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Road Trip Recap continues today with the next stop on our trip…Philadelphia!! We meant to get up really early and leave DC but day 2 wore us OUT and we finally left mid-morning, HA!
We took the usual sign pics…
We went straight to our hotel and checked in before heading out and were just in awe of how beautiful it was. We stayed at the Marriott Downtown Philadelphia and I can’t recommend this hotel enough. The customer service was on point and there is a Starbucks in the hotel. Enough said. #BasicWhiteGirl
From our hotel we walked to our first stop of the day, the Independence Visitor Center. I loved the XOXO statue outside!! #visitphilly
I totally took a “Belfie” at the Visitor Center before we got to see the real thing.
I was surprised the line for the Liberty Bell moved as fast as it did but we were totally in and out in less than 20 minutes!
I was mad that we didn’t make it to see the inside of Independence Hall, they gave away the last ticket to the person in front of us. Booooooo. But I did get some great shots of the outside of it.
Confession: I had a total National Treasure fangirl moment when I saw this side of the building!! I kept waiting to see Nicholas Cage pull a brick out and find some glasses!! HA!!
We made our way back to the hotel and I go this shot of the Reading Terminal market…
…and then we boarded a bus for a night time tour!!
I was kind of obsessed with this building right by our hotel. We saw it from several angles on our night time tour.
I also didn’t know that Monopoly was based on the city of Philadelphia and was super excited to recognize a few landmarks from the game! #MonopolyNerd Here is Pennsylvania Railroad…
…and here is the jail from “Go to Jail. Do not pass Go. Do not collect $200.” This is the Eastern State Penitentiary which I really wanted to visit but of course, it was closed the weekend we were there. Boooo.
After passing the Penitentiary we made it to the Rocky Steps!! Most people on the bus ran the steps. Me? I just took a selfie with them.
I also got a shot of Rocky. It was getting dark by this time so my pic looks super grainy. Ugh.
After Rocky we cruised to the inspiration for the Monopoly Water Works. The sun was setting when we got there and it was just gorgeous!!
On our way back to the hotel we saw the coolest clock tower!! Made me want to go to London!! HA!
When we got back from our tour we ate at the Hard Rock Cafe which was right by the hotel and I had the best Bloody Mary of my life. No joke. This thing was off the chain. Do people still say that??
After a fabulous meal we headed back to our hotel and crashed. Hard. We woke up to this gorgeous view from our room…
The next morning we got up bright and early and got back on the road again! Can you guess where we went next??
Have you ever been to Philadelphia??
What was your favorite thing to see or do??
We were there last month and loved it. It’s Boston’s sister city, so we kind of HAD to go check it out.
I have always wanted to see the Liberty Bell and Reading Terminal, I love all the pictures you have it brings the city to life!
I haven’t been to Philly in Ages, but always have fun when I do, my Aunt lived out there, so I got to see it from a local and tourist perspective! This post is making me think I need to get back out there again soon! Did you hit any of the Casinos while you were there? None were even there the last time I visited so that tells you how long ago it was! LOL
Oh wow what an absolutely amazing looking road trips – I have to admit I would love to just take off on the open road and explore. x
Wow, this really makes me want to take a trip up there. The Liberty Bell is a must-see for sure!
beautiful city, beautiful hotel. wish we have more time and budget to travel :) i really want to visit Philadelphia. thanks for the update!
It sounds like you guys had a great time. I’ve always wanted to see Philly, but I’ve never had the chance.
These are fantastic pictures. I haven’t been to Philadelphia since I was very young but I would love to take my kids.
The Liberty Bell is one of my must sees when I go to Philadelphia. My cousin and I are planning to visit in October.
what a beautiful city! you seem to have caught all the famous and most beautiful spots! It looks like a great trip
Philadelphia is one of my favorite cities. We take a trip there just about every year. It’s close enough that we just drive it.
I have been to Philadelphia once, but it was so cold that I only remember being near the bell and Rocky… I have got to go back! It’s been on my mind for a little while now :)
I would love to see the flowers on East Kelly Drive in the spring. It is so wonderful to drive alongside that pretty sight. Of course, I would want to stay and relax at the Marriot Hotel too.
I’ve never been to Philly, but now you have me wanting to go. And, yes, I still say off-the-chain, but I’m a little (a lot) older than you. I like that you took a selfie instead of running the Rocky steps. :)
Looks like a really fun trip! I have never been to Philly, but I have always wanted to see the Liberty Bell!
What a great trip! Great experience indeed!
Your pictures make me want to visit! I have been jonesing for a cheese steak!
You captured very beautiful photos! You sure looked like you had a really great time! Your hotel looks gorgeous btw. :)
You are so good in capturing those welcome signs. I always dail when I try to capture them as I don’t know exactly when to see the signs. Roadtrip is so much fun!
It looks like you had a fantastic time in Philadelphia. There is so much history there and there is just gorgeous landmark sights. I have never been there but would love to go some day to see the Liberty Bell and the Rock stairs along with the Rocky Statue. I did not know that the Monopoly game was based on the City of Philadelphia. Thanks for sharing.
I love all of the great history in Philadelphia! I would love to visit someday and visit some of these locations.
I really wanted to go to Philly and see the Liberty Bell when I lived I North Carolina. However, things just didn’t work out as planned. It looks like you had a wonderful day.
Looks like you had a pretty fabulous trip to phill! Philly is such a fun city to visit! Can’t wait to go back some day!
It looks like you had a great trip! I would love to visit Philadelphia sometime.
Isn’t Philly a great town! I’ve been to 43 states and have tried to get state sign pics in as many as I could. It’s always fun to park, jump out and get the photo.
How fun and exciting! Philadelphia is one place that I would love to visit someday. Maybe in the next year or so!
I’ve been to Philly a lot of times, and have had a good time. I love that you take pictures of the state welcome signs. Why didn’t I ever think of doing that?
I’ve been to Philly, but never for an overnight stay. That hotel looks wonderful, will have to suggest to the family for a weekend trip
I have always wanted to go to Philadelphia. The night tour sounds like it would be a ton of fun.
I have never been to Pennsylvania, but it is actually on my bucket list. There is so much to do and see. I think it would be a lit of fun.
A belfie! LOL! Oh that made me laugh. I need to head out to Philly one of these days to check everything out. Its been too long!
I have always wanted to go but never made it. Love that you got your Rocky pic!