Busy moms rarely get time (or make time) to spend time with our girlfriends. This month a friend was turning 40 and we decided to celebrate by having a girls’ weekend. We were looking for a place that we wouldn’t have to travel too long to get to, where we could enjoy nice dinners, sleep in and explore museums and more. A girls’ weekend in Philly is the perfect escape: only about 2 hours away from NYC, easily accessible by bus, car or train and full of culture and great food. Seriously it’s the perfect place to get away for a weekend with girlfriends! And during the holiday season, it’s even cooler! This trip to Philly was all about taking some time to relax, taking it easy, soaking up culture and art and of course eating good food!
Of course, in order to relax we stayed at a great hotel, The Radisson Warwick Blu. This hotel is in a great location and has wifi, a business lounge with continental breakfast, free hot apple cider in the lobby. The rooms are decorated with quintessentail Philadelphia decor like ROCKY and the LOVE sculpture.
Check out this bed:
Both my friend and I have been to Philadelphia and seen the most popular sites like the Constitution Center and Liberty Bell, so this time around we really wanted to focus on the art and walking around and discovering things.
We decided to check out the Barnes Foundation, a private collection of Mr. Albert Barnes, a doctor who was an art collector. Mr. Barnes’ collection is SUPER impressive. There were many pieces by Cezanne, Renoir, Monet, Picasso and Van Gogh along with a range of other art pieces dating back to the Greek and Egyptian empires!
Photo: © 2012 The Barnes Foundation
I found my new favorite painting by Monet… check it out, it’s called The Studio Boat (Le Bateau-atelier), 1876.
Photo: © 2012 The Barnes Foundation
The Mural Arts Project – Murals all over the City
We were also mesmerized by the murals all over Philadelphia, as part of the Mural Arts Project. The Mural Arts Project is considered the world’s largest outdoor gallery. It’s wonderful to walk around the city and see these murals, you never know when one is going to pop up! There’s also a walking tour you can take!
Magic Gardens, a mosaic-filled space in Philadelphia created by Isaiah Zagar. Every inch of this space is covered with colorful mosaics made with pieces of ceramics, bottles, bike tires and other pieces like religious artifacts.it’s truly breathtaking and pictures can’t truly capture the beauty of the space. It’s whimsical and inspiring. (PS. Also follow Mr. Zagar on Instagram to follow his work).
Reading Terminal Market is a must. There are all kinds of different foods. Make sure to try the pretzels and pick up some farm fresh products. 
Stop by Kauffman’s Lancaster County Farm Fresh booth and bring back homemade goods– apple butter, jams, pickles, and so much more!
If you are ever in Philly and want a treat, Alma de Cuba has the best Cuban food I’ve ever tasted!
Of course Philadelphia during the holidays is beautiful! Check out the lights!
We also loved the National Liberty Museum, which pays homage to the heroes that have fought for liberty. It’s a very moving exhibition.
If you’re off this week, take a day trip to Philly and enjoy some of their Christmas markets (with spiked apple cider and hot wine) holiday light shows, and the River Rink at Penn’s Landing.
We had a lovely time during our girls’ weekend in Philly. It’s nice to get away with girlfriends from time to time, do adult things like check out murals, art and drink spiked hot apple cider and sleep in without worrying about our kids waking us up. I’m convinced moms should do this to be sane! So start planning a 2016 girls’ weekend now!
I love the City of Brotherly Love! Check out 10 Reasons to Visit Philly
Philly is also a great place for a family day trip! Our Day Trip to Philly
Share this now!
1 Comment