2D1N Philadelphia, Amish Country & Washington DC Tour from New York

Philadelphia’s Liberty Bell, a Lancaster County buggy ride, and Washington’s memorials make an ambitious pair of days beyond New York. You get a quick look at the country’s founding story, a glimpse of Amish rural life, and a guided tour of the capital without arranging the transport and hotel yourself.

I like two things in particular: the mix of city history and countryside, and the chance to cover long distances by bus while a guide connects the stops. The buggy ride gives the day a different pace from the monuments and city streets.

The main trade-off is time. This is a packed trip with early departure, substantial walking, and a return to New York around 8:00 to 9:00 p.m. on Day 2. You’ll want comfortable shoes, a flexible schedule, and no evening flight booked for your return day.

The trip at a glance

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• Philadelphia’s founding-era stops: See the Liberty Bell, Constitution Square, and Congress Hall, with guided sightseeing that also takes in the Financial District and Benjamin Franklin Parkway.
• Lancaster County by buggy: Visit Amish Country, observe traditional farming, ride an Amish buggy, and stop at local markets.
• A full day in Washington, D.C.: Visit the White House, U.S. Capitol, and memorials to Abraham Lincoln and Martin Luther King Jr.
• A hotel night and breakfast are covered: The package includes one night at Fairfield Inn and Suites and a continental breakfast on Day 2.
• Long-distance travel is handled for you: An air-conditioned bus or van, transport between cities, and a professional guide are included.
• Plan for walking and limited free time: Lunches, dinners, personal expenses, and tips are not included, and the schedule can change with traffic or weather.

👉 See our pick of the 25 Best Guided Tours In Washington DC

Day 1: Philadelphia’s founding story, then Amish Country

The bus leaves from outside the Port Authority side entrance at 641 8th Avenue in New York at 6:30 a.m. Arrive at least 15 minutes early and look for an Empire Vacations guide in a blue and yellow shirt; the bus has an Empire Vacations sign in the window. This is a firm start, so do not cut it close. Latecomers and no-shows are not refunded.

Philadelphia is the first major stop. The schedule includes the Liberty Bell, Constitution Square, and Congress Hall, along with a guided look at the Financial District and Benjamin Franklin Parkway. The mix gives you more than a photo stop: you’ll see landmarks tied to the country’s founding and get context about the city’s civic role.

The Liberty Bell is the most recognizable symbol on the route, while Constitution Square and Congress Hall bring the story closer to the people and institutions that shaped early American government. The city tour also helps place those historic sites within Philadelphia’s broader layout. The trade-off is that this is a survey, not a slow visit to every landmark. If you want long stretches to read every plaque or explore independently, the group schedule may feel brisk.

From Philadelphia, the tour continues to Lancaster County. The change in scenery and pace is part of the appeal: instead of another city center, you get a look at Amish farming and local life, with a buggy ride and a visit to local markets. The buggy ride is a concrete, memorable way to experience the countryside rather than simply looking out at it from the bus.

The rural stop is not a promise of a staged portrait of Amish life. It is a brief introduction within a wider two-day itinerary, so be respectful when observing people and their daily routines. One visitor described seeing piglets at the farm; animal sightings can vary, but that detail hints at the ordinary farm life that makes this stop distinct from the city sights.

The day ends with an overnight stay at Fairfield Inn and Suites. The accommodation and hotel taxes are included, but the package notes that additional beds are not available. One past participant found the room spacious and clean; another found the hotel location less convenient and meal choices nearby limited. Since the exact location and dining options are not specified here, bring cash for incidental needs and be prepared to keep dinner simple.

Day 2: Washington’s monuments and government landmarks

Day 2 turns to Washington, D.C., with stops at the White House, the U.S. Capitol, and memorials to Abraham Lincoln and Martin Luther King Jr. You’ll also visit Arlington National Cemetery, for which entrance is included. A valid U.S. ID or passport is required for that visit.

These sights give the day a clear theme: the institutions of government, the presidents who shaped the nation, and the people honored in its public memory. The White House and Capitol are central landmarks, while the memorials offer a more reflective counterpoint. Arlington adds another solemn stop. Keep in mind that the trip involves a fair amount of walking, so the cemetery and memorial visits may feel tiring if you are not used to spending much of the day on your feet.

The guide’s role matters here. A city can be hard to read when you’re moving between monuments on a clock, and guided explanations help connect places rather than leaving you with a string of photographs. The tour includes sightseeing in both Philadelphia and Washington, with guide commentary, though no individual guide names are provided.

The bus returns to the same Port Authority meeting point, with arrival scheduled between 8:00 and 9:00 p.m. Traffic and weather can affect the timing. That late return is a practical point, not a footnote: do not book a flight or an evening activity that depends on arriving exactly at 8:00.

What the price covers, and what it doesn’t

The package includes a professional guide, transport in an air-conditioned bus or van, one night at Fairfield Inn and Suites, Day 2 continental breakfast, sightseeing in Philadelphia and Washington, an Amish buggy ride, and Arlington National Cemetery entrance. For a two-day trip linking several regions, having transport, lodging, and the main scheduled experiences bundled together can offer good value, especially if you would otherwise need to organize the long drives and overnight stay yourself.

Prices need a careful look before booking. The supplied information gives a headline starting price of $534.75, while the listed language packages show prices from US$465. Rates may vary by package, date, and room arrangement, so check the total for your chosen option rather than assuming every traveler will pay the same starting figure.

The occupancy rules matter, too. The rate is described as being for one person in a room, and the information also refers to double, triple, and quad occupancy bookings. If you need multiple rooms or a particular room arrangement, make a separate booking. More than one person booked under single occupancy will be placed in separate rooms. Confirm the exact room setup and price before paying.

Meals are the main extra cost to plan for. Only a continental breakfast on Day 2 is included; lunch and dinner for the tour are not. You’ll also need money for personal expenses and gratuities. Bring bottled water for both days, as recommended, and keep some extra cash handy for incidentals.

The pace, walking, and practical details

This tour suits people who want to see a lot in a short time and are comfortable giving up some independence for a planned route. You’ll cover several major destinations, but the schedule is structured, and the listed itinerary may change with traffic and weather. The trade is straightforward: less planning and more ground covered, but less time to linger.

Wear comfortable walking shoes and bring sunscreen. The tour involves a fair amount of walking on both days, and the monuments and city sights are spread across different stops. It is not stroller- or wheelchair-accessible, so anyone who needs those accommodations should look for another option.

Luggage is limited to one piece and a small carry-on per person. The tour information gives no weight or size restrictions, but packing light still makes sense for a short trip with bus transfers and one hotel night. Travel insurance is recommended before booking.

Children aged 2 to 17 must travel with a paying adult, and children aged 2 or older are charged the adult rate. Children aged 0 to 1 travel free if they do not occupy a separate seat. The tour is offered in English, Japanese, Spanish, German, French, and Italian.

Is this the right two-day trip from New York?

I’d choose this trip if you want a broad introduction to Philadelphia, Amish Country, and Washington without renting a car or arranging a hotel. Its best feature is the variety: a bell and government buildings one day, farms and a buggy ride in between, then memorials and national institutions the next. The guided city sightseeing is useful when your time in each place is limited.

I’d think twice if you prefer slow mornings, long independent visits, or plenty of time for meals and shopping. The early start, substantial walking, and late return make this a high-mileage couple of days. If that sounds manageable, the included transport, room, breakfast, and buggy ride make the package a practical way to see three very different sides of the region. If you book, leave the evening of Day 2 open and confirm the room arrangement and current price first.

FAQ

Where does the tour leave from in New York?

It departs from outside the Port Authority side entrance at 641 8th Avenue, New York, NY 10036. Arrive 15 minutes before the 6:30 a.m. departure.

How do I find the correct bus?

Look for an Empire Vacations guide wearing a blue and yellow shirt. The bus will display an Empire Vacations sign in the window. If you have trouble finding it, call the operator at +1-866-426-2336.

When does the tour return to New York?

The scheduled return is between 8:00 and 9:00 p.m. on Day 2. Traffic and weather may affect the timing, so avoid planning a flight or evening activity that depends on a precise arrival.

Which destinations are included?

The tour visits Philadelphia, Amish Country in Lancaster County, and Washington, D.C. Stops include Philadelphia landmarks, an Amish buggy ride, Washington government sites and memorials, and Arlington National Cemetery.

Is the Amish buggy ride included?

Yes. The buggy ride is included in the tour price.

Is hotel accommodation included?

Yes. One night at Fairfield Inn and Suites, including hotel tax, is included. The package information says additional beds are not available.

Are meals included?

A continental breakfast on Day 2 is included. Lunch and dinner for the tour are not, so plan to pay for those yourself.

What should I bring?

Wear comfortable walking shoes, bring sunscreen and bottled water, and carry extra cash for incidentals. Luggage is limited to one piece and a small carry-on per person.

What identification is required?

Bring a valid ID to present with your mobile voucher. A U.S. ID or passport is specifically required for entrance to Arlington National Cemetery.

Is the tour suitable for wheelchair users or strollers?

No. The activity is not wheelchair-accessible or stroller-accessible, and it involves a fair amount of walking.