Exploring Philadelphia in a Day

Philadelphia is a place rich in centuries of American history. If you are a history buff, or just have an appreciation for America’s roots, this city offers up a lot to see and do in that category. A movie buff? You’ve come to the right place as well.

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As most big cities go, you could spend a week here and not see everything. My daughter and I had less than 24 hours, but we made the most out of the day (and on into the night) to see our own personal ‘must do’s’ knowing we’d be back another time to check off even more items.

A great way to see the city is to get a pass through Go City. They provide discounts on many attractions and the more places you visit, the more savings you reap.

There are great hostels in Philadelphia

Where to stay

We opted to stay at Apple Hostels in the Olde Town district. An excellent choice and I’ll do it again on my next trip. It was clean, had great amenities and the staff was extra helpful. Nightly events are offered to those staying at the hostel. We lucked out and were given an entertaining ghost tour which not only informed us of paranormal sightings but touched on the history of the neighborhood and multiple movie locations. They also provide free maps to help you plan out where you want to go.

Coffee shops

A trip with my daughter would not be complete without checking out a new coffee shop or two. The Ox Café and T Café are Philadelphia favorites that are located close to the hostel. Both served up delicious drinks and offered great service. The big, comfy chairs at T Café are a must for truly savoring your favorite hot drink and enjoying a great conversation.

Getting Around

Car Sharing

Lyft was an efficient mode of transportation to and from the airport. (Use code JODI25666 for a $5 Lyft credit) The hostel was only about 15 minutes away, even with traffic.

Bike Riding in Philadelphia

Throughout the day we opted to take advantage of the weather and the convenience of the bike rentals offered throughout the city. You pay $12 for a 24 hour period. You need to return your bike every 30 minutes, but there are so many drop off spots that we did not find that to be a problem. Philadelphia offers a bike lane which also makes getting around a bit easier. Helmets are not included so you may want to bring one. Next time I will bring my own bike lock so that I don’t have to worry about returning the bike while popping into shops.

Historical Sites

Philadelphia is probably most known for the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall. Those are great places to see but just the tip of the iceberg. If those are super important to you, be sure to get there early so you can get an admission ticket. In the off season, no tickets are distributed but the last tour group leaves at 4:30pm. The door for the Liberty Bell closes at 4:45 even though the building doesn’t close until 5:00.

Betsy Ross’s home is an adorable little house sitting right next to a modern multi-storied building. It gives you an appreciation for the size of homes during that era and a glimpse into what the streets would have looked like 200 years ago. Tours are self-guided, but you have the option to pay for the audio or visual (reading only) version. Inside the gift shop is a penny press to get your inexpensive Philly souvenirs.

Speaking of souvenirs, a cheap, quick place to grab a t-shirt is at Olde City T-Shirts located at 233 Church Street. This store has 10-15 designs to choose from including Rocky, Philly, Ben Franklin and the like. You pick your size, color and design and the owner makes your t-shirt in one-minute flat. The best part? It’s $5!

A few blocks away is America’s oldest residential street: Elfreth’s Alley. This cobblestone street has been walked on for over 300 years as families made their way home. These structures were built between the 1720s and the 1830s.  This alley is so quaint and beautiful you just have to take the time to stop by and see it.

Elfreth’s Alley is so charming

Benjamin Franklin laid the foundation for so much of what we experience today. His printing shop and the first US Post Office are located on Market Street which is only a few blocks from Elfreth’s Alley.  Grab a postcard at Ben & Betsy’s Coffee & Gifts and have it hand postmarked at this historic, functioning landmark. You can send it as a surprise or just mail one to yourself to put in your memory box.

Hand post-marked letter

Unique to Philadelphia

Mosaic murals appear in many other cities, but Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens is a place like no other. Not only does it provide quirky beauty to the neighborhood, it exemplifies a determination that, when people come together, great things can be accomplished. Mosaics can be seen on buildings all along South Street and it’s obvious when you get to THE garden, but it’s not until you step inside can you feel the true magnitude of what this artist has created. Turning neighborhood ‘junk’ into small, intimate alleys, nooks and dining spaces. It’s wild, overstimulating, conforming and planned all at the same time. You’ve got to be there to fully experience it.

Are you a big fan of mosaics? If so, check out the mosaic tiled steps in San Francisco. They are another example of a community coming together to create beautiful art,

Movies filmed in Philadelphia

Ghostbusters, Sixth Sense and many other popular movies have been filmed in Philadelphia, but none have come close to reaching the bar that was set by Rocky. The Philadelphia Museum of Art is wonderful, but it pales in comparison to running up the beloved steps, listening to Eye of the Tiger and raising your hands above your head while looking out over the cityscape at the end. It’s silly, but it’s iconic. A metaphoric boost to the ego and it’s fun, so go for it! Trust me, you won’t be alone. Our day was so jam packed we ran out of daylight but that didn’t hinder our desire to make it to the top. The lights on all the skyscrapers made for an amazing night view. If you really want to be authentic, have your stocking hat and grey sweatshirt on.

Philly Cheesesteaks

I feel that everyone in Philly has their own personal favorite spot to grab this All-American sandwich. I’m not going to try and say one is better than another, that’s for your taste buds to decide.  I WILL say that Sonny’s, located at 228 Market St., which is right around the corner from the hostel, serves up some delicious food. The soft, fresh bun, the perfectly sautéed veggies, and the warm cheese melted right into the steak made for a successful food stop.

Sonny’s cheesesteak in Philadelphia

History and food unite

When eating your Philly cheesesteak, you might want to add a Dr. Physick’s soda to your order. Known as the father of American Surgery, this guy took soda to a new level during the 1800s using it as a means of medical treatment. The entire story can be found on the back of the bottle. He is buried near his friend Benjamin Franklin in the Christ Church Burial Ground.

During my next visit I’d like to see the Philadelphia Penetentory and the famous LOVE statue. What are your top things you’d like to experience? What coffee shops or restaurants do you recommend in the City of Love?

bountifulblessingstravelblog

Many passions fill my life but my family, friends and travel top the list by far. Combining them, or at least two of the three, makes it even better! I love being home and working in my garden but the urge to see and experience something new is always bubbling to the top. I love the researching part of planning a trip almost as much as the actual experience. I also like the challenge of seeing what kind of deals I can get so money is left over for even more trips!