Optional Itinerary if Flying into DC

8:00 AM – Breakfast at Founding Farmers

• Start your day with a hearty breakfast at Founding Farmers near Foggy Bottom. They offer delicious farm-to-table breakfast options with American classics like pancakes, eggs benedict, and fresh juices. Jordan really enjoyed their stuffed French toasts.

9:30 AM – National Mall Walk & Monuments

• Take a leisurely walk around the National Mall. Begin at the Lincoln Memorial and make your way past the Reflecting Pool, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, and World War II Memorial. Stop by the Washington Monument for photos, and if you’re interested, you can even get tickets to go up to the top.

11:00 AM – Visit a Museum (optional)

• Choose one Smithsonian museum depending on your interests. Lizzy and Jordan's favorites are the Natural History Museum and The Air and Space Museum. The African American History Museum is also a favorite but make sure to reserve a time slot ahead of time! Each of these can take an entire day or a couple of hours depending on your interest.

Afternoon: Lunch & More Sights

12:30 PM – Lunch

• Jordan and Lizzy's favorite is ramen at Daikaya but Bantam King is also good if Daikaya is too crowded.

• Union Market is also a good choice for a variety of choices. Union Market offers diverse cuisines such as Korean-inspired bowls and local BBQ.

1:30 PM – Capitol Hill & Library of Congress

• Drive or take a quick metro ride to Capitol Hill. Walk around the exterior of the U.S. Capitol, visit the Library of Congress for a view of the architecture, and take in the historic atmosphere of this area.

Late Afternoon: Depart Washington, DC for Lancaster, PA

• Start your drive from DC to Lancaster, PA (around 2.5 hours). The scenic route will take you through nice countrysides.

Optional Itinerary if Flying into Baltimore

8:00 AM – Breakfast at Blue Moon Café

• Start your day in Baltimore’s Fells Point neighborhood with a famous breakfast at Blue Moon Café. You can try their signature Cap’n Crunch French Toast.

9:30 AM – Visit the Inner Harbor

• You can head to the National Aquarium and/or the Maryland Science Center to spend about 1.5-2hrs of exploring.

• The Maryland Science Center is great for kids and includes three levels of exhibits, a planetarium, and an observatory.

• The National Aquarium is one of Baltimore’s top attractions and includes aquatic exhibits, from colorful coral reefs to exotic rainforest creatures.

11:30 AM – Explore the Historic Ships in Baltimore

• Walk along the waterfront and check out the Historic Ships, including the USS Constellation and the USS Torsk. You can choose to tour one of the ships or enjoy the views of the harbor while strolling along the water.

Afternoon: Lunch & Sightseeing

12:30 PM – Lunch

• Lizzy and Jordan's favorite lunch spots are Di Pasquale's Market (Italian Deli), Little Havana (Cuban fare), and iBar (THE BEST buffalo wings)

• They also enjoy Cross Street Market in Fed Hill, Broadway Market in Fells Point for when they can't decide on one type of food.

2:00 PM – Fort McHenry National Monument

• Fort McHenry is the birthplace of the Star-Spangled Banner. You can spend an hour exploring the fort, learning about its role in the War of 1812, and taking in views of the Patapsco River.

3:30 PM – Visit the Edgar Allan Poe's gravesite

• There's not much to do there but look at the gravesite but if you're interested in Edgar Allan Poe his gravesite is located at 515 W Fayette St., Baltimore, MD 21201 which happens to also be right across where Lizzy first lived in Baltimore.

Late Afternoon: Depart Baltimore for Lancaster, PA

• Begin your drive to Lancaster, PA, which is about 1.5 hours away.

Optional Itinerary if Flying into Philadelphia

8:00 AM – Breakfast at Café La Maude

• Start your day with a French-Lebanese-inspired breakfast at Café La Maude in Northern Liberties. They offer a mix of pastries, eggs, and specialty coffee.

9:30 AM – Visit the Liberty Bell & Independence Hall

• Head to the historic heart of Philadelphia to see the Liberty Bell and tour Independence Hall, where the Declaration of Independence and Constitution were debated and signed. You can spend about 1.5 hours here.

11:00 AM – Walk through Elfreth’s Alley

• Take a stroll down Elfreth’s Alley, the oldest continuously inhabited residential street in the U.S. It’s a charming, cobblestone lane filled with homes dating back to the 1700s.

Afternoon: Lunch & Museums

12:00 PM – Lunch at Reading Terminal Market

• The Reading Terminal Market is an indoor market filled with food vendors offering everything from Philly cheesesteaks to Amish baked goods.

1:30 PM – Philadelphia Museum of Art and Rocky Steps

• The Philadelphia Museum of Art is home to a collection of art. Before heading inside, take a run (or walk) up the famous Rocky Steps for an iconic photo op. Spend about 1–1.5 hours exploring the museum’s exhibits.

3:00 PM – Stroll through Rittenhouse Square

• Take a stroll through Rittenhouse Square, one of Philadelphia’s most beautiful parks. Grab a coffee at one of the nearby cafes and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere, or browse some of the boutique shops in the surrounding area.

Late Afternoon: Depart Philadelphia for Lancaster, PA

• Begin your drive to Lancaster, PA, which is about 1.5 hours away.