Over Labor Day weekend, we were looking for a place to go on Best Bets. Philadelphia came up as a top option, with numerous open seats. Since it was a short direct-flight, we decided on a Philadelphia day trip rather than an overnight stay and got up early to jet off.

We arrived in Philadelphia on Sunday morning around 8:30 a.m. I mention this because I think we were a little too early. The streets were pretty empty for about an hour, and most shops didn’t open until 10 a.m. The advantage, however, was that we got to see the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall with minimal wait times.

Eats

We enjoyed the historical sights of Philadelphia but skipped the museums, wanting to avoid entrance fees. While wandering around the historic district and Washington Square, we tried a beer bagel, got some tea, and had our first authentic Philly cheesesteak at Sonny’s Famous Steaks. As more of a cold-cut sandwich type of gal, I was pleasantly surprised—it was a tasty sandwich!

Full, but still curious about the food scene in Philadelphia for a possible return visit, we headed to Reading Terminal Market. It was filled to the brim with bustling restaurants and food stalls. Had we been hungry, we certainly would have sampled some of the offerings. I’d definitely try something there if we go back.

DIY Walking Tour

Continuing our walk, we visited Love Park, strolled the grounds of Christ Church, admired the grandeur of City Hall, and stumbled upon The Portal. We had just seen it from the Dublin side, so it was cool to come full circle and see the Philadelphia side.

After walking almost eight miles throughout or Philidelphia day trip, our feet were tired, so we switched to an earlier flight home. We made it back in time for dinner!

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