Here’s How I Spent 48 Hours In Philly – Complete Guide

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Philly has been on my list of cities to visit for the longest time and I finally made the trip last week. Although I was there for more than two days, I slept through most of my first day, so in reality, I was only left with 48 hours to explore.

Philly is the perfect city for a quick visit. In just a weekend, you can see the majority of what this city has to offer.

So here’s a complete itinerary for my short visit to Philadelphia.

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STAY

Lokal Hotel, a modern apartment-style hotel located in Fishtown, Philadelphia, about 10-15 minutes from downtown, was kind enough to host me. This hotel is gorgeous and the PERFECT location for anyone who enjoys great aesthetic, and bright, open spaces – especially if you’re a creator.

I prefer boutique-style hotels over chain hotels and Lokal checked every box on my list. The hotel consists of six rooms and was built and furnished by locals, with a QR code that allows you to find and purchase furniture displayed in the rooms. 

Although the entire establishment is contactless, housekeeping is available on a daily basis. The apartment is fully stocked with everything you could possibly need, and the concierge is controlled via an iPad.

If you visit Philadelphia, I strongly advise you to stay at the Lokal Fishtown location.

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VISIT

• African American Museum (Adult Price – $14):  located in the Historic District, this museum offers insight and history. Although my visit was short, because I arrived 30 minutes before closing, I still was able to learn and enjoy a lot of the exhibits. 
• Liberty Bell (Free): located a few steps from the AAMP, the liberty bell is an excellent way to learn more about its symbolic significance as it relates to Equal Rights and Slavery.
• Independence Hall (Free): Although we didn’t get a chance to take a guided tour, we were able to walk around and learn about the history of the Independence Hall where the Declaration of Independence of the United States of America was signed. 
• Love Park – officially known as John F. Kennedy Plaza (Free): Located in the heart of Downtown, near City Hall, it is a popular tourist attraction, so plan on waiting in line to get your photos. 
• City Hall (Free): is the largest Municipal building in the U.S. visible as soon as you enter downtown Philadelphia. In the heart of the city, it is the signature backdrop for Philly-style photos. 
• Cira Green (Free):  I love a great skyline and wanted the best location for the perfect view of Philadelphia’s skyline, so I did some research and found Cira Green, a park located on the rooftop of a parking garage. We arrived an hour before sunset and quickly discovered that this is a popular hangout spot for locals. During our visit, a movie was playing, and a large crowd gathered on the lawn to watch. There is also a concession stand with food and beverages for sale. According to their website, they host a variety of events, so be sure to check their calendar before your visit. 
• Harriet’s Bookstore: Located in Fishtown, this is a black woman-owned bookstore. The store mostly consists of books written by women of color, with a section dedicated to children’s books as well as a reading garden. I highly recommend stopping by if you’re in the area. 

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EAT

Surprisingly, I have no pictures of my food. Am I even a blogger? I’ll just chalk that up to it was all so good – I couldn’t even wait. 

• Hefe Tacos: On my first day, I ordered Ubereats from here and the food was excellent. I recommend trying the NYC empanadas.
• Various restaurants in Chinatown for Milk tea: When I visited the gallery mall and strolled around Chinatown, I enjoyed a Boba milk tea from a restaurant I can’t remember, but there is a milk tea shop around every corner.
• Reading Terminal Market: a market with various restaurants and vendors, there is something for everyone, with food from almost every culture. I tried a burger from Hunger Burger and Sushi from Umi Seafood & Sushi and I wished I had space for more because I wanted to try everything.
• Double Knot: I met a friend at this lovely restaurant for dinner after a long day walking around the city. The food was delicious and so was the ambiance. It’s a Japanese restaurant located in Midtown village and their menu consists of various small plates, but you can curate your own Chef’s Tasting by choosing up to 10 dishes. I highly recommend getting the scallops and short ribs.
• Greenstreet Coffee: we found this super cute little coffee shop while strolling through the historic district. The coffee was good and the service was even better.
• Max’s Steaks: because I traveled all the way to Philly specifically for Philly cheesesteak, it’s only right for me to go where the locals go.. A friend and a former Philly native, Tierra (@harrishopeandhumor), took me to Max’s to experience the best cheesesteak Philly has to offer. It was everything I was expecting and more. 

What I wore

Exact Look

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Tips for your future visit

If I could go back and do anything differently, I would rent a car. Parking in the city is tough, like every other major city, but there are so many garages at decent prices. I got around via Lyft and Uber and that got expensive real quick. My only tip would be to rent a car.

I hope you enjoyed this guide based on my recent visit to Philly. If you haven’t already done so, check out my Costa Rica Guide here.