Philadelphia Student Tours

Independence Hall, Amish Country and Hershey, all in one trip. Choose the stops that fit your class, and Son Tours will build a complete, worry-free itinerary.

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See Sample Itinerary

Where America Began, Your Way

As the birthplace of American independence, Philadelphia gives students the chance to stand where the nation's founders debated, argued and signed. Beyond the city, Pennsylvania adds a step back in time in Lancaster County's Amish Country and a sweet finish in Hershey, "Chocolate Town, USA."

No tour can include everything, and it doesn't have to. Browse the menu below, pick the stops that match your curriculum, or let us recommend a route. Either way, we handle the planning, reservations, transportation, security and billing.

How It Works

How to Build Your Philadelphia Tour

#1

Browse the menu.

Look through the Philadelphia, Amish Country and Hershey stops below.

#2

Tell us what you want.

Share your picks, number of days, group size and travel dates. Not sure yet? We'll suggest a route.

#3

We build it.

Son Tours plans a day-by-day itinerary with travel, meals, hotels and overnight security.

#4

You travel.

An experienced Son Tours representative stays with your group the whole trip.

The Menu (Philadelphia)

Philadelphia: The Birthplace of Freedom

The Founding of America

  • This bell once hung in the Pennsylvania State House, now Independence Hall, where Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, John Hancock, Samuel Adams and others gathered to debate the future of the colonies.

  • Stand in the room where the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution were debated and signed.

  • Tour the home where, according to tradition, Betsy Ross sewed the first American flag, and learn more about her life.

  • This church was a gathering place for many Revolutionary-era leaders during the fight for independence.

  • Visit the site of the Continental Army's 1777–78 winter encampment, with educational, interactive programs on General George Washington, his soldiers and the hardships they faced.

Science, Art and Money

  • Make science fun with interactive exhibits, live science shows, a planetarium and more.

  • Money comes from somewhere. Students learn how coins are made and explore the history of money in the United States.

  • See works of art from around the world, then run up the famous "Rocky Steps."

The Menu (Amish Country)

Lancaster County: Amish Country

  • Experience a way of life very different from your students' own. In Lancaster County, students learn about a lifestyle similar to that of people who lived when the country was born.

The Menu (Hershey)

Hershey: Chocolate Town, USA

Just a short bus ride from Philadelphia, Hershey has welcomed visitors since Hersheypark opened in 1906. Students learn the story of an iconic American company and have plenty of fun along the way.

  • Take an immersive tour of chocolate making and tasting. Students can even create their own candy bar.

  • Find thrills at the main theme park, with more than 65 rides, including 12 roller coasters.

  • Visit this North American wildlife park to see animals such as mountain lions, black bears and bald eagles.

  • Dive into this water park, featuring towering waterslides, a peaceful tidal pool and the Wave Rider.

Sample Itinerary

One Way to Do It: A Sample 4-Day Holiday Tour

Here's how one school combined Philadelphia, Amish Country and Hershey in a 4-day, 3-night holiday-season trip. Your tour can look completely different. Swap stops, add or remove days, travel by air or bus, or start from scratch. Times will vary based on your school's location and travel plans.

  • Morning → Bus picks up at school for the airport

    Afternoon → Fly to the Philadelphia area

    Evening → Meet Son Tours staff on arrival and depart for the hotel

    Evening → Dinner at the King of Prussia mall (own expense)

    9:00 p.m. → Hotel check-in

    10:00 p.m. → Overnight security arrives

  • 7:00 a.m. → Wake-up

    7:30 a.m. → Full American breakfast at hotel

    8:15 a.m. → Depart for Lancaster County

    9:00 a.m. → Meet guide at the Bird-in-Hand Farmers Market

    10:00 a.m. → Pretzel and root beer stop

    11:00 a.m. → Riehl's Quilts and Crafts

    12:30 p.m. → Lunch at Kitchen Kettle Village (own expense)

    2:30 p.m. → Driving tour of Amish farmland and villages, with a bake shop stop

    5:00 p.m. → Dinner with a local family

    7:30 p.m. → Koziar's Christmas Village

    9:00 p.m. → Depart for hotel

    10:30 p.m. → Overnight security arrives

  • 8:00 a.m. → Wake-up

    8:45 a.m. → Breakfast at hotel

    10:00 a.m. → Hershey's Chocolate World, including the chocolate tour ride

    11:30 a.m. → Lunch at Chocolate World (own expense)

    12:00 p.m. → Hersheypark Christmas Wonderland

    6:00 p.m. → Dinner in the park (meal vouchers)

    9:00 p.m. → Depart for hotel

    10:00 p.m. → Overnight security arrives

  • 7:00 a.m. → Wake-up

    7:30 a.m. → Full American breakfast at hotel

    8:15 a.m. → Load luggage on bus

    8:30 a.m. → Depart for Philadelphia

    10:00 a.m. → Run the Rocky Steps at the Philadelphia Museum of Art

    10:30 a.m. → Franklin Institute, including a planetarium show

    1:00 p.m. → Lunch at the museum (meal vouchers)

    2:30 p.m. → Liberty Bell and Independence Hall

    4:00 p.m. → Depart for the airport

    Evening → Fly home, then bus back to school

Why Son Tours

Why Schools Choose Son Tours for Philadelphia

Our certified tour operators and guides join your students at every stop, and an experienced Son Tours representative travels with your group. You'll stay at top-notch accommodations while we handle the planning, reservations, security and billing, so you don't have to worry about a thing. With more than 30 years of experience, Son Tours is a full-service student travel company.

Build Your Tour

Build Your Philadelphia Tour

Tell us what interests you, and we'll send you a custom itinerary. Not sure where to start? Leave the stops blank and we'll recommend a route.

Frequently Asked Questions

Philadelphia Tour FAQs

  • Yes. Every Philadelphia tour is customizable. Pick stops from our menu, or let us recommend a route based on your curriculum, schedule and budget.

  • No. Include one, both or neither. Many schools combine all three areas, but it's your call.

  • Yes. Our sample itinerary flies to and from Pennsylvania, and we can also plan a motorcoach trip. We'll help you choose what works best for your group.

  • Yes. Some Hershey attractions, like The Boardwalk water park, are only open part of the year. We'll build your tour around what's open when you travel.

  • Yes. Overnight hotel security is part of every overnight Son Tours trip.

  • Depending on the tour you create, things like transportation, lodging, meals, admissions, guides and security are included.