Pittsburgh, Lincoln Highway, 
Flight 93 Memorial, and Falling Water
September 12 – 15, 2020

Pittsburgh was once the steel making capital of the world, fueled by a rich patchwork of immigrant communities and an abundance of local natural resources. Today the city is called the Silicon Valley of the east, and is a robotics and technology hub where self-driving cars are on the streets. In this environment, filled with a storied past and innovative current character, travelers will explore a city where the past and future collide!  

Day 1 - Sat., Sept. 12:  We depart and head to Pittsburgh.  Arriving at the Omni William Penn, we have a bit of time to refresh for the evening.  Our local step-on guide will meet us in the lobby and head to the upper station of the Duquesne Incline for a roundtrip ride, and time for spectacular photos of Pittsburgh on the observation deck. The Incline is a Pittsburgh landmark and must-do. You will ride up and down Mt. Washington in recently restored, century-old classic wooden cable cars on one of the few remaining inclines in the country. You can also visit the interior of the incline and watch how the “old-fashioned” machinery operates to move two inclines with passengers up and down the 794-foot track to an elevation of 400 feet.  We depart from the upper station of the Duquesne Incline en route to the Gateway Clipper Dock for a Captain’s Dinner Cruise to enjoy a dinner buffet, music, dancing and fabulous views of the city skyline. Get up and dance, sit on the top deck and enjoy a cocktail, or take a stroll around the boat to experience a wonderful taste of Pittsburgh.  (Cash Bar)  After the cruise, we depart for the hotel for the evening.  (Dinner)

Day 2 – Sun, Sept. 13:   A hot American breakfast buffet at the hotel before departing with our guide for the Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium, where you will have time to explore on your own. One of only six major zoo and aquarium combinations in the United States, the zoo sits on 77 acres of park land where it exhibits more than 4,000 animals representing 475 species, including 55 species of concern.  We depart and arrive for lunch at the Church Brew Works restaurant. Housed in the former St. John the Baptist Church of Lawrenceville, the Church Brew Works serves elevated gastropub fare alongside their large collection of beers – brewed on the former altar of the church. The building dates to 1901, and was created to meet the needs of Polish, Italian and German immigrants who came to Pittsburgh to find work in the steel mills. The church closed its doors in 1993 after a restructuring of the Diocese. The Church Brew Works opened its doors in 1996 and is a Pittsburgh favorite! Depart the Church Brew Works en route to the Senator John Heinz History Center, where you will explore 250 years of Pittsburgh’s history on a 90-minute guided tour at this museum, an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution. The museum is housed in the former Chautauqua Lake Ice Company building. A sampling of some of the exhibits on display: Pittsburgh: A Tradition of Innovation, Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, The Heinz Exhibition, From Slavery to Freedom, Glass: Shattering Notions, and Eyes of Pittsburgh. After the 90-minute guided tour, you will have time to explore the museum on own. The museum gift shop features local souvenirs and gifts for history buffs.   We make our way back to the hotel to refresh for dinner on your own at one of the many eateries at Market Square. We depart for The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust’s Liberty Magic, located on the same block where Harry Houdini mesmerized Pittsburgh crowds in 1916 by escaping a straitjacket while hanging high above the city streets, Liberty Magic is an intimate venue that elevates the art of magic.  Our entertainer for the evening will be Guy Hollingworth in The Expert at the Card Table. A full-time barrister practicing intellectual property law, Guy Hollingworth has become world famous for his night job! He is considered one of London’s most skilled magicians specializing in a unique and original style of card conjuring. Directed by Neil Patrick Harris, and developed at London’s famed Menier Chocolate Factory, The Expert at the Card Table tells the riveting story of Milton Franklin Andrews, a con man wanted on charges of murder, card sharking, and railroading, who took his own life in 1905 as authorities were closing in. Amongst the fine clothing, stacks of cash and playing cards in the dingy boarding house where his body was discovered, the police found a copy of a rare magic book titled The Expert at the Card Table, by S.W. Erdnase. Over 90 riveting minutes, Guy shares some of this rare book’s secrets with demonstrations of unfathomable conjuring and incomparable card control, while recounting the tragic mystery of Milton Andrews, the finest card mechanic of his day. After the show, we head to the hotel for the evening. (Breakfast, Lunch)

Day 3 – Mon., Sept. 14:  Our step-on guide will meet us in the hotel lobby after breakfast at the hotel to depart for the day.  Our first stop will be the Big Mac Museum, which is not only a fully-functional McDonald’s Restaurant – it also celebrates the creation of the iconic burger by western Pennsylvania franchisee Jim Delligatti. He first served the sandwich to his customers in 1967. Take a tour of this museum, including a timeline of the sandwich’s history and various merchandise and packaging displays, and snap a photo with the 14-foot tall, 12-foot diameter Big Mac sculpture!  Feel free to grab a bite to eat on the bus onn your own.  We depart for the Flight 93 National Memorial to visit the Visitor Center and Memorial Plaza, and also view the new Tower of Voices. On Tuesday, September 11, 2001, the United States came under attack when four commercial airliners were hijacked and used to strike targets on the ground. Because of the actions of the 40 passengers and crew aboard one of those planes, Flight 93, the attack on the U.S. Capitol was thwarted. We’ll visit the site that commemorates the bravery of these American citizens.  We depart with a boxed lunch to the  Lincoln Highway Experience to discover 100+ years of Lincoln Highway history at the largest museum in America dedicated to sharing the story of the first coast-to-coast highway. This museum offers a slice of pie, a cup of joe, and a fun place for you to go! We depart and arrive at Fallingwater, Frank Lloyd Wright’s crowning achievement in organic architecture. Once the summer home of the Kaufman family (prominent Pittsburgh department store owners), Fallingwater is truly a country hideaway. Anchored into rock formations and built over a stream, the home appears to float over a waterfall, in harmony with nature. In 2019, Fallingwater was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  The guided tour of Fallingwater will be one-hour long, having time to explore the grounds, café, and Museum Shop.  We depart to head for the hotel to refresh for dinner, enjoying a beautiful scenic trip through the Laurel Highlands.  We depart for dinner at Fogo de Chão Pittsburgh. Dinner will capture the authentic Brazilian Steakhouse experience with a traditional Caipirinha welcome drink, fire-roasted meats served from the skewers on which they were cooked, vegetables, decadent desserts, and genuine hospitality.  Dinner at Fogo de Chao is an experience in itself!  Then its back to the hotel for the evening. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 4, Tuesday, Sept. 15:  Check-out of the hotel  Breakfast will not be served at the hotel.  Save room for breakfast, which will be served at our first stop today.  Our tour guide joins us again as we head to the National Aviary for Breakfast with the Birds! The National Aviary is America’s only indoor zoo dedicated exclusively to birds – more than 500 of them representing more than 150 species from around the world. Our morning begins with a private breakfast that includes a visit from a trainer who will introduce you to three of the National Aviary’s most popular birds. Afterwards, travelers have time for a self-guided tour of the Aviary’s signature walkthrough habitats, bringing to life colorful re-creations of natural environments that include free-flying birds rarely found in zoos anywhere else in the world. Many of the Aviary’s residents are endangered, and preserving these species and their environments through education and research is central to the Aviary’s programming.  Depart and head to the  Andy Warhol Museum for a guided tour and time to explore on own. The famous pop artist was born and raised in Pittsburgh as the son of Carpatho-Rusyn immigrants. Pittsburgh is home to the largest museum in North America dedicated to a single artist. The Warhol Museum tells Andy Warhol’s story and explores his legacy through the largest collection of Warhol Art and Archives in the world.  Depart for the most scenic lunch in town at LeMont Restaurant. This classic Pittsburgh restaurant has incredible views overlooking downtown Pittsburgh from the top of Mount Washington. Before departing for home with wonderful memories of our new-found eye-opener of what Pittsburgh is today!  (Breakfast with the Birds, Lunch)

Walk Rate = 3

Includes: Duquesne Incline, Gateway Clipper Dinner Cruise, Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium, Senator John Heinz History Center, Liberty Magic Show, Big Mac Museum, Flight 93 National Memorial, Lincoln Highway Experience, Fallingwater, National Aviary Museum, Andy Warhol Museum, Fogo de Chao Dinner, 3 nights room accommodations, 3 breakfasts, 2lunches, 2 dinners, motor coach transportation, step-on guide tip, housekeeping gratuity, baggage handling, and driver tip. 

$1,199.00 per person/double occupancy                                               
$1,181.00 per person/triple occupancy
$1,136.00 per person/quad occupancy                                   
$1,577.00 single occupancy

Deposit:  $400.00 per person
Final Payment Due:  August 2, 2020  

Per Person/Occupancy

Double Occupancy $1,199.00 USD Triple Occupancy $1,181.00 USD Quad Occupancy $1,136.00 USD Single $1,577.00 USD