Pennsylvania traveling advice, please

In My Humble Opinion
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I am taking another big road trip to Lincoln, Nebraska. I live in Hawaii, and we went from Washington State to Lincoln a few years ago. This time, we’re flying into New York City, driving to Nebraska. At the end, we will have spanned the USA.

Normal caveats: I’m traveling with two children (now 7 and 11) and I’m not a pretentious tourist. If I want a NYC deli, I’d prefer to stick with Carnegie Deli over an authentic kosher hole-in-the wall six blocks from the nearest subway station. First state is Pennsylvania.

Philadelphia for a day: Upon landing at JFK at 6:30am, we’ll get our car and head to Philly. I estimate we’ll get there at 10-ish, spend all day. Our hotel for the evening is near King of Prussia.

We plan on seeing Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell, naturally. We also want to see Elfreth’s Alley, City Hall’s observation deck, and Wanamaker’s Organ. Is this all an easy triangle walk, figuring lunch at Reading Terminal?

I know about Elfreth’s Alley, but what other nearby streets look like this that’s a wander-able distance?

Where can I park to do the Rocky Steps at the art museum?

The big question: Cheesesteak? I used to live in Cape May, NJ and loved them. Is it really important to do Genos/Pats or just find a good one at Reading Terminal (or thereabouts in Center City)? While I am a tourist, Pats/Genos seems a little out of the way. Recommendations welcome.

Amish Country for a day: After our hotel night in King of Prussia, our next night is in Gettysburg. That said, Gettysburg itself is for the following day. So, we have all day for points in between.

What is a good scenic Amish route to get to Lancaster? We’d like to see the farms, covered bridges, one-room schools, and drive by carriages. I read that Route 30 can get crowded in the summer, but if that’s the best way with towns, so be it.

Is there a living history farm you’d recommend? Where the kids can explore a farm, see re-enactors in period dress, try churning butter and spinning wheels?

Gettysburg: As a Civil War buff, I’m staying here all day. We even booked a three-hour tour, where the guide drives our car around.

Any off-battlefield museums to recommend? We’re doing the Cyclorama. I also see there’s a Diorama or Heritage Center across from my hotel.

Where to eat? Lunch and dinner in Gettysburg.

You folks were so helpful with earlier trips including Yellowstone and Yosemite. I’m sure I’ll come up with more questions later.

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It has been many years but Hershey might be a hit with the kids.

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I was going to recommend the old school-but very cool Gettysburg Electric Map, but I see that the NPS auctioned it off years ago. However it looks like the owner has finally finished the restoration work and it will open to the public in Hanover this summer.

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Swing by Milford and bang on some rocks?

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There’s a 140-year-old confectioner in Lancaster and they offer factory tours.

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Regarding Amish country, consider taking US 1 South out of Philly, PA 41 N to Gap, then PA 741 W through Strasburg. Chances are pretty good you’ll see buggies along that route, and the traffic (once you get off 1) will be lighter than on 30.

If you’re at all interested in vintage trains, the Railroad Museum of PA and the Strasburg railroad are must-sees.

There’s an ‘Amish farm tour’ just north of Strasburg on PA 896, but I’ve never been and it may be a bit too tourist-trappy for one’s taste. If you’ve never been through the Lancaster area, in fact, the hurdy-gurdy atmosphere along route 30 east of town may be a bit shocking and off-putting.

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Missed edit window:

Also, if you have a bit of extra time, on your way from Lancaster to Gettysburg, make a quick stop in Columbia for interesting small-town architecture and good views of the Susquehanna. Lunch at Hinkle’s pharmacy, for the soda-fountain ambiance, is worth considering.

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Philly is a fairly walkable city, and everything you mention is pretty much centered around Reading Terminal.

One thing to note: City Hall has long been surpassed as the tallest building in the city. They’ve recently opened an observation deck in 1 Liberty Palace, which (I haven’t been there yet) appears to offer great views.

For cheesesteaks, you can get a good one in Reading Terminal. Tony Luke’s (one of the best around) is probably a short car ride from Center City. Note that Tony Luke’s is everywhere these days (even in the airport), but you need to go to their original location at Front and Oregon for the best one. There are other good cheesesteaks around, and I’m sure others will chime in with their favorites.

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For Cheese steaks Sonny’s and Campos are both a short walk from Liberty Hall. They both have better food than Pat’s or Genos. Pat’s and Genos is fun and touristy but way out of your way and the parking sucks and the sandwiches are only so so. Tony Luke’s is great you will have other chances for Tony Luke’s. They have become a huge chain. Lots of places are great. But Sonny’s is as good as any of them (Campos too, I like Sonny’s better.) If you are going to Reading Terminal Market get a roast pork Sandwich at the Market from DiNics. It’s better than a cheesesteak.

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Seconded.

If I may suggest from Dinics: roast pork with sharp provolone and broccoli rabe. Even if you don’t like these things individually, they mix together excellently.

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Yeah. It’s a pretty perfect sandwich like that. Probably more popular with locals than a cheesesteak is. I know I hardly ever order cheesesteaks.

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Ok. Now I’m hungry!

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I lived in PA large chunks of time and I can’t see the appeal of ‘amish country’. Especially with kids that age. My (at the time) 4 and 7 YO boys had 0 interest in it when we went (and I have family that lives in Lancaster).

For unique alternative, I would drive from Philly through the Lehigh Valley (maybe stop in downtown Bethlehem for lunch and site seeing) then up through coal country (maybe through Pottsville where yuengling is based) and to Knoebles Grove for a day or two. In my opinion, there are no amusement parks left in the US that are like Knoebles and it is one of the truly unique places in PA. Make sure you take the kids on the haunted house ride…

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If it helps with your planning, there is also “Amish Country” in Ohio, directly West of Pittsburgh (but well in to the state). It’s just not really directly off any east-west highways.

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Amish country is very dull, not much to see, not worth the time unless you just enjoy a drive through farm country. Their cows looks just like the cows from other religious denominations.

You are staying in King of Prussia, in sight of Valley Forge, spend some time there. There’s not that much to see, won’t take long.

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+1 on Amish country being a snore. It’s just farm country with an extra helping of slow-moving vehicles. There are better things in PA on which you could spend your time.

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That picture is just a typical Philadelphia street; you’ll see them all over.

Cheesesteaks – There may be better ones but you are only qualified to make that statement if you have been to Pat’s.

I’ll join the snoring chorus on Amish country.

Gettysburg is great.

My suggestion: Take I80 West out of Philly, jump off at Portland, PA, take 611 North for the short scenic drive through Delaware Water Gap, then back on I80 to Knoebels (strongly recommend this place – may well be the high point of the entire trip). Gettysburg is about 2 hours south for the next day.

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There are some good places near Dutch Wonderland amusement park like you describe but the names escape me. If your google-fu is strong, Grasshopper, try checking out the maps and suggestions with that as a centering point.

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I’m guessing you mean I-80 West out of New York City. I-80 is nowhere near Philly.

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I-80 in Pennsylvania is a very heavily used truck route. Very heavily. Lots and lots and lots of big rigs, many of them towing double trailers. Long stretches of it are pretty rough, though with the mild Winter this year the pot hole crop may not be as bounteous. Your take away point here is that I-80 is not a route you take for the sheer joy of driving.