Day 1

You will be greeted by a Joshua Expeditions representative when you arrive in Philadelphia. Following a quick orientation, you will visit Franklin Institute Science Museum, known for its use of “hands on” science techniques and demonstrations. The group will then travel to Fairmont Park, one of the largest parks in the nation and head over to visit the famous steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Try to do your best impersonation of Rocky as you run to the top and stand in his footsteps. The day will close with dinner in the city and devotions at the hotel.

Day 2

Following breakfast at the hotel, you begin the day exploring colonial Philadelphia at Independence National Historical Park, where you will visit such sites as Carpenter’s Hall, Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell. In the afternoon you will have a chance for lunch and some time to relax and shop in the area. Afterward, the group will visit National Constitution Center to see the impact of the Constitution at work. The group will have dinner in the city, and then witness the Lights of Liberty show (available from late April-September, weather permitting). The day will conclude with devotions at the hotel.

Day 3

This morning you will travel to one of the many local mission opportunity sites to help the less fortunate of the Philadelphia area. Later, the group will head to Independence Seaport Museum which relates the role that shipping and sailing played in the building of Philadelphia. The last stop of the day will be the Edgar Allen Poe National Historical Site, famous as the house where Poe wrote many of his stories, including “The Tell-Tale Heart.” Dinner and devotions will round out the day.

Day 4

This morning the group will transfer to New York City, where you will enjoy a walking tour of Midtown Manhattan and surrounding neighborhoods. You will see such famous and historical sites as St. Patrick's Cathedral and Rockefeller Center, home of NBC's Today show. Later, you will enjoy an urban hike through the world-famous neighborhoods of Chinatown and Little Italy, then take a night tour of Times Square and a trip to the top of the Empire State Building. Your evening will conclude with devotions and group discussion, a time to reflect on all you have seen and learned during the day.

Day 5

This morning you will visit Ellis Island to learn about the waves of immigrants that came ashore from 1892-1924. Since September 11, 2001, this experience has become even more meaningful. Your visit to NYC will conclude with visits to Ground Zero, Wall Street, the New York Stock Exchange, historic Trinity Church and Federal Hall, where George Washington gave his first inaugural address.