Experiencing Philadelphia

Jake and I spent a few days in Philadelphia with our dear friends Andy and Andrea. We were originally planning on going to a 76's game, but ended up just exploring the city. After we checked into our hotel on Friday, we headed out for dinner at The Continental where we shared this massive pile of shoestring fries!

We also shared this tasty cheesesteak eggroll:

Since Andrea lived in Philly during grad school, she knows the city well and was a great travel partner! After dinner we explored little shops, cafes, bars and even enjoyed some dessert!

Jake and Andy

We stayed at the Omni hotel downtown

Breakfast on Saturday morning at Mrs. K's Diner

The weather was AWESOME on Saturday. We walked around all day without our coats on! So nice and unusual for January!

There was a cute little farmers market at Rittenhouse Square on Saturday

I had my first Philly Cheesesteak!

We took a little carriage ride because the drivers give lots of history on the buildings, streets, houses and churches. It was really neat! I love American history, so I loved this!

The building below is Carpenter's Hall, which was the first meeting place of the First Continental Congress. In 1774, delegates from the colonies gathered in this building and voted on a trade embargo against England - one of the first unified acts of defiance against the King of England.

LOVE the historical homes!

During our carriage tour, we stopped to see the inside of St. Peter's Episcopal Church located in Society Hill. There is no front or back to this church because the altar is at one end and an elevated wine-glass pulpit at the other end. The boxed pews have seats that face both directions. This picture is facing the altar.

On our carriage tour we also saw the Physick House - an 18th century mansion. Dr. Physick is the "Father of American Surgery". We also saw the first banks of the US, the liberty bell, and much more!

We toured Independence Hall where the Declaration of Independence was signed.

Below is the courtroom in Independence Hall.

The Assembly Room of Independence Hall. The room is arranged just as it was during the Constitutional Convention.

The governor's suite

 Jake and Andy in Congress Hall - home of the US Congress from 1790-1800.

We had a blast n Philadelphia with Andy and Andrea! I can't wait to go back sometime...Jake and I would love to see the US Mint, Betsey Ross' House, and other museums.