Philadelphia & Its Jewish Museum – 3 Days

Upon arrival in Philadelphia, you will meet your Tour Manager and head straight to the National Constitution Center where you’ll see a multimedia presentation about the U.S. Constitution and have time to view the exhibits. In Signers’ Hall you’ll see life size bronze statues of all the signers of the Constitution.

You’ll head to the Liberty Bell Pavilion for a visit. In 1915, the bell came home to Philadelphia, where it now silently reminds us of the power of liberty. For more than 200 years people from around the world have felt the bell’s message. No one can see liberty, but people have used the Liberty Bell to represent this important idea.

Your last stop of the day will be a visit and tour of Independence Hall. From 1775 to 1783 (except for the winter of 1777 – 1778 when Philadelphia was occupied by the British Army) this was the meeting place for the Second Continental Congress. It was in the Assembly Room of this building that George Washington was appointed commander in chief of the Continental Army in 1775 and the Declaration of Independence was adopted on July 4, 1776. In the same room the design of the American flag was agreed upon in 1777, the Articles of Confederation were adopted in 1781, and the U. S. Constitution was drafted in 1787.

After breakfast, you’ll visit the National Museum of American Jewish History, a museum dedicated to an experience that preserves, explores, and celebrates the history of Jewish people in America.

After lunch you will visit the home of Betsy Ross. This building was generally recognized as the place where Betsy Ross lived when she made the first American Flag. Several of her surviving family members, including daughters, grandchildren and a niece said that this was the location of the legendary event.

You’re going to prison! Eastern State Penitentiary set the standard for penal reform, with its soaring, castle-like Gothic architecture and its founders’ Quaker-inspired belief that solitary confinement could reform criminals. The 11-acre prison even had central heat, running water and flush toilets before the White House! A Who’s Who of the underworld – bank robber Willie Sutton, who staged a breakout in 1945, and Al Capone, who furnished his cell with antiques, rugs and oil paintings – both served time here. During your guided tour you’ll get a look at life inside the prison’s historic cell blocks, Al Capone’s restored 19th-century cell, stories of inmate escapes, and critically acclaimed art installations.

After dinner, you’ll get your history straight from the source! You’ll hear a presentation from one of our Founding Fathers or Mothers.

This morning you will take a guided tour of the National Liberty Museum, dedicated to preserving freedom and democracy by fostering good character and understanding for all people through education.

After lunch, you’ll visit the famous Philadelphia Zoo. Situated on 42 acres of beautiful gardens, the Philadelphia Zoo, America’s first zoo, is home to nearly 1,300 animals, many rare and endangered. Polar bears, African lions, Amur tigers, a white rhino, giraffes and more call this oasis home.

You’ll board your bus or head to the airport to begin your return trip home.