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10 days in Pennsylvania: take a trip through the history of the USA
Turn back time during this sweeping trip across Pennsylvania, from the colonial streets of Philadelphia to the now-peaceful hills of Gettysburg battlefield and the maritime heritage of the Great Lakes at Erie.
Pennsylvania is a powerhouse state. It helped to ignite the American Revolution, fuelled the Industrial Revolution and continues to thrive as an epicentre for medical innovations. Situated just below the Great Lakes region on the Eastern Seaboard, the Keystone State is bordered by six states — as well as Lake Erie — and is slashed diagonally by the Appalachian Mountains. This is a destination with a distinctly rich heritage, from the busy city streets of Philadelphia to the Amish communities of Lancaster County and the revered battlefield of Gettysburg National Military Park. And on the cusp of the USA's 250th anniversary of independence — this much-anticipated semiquincentennial takes place in 2026 — a collection of noteworthy events will take place in Pennsylvania, as well as the opening of a number of new war museums and heritage sites. Journey through these spots on a 10-day trip that takes in immersive exhibitions, artistic inspiration and moving memorials, proving there’s no time like the present to peel back the layers of Pennsylvania’s past.
Days 1-3: Philadelphia
Hark back to the Founding Fathers in historic Philly. Make first for the Old City neighbourhood and Elfreth’s Alley, one of the oldest continually inhabited streets in the country, lined with quaint, colourful houses built during the 18th century. From here, it’s a picturesque 15-minute walk to hallowed Independence Hall, where the Declaration of Independence and US Constitution were shaped. Within the grounds of this UNESCO World Heritage Site hangs the whopping 2,080-pound Liberty Bell in its fractured glory, its heavy crack a mark of its prolonged use in public events.
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Visitors can also discover more about the nation’s roots at the Museum of the American Revolution, which launched an exciting new exhibition in February. Witness to Revolution: The Unlikely Travels of Washington's Tent displays the first president’s war tent alongside historical documents, artefacts and stories of those who preserved it. Another secretive shelter can be found at the 18th-century Johnson House Historic Site, one of the city’s few remaining intact stops of the Underground Railroad, where runaway enslaved people were hidden in the third-floor attic. The house remains a time capsule, with its original Dutch doors, centuries-old cabinets and exhibits including some of the abolitionist owners’ own domestic accoutrements.
Days 4-5: Gettysburg
The hills surrounding the redbrick town of Gettysburg saw one of the most dramatic battles of the American Civil War, one that proved a turning point for the Union. Visit the site where their forces clashed with Confederate troops in July 1863, Gettysburg National Military Park, where the sweeping grounds are now stitched with trails and studded with more than 1,300 monuments. Visitors today can enjoy guided tours, living history demonstrations and even horseback riding routes.
Further south, Little Round Top, a forested hill that was the scene of intense battle, is set to reopen this year after extensive preservation and accessibility works. Pair a visit here with a stop at the Eisenhower National Historic Site, the farm and former weekend retreat of 34th President Dwight D. Eisenhower. But Gettysburg is not content to simply rely on its historic reputation. The city recently saw the opening of two new museums well worth spending half a day exploring: the WWII American Experience and the immersive Beyond the Battle Museum, which uncovers stories of the townspeople caught in the crossfire of war.
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Days 6-8: Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh is carved sinuously by three rivers. The Allegheny and Monongahela join to form the Ohio River at Point State Park, which houses the city’s oldest architectural landmark: the 1764-built Fort Pitt Block House. This structure is all that remains of one of the largest British forts in North America during the French and Indian War. For a knock-out panorama of this park and the city beyond, slide steeply up Mount Washington on the Duquesne Incline. Opened in 1877, this charming wooden funicular provides access to one of the best views of Pittsburgh, with its upper station also home to a exhibit on city history.
The next day, head across the iconic Three Sisters bridges to the Andy Warhol Museum. A founding father of Pop Art, Pittsburgh-born Warhol’s legacy adorns its walls. The museum is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year with a KAWS + Warhol exhibition from 18 May, which will examine the darker themes at play in the colourful, charismatic work of both artists. The museum is also curating a new initiative this year, the Pop District, which is transforming the surrounding neighbourhood into a cultural hub. Join sun-soaked summer gatherings on Silver Street and discover murals splashed across alleyway walls and installations from famous artists like Michael Loveland and Yoko Ono.
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Days 9-10: Erie
This pretty port city sits around 130 miles due north of Pittsburgh, on the shores of Lake Erie. It’s laced with trails tracing craggy cliffs, dense woods and gorges sliced by waterfalls, with sailboats plying the southernmost of the Great Lakes. First, spend a few hours learning about the region’s long nautical history at the Erie Maritime Museum. Docked behind the building is a replica of the US Brig Niagara, which played a significant role in the Battle of Lake Erie during the War of 1812, in which the US Navy defeated six British warships. This year, the museum will look skyward on 8 April: head to its plaza for total solar eclipse celebrations as skies darken over Erie during this rare celestial phenomenon. And you can find illumination once again at the area’s three lighthouses, including Presque Isle Lighthouse, in operation since 1873. It opens for the season in April, allowing visitors to climb the tower for striking blue views, then join a tour of the keeper’s home, which still reflects its 19th-century French architectural roots.
There are regular direct flights (8h) from London to Philadelphia with British Airways and American Airlines. The easiest way to get around as well as to see the state’s stunning scenery is by car. Public transport is also available using the Amtrak train network or the more affordable Greyhound bus routes. For more information, go to visittheusa.co.uk
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