Philadelphia is close to a number of attractions, including significant Revolution and Civil War sites, two of the best estate tours in the country, a significant center for industrial history, and magnificent gardens.

You can travel a little further to discover the tranquil towns and countryside where Amish, Mennonite, and other farm families lead lives that appear incomparably different from those of Philadelphia's hectic city streets. Art aficionados can visit the studio and residence of the artist N.C. Wyeth and view his creations at a special museum in addition to the collections of fine and decorative arts that fill the du Pont estate of Winterthur.

Take a train to New York City or the capital of the United States, Washington, D.C., if Philadelphia has whetted your appetite for more city activity. Spend a day in either city admiring the skyscrapers of Manhattan or taking in the majesty and history of the US Capitol and the monuments on the National Mall.

With our list of the top day trips from Philadelphia, you can organize your excursions and choose exciting destinations to visit.

1.Park National Military Gettysburg, Pennsylvania

51,000 people died during the three-day combat at Gettysburg in 1863, which also altered the trajectory of the Civil War by forcing the Confederate army to flee to Virginia. At the dedication of the Gettysburg National Military Park, which was held less than six months after the fight, President Abraham Lincoln visited this location to give a speech. He described the park as "a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live."

The cemetery now honors those who died in that and other conflicts as well as the renowned Gettysburg Address. The battlefield tour, where approximately 1,400 monuments and statues mark the positions of various regiments, the museum exhibits explaining the war and its aftermath, and President Dwight Eisenhower's house, where he hosted foreign leaders of state, are the highlights of a trip.

2. Philadelphia Dutch Country

West of Philadelphia, in Lancaster County, you can take a number of day trips to visit Amish, Mennonite, and other Pennsylvania Dutch-related communities. It's a region of gently undulating farmland where Amish farms can be identified by their tall windmills and where horse-drawn wagons and carts are frequently seen. Shops selling lovely Amish handmade quilts, straw hats, baskets, and delectable regional specialties like shoo-fly pie can be found in towns like Bird-in-Hand.

At the Strasburg Amish Village, visitors may learn about the Amish way of life while touring an 1840 farmhouse and a one-room schoolhouse. They can also take a 45-minute scenic trip on a century-old steam train through a region studded with Amish farms.

You may see more than 100 vintage locomotives and cars as well as historical railroad relics at the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania in Strasburg. In the Julius Sturgis Pretzel Bakery in Lititz, you may learn how to make pretzels by doing it yourself, and in the village of Intercourse's Quilt Museum, you can witness lovely specimens of Amish craftsmanship.

The Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum, a living history town and farm, and Lancaster's Central Market are both great places to learn about rural life. Lancaster's Central Market is the nation's longest continually functioning farmers market.

3. Wilmington, Delaware's Winterthur

Henry Francis du Pont and the artifacts he and his family gathered were given a place to call home when the nation's top museum of American decorative arts was constructed. The 175 rooms on the estate all display the exceptional collection of antiques and decorative arts owned by the du Ponts, and many of them integrate historic architectural elements.

The almost 90,000 pieces are shown in galleries in addition to the decorated rooms. They are organized topically to compare artistic methods, designs, and materials and to illustrate historical styles. Furniture, glassware, ceramics, textile arts, metal work, paintings, and prints are among the collections, and the displays frequently change.

The gardens, which span 1,000 acres, are teeming with trees and plants gathered from all over the world. Plants are chosen and arranged in a natural setting to produce a seasonal color palette. The Enchanted Woods, a fairy-tale garden with a big bird's nest to climb in, a labyrinth filled with fairy flowers, a house carved out of a tulip tree, and a troll bridge, will fascinate kids.

4. Longwood Gardens, Pennsylvania

One of the best year-round horticultural exhibits in the nation is this collection of show gardens that Pierre du Pont built over 1,000 acres of woodlands and meadows in the late 19th century.

The complex includes a variety of gardens, both inside and outside, including formal gardens, stunning displays of spring flowers, children's gardens, water gardens, an arboretum of rare and exotic species, a fruit garden, glass homes and pavilions, and an amazing topiary garden. A new 32,000 square foot glass conservatory is part of Longwood Gardens' $250 million Longwood Reimagined project, which was unveiled in 2021.

The Italian Water Garden, which was meticulously planned and constructed by Pierre du Pont to evoke a sense of tranquility and is based on Villa Gamberaia near Florence, Italy, is perhaps the most impressive. A world of expertly sculpted yews that have been trained over many years to take on the 20 distinct shapes can be seen in the Topiary Garden.

The grounds are illuminated by a magnificent spectacular of colored lights in the evenings of November and December. A half million lights accent trees, plants, and structures as fountain shows are timed to music. It is a good idea to reserve in advance because tickets are timed and there are limited quantities.

5. Washington, D.C.

The Capitol Building is only a short stroll away from the elegant 1908 Union Station, which is the quickest and most convenient method to travel to the nation's capital. You can take a touring bus that stops at the main tourist destinations from the station.

Visit the National Archives to see a Declaration of Independence that was signed, the National Air and Space Museum to see vintage aircraft, or any of the other Smithsonian Museums that are conveniently positioned along the National Mall between the Capitol and the Washington Monument.

The majestic Lincoln Memorial is located further along the Mall. The International Spy Museum, the National Holocaust Museum, Arlington National Cemetery, and Ford's Theater, where President Lincoln was killed, are all stations on the hop-on hop-off bus. You can see other well-known sites, such the White House and the Jefferson Memorial, while you go by bus.

6. New York City,

You may easily tour the city on one of the hop-on hop-off sightseeing bus routes, like the Big Bus New York Hop-On Hop-Off Open Top Tour, after taking the train from Philadelphia into the center of Manhattan in 75 to 90 minutes. You can get off for dining and shopping while riding these circular circuits to visit the Empire State Building, Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, One World Trade Center Observatory, and other well-known locations.

You can make a pit break to see well-known attractions like the Metropolitan Museum of Art or less well-known ones like the American Indian Museum and the close-by Fraunces Tavern, where George Washington stayed during the Revolution.

7. Pennsylvania's Valley Forge National Historical Park

American soldiers were tented in Valley Forge during the bitterly severe winter of 1777–1778, suffering from extreme starvation, sickness, and cold. A key hub of supplies for Washington's army had been destroyed by British forces, and the Continental Congress did not allocate money for new supplies.

The troops suffered over 2,000 casualties because they lacked adequate food, footwear, or clothes, but under Washington's leadership they grew stronger and more resolute. You can see Washington's Headquarters and a National Memorial Arch, as well as walk the trails through the encampment's grounds, where Washington's men built a village of 2,000 huts that was protected by miles of trenches and earthen redoubts. The story of this terrible winter is told through exhibits, tours, and a film.

8. Visit a beach: Beaches along the Jersey Shore

Beaches in Delaware and Maryland are both convenient weekend getaways from Philadelphia, but those on the Jersey Shore are the closest. From the glamour of Atlantic City and the retro fun of Wildwood to the somber and sophisticated Victorian vibe of Cape May, the country's oldest seaside resort, these New Jersey beaches have something to suit every beachgoer's taste.

Wildwood is home to 36-block-long boardwalk, amusement park rides, frozen custard vendors, and other classic beach attractions in addition to its gorgeous white sands. Fans of '80s music will enjoy Asbury Park, where both Bon Jovi and Bruce Springsteen made their debuts. The fireworks display on July 4 is famous for Long Beach Island.

The closest beach, Atlantic City, is roughly an hour and a half away from Philadelphia and is also easily accessible by train or bus from the city.

9. Wilmington, Delaware's Nemours House and Gardens

Nemours Mansion, a gift from Alfred du Pont to his wife Alicia, rivals the Newport mansions in terms of lavishness and magnificence. It is located in Wilmington, Delaware. Nemours was their home from the early 1900s until 1970, thus unlike some extravagant estates, it appears to be quite habitable, with its furnishings and artwork designed for use rather than display.

That doesn't take away from the magnificent interior's precious antiques and works of art. Yet, you occasionally have to search for the latter, which is frequently casually hung in a bedroom or corridor. The Conservatory, Music Room, Dining Room, and Drawing Room are the highlights, but don't forget to see the Bowling Alley, Billiard Room, and the Mechanical Rooms with their innovative early refrigeration technology.

The grounds, which have numerous gardens, opulent gates, colonnades, and ponds, are as magnificent as the home itself. They are the greatest traditional French gardens in North America. The mansion's second-floor terrace offers the best views of the beautifully designed parterre garden of perfectly manicured boxwood.

10. Wilmington, DE's Hagley Museum and Library

The 235-acre Hagley Museum and Library is located near Wilmington, Delaware, close to the Brandywine River. The gunpowder facilities E.I. du Pont established in 1802, which would grow to become the largest American producer of this explosive necessary for the development of railroads and other necessities of a growing nation, were powered by the river.

These riverside powder works offer tours where visitors may learn about the process through informative displays and hands-on equipment demonstrations. The du Pont family's residence, Eleutherian Mills, is open for visitors to see and is decorated with antiques and family-owned ornamental arts. Antique automobiles, wagons, carriages, and a cooper shop can all be found in the barn.

You should set aside at least half a day to explore this vast complex because there is so much to see. Buses connect the various neighborhoods, but the grounds along the river are lovely and well worth a visit.

11. N.C. Wyeth Home & Studio and Brandywine River Museum of Art, Pennsylvania

With the money he received for his Treasure Island illustrations, artist N.C. Wyeth bought the property overlooking the Brandywine Valley in 1911 and constructed a house and studio there. He created some of his most well-known pieces here. It is now a National Historic Landmark, and during the seasonal guided tours, you may learn about his life and work as well as those of the other members of this incredibly gifted family.

The Brandywine River Museum of Art, which is in charge of the home and studio, has a sizable collection of pieces created by N.C. Wyeth, his son Andrew, his grandson Jamie, and other artists.

The museum's grounds are surrounded by a sizable conservation area that is filled with natural trees, shrubs, and wildflowers.

12. Lambertville, NJ, and New Hope, PA, antique shopping

A bridge that spans the Delaware River connects the twin towns of Lambertville, New Jersey, and New Hope, Pennsylvania, making it simple to stroll among the collections of antique stores and art galleries that line both main streets.

The first three antique stores are just as you cross the bridge into Lambertville, and there are more around every corner. Two blocks north, at Church and Union Streets, there is another cluster that is served by The People's Store. Vintage discoveries, original artwork, and important antiques occupy the various floors of this group of stores. The Golden Nugget Flea Market is located outside the center on South Main Street.

Tourists visit Lambertville for more than just the antique shopping; its charming core is characterized by well-preserved Victorian-era structures, including a railroad station. Choose a restaurant with a patio overlooking the tree-lined Delaware River Canal for a break in between shopping.

13. State Park at Brandywine Battlefield, Pennsylvania

A total of 35,000 acres, or more than ten square miles, were involved in the September 11, 1777, Battle of Brandywine; the 50 acres that the Continental Army tented on prior to the engagement are now covered by the park.

It was a significant Revolutionary War battle because Brandywine Creek prevented the British from reaching Philadelphia, where the Continental Congress was meeting. Nonetheless, the British managed to get through and eventually conquered Philadelphia, a significant success for them but one that did not put an end to the war as they had intended.

You can take a self-guided tour of the battlefield while visiting this National Historical Landmark, stopping at the Old Kennett Meetinghouse, Birmingham Friends Meetinghouse, Birmingham Hill, Sandy Hollow, and the 1704 Brinton House. You can also see where Washington's headquarters were located there. A modest museum and a hands-on area where kids may play with old tools and handle relics are also located in the visitor center.

14. Wilmington, Delaware's Brandywine Creek State Park

The natural preserves of Freshwater Marsh and Tulip Tree Woods are a part of the almost 1,000-acre Brandywine Creek State Park, which was once a dairy farm owned by the du Pont family in the late 1800s. The latter preserves a magnificent stand of 190-year-old tulip poplar trees, and the surrounding region is a crucial habitat for wildflowers, songbirds, deer, and other species.

You can observe a variety of hawks migrating from mid-September until mid-November. The park is home to the Brandywine Zoo, which specializes in endangered species from North and South America and Asia, including red pandas, monkeys, and condors. It also has 14 miles of hiking trails, fishing, canoeing, and tubing. Visitors with visual impairments can experience nature on the Sensory Trail.