Blog - Chickery's Travels

How To Spend A Great Weekend In Philadelphia

Philadelphia is famous for a lot of things. From Philly cheese steaks to the Liberty Bell, it’s no wonder that the City of Brotherly Love is among the most famous in the US. No matter the time of year you visit, a lot is happening, making it the perfect city for a weekend break.

Easily accessible by road trip, train, or airplane, adding a weekend in Philadelphia to your travel plans is easy. And if you want to know the best ways to spend 48 hours in the city, we’ve got the tips you need right here.

Visit Independence National Historic Park

Philadelphia is often hailed as the birthplace of American democracy, and nowhere is this more evident than at Independence National Historical Park. Rich with history, iconic landmarks, and cultural significance, the park is a must-visit destination for travelers and history enthusiasts alike. Known as “America’s most historic square mile,” the park offers visitors an opportunity to step back in time to the founding days of the United States.

Our favorite highlights were Independence Hall, a demonstration of Benjamin Franklin’s printing press, and the Liberty Bell.

Travel Tip: You’ll need a ticket to see the inside Independence Hall. It is only $1.00 and includes a ranger-led tour. This is a popular destination, so be sure to purchase it in advance through the NPS website.

Walk (or Ride) to See the City’s Iconic Destinations

One of the best ways to explore Philadelphia is on foot. Fortunately, Visit Philadelphia has an excellent selection of walking tours (30 of them!) to help you customize a self-guided wander around the city’s best sights. Prepare for an early start so you can take in the popular sites before the crowds build up. Remember to save a little energy for a quick run up the Rocky Steps – it’s a must during your visit!

If the weather isn’t great or you’re simply short on time, you could also try a bus tour to help you get around the city quicker. We love taking the popular Hop On, Hop Off buses that allow you to get an overview of the top sights and disembark when you want to spend time at one.

Some places to add your sightseeing tour include:

Philadelphia Museum of Art – Art lovers and movie buffs alike cannot miss the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Besides its impressive collection of artworks, including pieces by Van Gogh and Picasso, the museum is home to the famous Rocky Steps. Run up the steps just like Rocky Balboa and take in the breathtaking view of the city skyline!
The Franklin Institute – If you’re a fan of science, innovation, and interactive learning, the Franklin Institute is a must-visit. Packed with hands-on exhibits, this institution is not your typical museum—it’s a thrilling experience that makes science engaging for all age groups.
Eastern State Penitentiary – This former prison, now a National Historic Landmark, offers a fascinating and slightly chilling glimpse into the history of incarceration in the United States. Wander through its crumbling cell blocks and hear stories about its famous inmates, like Al Capone. For those who enjoy a bit of thrill, the “Terror Behind the Walls” Halloween event is both fun and spine-tingling.
Rittenhouse Square – One of the oldest public squares in Philadelphia, it is surrounded by trendy cafes, high-end shops, and charming boutiques. It’s an ideal spot for picnics, leisurely strolls, or simply people-watching.
City Hall – Standing proudly in the heart of Center City is the stunning City Hall, a true architectural gem and one of the most iconic symbols of Philadelphia. Completed in 1901, this building is a masterpiece of French Second Empire design. Venture up the the clock tower for a bird’s-eye view of Philadelphia. At 548 feet tall, it’s one of the best observation points in the city.
Magic Gardens – Philadelphia Magic Gardens is a unique art installation by Isaiah Zagar. This mosaic wonderland is made of tiles, glass bottles, mirrors, and other everyday objects. Perfect for Instagram-worthy photos, this place is a testament to the city’s creative and artistic energy.

Treat Yourself to Luxury Accommodation

Get your trip off to the best start by finding somewhere special to stay for the weekend. Philadelphia is home to some great hotels, including some luxury options. Check out ROOST East Market for a hotel with everything you need, including a fantastic location to help you make the most of the city. It is across the street from Reading Terminal Market, which offers an array of excellent food vendors to fuel your visit. It is also a short ten-minute walk to Independence National Historical Park. You’re in for some busy days of exploring, so having a comfy bed to rest in at night will be a welcome treat. The hotel also boasts Philly’s largest rooftop pool, a private screening room, and complimentary bicycles.

Get Ready for Some Incredible Food and Drink

Collage of food vendors at Reading Terminal Market

Philadelphia’s food scene is as diverse as its history, and Reading Terminal Market is the perfect place to experience its flavors. This bustling indoor market offers everything from classic Philly cheesesteaks to international cuisine. Established in 1893, it’s not only a foodie heaven but also a historic landmark. There were so many vendors, we used the market for every meal! We grabbed coffee and bagels in the morning, purchased fresh fruit and snacks to take on the go, and returned for dinner each evening. Whether you are looking for Philly cheesesteaks, or bakeries.

Enjoy the Philadelphia Nightlife

We wore ourselves out walking around the city all day and turned in early, but the hotel concierge told us that the town comes alive at night. If you want to enjoy some city views by night, be sure to stop for a drink at some of Philly’s best rooftop bars like Attico and Stratus. Several of the tour bus operators offer nighttime sightseeing tours as well.

If you’re looking for the ultimate weekend city break, then Philadelphia has a little something for everyone. From family trips to romantic escapes, you’ll find a bit of everything in this fascinating city. And if you’re looking for a way to extend your Pennsylvania adventure, why not spend some time in Lancaster? It’s a charming city that’s worth the visit.

7:45 pm by J Chickery Leave a Comment

2024 Year in Review

2024 was another banner year. We had a few great trips, but didn’t travel quite as much as usual due to one momentous event…the arrival of our granddaughter, Lily! Born on June 13th, she’s been a joy ever since, and Jax has been such a wonderful big brother.

I haven’t had time to add photos for each of the trips below, but you can find them on our Instagram page.

January

We always have a weekend getaway for my birthday. This year, we went to Virginia Beach. We’re working on the Virginia State Parks Trail Quest challenge. The goal is to go on one hike in each of Virginia’s 40 state parks. On this trip we went to First Landing State Park and False Cape State Park. We enjoyed them both, but my favorite was False Cape. Located on the southeastern tip of Virginia, this park is a hidden gem that should not be missed by any nature lover or outdoor enthusiast. You can only access it foot, bicycle, boat, or a seasonal tram. We walked about three miles on the beach to reach the state park.

February

All three of our sons’ birthdays are in February, so we always try to have a fun celebration. This year we went to TopGolf and had a blast! We also had some fun adventures with Jax, from hiking to taking the train to Washington, D.C., to visit some museums.

March

We had two great warm-weather trips in March: Florida and Arizona. First, we went to Miami Beach and took day trips to Biscayne National Park and Everglades National Park. We’ve spent plenty of time in Florida and even lived there twice, but never made it to Miami. We really enjoyed our beachfront stay and can’t wait to go back.

Next, we went to Tucson, where Sean was podcasting at the FMCA Rally. Julie went out exploring at Saguaro National Park most days while he worked. We also had time to spend with our friends Kenny & Sabrina and Mark & Heidi.

April

Julie went on a girls hiking trip to the Blue Ridge Parkway in April. We put in a lot of miles and found the best spot to watch the solar eclipse. Julie & Jax also had a lot of fun outside exploring the local parks and nature trails.

May

Our big trip of the year was to Utah. Our first stop was a week in Park City. We took a tour of the Utah Olympic Park, went on a day trip to Antelope Island State Park, strolled along the Provo River to Bridal Veil Falls, and hiked in the Uintas National Forest near Sundance.

After Julie had an unplanned two-night stay at the lovely Salt Lake City VA hospital over Mother’s Day and Sean’s birthday, we headed to Moab. We spent time at Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park (both the Needles and Island in the Sky districts). We also took day trips to Bears Ears National Monument and Natural Bridges National Monument.

June

This was the best month of the year because we were blessed with another grandchild. This one was so different from Jax’s birth. He was born during the pandemic in 2020, and both of his parents had COVID. They weren’t allowed any visitors at the hospital then we had a major snow storm the day they were released. We finally met him one week after his birth. With Lily we could greet her at the hospital just hours after she was born.

July

Julie had her gallbladder removed in July so this month was spent recovering. Luckily, she was able to visit Jax and Lily. He was forewarned that Grandma wouldn’t be able to run around and play quite as much, but they played plenty of board games and put together puzzles.

August

We finished out the summer with our 2nd annual camping trip to the beach. Once again, the Chesapeake Bay KOA was fantastic! This year Agata’s finally rented a cabin as well. We also rented a kayay for the first time and had fun on the water too. We went up a day early so I could add Kiptopeke State Park to my Virginia Trail Quest list.

September

At the beginning of September, our daughter-in-law returned to work, and Julie started daycare duties. She splits the week with Agata’s mom. They did the same for Jax’s first year, too. These two are the reason we moved back to Virginia. Julie always knew she wanted to be a hands-on grandma and Sean made sure her dream was realized.

October

We took a quick weekend trip to New York City on the train. We’ve been to the city a few times, but this was the first time taking Amtrak and it was the way to go! We toured the Tenement Museum (highly recommend!), saw Harry Potter and the Forbidden Child, and walked 6 miles around Central Park.

And, of course, at the end of the month, we went to see Lily & Jax’s Halloween costumes.

November

We met our friends Kenny & Sabrina at Walt Disney World. This has become a biennial trip for us and we always have a great time catching up. We’re all Disney fans and especially enjoy staying at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Campground.

This year rather than taking our fifth wheel, we decided to rent a small Class C. The reason was that we are thinking of downsizing to one and thought this would give us a good chance to try one out and see how we like the space. By the end of the week, we were convinced and have created a “new RV fund” in our budget. Right now we’re leaning towards the purchase of a Winnebago Vita at the end of 2026.

December

Jax turned four this month! He had a wild animal-themed birthday party, the first one where he had a couple of friends his age there. We also closed out our year of travel adventures with a quick (and very cold) trip to Philadelphia to tour Independence National Historical Park. It was our first time, and we found it fascinating, especially Ben Franklin’s Printing Press. Finally, we wrapped up the year with a wonderful Christmas celebration with all our kids and grandkids.

8:48 pm by J Chickery Leave a Comment

The World’s Greatest Road Trip is Just Around the Corner

Road tripping is one of the most fun, exhilarating, and fulfilling ways of having a good time, and getting a unique travel experience. Hitting the open road in style, wind in your hair, sun on your back, is one of the best ways to have an unforgettable travel adventure this year. But, the greatest road trip the world has ever seen will require no small amount of planning.

As such, you need to be clear about what it takes to enjoy a unique and fun road trip experience, and this means thinking about the boxes you need to tick in order to make that happen. In this blog post, we are going to look at some of the best ideas that are going to help you enjoy the perfect road trip adventure this year.

Plan Your Route

Planning your route is one of the most important parts of the process when it comes to having the best possible road trip. It starts with choosing your basic destination and the sights you want to see along the way. We’ve even created a list of the best road trips around the world to provide you with some inspiration.

Once you’ve selected your destination, you’ll want to create an itinerary that allows room for discovery and exploration, and the chance to be able to enjoy a bit of spontaneity. Careful route planning can make a road trip smoother and more enjoyable. Use mapping tools like RV Life’s Trip Wizard to plot out your main route and identify interesting stops along the way. This can break up the driving time and add fun, spontaneous adventures.

If you have the time, consider taking scenic byways that offer beautiful landscapes and charming small towns. These routes may take a bit longer but can provide memorable experiences and photo opportunities.

Finally, don’t forget to plan for overnight stops. This will make the trip more manageable and give everyone a chance to rest and recharge. See the video above to see how we select campgrounds along our route.

Choose Your Ride

We’ve recently taken to flying to destinations and renting a car to explore more of the area. It works out great because you eliminate the drive time from home when you’re going places rather far away. And it’s obviously a perfect option when you’re roadtripping abroad. One of the most important elements of the whole road trip process is choosing the perfect vehicle to accompany you. This plays a bigger and more essential role than a lot of people realize, and it is important to find the car you think fulfills all your road trip needs. Edmunds can help you pick the right vehicle to help you make the most of your trip.

Our favorite way to explore is in an RV. With transportation and lodging all wrapped up in one, what more can you ask for? Some of the benefits of RV travel include:

Comfort and Convenience

Comfort and convenience: RVs offer unparalleled comfort and convenience for family road trips. With an RV, you have the flexibility to stop and rest whenever needed, cook your own meals, and have all the amenities of home on the road.
Cost effective: Renting an RV can be more cost-effective than booking multiple hotel rooms, especially for larger families. Plus, it allows you to save on dining out by preparing meals in the RV’s kitchen.
Flexibiiity: One of the biggest advantages of traveling by RV is the freedom to explore off-the-beaten-path destinations without worrying about accommodations. This flexibility can lead to unexpected and delightful discoveries.

If you don’t have an RV, don’t worry. You can rent one RV for almost any destination.

Outdoorsy, is a great platform that allows you to rent from individual owners in the US, giving you an ever greater selection. There are many RV rental companies abroad as well, so that you can find a great option no matter where you travel. Check out our guide to understanding RV types to ensure that you choose the right RV for your needs.

Planning Your Budget

Budgeting for a road trip involves more than just gas money. Factor in costs for accommodations, food, entrance fees to attractions, and any additional activities. Creating a detailed budget can help you manage expenses and avoid surprises. Be sure to leave money in the budget for spontaneous fun. Whether it’s an impromptu visit to a local ice cream shop or a unique roadside attraction, these little extras can make the trip more memorable.

Whether you are traveling in a car or by RV, we have compiled a list of 20 ways to save money on your next vacation.

Pack Well

Packing may not be that much fun, but it is one of the most important. You don’t want to be caught out not having something essential that you need to have. This is another reason that we love to travel in an RV: you can pack it all up at home and don’t have to unpack until your trip is finished. Regardless of how you travel, here are a few packing tips:

Safety First: Always pack a first aid kit and a vehicle safety kit.
Clothing: We like to pack layers so that we’re prepared for any type of weather.
Snacks: Save yourself a few bucks and maintain your health by packing road trip snacks and drinks.
Activities/Accessories: Bring along your campfire gear and any other sporting goods you may need. For example, I live to hike and bike, so my helmet, hiking pools, and backpack are always on my list.

These are some of the best ways of being able to enjoy a great road trip, and you need to make sure you consider some of the key options that are going to help you improve this. It is vital to ensure you focus on the best choices that will help to improve your road trip, and this is something that you have to get right as much as possible.