Our Main Purpose
Our littlest one has declared that the University of Pennsylvania is his dream school. With none of us ever setting foot in Philly before, we made a unanimous decision to explore the city as a family. Unfortunately, our son had a week off while we had work commitments, so we flew in on Saturday and whisked ourselves away on Monday evening. Join us on this whirlwind adventure through the City of Brotherly Love!
Getting to the Hotel
As you’re probably aware, I’m a devout Hilton aficionado. So, before embarking on our Philly adventure, I scoured the Hilton Hotels in the area and settled on one smack in the middle of Rittenhouse Square. Now, I’d read a few blogs about Philadelphia, and I must confess, this neighborhood wasn’t exactly my first pick. It’s right in the heart of the city, which translates to bustling, jam-packed streets – not exactly our ideal vibe. But, it also means a historical architectural wonderland and less need for taxis, so we rolled the dice and picked The Motto at Rittenhouse Square.
Once we arrived, I whipped out one of my trusty travel apps, Rome to Rio, and it suggested that the smoothest route from the airport to our hotel was via train. All right, we were up for an adventure. The app guided us to trek over to terminal A, and there we found the train station. We spotted a nifty machine that happily accepted both cash and credit cards and, like seasoned travelers, we purchased three one-way tickets into town. Piece of cake, right?
The train rolled in, the stops were clearly called out (you could even track it on the app – major bonus points), and we were on our way to Philly Central. When we arrived at the terminal, it turned out we had met our match: the turnstile door. Rhys and I, apparently feeling a bit too confident, tried to finesse our way through the wrong one. Let’s just say it was a comical battle of wits, and we must have looked like two lost tourists performing an interpretive dance with a turnstile.
Eventually, with a mix of sympathy and condescension, the security guards decided to grant us passage. They couldn’t resist a good laugh, and neither could we. The adventure had officially begun!
The Hotel
The hotel was truly a hidden treasure in the heart of the neighborhood. Rittenhouse Square is currently undergoing a noticeable rejuvenation, which gives it a unique, somewhat transitional atmosphere. The town’s vibe might appeal to certain folks, but it didn’t quite match our preferences. Nevertheless, the hotel itself embodied the familiar Hilton qualities of safety, cleanliness, and comfort.
The room was very artsy and perfect for our family of three. Rhys had a fold-out couch, while Cody and I had a comfortable queen bed. The room was spacious enough and equipped with all the essentials to ensure our stay was perfect.
Saturday’s Adventure
By the time we strolled into the hotel, the lunch hour had arrived, and I felt like I’d been running on fumes for the past couple of nights. Our journey included a rockin’ Guns N’ Roses concert on Thursday, a full day of work on Friday, and a late-night band practice session with Rhys, followed by a frantic packing session for our trip. Needless to say, exhaustion was an understatement!
Luckily, the hotel concierge came to our rescue, pointing us in the direction of Harper’s Garden. They dub themselves as purveyors of “New American Cuisine.” It’s safe to say that this place oozes trendiness, with hordes of brunch-goers both inside and outside when we stepped in. We scored a cozy table indoors, and the ambiance was nothing short of unforgettable.
What truly stood out to me was the level of care and consideration for dietary needs. Most of the places we visited in Philly, including Harper’s Garden, were remarkably conscious of food allergies. Gluten-free options were clearly marked on the menu, and they took exceptional care in addressing Rhys’ pecan allergy. As for our orders, I went all in on the HUEVOS RANCHEROS – a plate that might’ve featured a bean bonanza but was undeniably scrumptious. Rhys, with his adventurous appetite, opted for THE ‘MERICA BURGER and couldn’t stop raving about it. Cody, on the other hand, chose the FIELD GREENS SALAD and was genuinely impressed.
This may have been our one and only meal at Harper’s Garden during our stay, but we’d gladly return for another round of their delectable New American Cuisine.
We decided to take a casual stroll around Rittenhouse Square, enjoying the beautiful weather. The park did not have the lovely fall colors I was anticipating, but it was still quite nice. We couldn’t help but notice the locals basking in the sunshine, which felt somewhat unusual for them, especially when compared to our sunny Texas weather.
However, our walk also brought us face-to-face with a troubling reality. The area had a significant homeless population, which left both Rhys and me feeling disheartened. It served as a poignant reminder of the challenges faced by those less fortunate.
Following our short jaunt, I was absolutely drained and desperately in need of some shut-eye. And boy, did I get it! I slept from 5 pm to 7 am straight, a testament to just how exhausted I was, as I mentioned earlier.
Sunday – the Day of Exploring
Our breakfast plan turned into quite a rollercoaster of changes. We encountered a common quirk in Philly – many restaurants only accepted cash, and we hadn’t come prepared with much of it. On top of that, several places were crowded beyond belief.
After a bit of searching, we eventually located an ATM and ended up at Green Eggs Cafe, which, as luck would have it, was cash-only as well. We patiently waited for about 15 minutes and were seated outdoors. The food was undeniably delicious, with a richness that hit the spot. Rhys made a bold choice by ordering the cookie dough stuffed French toast. Initially, it seemed like the perfect selection, but it quickly led to a massive sugar rush for him.
I’m a big fan of hop-on-hop-off trolley tours mainly because they provide detailed explanations, cover all the major attractions, and are reasonably priced. We went to one of the stops to catch the trolley. We had been waiting for about five minutes when I thought they didn’t want to wait for the bus and preferred to explore without a guide, so that’s what we did. However, they deny this now, and it’s unclear what really happened.
Regardless, I found a map of the bus stops and we ended up walking everywhere! Our destination was the Delaware River to visit the Vietnam and Korean War memorials as well as Penn’s Landing. The memorial was a touching tribute, and we spent some time reading the information. Penn’s Landing, while aesthetically pleasing with its waterfront setting, turned out to be a bit underwhelming. Nevertheless, it provided a nice spot for us to rest and regroup.
Our next destination was the Liberty Bell, a must-see! It’s a free attraction but be prepared to go through security. Upon entering, there’s a timeline display with information and photographs detailing the history of the bell. The museum also showcases various artifacts connected to its history. The three of us leisurely explored the museum, and it concludes with the Liberty Bell exhibit. As we reached the bell, a crowd gathered, and we all attempted to take pictures. Despite the lack of order in the chaos, we managed to capture our shots and then departed.
I had planned to visit the Betsy Ross house and Chinatown (always a favorite wherever we go), but unfortunately, we didn’t make it to those places. We had a collective interest in touring the National Constitution Center, but we hit a snag – you needed to purchase tickets online in advance. My spontaneous “let’s just see what happens” approach inadvertently messed up that plan. So, we redirected our course to where Cody and Rhys were particularly eager to go: “The Rocky Steps.”
We had to take the train since it was quite a walk! This spot was a major attraction, drawing people from all corners of the world. There’s a Rocky statue here where you can pose for pictures. The process is organized, with a queue and workers ready to take your photo when it’s your turn. (Notice my perfect fourth position – I’m not a fighter). While the service is free, tips are appreciated. We had plenty of pictures taken, and I made sure to tip the photographer! Just a short distance away are the iconic steps. As expected, everyone, including Rhys, was channeling their inner Rocky and running up those famous steps.
Our intended final stop was a night tour of the Eastern State Penitentiary, but alas, tickets had to be purchased online, and they were sold out! So, once again, we missed out on that experience. The takeaway from all this: plan ahead (hopefully, this blog helps with that) and make sure to purchase tickets in advance!
Monday – Tour of the University of Pennsylvania
We made sure to reserve spots for these university tours because education is important to us! We had three tours lined up: a 9 am information meeting, a 10 am campus tour, and a noon meeting at the business college. The campus was about a 15-minute walk from our hotel. Starting our day, we stopped at a cozy eatery called The Board and Brew for coffee and breakfast, and then we strolled through the beautiful campus.
What makes this campus truly unique is its setting – right in the heart of a bustling city, yet it somehow manages to create a small, enclosed, and very green atmosphere. It feels like the perfect, peaceful college campus, complete with all the amenities one could ask for! We thoroughly enjoyed the campus, loved the tour, and it remains firmly at the top of our wish list for the future.
As it was time to head home, we stopped to eat somewhere before taking the train back to the airport. Fortunately, the train station was just a couple of blocks from the campus, and the ride took less than half an hour. The navigation was super easy.
Recalculating ... 