October 27, 1682
Philadelphia 1.57 million
Welcome to your unforgettable adventure with A-Z Travels, a leading educational travel company. As your trusted educational travel agency, we’re here to make learning come alive.
Highlights and Inclusions:
Day 1: Liberty & Legends: Arrival Day, Independence Hall, Liberty Bell, Old City, Museum of the American Revolution and Ghost Tour
Morning:
Welcome to Philadelphia, the City of Brotherly Love! Upon arrival, the group meets A–Z Travels tour manager, who will guide them through an unforgettable journey of history, culture, and art. Walk the same halls as the Founding Fathers at Independence Hall, where the Declaration of Independence and U.S. Constitution were signed. Students sit in the very room where history was made while Park Rangers share fascinating stories that connect past to present.
Then, just across the way, see the Liberty Bell — the world-famous symbol of freedom and equality. Snap a photo and learn how this bell inspired generations of change-makers.
Afternoon:
After lunch, your tour manager will lead you on a walking tour along the cobblestone streets of Old City, where America’s past comes vividly to life. This guided walking tour takes you through colonial-era landmarks including the legendary Betsy Ross House, the Free Quaker Meeting House, and the iconic Christ Church—once frequented by the Founding Fathers. You’ll also visit Benjamin Franklin’s burial site, a tribute to one of the nation’s greatest minds. The tour concludes with a stroll down Elfreth’s Alley, the oldest continuously inhabited residential street in the U.S.—a charming glimpse into 18th-century life that you won’t want to miss!
Next, you’ll tour the Museum of the American Revolution. This isn’t your typical history museum. It’s immersive, interactive, and inspiring. You can march into battle through 3D exhibits, see George Washington’s real war tent, and play games that teach about spies, soldiers, and strategy.
Evening:
Enjoy your welcome dinner and then you’ll visit some of Philly’s most notorious spirits on a Ghost Tour of the city. By lantern light, wander Philly’s most haunted alleys and graveyards with a costumed guide. It’s spooky fun — with true stories rooted in colonial history. A perfect thrill to end the day!
Continue on to your hotel, check in and enjoy a much-deserved rest.
Day 2: Think, Mint, Perform: Constitution Center, Franklin Institute, US Mint, Live Performance
Morning:
After breakfast at the hotel, you will depart the hotel for your second day of exploration. First, you’ll explore the National Constitution Center, the only museum in America dedicated solely to the U.S. Constitution. It brings the founding document to life through cutting-edge exhibits, interactive displays, and rare historical artifacts. Visitors can walk among life-size statues of the Founding Fathers in Signers’ Hall, test their knowledge in hands-on constitutional games, and experience powerful live performances like Freedom Rising, a multimedia journey through constitutional history. More than just a museum, the Constitution Center is a hub for civic education, exploring how the Constitution shapes our rights, laws, and daily lives—past, present, and future.
Afternoon:
After lunch, you’ll explore The Franklin Institute Explore – Philadelphia’s ultimate science adventure! Climb inside a giant beating heart, blast off in cutting-edge space exhibits, and dive deep into the wonders of the human brain. With interactive displays, live demonstrations, and hands-on experiments around every corner, this dynamic museum brings science to life for all ages. Whether you’re launching rockets or exploring virtual reality, every visit sparks curiosity, creativity, and awe
Optional: Add-on a Planetarium show or ride a real flight simulator. Visitors don’t just learn science — they experience it.
As you exit the museum, you’ll cross the street to the Philadelphia Museum of Art steps – steps that may look familiar. They became famous in the movie “Rocky” where the character runs up them as part of his training. Take a few minutes to wander around and get a picture with the Rocky statue!
Continue on to the United States Mint, where American coins begin. Established in 1792, it’s the oldest U.S. Mint facility and one of the largest coin-producing mints in the world. Visitors can take a self-guided tour to see the fascinating coin-making process from start to finish—watching machines strike thousands of coins every minute. Along the way, you’ll learn about the history of American currency, see rare and historic coins, and discover how engraving artists turn designs into real currency.
Evening:
After dinner, your group will see a live show at one of Philadelphia’s premier performance theaters for a night of live entertainment! Depending on what shows are playing during your visit will determine what you see.
When you’ve finished, return to the hotel.
Day 3: Locked Up, Fed Well: Eastern State Penitentiary, Reading Terminal Market, Philadelphia Zoo, Battleship NJ
Morning:
After breakfast, check out of the hotel, load luggage onto the bus and head to Eastern State Penitentiary, which is one of the most historic and haunting landmarks in Philadelphia. Once the most famous and expensive prison in the world, it was designed in 1829 to reform—not just punish—its inmates through strict isolation and moral reflection. Its unique wagon-wheel design and towering Gothic architecture influenced prison construction worldwide. The penitentiary once housed infamous criminals like Al Capone and bank robber Willie Sutton. Today, its crumbling cellblocks, rusted bars, and echoing halls offer a chilling yet fascinating glimpse into early American penal history.
Afternoon:
Following lunch at Reading Terminal Market, continue on to the Philadelphia Zoo which isn’t just the first zoo in the United States—it’s one of the most innovative and visitor-friendly zoos in the world. Home to more than 1,300 animals across 42 beautifully landscaped acres, the zoo combines world-class animal care with immersive exhibits, hands-on learning, and unforgettable encounters. Whether you’re an animal lover, a science explorer, or a curious first-time visitor, the Philadelphia Zoo offers a day full of discovery, education, and fun.
Late Afternoon:
After your animal experience, it’s off to Camden, NJ for an unforgettable overnight aboard the Battleship New Jersey – a real U.S. Navy ship!
Evening:
Students will settle into their bunks aboard the USS New Jersey, explore fun areas like the brig and print shop, and learn about ship life during a safety and history presentation. You’ll enjoy a meal on the mess deck and take part in a guided ship tour with docents, learning about naval history firsthand.
The night ends with a mock gun shoot demonstration and “taps” as lights go out under the red glow of the “darkened ship” nightlights – a true sailor’s night.
Day 4: Departure Day, Rise, Honor, and Explore: Reveille and Return Home
Morning:
Wake up to the call of Reveille aboard the legendary USS New Jersey! After a hearty breakfast, join the crew for morning colors, a time-honored naval tradition that honors the flag and signals the start of the day. Then, enjoy time for self-guided exploration throughout the ship — from the massive gun turrets to the crew quarters — and experience what life was like aboard America’s most decorated battleship. It’s a powerful and immersive way to end your adventure.
Afternoon:
After your return to land, you’ll eat lunch and board the bus for your safe journey home!
Thank you for considering A-Z Travels, your go-to school travel company. We hope this experience will inspire lasting memories and learning.
