Philadelphia: City of Brotherly Love

After our adventures in New York City, we took an Amtrack train from Penn Station to Union Station in Philadelphia.  We arrived late at night and were ready to spend the whole day in the City of Brotherly Love.  I learned my lesson in New York and went with shorts to beat the Northeastern heat wave.

Top: Y&I; Shorts: The Limited

Bag: Calvin Klein

Necklace: Bottica c/o Klout Perks

Bracelet: Target

Shoes: Converse (That's Independence Hall in the background)

We bought tickets to one of those Hop On-Hop Off tour buses and made our first stop at the Reading Terminal Market to grab an early lunch.  The cheesesteak sandwich originated in Philadelphia so what else were we going to eat?  I loved the market at Reading Terminal and I was upset that I didn't stop and grab some fruit for the road after lunch, but our lunch at Carmen's Famous Cheesesteaks was so delicious that I completely forgot.

After lunch, we went all around the city visiting the landmarks and the boys even ran up the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art in an ode to Rocky Balboa.  Our kids had never heard of Rocky and now we have all the Rocky movies so they can know why Dad made them run up the steps in the scorching heat!

Love Sculpture at Love Park

Philadelphia City Hall 

View from the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art

Gates at Fairmount Park 

Independence Hall

We went back at Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell before we ended up at Union Station and on another train to Washington, D.C. for the last leg of our trip.  

Liberty Bell at Independence Square

I have to admit that this was my favorite day of the entire vacation.  We relaxed and got to really take in everything and not feel rushed.

What are your favorite vacations? Active vs. Relaxing? City vs. Beach?