Our family headed up to the Philadelphia area for a weekend Lacrosse tournament just outside the city in Fort Washington. On our first full day in town we headed down to Independence National Historical Park (a AAA GEM attraction). A record heat wave was about to hit with temperatures in the 100s, so we got an early start. Independence Hall tickets are available for free on the morning of your visit. You can get them at the Independence Visitor Center at 6th and Market Street starting at 8:30 a.m.... Read More

From the Q&A mailbox:
Question: Kim asks, We are considering a road trip from Detroit to Philadelphia for a summer vacation. We are a family of 4 with two boys ages 13 and 11. Is there enough to do in Philly for the kids aside from all of the history stuff? Any suggestions on where we could stop midpoint for a day or two to break up the trip? Thanks.
Answer: (from the AAA account manager for the area, Matt Lyle): Hi, Kim! Besides all the 'history stuff,' there is plenty for your family to do in Philadelphia. ... Read More

  
I managed to fit a lot into a weekend in Philly, so with apologies to Bruce Springsteen for that headline, here's the rundown:

Our culinary adventures started, of course, with a cheesesteak at Cosmi's deli on South 8th Street. We walked into the store and I could sense immediately that this was the real deal.... Read More

It was a beautiful day in Philly. I was on a travel writing assignment and pounding the pavement in Center City looking for some lunch. At the corner of 13th and Sansom, my travel companion grabbed my arm and shouted “Look!”

I was a little puzzled as I scanned the four corners of the intersection. Then I saw it. A whimsical sign above a storefront said “Capogiro,” but it was the... Read More

Exploring Philadelphia’s Center City neighborhood on a travel writing assignment, I stumbled upon a cozy little pub on the corner of 16th and Spruce. It exuded friendliness, with an old-fashioned awning, inviting red door and patrons sitting at window tables happily nursing their drinks, watching the world go by. Monk’s Belgian Café and Beer Emporium beckoned, and I decided to take the bait. (Of course, it helped that Monk’s was listed in my... Read More