Last summer, my husband and I went to the East Coast the the US for just over a week. I was headed to Maine on a week-long course for work, so we took advantage of the free flight to see family and friends. Our friend, who officiated our wedding, lives on the outskirts of Philadelphia. We had been to seen them once (for their wedding!) before but now they had a two year old son and a dog. Even though the summer was in full swing and our friends had to work, we managed to stay busy during our visit. Here are my recommendation on how to stay active when visiting Philly.
Run through the City of Love and up the Rocky steps– I gave myself an August run streak challenge, which I stuck too even though it was so hot and humid! I ran at least one mile a day that month, covering ground in London, Boston, Philadelphia, and Bar Harbour. Thanks goodness we could use their washing machine during their stay because I was dripping with sweat after even one mile. I couldn’t go to Philadelphia and not recreate this iconic cinematic moment as part of my streak. The wide open sidewalks were great for running on. It was earlier in the morning when I started out so it wasn’t too crowded on the steps leading up the the Philadelphia Museum of Art. The weather was hot but there were a few other runners joining me on those steps. I was probably the only one taking selfies with a tripod though.
Visit the Philadelphia Zoo– Did you this is America’s first zoo and it opened in 1874 after a delay due to the Civil War? The zoo itself covers 42 acres, giving you plenty of chances to get those steps in. Plus there will be benches, cafes, and toilets along the way. And don’t forget all the cool animals too. We went on an overcast day and ended up getting rained out. Plus it was nap time for the wee one.
Go to Marsh Creek State Park for a hike and then grab lunch at Victory Brewing Company (VBC). When you have a small child in tow, you tend to stick to easier paths in case you need to carry said child. That was ok with us due to the heat. Unfortunately, we didn’t make it to the large lake in the center of the park, but you can swim, boat or fish in the lake. Not far away is the VBC at the Downington location. it looks like the menu has changed a bit from last summer because of Covid, but when we were there, we all enjoyed the pizza. Philly Cheesesteak is still on the menu if you don’t manage to find one in the city during your stay.
What else did we get up to while we were there?
Got our nerd on at Mutter Museum– I have a strong interest in medicine and biology. This museum did not disappoint but might not be your cup of tea. It is a bit macabre, showcasing physiological anomalies (deformities, false eyes, preserved animals born with two heads, etc). They also have slices of Albert Einstein’s brain, a skull collection, and medical instruments from around the world and across time. You are not allowed to take any photos while in there but the gift shop has some great options to take away as a memento.
While I like all this biology, James loves going to tall buildings when we travel. In Philadelphia, he went up the One Liberty Observation Tower while I went shopping in the mall below. Being a geographer, James enjoys seeing the structure of the landscape. Unfortunately, it looks like it has closed indefinitely due to low tourism rates but keep checking back in case things open up again in 2021.
Lastly, we ate donuts! When we went to Dublin in 2016 with my mom, I spotted a trendy donut shop while on a city bus tour. From then on, I always try to find at least one donut shop in every place I visit. Much like running, it can take me to a neighbourhood I might not otherwise go to. Plus, I love sugary treat. In Philly, we visited Reading Terminal Market for Beiler’s Donuts. These were delicious and also had retro pricing (I believe less than $2 per item. In London, trendy donuts at £3.50+). On the way to the airport, we drove to Frangelli’s Bakery in a local neighbourhood. As it was the afternoon, there wasn’t much choice but they will stuff your donuts upon request, which I thought was pretty cool.
We did several other touristy things (bog standard Liberty Bell, National Constitution Center, etc) and also enjoyed trips to the local playground with our friends. \it was the perfect mix of relaxation and keeping busy for me. If you head over to Philadelphia, keep in mind it has a subway system available but it also seemed pretty easy to drive through if you decide to hire a car.
What other suggestions do you have for keeping fit and active in Philly? Leave a comment below and let me know.
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