My Dream Weekend in Philadelphia #VisitPhilly

Flat out, I have to disclose that I’m totally biased with this post.  I live in the ‘burbs of Philadelphia and have for the last 14 years so I pretty much think it’s the coolest city around.  I just love it here.  I love it for a variety of reasons that aren’t all related to tourism but I’ll stick on topic with today’s post.  But I did want to tell you that I’m gonna gush because I do love my hometown.

For today’s post, I was tasked to write about my dream 3-day/2-night stay in Philadelphia.  Visit Philly offers an awesome Overnight Package for out of towners – the pricing depends on the time you are booking but parking’s free (take that, New York City!) and the hotel prices are reasonable.

I always say that Philly is totally underrated.  Nestled between New York City and Washington DC, it’s easy to get lost but we have SO much to offer here in terms of American history and culture!  Here’s a bit from what I think would some activities to do during a dream weekend in Center City:

• The National Constitution Center, the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall. Some of the most important events in American history happened right here in Philadelphia.  My boys (especially my 4th grader who is studying American history this year) loved seeing the Liberty Bell in person and touring the National Constitution Center.
• The Betsy Ross House.  Tour the famous lady’s home and learn about the making of the first American flag.
• Timely but awesome for anyone planning on visiting in the next week: The Philadelphia Flower Show.  It’s huge and runs through March 9th.
• Beyond American History, we have some really cool museums.  Namely – the Franklin Institute (named after one of our country’s founding fathers, Ben Franklin) is the home to tons of amazing science exhibits and has an IMAX and a super sized human heart that your kids can run thorugh. (It’s cooler than it sounds!)  
• There’s also the Academy of Natural Sciences (dinosaur bones & more!) and Adventure Aquarium over the bridge in Camden, NJ of which we are annual members and has an impressive collection of sharks and other marine life.
• And let’s not forget the Philadelphia Museum of Art which you may know from the movie Rocky as the steps he makes famous by running up but there’s also an INSIDE to the Museum that is full of an impressive collection of work.
• Leaving the Museum of Art and heading west, you can drive along Boathouse Row and head to the Philadelphia Zoo which is also by far my favorite zoo in the country (and we’ve been to a lot).  I like it because it’s never all that crowded, has every kind of animal you’d want to see and is walkable and doable in a day.  Plus they have some cool activities for the kids along the way including a nifty indoor playground and paddleboat rides.
• And near the zoo is the Please Touch Museum!  This is a hands-on museum that is both educational and fun for kids.

Have I sold you yet?  Clearly I could on and on.  And I didn’t even mention South Street (funky & fun shops and eating) and Olde City (did I mention the food?  Franklin Square Fountain?  Penns Landing?)

I’ll stop now.  I’m passionate about my city though and if you aren’t convinced yet, be sure to check out the Visit Philly Overnight Hotel Package so see more details and don’t forget your car stays free!

Philadelphia is the perfect spot for a getaway! Stay for any two consecutive nights at one of twenty participating hotels and your car stays free! For more information and to book your room visitphilly.com/overnight.
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Visit Philadelphia. The opinions and text are all mine.