A large bronze bell displayed inside a glass case with a metal frame, roped off with stanchions, in a museum or gallery setting.

WEEKEND IN PHILADELPHIA: History, Sights & Special Events

We recently took a family trip to the City of Brotherly Love. Staying right in the heart of the action at the Marriott in Old City, we had the perfect home base to explore Philadelphia's incredible history, amazing food scene, and even squeeze in a very special personal event.

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    If you are looking for inspiration for a quick weekend getaway, here is a look at our Philadelphia itinerary!

  • Day 01 / Travel Day

    Day One is all about getting there. We left our home airport via Delta with a layover in Atlanta before arriving in Philadelphia.

  • Day 02 / Stepping Back in Time

    We kicked off our first day fully immersed in the rich history of the Old City neighborhood.

    • Museum of the American Revolution: We started here with an before hours private tour to get a deep dive into the founding of the nation. The exhibits are incredibly well done. (Spoiler alert: we loved it so much we actually came back the next day!)

    • The Liberty Bell: You can't visit Philly without seeing this iconic piece of history.

    • Elfreth's Alley: We took a stroll down the nation's oldest continuously inhabited residential street—the cobblestones and historic brick homes are absolutely charming.

    • Sweet Treats & Irish Eats: After all that walking, we grabbed a well-deserved treat at the Franklin Ice Cream Shop. Later, we wrapped up our first day with a cozy and delicious dinner at The Plough & the Stars, an Irish Pub in Old City with live entertainment.

  • Day 03 / City Sights, Food Markets & Favorite Authors

    Our second day was a mix of classic Philadelphia sightseeing and an unforgettable evening out.

    • The Rocky Steps & Scenic Walk: We channeled our inner champion to start the morning at the famous steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. From there, we took a beautiful scenic walk down to the Franklin Institute.

    • The Franklin Institute & LOVE Park: We made our way to the incredible Franklin Institute then stopped for a mandatory photo op at the famous LOVE statue in JFK Plaza.

    • Reading Terminal Market: For lunch, we navigated the bustling, mouth-watering aisles of Reading Terminal Market. With so many vendors, it is the perfect spot to stop when everyone in the group is craving something different.

    • Museum of the American Revolution (Round 2): Because there was so much to see and absorb, we headed back for a second visit in the afternoon to re-explore the exhibits.

    • An Evening at The Broken Spine: This was the highlight of the trip for me! We headed to The Broken Spine bookstore for a signing event. Getting to meet some of our absolute favorite authors, Natasha Madison and Bella Matthews, was the perfect way to cap off our family adventure.

  • Day 04 / Travel Day

    Day Four is all about saying goodbye Philly and hello home. Our travel day was made easier as we took advantage of the Delta Sky Lounge in Philadelphia and Atlanta. The kids are already talking about coming back.

Historical building with classical columns and flags decorated with red, white, and blue ribbons, trees in the foreground, and a street in the foreground.
Display case titled "Arms of Independence 1775-1783" showing various historical weapons, including muskets and swords, with informative placards and a painting underneath.
A young boy standing in front of a fireplace with a nautical-themed costume, wearing a pirate hat, a black and red jacket, and gray shorts. There are candleholders and a bowl on the mantel, with a framed map hanging above.
A young boy standing inside a building with his arms raised, looking up with excitement at a large, hanging wooden object resembling a coffin or chest, suspended by yellow ropes from the ceiling.
Two women standing under a large red sculpture spelling LOVE in a city park with tall buildings in the background on a sunny day.
A young boy dressed in a colonial costume, including a tricorn hat, standing in front of a fireplace with a brick surround. There is a large screen or sign above the fireplace displaying text about discussions during the Revolutionary War, and a cand
Two children standing in front of the Lincoln Memorial, smiling. The girl has blonde hair, a pink shirt, and dark shorts. The boy is wearing a red Under Armour shirt and dark shorts. Behind them is the iconic statue of Abraham Lincoln seated in the m
White circular government building with columns and a clock tower on top, set against a blue sky.
Two women standing in front of the Muhammad Ali statue at the Kentucky Capitol in Frankfort, Kentucky, with their arms flexed to mimic the statue's pose.
A smiling woman with glasses and a young boy with short blonde hair standing outdoors in front of a black metal fence and lush green trees.
A sidewalk scene with a manhole cover, small bushes, red-painted posts, brick and stone paving, and building facades with red shutters and a door with a wreath. There are also potted plants and a fascinating streetlamp.
A young boy in a red T-shirt pointing towards the top of a large bronze monument with an equestrian statue and surrounding figures, against a blue sky with some clouds.
Outdoor sculpture of a vintage airplane mounted on a stand in front of a historic building with large windows and decorative columns, under a partly cloudy sky.
A man dressed in historical military uniform holding a musket standing next to a young boy who is smiling, both indoors near a glass door.
Two women smiling and taking a selfie, with one woman holding a colorful book titled 'Falling for You'. One woman has blonde hair and is wearing glasses, the other has long blonde hair and is wearing a black top. The background includes shelves and a
Four women smiling and standing together indoors, with shelves and decor in the background.
View of the Ben Franklin Bridge in Philadelphia through trees with autumn leaves, benches, and a paved walkway in foreground.

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