Philadelphia for 24 hours

by Kaylah Stroup

Friday, the 12th of February, Jeff and I were laying in bed chit chatting about wanting to get away, to take a trip, to just see anything different. I had been hinting for… months(?!) that I wanted to take a Valentine’s Day trip, no matter how small, but no matter how big my hints he didn’t seem too interested in making plans. There are very few things about that man that drive me crazy but I think the big thing is that he’s not a planner. Not making plans makes me anxious. I like to at least have a general idea of what I’ll be doing on a certain day. He briefly mentioned how Philadelphia sounded fun, and I had been saying for a few weeks how I was thinking of taking a short trip there but I figured nothing would come of it. I got out of bed, started to blow dry my hair when, in the mirror, I see him lift his arm in a dramatic fashion and drop his phone onto the bed.

“Booked it!”
“Booked what?”
“A hotel. We’re going to Philadelphia!”

Jeff had a wedding to shoot on Saturday but since Monday was President’s Day he had the day off work. And that’s how at 2am on Sunday morning, after Jeff finished up his wedding, we started the seven hour drive to Philadelphia.

I drove the whole way so he could snooze and wake up in the city well rested. The drive was a breeze aside from a little bit of snow the first hour of the trip. (Hi Mom. Sorry, I lied. It wasn’t thaaat bad, and we survived.) I forgot just how much I love driving. I’m not huge on city driving but long distance driving is my jam. Music up, just belting out the words to all my favorite songs, cruising along. I love it!

tagphilly

So what the heck did we do in Philadelphia in that short amount of time? We visited the cemetery of my dreams. More on that another day because obviously I took about 40 billion photos I’m dying to share. Scoped out a bunch of abandoned buildings, but failed to gain entry to any of them. Did a little exploring underground in an abandoned tunnel where I nearly peed my pants and maybe, just maybe, burst into tears upon exiting.* Laughed at funny tags; some shown in this post, some I regrettably didn’t take photos of. Ate some of the best pierogies I’ve ever had. And most importantly, spent some quality time together. This was easily my favorite Valentine’s Day ever.

As time goes on I’m becoming less and less dependent on plans and learning to just go with the flow better. It’s not always easy, especially since planning is so deeply ingrained in me. Compromise? It’s what makes a solid relationship. Spontaneity? As much as I hate to admit it, is what makes life fun. I’m glad we didn’t make plans until the very very last minute, it made everything all the more exciting. 24 hours in this city was not even close to enough time though. There is so much more I want to see still. We barely touched on our to-do list before running out of time. We will definitely be back. Hopefully for a little bit longer next time.
xoxo

*Long story short : being somewhere dark you’re not supposed to be and spotting someone else entering as well is terrifying, especially when you can tell your boyfriend is a little bit unnerved too. It’s been enough time now that I can admit, it was a pretty fun adventure.

You may also like

35 comments

Asti February 18, 2016 - 2:02 pm

What a fun day! I'm pretty much exactly like you – I like to have everything planned planned planned and my fiancé just likes to go with the flow. Since we live in different countries, the last time I visited I told him I really wanted to just go out and do something, so he ended up booking a train and hotel to Paris. (He lives in London.) Of course, once we got there we had NOTHING planned – but I ended up loving it. The whole purpose of the trip was for us to spend time together and create new memories since we hadn't seen each other for a couple of months, so I think just going with the flow created a better opportunity for that than if we were to have been so focused on going here, here, and here and checking things off some tourist checklist. And the fact that we didn't do a whole lot just means we get to go again, so I think it's a win-win!

Yikes about the abandoned tunnel! I don't think I'd have the courage to try and explore one in the first place, and if I did, I'd probably wet myself if I saw someone else. Eek!

Kaylah February 19, 2016 - 11:58 am

Aw, that sounds like so much fun! Taking a train to Paris sounds amazing.

B February 18, 2016 - 2:04 pm

I'm glad he listened and booked you guys a nice little trip! I can't wait to see the photos from the cemetery!

Kaylah February 19, 2016 - 11:59 am

I can't wait to share them. There are SO many! It was hard to choose which to put in the post.

Stephanie Lee February 18, 2016 - 4:18 pm

That wall with all the bottles is so neat! Great photos. 🙂

Kaylah February 19, 2016 - 11:59 am

Isn't it!? I was so bummed it wasn't open early enough for us to visit.

Lauren Lalicon February 18, 2016 - 4:55 pm

Ah, Philly! I love Philly! My boyfriend lives about 40min away and I have a couple of friends in the area, so we got there from time to time, and I have yet to see all I want to see. If you ever find yourself in Philly again, definitely go to Franklin Fountain! It's an adorable retro themed ice cream shop in Center City.

Props to you for making the long drive and driving in that city! My heart is racing just thinking about how tight and confusing the roads are.

Kaylah February 19, 2016 - 12:02 pm

Oh, will do! I LOVE ice cream! 😀

DUDE, RIGHT?! Those roads are awful. Jeff drove everywhere while we were in city while I kept my face buried in my phone so I didn't stress. I guess they wouldn't be too bad if I knew where I was going and had a better idea of how the city was laid out but yeah, wow, they were just confusing. There were so many times google maps would tell us to turn down a road and we'd be like "No way, that is TOTALLY an alley!"

Rebecca Barber February 18, 2016 - 9:57 pm

Glad you had a good time here in Philly! If you ever visit again and need more fun suggestions of things to do and eat, happy to help!

Kaylah February 19, 2016 - 12:02 pm

Thanks, Rebecca! I'll keep that in mind. 🙂

e.m. ricchini February 19, 2016 - 12:05 am

GIRL. Please let me know when you're back in town! I'll show you around. Also, I love that you ate pierogies. Most people are like "blah blah CHEESESTEAK blah blah."

Kaylah February 19, 2016 - 12:03 pm

I WILL! I wanted to this time but it all happened so fast and there just wasn't enough time.

e.m. ricchini February 19, 2016 - 2:20 pm

Yeah I wasn't even here (was up in New York for the weekend) so it would have been difficult anyway 😉

Kaylah February 20, 2016 - 1:10 pm

GOOD!!! Now I can stop pouting about not getting to meet you.

Meghan Edge February 19, 2016 - 1:17 am

Awww! I love this post! You make me so homesick for my old town. <3 Also, that is the most AMAZING cemetery ever if you went to THE ONE.

Kaylah February 19, 2016 - 12:04 pm

THE ONE? LOL! I would definitely consider this cemetery THE ONE. I mean, I just don't know how there could be somewhere better. 🙂

Leslie Capponi February 19, 2016 - 1:24 am

I hope you got to go to graffiti pier! If not, put it on your list. We make campfires out there and explore all the amazing graffiti

Kaylah February 19, 2016 - 12:05 pm

It was on the list, we drove there and there were cops where we wanted to park so we had to leave. Such a bummer, we were definitely looking forward to hitting that spot. Next time, for sure!

Rae - Say It Aint So February 19, 2016 - 3:03 am

the idea of doing somewhere with no plan makes me crazy! ah! i'm a huge planner, and cringe at the thought of missing something!
next time you go, you have to go to the mutter museum! you will go insane! it is the coolest museum full of medical oddities. we went when we were in Philadelphia for about 24 hours, and LOVED IT.
http://muttermuseum.org/

Kaylah February 19, 2016 - 12:08 pm

That's why I like to make plans, I don't want to miss anything!

I went to the mutter museum a few years back and it was on the list of things to do this time but we just ran out of time.

Erin February 19, 2016 - 6:44 am

Having only 24 hours in a city is so fun. Glad you made the most of it and had a great time. x

Erin | beingerin.com

Kaylah February 19, 2016 - 12:09 pm

Thanks, Erin! 🙂

Leah February 19, 2016 - 3:40 pm

Yo, I live in Philly! This town is so weird and wonderful and gritty and has a ton of heart and food and booze and pockets of awesome. Come back, soon! I have a zillion suggestions and recommendations I can give you if you ever need.

Kaylah February 20, 2016 - 2:09 pm

I will definitely keep that in mind. We are always down to hear food suggestions! 😀

Leah February 22, 2016 - 9:02 pm

Super happy to help 🙂

Jennifer February 19, 2016 - 10:09 pm

Oh man! You were probably in Philly when I was there! Granted, looking at the photos, in totally different areas. I would love to hear some specifics of where you went (mostly the cemetery) I know there is one that does a charity run every halloween, which I really want to do. I wonder if it is the same one you were at.

Kaylah February 20, 2016 - 2:17 pm

Mount Moriah Cemetery?

I think Laurel Hill Cemetery does a run though. I visited there are few years back, there are like three posts full of photos somewhere in my archives. It's SO beautiful there.

Jennifer February 20, 2016 - 5:17 pm

Thanks for the info. The Laurel Hill Cemetery is the run I am thinking of, Rest in Peace 5K. But both look so cool to visit.

Erin Rebar February 19, 2016 - 10:16 pm

And…I tried to preview my comment, and it got deleted. Oops! Now to try to remember what I was saying. Basically, the gist of it was, I've never been to Philadelphia before, but this looked like so much fun! I love these pictures, especially the one with the pretty blue bottles. And all the random graffiti. Ha! Now I need to talk my husband into taking a random adventure when he gets home from class. LOL.

Kaylah February 20, 2016 - 2:18 pm

Hope you can convince him to go on a random adventure! 😉

Lauren February 20, 2016 - 8:21 pm

I definitely want to go to Philadelphia one day, but since I live in Scotland, it'll probably be for a bit longer! I think short trips are great. It gives you a taste for the place so you definitely know if you want to go back. Can't wait to see your cemetery photos! x
thedevilwearstartan.com

Marine February 23, 2016 - 3:28 am

We've been living here for a grand total of 5 years now and I still feel like we haven't even come close to seeing most of the city. We took a 3-day staycation last year in January but it was cold and damp and disheartening… I'd love to do another one in the summer time, and really get a feel for the city!

Next time you're around, let me know!

Meegs February 23, 2016 - 4:29 am

Aww, Philly. We just moved to Colorado from Philly, and I miss it! So wonderful to see it in your pictures. I ditto whoever rec'ed the Franklin Fountain! Also the Mutter Museum! You would enjoy it. Can't wait to see your cemetery pictures. (Also, have you tried scrapple? If not, definitely give it a whirl next time you're there.)

gabbi bump February 24, 2016 - 7:33 am

I freaking love Philly, there is so much awesome there! Like the reader above suggested, you MUST check out the Mutter Museum, you'll love it! What is the place with the bottles?!

Mount Moriah Cemetery - THE DAINTY SQUID September 24, 2017 - 4:22 pm

[…] deciding to take a spur of the moment trip to Philadelphia for Valentine’s Day, we hit the internet for ideas of what to do. I guess unlike most like […]

Comments are closed.