sandwiches, shoofly pie, and farm-fresh cheeses along the way. Expect murals, riverfront walks, a buffet dinner cruise with skyline views, and guided access to Amish farms you couldn’t see on your own. This itinerary prioritizes walkable neighborhoods, short transfers, and memorable tours so you can do more and stress less.

Practical notes: Fly into Philadelphia International (PHL), then continue by train or car to Lancaster. Book popular restaurants (e.g., Zahav, Vernick) and premium tours a few weeks ahead. Wear comfortable shoes for Old City’s brick paths, carry small bills for markets, and respect Amish requests not to photograph faces. Seasons change the mood—spring blooms, summer festivals, crisp fall foliage, and cozy markets in winter.

Philadelphia

Founded by William Penn in 1682, Philadelphia pairs Revolutionary War sites with a serious art scene, a ferocious sports culture, and one of America’s most exciting dining landscapes. Old City, Society Hill, and Washington Square captivate with brick townhouses, while Center City buzzes with theaters, cocktail bars, and the Reading Terminal Market’s legendary eats.

Top highlights include Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, Betsy Ross House, the Benjamin Franklin Museum, Philadelphia Museum of Art (hello, Rocky Steps), the Barnes Foundation, and vibrant neighborhoods like Fishtown and the Italian Market. Don’t leave without a roast pork sandwich with sharp provolone and broccoli rabe, a scoop from The Franklin Fountain, and a walk along the Delaware River.

• Stay: Browse city-center stays on VRBO Philadelphia or boutique hotels via Hotels.com Philadelphia.
• Getting in: Compare flights to PHL on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. Once in town, walk, ride SEPTA, or use rideshares.

Day 1: Arrive in Philadelphia, Old City First Look

Morning: Travel day.

Afternoon: Arrive and check in. Shake off the journey with a caffeine fix at Elixr Coffee (floral single-origin pour-overs) or La Colombe (draft lattes). Stroll Old City—peek at the Liberty Bell (free), pass Independence Hall, and wander the leafy squares of Society Hill.

Evening: Dinner near Washington Square: try Zahav (modern Israeli—hummus that redefines hummus, pomegranate lamb shoulder) or Talula’s Garden (seasonal, garden patio). After dark, dive into tales of vice, vampires, and true crime on the Dark Philly Adult Night Tour (90 minutes; adults only; ~$35–$45).

Day 2: Independence, Ben Franklin, and the River

Morning: Fuel up at Café La Maude (Franco-Middle Eastern brunch) or Bagels & Co. Then join the Philadelphia Old City Historic Walking Tour with 10+ Top Sites (about 2 hours; guided by a history teacher-comedian; ~$39–$45). You’ll cover Independence Hall exteriors, the Liberty Bell, Carpenter’s Hall, Franklin Court, and more.

Afternoon: Lunch at Reading Terminal Market: try DiNic’s roast pork with sharp provolone, Miller’s Twist for buttery pretzels, Beiler’s for glazed donuts. Continue to the Benjamin Franklin Parkway: Philadelphia Museum of Art (European masters to contemporary installations) and nearby Barnes Foundation (renowned Renoirs, Cézannes, Matisses curated salon-style).

Evening: Cap the day on the water with the City Cruises Philadelphia: Signature Dinner Cruise with Buffet (about 2.5–3 hours; skyline views, DJ, buffet; from ~$95–$140).

Day 3: See-It-All Day — HOHO, Art, Markets, and Fishtown

Morning: Grab coffee at Greenstreet Coffee Roasters. Hop aboard the Double Decker Hop-On Hop-Off City Sightseeing Philadelphia (choose 1-, 2-, or 3-day; from ~$36–$69). Use it to hit the Betsy Ross House, Chinatown’s bakeries, Love Park, and the Rocky Steps without worrying about transfers.

Afternoon: Lunch in the Italian Market (South Philly): hunt down tacos al pastor at Cristina’s, old-school ravioli at Talluto’s, and olives at Di Bruno Bros. If weather’s nice, stroll Spruce Street Harbor Park for hammocks and arcade games by the Delaware River.

Evening: Head to Fishtown for dinner at Kalaya (fiery southern Thai), Hiroki (omakase), or Wm. Mulherin’s Sons (wood-fired pastas and pizza in a former whiskey bottling house). Nightcap at Suraya’s bar (Lebanese cocktails) or live music at Johnny Brenda’s. Sweet finish: The Franklin Fountain (hand-dipped ice cream, Victorian flair).

Lancaster

Welcome to rolling hills, red barns, and the steady clip-clop of horse-drawn buggies. Lancaster City itself blends colonial streets with a modern arts scene—galleries, indie boutiques, and the oldest continuously operating farmers’ market in the U.S. Beyond town, Amish and Mennonite communities preserve centuries-old traditions in daily life.

Expect covered bridges, handmade quilts, farm stands selling whoopie pies and chow-chow, and field-to-fork restaurants. With guided access, you’ll learn about Amish values (Gelassenheit), craftsmanship, and community—all while respecting privacy and photography norms.

• Stay: Find farmhouse stays and downtown lofts on VRBO Lancaster or hotels via Hotels.com Lancaster.
• Getting there from Philadelphia (Day 4 AM): Drive 1.5–2 hours (I-76/US-30; tolls apply) or ride Amtrak Keystone from 30th Street Station to Lancaster (~1h10; typically ~$20–$35 each way). Pick up a rental car if you want to explore backroads and covered bridges.

Day 4: Transfer to Lancaster, Markets and Amish Country

Morning: Depart Philadelphia after breakfast; aim for a mid-morning arrival in Lancaster. Drop bags and grab coffee at Passenger Coffee (award-winning roasts) and a snack at Lancaster Central Market (open select days; try soft pretzels, local cheeses, and whoopie pies).

Afternoon: Join the Premium Amish Country Tour including Amish Farm and House (multi-part experience; from ~$35–$55). You’ll tour a historic farmhouse, visit nearby farms, and learn about daily life, beliefs, and craftsmanship with a local guide.

Evening: Dinner in Lancaster City: LUCA (wood-fired Italian; burrata, cacio e pepe, Neapolitan pies), The Belvedere Inn (classic American with live jazz upstairs), or Citronnelle (intimate BYOB French). For a nightcap, try Conway Social Club (speakeasy vibes) or a flight at Lancaster Brewing Company.

Day 5: Morning Amish Immersion, Depart in the Afternoon

Morning: If you want deeper access, choose the Unique Amish Immersion in Lancaster (often ~3–3.5 hours; private properties not open to the public; from ~$89–$129), which focuses on respectful, educational encounters and crafts.

Afternoon: If time and scheduling align, some travelers opt for the Authentic Tour & Meal with the Amish! (limited availability; from ~$99–$139) for a rare, sit-down meal and conversation—book early and plan your departure window carefully. Otherwise, enjoy a quick bite at Central Market or Stoltzfus Meats, then pick up baked goods for the road.

Evening: Departure day. Fly out of Harrisburg International (MDT; ~35–45 minutes from Lancaster) or return to Philadelphia (1.5–2 hours) for an afternoon/early evening flight. Compare fares on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. If driving, leave time for traffic on US‑30/I‑76.

Optional Add-Ons (if you extend your trip)

• Philadelphia food crawl: Center City Philadelphia Food Tour with Reading Market (small group; tastes across the city).

Where to eat and drink (quick picks):

• Breakfast/coffee: Elixr, La Colombe, Greenstreet (Philadelphia); Passenger Coffee, Mean Cup (Lancaster).
• Lunch: Reading Terminal Market gems like DiNic’s, Beiler’s, Miller’s Twist (Philadelphia); Lancaster Central Market stands, Rachel’s Creperie (Lancaster).
• Dinner: Zahav, Vernick Food & Drink, Kalaya, Wm. Mulherin’s Sons (Philadelphia); LUCA, The Belvedere Inn, Citronnelle, Ma(i)son (Lancaster).
• Iconic bites: Roast pork at DiNic’s; cheesesteaks at John’s Roast Pork or Dalessandro’s; shoofly pie and whoopie pies in Amish country.

In five days, you’ll have walked the avenues where a nation was drafted, eaten your way through one of America’s great markets, and stepped into the pastoral quiet of Amish Country. Pennsylvania’s contrasts—urban energy and rural tradition—make it a destination you’ll want to revisit in every season.