Getting By, Dreaming Big

Breakfast

Jon and I haven’t done anything fun and new recently in NYC (I know the shock of it is too much to bear)!  I recently realized that I never blogged about our weekend getaway to Philadelphia last year so I thought I would take an opportunity to do so now.  Last year, with the economy, we decided to vacation close and keep it short.  I had not been to Philadelphia in like 11 years and Jon had never been there.  We had had plans to go in June of 2007 and it got canceled because of a work deal that Jon had.  Needless to say I was excited to reschedule.

We headed down to Philly on  Friday and we took the Amtrak Train (only 90 minutes!)  Our first stop after checking into our hotel was Reading Terminal Market.  I had read online about The Dutch Eating Place and was excited to try it out.  We shared their amazing blueberry pancakes and they are definitely worth the wait for seat at the “breakfast bar”.

Independence Hall

Then we went to the visitor’s center to get tickets for Independence Hall.  It is free to visit Independence Hall but you need to get tickets for a specific time.  We wandered around the historic district until it was our time to visit Independence Hall.  You start out in a room where a park ranger gives you a brief history of the site and then you go in to see the Hall.  Obviously my favorite part was seeing where the Declaration of Independence was signed!!!  History, history, history!  Love it. 

Independence Hall

After our tour of Independence Hall we took a tour of Congress Hall.  This is where John Adams was sworn in as the 2nd President of the United States.  This was a huge moment in history because it was the first time in the history of the US that the power changed from President to President.  It was pretty amazing to be in that room.

Citizen's Park

Then Jon got stuck on a work call…boo…so it was back to the hotel room for the rest of the afternoon before we headed out to Citizens Park to watch the Phillies take on the Dodgers.  I loved Citizens Park, it was new, clean, huge and had the most amazing ballpark food I’ve ever eaten.  We immediately treated ourselves to Philly logoed Bud Light and got in the long line for Chickie’s & Pete’s Crab Fries (which were delicious).  Obviously we couldn’t just eat fries for dinner so we also got bbq sandwiches.  It was the first time I left a sporting event after drinking a couple of beers and eating and not feeling gross!!!  The Phillies won to boot (and I loved that the bell in the outfield let up and rang everytime they scored a home run!)

All in all it was a great first day in Philly….more to come in future Tuesday Travel posts!

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What’s your favorite Philly attraction?