There’s nothing like taking off on a road trip to close out the summer with some good friends. We decided to take advantage of the long Labor Day weekend to embark on a mini adventure driving from Washington DC to New York City, making a few unique stops along the way. In this post I’ll take you through our adventure, what we saw, where to eat, and what to do. I hope this post inspires you and helps you plan your next adventure! This page has affiliate links and if you purchase something from this page I will receive a small commission at no cost to you. I donate 5% of this blog’s revenue to the Environmental Defense Fund, so you help donate to a great cause if you click on any affiliate links or ads that may be on this page.
Thursday in Washington D.C.
Dinner in Washington D.C. – Old Ebbitt Grill
Washington DC has a plethora of great restaurants, however, if you only have one night, you will need to visit the Old Ebbiit Grill. It is famed for its rich history as it is known as Washington’s first saloon. This was not its original location, as it was moved to its current location in 1983, however, the rich design and stunning architecture of detailed murals, intricate finishes and deep hues, surely do it justice to the historic legacy that precedes it. The food lives up to the hype, we got the crab and artichoke dip and the crab cakes, which were both fantastic, but the oysters seem to be pretty famed so in hindsight I wish we’d have gotten those as well! Old Ebbitt Grill is also just a few blocks from the White House and other national landmarks of DC, so its a great place to stop for dinner without venturing too far from
Sightseeing – Washington D.C. Monuments and the White House
I flew into Washington DC on Thursday afternoon, just in time for dinner in the city and enjoy an evening tour of the city. This sounds like an odd time to begin sightseeing in a city but the evening hours are a perfect time to visit the monuments. They are beautifully lit and I almost feel like you can appreciate it more at night without the busy crowds. The monuments are dramatically illuminated and its so much more peaceful in the evening. I feel that you can appreciate the detail and grandiosity of these breathtaking reminders of our American history.
Friday in Gettysburg
Friday morning we hit the road and headed for Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. I realize that Gettysburg may not be top of the trendy places to visit, but its actually a quaint little town to see. If you’re passing through, I recommend checking it out. More than just a history buff haven, its a beautiful part of Pennsylvania that is surely worth a visit.
Lunch in Gettysburg – Garryowen Irish Pub, 126 Chambersburg St., Gettysburg, PA 17325
After driving for about two hours from Washington DC, we were ready for lunch and were recommended a local spot, Garryowen Irish Pub. It is in the middle of the historic town of Gettysburg, and set in a picturesque rowhouse; a perfectly quaint location with really delicious, authentic Irish fare. It was a cozy restaurant and the food was fantastic. We got the Shepard’s Pie, but everything looked amazing.
Explore the Gettysburg Battlefield
After lunch we were off to explore the Gettysburg Battlefield. It is an expansive driving tour with sprawling fields of gorgeous valleys. There are many different areas where you can pull off, read the historic significance of the spot and continue through at your own pace. I was surprised at how vast the area is and you could easily take a full day to fully experience this historic site. On the actual battlefield, you will be greeted by beautiful sprawling fields littered with history, littered with plenty of places to stop and read lots of with impressive monuments and a quaint and charming historical town.
Saturday in Philadelphia
We decided to spend a full day in Philadelphia, there was so much we wanted to see. You can get to a lot in a day and a half, but I would love to make it back up to spend a little more time in the City of Brotherly Love. Philadelphia is such a rich city with a deep history and an eclectic modern vibe, I could have easily spent more time soaking up the history and artistic vibrancy of this city.
We started off at the Philadelphia Museum of Art mostly because I wanted to channel The Italian Stallion. The museum is stunning and I absolutely recommend taking the time to visit if you can.
You must also visit Philadelphia City Hall – an iconic landmark to the city constructed from 1871 to 1901. The building is topped by a 37 ft. bronze statute of city founder William Penn, the tallest statute atop any building in the world and is one of 250 sculptures that adorn the building. The observation deck is located below the base of the statue, on the 57th floor of One Liberty Place. You will be treated to a 360 degree panoramic views of the city.
Elfreths Alley is a National Historic Landmark that is known as the oldest continually inhabited residential street in the United States. This quaint little cobblestone alley is hands down worth seeing on a visit to Philadelphia. The 32 homes were built between 1703 and 1836. Walking through Elfreths Alley is like stepping back in time. Its a beautifully charming little street and its surely something to experience.
Independence Beer Garden (IBG) is a 20,000-square-foot outdoor retreat overlooking the Liberty Bell Center and Independence National Historical Park and is one of the most popular summer destinations in Philadelphia’s Historic District. It’s a great place to hang out, enjoy a beautiful evening and grab a few drinks.
For more information on what to see in Philadelphia, PA, click the link to read The Full Guide to One Day in Philadelphia for you need to know for your trip to Philly!
Sunday in Valley Forge National Historical Park
Since our hotel was in King of Prussia, we noticed we were minutes from Valley Forge National Historic Park. We thought it would be un-American to be this close to a historic battlefield and not stop to see it. It was so interesting to me how different the landscape was from Gettysburg. It was much smaller and we were able to drive through it in a few hours. We saw what was a farm house that was converted to George Washington’s office and some really interesting statues and landmarks. If you have some time to spare, its worth checking out and gaining appreciation for such an important part of our American history.
Monday in New York City
We decided to stay downtown to avoid the tourist crowds around midtown. Midtown gets a lot of hype, rightfully so, its something that everyone should experience at some point, but we’ve seen Times Square and Central Park so we decided to spend our time in a different part of the island that doesn’t get as much credit as it should! The Financial District has its own historic, stoic charm, and I really appreciate the change of pace that exists here, as opposed to the busier and flashier streets of midtown.
The Oculus is a truly breathtaking addition to the Financial District that is a central hub to 12 subway lines, the PATH station and consists of endless shopping and retail. It also connects underground to Westfield World Trade Center for more great shopping and stunning architecture. I love hitting downtown on a rainy or cold day because you cover so much ground without having to step outside.
Fun Fact: The structure aligns with the sun’s solar angles on every September 11. From 8:46 am, when the first plane struck, until 10:28 am, when the second tower collapsed, the Oculus’s central skylight perfectly aligns to flood the Oculus floor with a beam of light.
The 9/11 Memorial Plaza and Museum are breathtaking tributes to the tragedy that occurred on September 11, 2001. I must say, it took me about eight years of visiting New York to finally bring myself to see it, and it was, for me, difficult to experience. It was beautifully created, with the utmost attention to detail.
South Street Seaport has a lengthy history and it has gone through a major revitalization over the last few years. Once just a port for fish mongers, now a beautiful location to peep the views and enjoy food or drinks.
Something I never get tired of when I’m in downtown Manhattan is walking the Brooklyn Bridge or Manhattan Bridge. Pro tip – go outside of peek times to avoid the crowds and enjoy a new perspective of the city. Sunrise or even at night I find it way more enjoyable than the middle of the day. I enjoy the views so much more and am able take my time photographing the scene. The Manhattan Bridge has its own amazing views without the crowd. Plus, you can now enjoy views of the Brooklyn Bridge! When you get to Brooklyn, you will find yourself “Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass” or in DUMBO, which is a really interesting spot to explore. Check out Jane’s Carousel and watch the sunset from Atrium DUMBO.
For a more detailed list of everything you need to do in downtown Manhattan, be sure to click the link to read my post, The Ultimate Guide to the Best Weekend in Downtown NYC.
I hope this helps you plan your next road trip through these beautiful locations! If you found this helpful please leave a comment below! And don’t forget to follow me on Instagram at @amanda_meets_world_ 🙂
