Sometimes you just need a little break from your normal surroundings. Over the last couple of months I’ve been juggling work, studying, classes and trying to make time for my personal life. So a break from my normal routine was very much-needed. Philly is so close to New York (1.5 hour drive) that you could actually make it a day trip if you wanted.

We headed down to Philly Friday evening, and stayed at Renaissance Philadelphia Airport Hotel which was booked via Expedia. After settling in we met up with my brother downtown at His&Hers hookah lounge. The spot was cool, the music was really good (the DJ even played Afrobeats); however, I was starving when I got there and their food was mediocre. We stayed there until around 2am then headed back to the hotel.

Saturday, we missed brunch! But we ended up going to Jones on Chestnut Street. I got Fried Chicken and Waffles with a Pear Bellini and Moe got a Turkey club sandwich. Surprisingly when we got there was no wait, the place is cute and laid back. However, it was just extremely loud in there. Whatever material they used to build the inside makes the noise bounce off the walls. But, the food was really good so that’s a plus!

After lunch we headed to  Teassart Bar in Chinatown. The place isn’t that big but there is a sit down area, and they provide games if you want to play (Connect 4, Janga, Uno, etc). We got the Mango fruit light bulb drink and a Waffle cone ice cream with what seems like everything in it. Then we decided to go over to the Liberty Bell but unfortunately we weren’t able to see it (from the inside at least) because they were closed already. But we did walk around Independence National Historic Park and in passed the National Liberty Museum. 

On our final day we walked the Mural Mile. I love street art so this was on of my favorite things we did for the weekend. The Mural Mile include 17 murals through out commercial and residential neighborhoods in Downtown Philly.  Then before leaving the beautiful city of Philadelphia we headed over to Pat’s for a Philly Cheesesteak.

Overall I had a really good and much needed weekend away from NYC. Below are some more dope things you can do when in Philly (that we didn’t get to do):

• Naval Shipyard (weekdays)
• Love sculpture in the Love park (re-opening September 2017) the Amor sculpture is open
• For the Ice cream lovers:
  • Kermit’s Bake Shoppe 
  • Big Gay Ice Cream Philadelphia
  • Little Baby’s Ice cream 
  • Sweet Charlie’s
• Betsy Ross House
• And of course there are plenty of Art Museums!!