Philadelphia

Top 5 Things to Do:     1.Get the perfect jeans at Charlie's 2.Get a facial at Blue Mercury 3. Experience South Philly Italian Style 4. Drink cocktails from a glass made of ice at 32 degrees 5. Ride the Ducks

Venture back into history, get a taste of Little Italy, visit Old Havana, take in the arts and party under the stars.

Philadelphia has a great balance of historic charm and modern luxuries.

Whether you’ve visited before, or this is your first trip, a great way to get to know Philadelphia is to partake in a guided tour. Catch a glimpse of the major sites and enjoy an abbreviated history lesson along with fascinating trivia for a unique and educational experience to kick off your trip. Ride the Ducks and visit major attractions like Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, Betsy Ross’ House, Ben Franklin’s grave and the US Mint, then plunge into the Delaware River at Penn’s Landing for beautiful views of the cityscape. You may have seen these land and water vehicles, carrying quacking passengers in many cities throughout the country but never thought to hop aboard. You will be pleasantly amazed by these amphibious vehicles that are based on a similar vehicle used in WWII. They are safe and comfortable, certified by the US Coast Guard and in use for tourism since 1977, when the first Ride the Ducks tour began in Branson, Missouri. The tour guides are funny, entertaining and offer intriguing information about the city. Grab the girls and climb aboard!  Getting a layout of the city with a fun, unique tour is a great way to start your trip.

Now that you’ve seen the best of Philly’s historical sights, switch gears and and take time to stroll through over 225,000 works of art at The Philadelphia Museum of Art. The Philadelphia Museum of Art is one of the largest museums in the US, founded in 1876 and the art encompasses over 200 galleries. If you enjoy the art scene, schedule your trip to overlap the first weekend of the month and take advantage of First Fridays, in which 40 local galleries host open houses, serving wine and hors d’ouerves to visitors perusing the local art scene. October marks the annual celebration of Center City Arts and Culture week when you can purchase half priced tickets to shows and events.

If you’ve worked up an appetite, make a stop at Little Italy to indulge in a delectable array of treats or just relax and enjoy the ambiance. Street vendors and merchants line the streets at 9th and Washington, which is known as the Italian Market. Delis, bakeries and butcher shops join fish mongers, cheese shops and produce markets to offer up some of the best authentic Italian delicacies. If you are looking for a place to dine, La Famiglia boasts an extraordinary wine list and also offers tours of its wine cellar. Another favorite, Tre Scalini, is known for delicious seafood dishes and Italy imported sorbet.

For a comprehensive food tour, the Reading Terminal market is a delicious place to stop. (Check out our tasty travel article.)

Looking for a place to kick back and enjoy more local flavors? Philadelphia is also known for its microbrews especially Brewerytown. This stretch along the Schuylkill River is where you’ll find Triumph Brewery Company, Manayunk Brewery and Yards Brewing Co. Mark your itinerary for The Yards Brewing Co. tour which offers free tastings on Saturdays from noon until 3pm.

If your favorite past time is shopping, head to Center City and enjoy tax free shopping (yes I said tax free!) on all your diva must haves from fashionable clothes to must-have shoes! Center City’s upscale shops make for a great shopping trip from Chestnut to Walnut and Broad St to 21st. Visit 210 Market St for a girl’s dream come true--the perfect jeans, are at Charlie’s Jeans. With elite brands like Seven, Joe’s and Habitual, Charlie will make sure that you are in the latest fashion, but also offers alterations to make sure they fit just right. A few blocks away, you’ll find yourself at Rittenhouse Square, one of the original squares named after David Rittenhouse. He surveyed the Pennsylvania-Maryland boundary in 1763, which was later accepted by Charles Mason and Jeremiah Dixon, who are remembered for the Mason-Dixon line.

Rittenhouse Square is bustling with activity, commuters taking a short cut to get home, dogs walking their owners, picnickers, and locals resting on the park benches for a break. With shops and restaurants offering outdoor seating it’s no wonder that this place is a great spot to hand out and catch up on girl talk. While you’re there, stop into to Blue Mercury Apothecary and Spa to stock up on your favorite products, like Bumble and Bumble, Frederic Fekkai, and Fresh or select from half a dozen facial treatments from the spa menu. Devons, Rouge99 and Bleu combine tasty food, lively atmosphere and outdoor seating for a great people watching experience!

When the sun goes down, this city heats up. Girls night out will be a blast at any one of Philly’s hot spots. A great place to cap off dinner or start happy hour is at Tria, which is a dessert and cheese bar with a wonderful wine and microbrew selection. The cheese menu has great descriptions, and your order has a wonderful presentation on a wood board, complete with baguette. We also tried the Nutella sandwich-although simple it was absolutely delightful! Speaking of snacks and drinks, Continental martini bar is a restaurant with a rooftop lounge, serving up an extensive martini menu to sip under the stars. Denim is another stop that shouldn’t be missed-a posh lounge that has it all, except the stuffy atmosphere. Mingle amongst the stylish in Philly, but not so fancy that its namesake is excluded-you can wear jeans to this upscale lounge!

Turn it up a notch and head to Old City for the ultimate girls night out.  32° is a champagne bar and lounge that offers European bottle service and cocktails served in a glass made of ice.  Heart pounding music and elegant decor fill this luxurious European club that accepts euros and dollars!  Just next door is a Cuban club, reminiscent of 1950s Cuba, named Cuba Libre Restaurant and Rum Bar.  The drink menu is incredibly extensive with about 100 kinds of rum, 11 kinds of mojitos, 6 Pisco cocktails and 15 different coffee concoctions.  Cuba Libre is an escape to Old Havana, if not for a nightcap, enjoy a Tropical Brunch, or experience authentic Cuban cuisine at lunch or dinner.

Philadelphia seemed like several destinations wrapped up in one.  Not only could I walk in the footsteps of those that built our country, I tread the same streets of Italians who brought their food and traditions with them when they settled in Philly.  I learned Latino dance steps and walked the famous stairs of the Philadelphia Museum of Art.  Whether you are looking for the charm of a town, the energy of a city; the variety of a melting pot, the serenity of a vacation-you’ll find it here.