Why We Spent a Weekend in Philly

We decided to take a road trip to celebrate Yohann's birthday! Philadelphia delivered a fun mix of walkable neighborhoods, beautiful squares, fun markets, and great food. It’s an easy city to explore on foot with plenty of spots to sit outside, people-watch, and soak in the history and energy.

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Squares, Markets, Cheesesteaks, and a Whole Lot of Vibes

Here’s how we spent our two days in the City of Brotherly Love.

Stroll the Signature Squares

• Rittenhouse Square — We sat outside and enjoyed people-watching at Rouge while sipping on 2 beers for $21. 
• Washington Square — This is a quieter square that we decided to walk through on our way to Talula’s Garden (more on that below).
• Franklin Square — They have mini-golf in the middle of the square and they were doing a Spooky Halloween-themed Mini Golf ($15/person) while we were there, so we had to check it out. It was a lot of fun!
• Independence Square — Lovely to wander and take in the historical sights of the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall.

Iconic Photo Ops & Culture

• LOVE Park — We stopped to take the classic photo at the LOVE sign. There was a short line, but totally worth it. 
• Benjamin Franklin Parkway — Walk the flag-lined boulevard, then climb the Rocky steps at the Philadelphia Museum of Art (museum tickets are $30/adult). The museum has lots of European art and also a pretty large Asian art section. It was a nice way to spend the morning. The Statue of Rocky Balboa is a popular photo spot so expect a crowd there unless you go early in the morning.

Markets & Food Hall Grazing

• Reading Terminal Market — The market has tons of food vendors and was very crowded during our visit. We really wanted to be able to sit down and enjoy your lunch, so we grabbed 2 meat platters from Kamal’s for $41 and got seats at their counter. The vendors selling cheesesteaks were super busy.
• Italian Market — We thought this would have a similar set up to Reading Terminal Market, but it's actually a few blocks of restaurants and shops (lots of Mexican and Italian) in South Philly. The neighborhood is not very Italian anymore and has become quite international, so don't go expecting an immersive Italian experience. We stopped for a small chocolate gelato at Anthony’s Italian Coffee House for $5.

Cheesesteak Showdown: Pat’s vs. Geno’s

We walked about 10 minutes from the Italian Market for the big taste test:

• Pat’s King of Steaks — Mushroom pepper cheesesteak for $20.
• Geno’s Steaks — Mushroom cheesesteak for $18.50.

Our research told us these were the two most popular spots for cheesesteaks and the places are very touristy. However, they are both right across the street from each other, so it was very easy to try both. They both tasted about the same to us, but Geno’s wins our vote for friendlier service. (Locals will tell you their favorites are elsewhere, but this was a fun first-timer experience and we thought both were good.)

Breweries & Outdoor Sips

• Walnut Garden — Cute, seasonal outdoor beer garden (2 beers for $17). They told us they're open year-round, and were decked out for Halloween during our visit. 
• Victory Brewing Company — Great local beer and food ($80.26 for 2 lunch entrees + 2 beers). We love buying Victory beers at home and were excited to see their brewery!
• Yards Brewing — We got 2 beers for $20 and had fun watching all the fans during the Eagles football game. This bar goes all out of the games and even had a DJ. 

Dinner to Book in Advance

Talula’s Garden — Everything was delicious and they have a beautful space. We highly recommend checking this place out if you visit. We ordered seafood risotto, branzino with bean purée & broccoli, plus a chocolate lava cake with peanut butter ice cream. With 2 beers, the total was $140. They also had excellent service and cozy ambience.

Easy Urban Wandering

• Walnut Street — Packed with shops, bars, and restaurants; great for an evening stroll.
• Penn’s Landing — Waterfront promenade and piers; nice for sunset and skyline views.

Costs at a Glance

• Rouge (2 beers): $21
• Spooky Mini Golf: $15/person
• Philadelphia Museum of Art: $30/adult
• Reading Terminal Market (Kamal’s, 2 meat platters): $41
• Anthony’s Italian Coffee House (gelato): $5
• Pat’s cheesesteak: $20
• Geno’s cheesesteak: $18.50
• Walnut Garden (2 beers): $17
• Victory Brewing (2 entrees + 2 beers): $80.26
• Yards Brewing (2 beers): $20
• Talula’s Garden (2 beers, 2 entrees, dessert): $140

Final Thoughts

Even with a couple of closures, Philly packed our weekend with great food, easy walking, and memorable neighborhoods. There's a lot of American history to discover in this city. From classic squares and markets to cheesesteaks and breweries, it’s a perfect two-day city break, and a lively one if you catch a game-day crowd.

Planning your own Philly weekend? Don’t forget to grab our free packing list and our free travel safety checklist so you can have everything you need to enjoy your trip and stay safe along the way.