Birthday Weekend in PHILLY! (4)

Next, we walked over to the One Liberty Observation Tower. Tickets to go to the top of the 56 stories is $8.00 each for adults and worth a trip up there to take in such a spectacular view of the city!!

Birthday Weekend in PHILLY! (3)

~PHILADELPHIA, PA~

We checked in at the hotel and valet parked the SUV, 

then we started our walk over to CITY HALL. 

{LOVE} PARK

link

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up next........One Liberty Observation Tower

Birthday Weekend in PHILLY! (2)

We drove to the Philadelphia Museum of Art because it was the furthest from our hotel. 

We wandered around and got some pictures and did the touristy poses on the steps and next to the Rocky statue. :O) 

"Rocky Balboa"

They had the exact spot marked where Rocky looked out at the city -- 

I just LOVE this view of Philadelphia!!

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up next........City Hall & LOVE Park!

Birthday Weekend in PHILLY! (1)

W A N D E R L U S T ✨

For the past few years, we’ve taken a mini-getaway for my birthday - this year, I chose Philadelphia! ❤️ We really loved touring the city, enjoying the delicious food, and catching up on our history. This trip was similar to our Williamsburg trip back in December - Philadelphia is so rich in history and reminded me how blessed I am to live in this great county. 🇺🇸 It’s nice to get away together - to rest and refresh - and explore and enjoy new places.

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I was so excited about my little birthday getaway! After watching a Rocky marathon, we casually talked about going to Philadelphia someday, and the idea was planted. I've never been to Philly, and Peter has only worked out of there (not the nicest part of Philly either), so we were both anxious to see the city and check it off of our bucket list. As I do with any vacay we take, even weekend getaways, I research and plan out the most fun-filled trip I can. I knew nothing about Philly, but found out there is really wayyyy more to see and do that would fit into our short stay, but I'd try to pack in as many must-dos as possible! I discovered that most everything was walkable, if you were staying in the city center. I had a few hotel recommendations from a friend, but was unable to snag either. I ultimately booked the Hampton Inn Center-City Convention Center  and we loved it! It was in a great location, had a very nice and helpful staff, the room was very clean and comfy, and the valet parking was great! The price was very reasonable compared to similar hotels I checked out, and it included free wi-fi and breakfast. 

FRIDAY 

MARCH 22, 2019

The drive to Philly was pretty uneventful - it took us just around 3 hours from Crisfield. It was very chilly, cloudy, and overcast, but no rain, so we were fine. Peter, however, had a bad cold, so we wondered how the day would go. 

Driving there, I hoped the clouds would stay because I knew they would make a beautiful backdrop in my pictures. I love clouds!! 

By the time we got there, we were both starving! Peter wanted to show me city dock (his tugboat port), so we detoured there first, before finding our lunch spot(s). :O)

When in Philly you must eat CHEESESTEAKS!

We tried icon rivals PAT'S and GENO'S.......

Parking is tricky---we circled then decided it might be faster to drop me off to get the food and just drive around the block and pick me up. They are right across the street from one another so it made it easy to get something from each to try. I ordered the classic cheesesteak "whiz wit" (cheez whiz + fried onions)...and felt kind of silly saying it when I ordered, 

because I know they can tell every single tourist! LOL 

I got the Geno's sub and then crossed the street and placed my order at Pat's. They have cheese fries!!!....so, I added a cup to my sub order along with 2 sodas. Both places are CASH only!! 

Peter picked me up, and we drove down the street and parked on the side of the road to eat. 

We ate half of each and both picked Pat's as the best of the two. :O) 

We liked the taste of the steak better at Pat's, as well as the cheese. 

You had me at cheese fries. :O) 

Lunch was a nice start to our day!! <3

Next stop, Philadelphia Museum of Art....