So I love the summer
time and being able to explore the amazing sites our East Coast surroundings
offer. We try to take the kids somewhere each weekend, and I lay the schedule out months in advance. This
creates great memories and is my attempt to avoid the dreaded I’m bored phrase and replace it with the are
we there yet phrase J And if any of you know with I-95 in the mix,
are we there yet always makes me a liar.
Originally we had planned to take the kids to Busch Gardens, but due to the downpour expected we hastily changed our plans to take them to Philadelphia for the night. We left home at 9am and our expected 3 hour “tour”, due to my best friend I-95, took us 5 hours.
For our first stop, we tried to stop at the famed Pat or Genos (they are across the street from each other) for philly cheesesteaks, but the parking was awful and the lines were long (I recommend taking a cab here if you are staying in the city) so we continued on to our next stop Eastern State Penitentiary. We were starving so we had lunch across the street from the penitentiary at Jacks Firehouse. Mav devoured his French toast, Abby enjoyed her BLT Cesar, I liked my Brisket Sandwich, but the hubby was not impressed with his dry philly cheesesteak.
After lunch we continued across the street to the famed eastern State Penitentiary that was operating from 1829 to 1971 housing the likes of Al Capone and reportedly very haunted. It was pouring during our self-guided tour there but we enjoyed the audio tour led by famed Steve Buscemi and I enjoyed the fun while learning aspect for the kids. The newly renovated Synagogue and Chaplins Murals were an added bonus (this was my third visit and I really reccomend going to there annual halloween haunted house).
After we finished at the penitentiary we hopped in the car and proceeded to the nearby Philadelphia Museum of Art so the kids could see the Rocky Statue and the famed Rocky Steps. I stayed in the car while Dad hopped out with them. They ran up the 72 stone steps and the heavens started dumping right when they got to the top. They quickly ran back down and hopped in the car. We proceeded on to our hotel.
We stayed at the Inn at Penn- By Hilton, which honored government rate of $171 a night J The room was very nice and near the center of town, but on the college campus, so since the students are away it was very quiet. The room was nicely appointed and very high tech including an ipad to connect with the front desk. The morning buffet which was included had a delicious spread.
For dinner we went to Penne, the restaurant at the hotel (there are not a lot of options near the hotel). We started with an order of calamari. For entrees I had the most amazing caprese salad I have ever had. The mozzarella was so fresh and the tomatoes were so flavorful. The hubby enjoyed his steak as well. The kids enjoyed the wood fired pizzas we brought them back to the room finished by amazing coconut tiramisu.
The next morning we left the hotel and went to check out Reading Terminal Market, the Famous indoor farmer's market offering diverse fare, housewares & area specialties since 1892. We walked through the whole market, which was not crowded as it normally is because on Sundays all the Amish vendors are closed. Abby and Abner selected fresh fruit smoothies which were delicious. Mav got Ice cream from Bassets and we took home a new table cloth from Contessas French Linens (these are teflon coated so wipeable and beautiful without feeling like plastic) and out of this world fresh cannolis from Termini Brothers.
On our way out of town we did quick stops at Benjamin Franklin’s grave, the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, and Eagles Stadium. Along with a stop at Phantom Fireworks to bring home some fun. A short but super fun trip. Until the next one, Cheers!
Originally we had planned to take the kids to Busch Gardens, but due to the downpour expected we hastily changed our plans to take them to Philadelphia for the night. We left home at 9am and our expected 3 hour “tour”, due to my best friend I-95, took us 5 hours.
For our first stop, we tried to stop at the famed Pat or Genos (they are across the street from each other) for philly cheesesteaks, but the parking was awful and the lines were long (I recommend taking a cab here if you are staying in the city) so we continued on to our next stop Eastern State Penitentiary. We were starving so we had lunch across the street from the penitentiary at Jacks Firehouse. Mav devoured his French toast, Abby enjoyed her BLT Cesar, I liked my Brisket Sandwich, but the hubby was not impressed with his dry philly cheesesteak.
After lunch we continued across the street to the famed eastern State Penitentiary that was operating from 1829 to 1971 housing the likes of Al Capone and reportedly very haunted. It was pouring during our self-guided tour there but we enjoyed the audio tour led by famed Steve Buscemi and I enjoyed the fun while learning aspect for the kids. The newly renovated Synagogue and Chaplins Murals were an added bonus (this was my third visit and I really reccomend going to there annual halloween haunted house).
After we finished at the penitentiary we hopped in the car and proceeded to the nearby Philadelphia Museum of Art so the kids could see the Rocky Statue and the famed Rocky Steps. I stayed in the car while Dad hopped out with them. They ran up the 72 stone steps and the heavens started dumping right when they got to the top. They quickly ran back down and hopped in the car. We proceeded on to our hotel.
We stayed at the Inn at Penn- By Hilton, which honored government rate of $171 a night J The room was very nice and near the center of town, but on the college campus, so since the students are away it was very quiet. The room was nicely appointed and very high tech including an ipad to connect with the front desk. The morning buffet which was included had a delicious spread.
For dinner we went to Penne, the restaurant at the hotel (there are not a lot of options near the hotel). We started with an order of calamari. For entrees I had the most amazing caprese salad I have ever had. The mozzarella was so fresh and the tomatoes were so flavorful. The hubby enjoyed his steak as well. The kids enjoyed the wood fired pizzas we brought them back to the room finished by amazing coconut tiramisu.
The next morning we left the hotel and went to check out Reading Terminal Market, the Famous indoor farmer's market offering diverse fare, housewares & area specialties since 1892. We walked through the whole market, which was not crowded as it normally is because on Sundays all the Amish vendors are closed. Abby and Abner selected fresh fruit smoothies which were delicious. Mav got Ice cream from Bassets and we took home a new table cloth from Contessas French Linens (these are teflon coated so wipeable and beautiful without feeling like plastic) and out of this world fresh cannolis from Termini Brothers.
On our way out of town we did quick stops at Benjamin Franklin’s grave, the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, and Eagles Stadium. Along with a stop at Phantom Fireworks to bring home some fun. A short but super fun trip. Until the next one, Cheers!
