Are you looking for the perfect adventure into Philly? Philadelphia, âThe City of Brotherly Loveâ may be famous for itâs history, the liberty bell, art museums, and the rocky steps, but the city has SOOOOO much more to offer! From a magical wonderland of mosaics to vintage shops to diverse marketplaces, Philly is an incredible place.
Perfect Day Trip into Philly
Now here is a simple disclaimer: this day trip is for people who are looking for cool and unique things to do in Philadelphia! If youâre looking to visit the Liberty Bell, the Philadelphia Art Museum, or the Rocky steps, this isnât for you! If Iâm totally honest, I lived outside of Philly until I was 21 and have only been to one of the places on that list (only because it was a school field trip).
Philly has much more to offer than just the typical historical sites! And here is my simple itinerary for a perfect, relaxed day trip into the City of Brotherly Love.
Stop 1: Philadelphiaâs Magic Gardens
One of the most magical places to visit ever and by the best hidden gem of Philly, Philadelphiaâs Magic Gardens is a must! Itâs a small wonderland of beauty and art, a maze of endless bright and colorful mosaics.
In the 1960s artist Isaiah Zagar (South Philly native) began tiling South Street in Philly and he hasnât stopped since! This amazing place is constructed out of bicycle pieces, glass bottles, ceramic shards, and other recycled materials.
You can see some of his artwork just walking down and around South Street itself, but the museum is stunning beyond compare and only costs about $15 per person for entry.
View the full post: PHILADELPHIAâS MAGIC GARDENS â WONDERLAND OF MOSAICS AND ART | PENNSYLVANIA
Stop 2: Shop Vintage â Retrospect
Just a few minutes walk from Phillyâs Magic Gardens is one of my favorite vintage shops around! Retrospect vintage is a storehouse of adorable and one of a kind vintage pieces. Specializing in the 1940s to the 1980s there are so many goodies to be found here. Shoes, hats, jackets, sweaters, dresses, accessories, and so much more.
Whether youâre coming to buy or just to step back in time for a bit, this place is so much fun! And considering most of the pieces are true vintage, in good quality, they are also very reasonably priced!
Stop 3: Reading Terminal Market
Located right in Center City, Reading Terminal Market is a must see on any Philly visit. One of Americaâs oldest and biggest markets, they have everything from fudge to local, gourmet coffee to tasty places to eat. So many great options and a wonderful place to stop for a quick bite and to see some of Phillyâs great history.
Tips for Visiting Philadelphia
- Safetyâ Philly overall is a pretty safe city, especially for tourists that wonât be traveling to the more dangerous neighborhoods. As in all cities, always be careful of theft, lock your car doors, keep an eye on your belongings, and be extra cautious at night.
- Parkingâ Parking is usually pretty simple in Philly (weâre not New York) and street parking is usually easy to find. Of course there are parking garages as well, but street parking is usually safe and simple.
- Traditional Things to Doâ Philly has some pretty famous landmarks- The Liberty Bell, the Philadelphia Art Museum, the Rocky Steps, and more! If youâre looking for travel tips for visiting the typical places check out this site!
- Foodâ If youâve never been to Philly before, you should definitely try some traditional Philadelphia foods. The most famous are Philly Cheesesteak and Soft Pretzels. I promise you wonât be disappointed!
Things to Do Outside of Philly
Although Philly itself is quite a city, the suburbs also have a lot to offer. If youâre up for the drive here are a few amazing things to do in Chester County!
Baldwin Book Barn
Any bookworm or lover of old books will be in paradise in this barn turned bookstore in West Chester, Pa. Built in 1822, this 5 story barn has thousands of amazing books and quaint nooks. If you have the time for a short drive, you certainly wonât regret it.
View the full post here: BOOKWORMâS PARADISE â BALDWINâS BOOK BARN | WEST CHESTER, PENNSYLVANIA
Apple Picking
Although this is very dependent on the season, Pennsylvania has endless opportunities to go fruit and apple picking! Highland Orchards in West Chester has fruits to pick all year round, berries, apples, pumpkins, and more. And donât forget to try their famous apple cider donuts in the fall!
View the full post here: FALL FUN: HIGHLAND ORCHARDS â APPLE PICKING, PUMPKINS, AND DONUTS | WEST CHESTER, PENNSYLVANIA
Poconos Mountains
Mountains, forests, lakes, and valleys. The Pocono Mountains are a famous city getaway. With skiing in the winter and white water rafting in the summer, there is no shortage of things to do in this beautiful area! Just under two hours outside of the city, itâs definitely worth a weekend trip. With its endless yellows, golds, reds, and oranges, Philly canât even try to compete with the fall foliage here.
View the full post: THE ULTIMATE DAY TRIP TO THE POCONOS MOUNTAINS â LEHIGH GORGE SCENIC RAILWAY | PENNSYLVANIA
Looking for other cool and unique things to do in Pennsylvania? Check out all of our other recommendations here!
Lots of Love and Safe Travels,
Danielle and Brooke, Colorful Sisters