6 Free Historic Things To Do In Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

***Please note that this list of 6 Free Historic Things To Do In Philadelphia, Pennsylvania will be updated and recirculated periodically to reflect the city’s most up-to-date information. This list was most recently updated as of January 2026.***

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is notorious for its skyscrapers, plethora of history, and colleges. FUN FACT: Philadelphia is actually one of my favorite cities! Well, on my most recent trip to the city of brotherly love or shall I say sisterly love (!!!) included a visit to multiple affordable, historic, and free attractions! 

In this blog post, I will outline 6 free historic things to do in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to ensure you have a wallet-friendly time while visiting!

*Disclaimer: Please note that this post contains affiliate links, which means that if you purchase through one of my links, then I will receive a small commission. This commission is at no extra cost to you. Additionally, this post is not sponsored, and all opinions are my own.*

For more United States travel inspiration, check out my Exploring 50 States expedition page.

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6 Free Historic Things To Do In Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Just in case you’re looking for additional activities to do in Philadelphia during your visit, use GetYourGuide to reserve your experiences today!

1 – Visit Edgar Allan Poe National Historic Site

Address: 532 N Street

About: The Edgar Allan Poe House is one of 5 homes that the American authored lived in. It is one of a few still standing to this day. Currently, the Edgar Allan Poe House is owned by the National Park Service and is a National Historic Site. That all being said, it is FREE to walk in, explore, and absorb ALL the history there that there is to offer. Personally, I did not find touring the house to be all that exciting (it is only usually self-guided) with a map given per party that enters in. There’s no furniture within much of the house, but its current structure and architecture has been preserved and thus remains. At the same time, there is also an exhibit with a film, too. We didn’t stay too long here, but it was cool to see and a gorgeous, colonial-like exterior!

Plan your visit here.

2 – Tour Independence Hall, See The Liberty Bell, & Visit Independence National Historical Park

Address: 520 Chestnut Street

About: Independence Hall is currently managed by the National Park Service and is located at Independence National Historical Park. It is the home of where both the Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution were debated and signed by our Founding Fathers. This fundamental building to big happenings in United States and world history for that matter is also a UNESCO site. In order to visit and tour its interior, one must reserve a ticket in advance for a $1.00 fee to tour. Tours last only about 20 minutes and you get to witness where history happened aka where the Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution were signed. While a brief tour, it is a super cool experience! If you want to visit the Independence National Historical Park and admire Independence Hall’s gorgeous exterior, you can visit and stroll for free. While there, be sure to visit the Liberty Bell Center where you can see Liberty Bell in-person!

Please note that until January 28, 2026, the inside of Independence Hall is closed to visitors for renovations and restoration. 

Plan your visit here.

3 – Stroll Elfreth’s Alley

Address: 126 Elfreth’s Alley

About: Elfreth’s Alley is a historical street in Old City Philadelphia. It is JUST a 3 minute walk from the Betsy Ross House. To me, Haley, and Violet, this street is like an untouched part of history amongst Philadelphia’s numerous skyscrapers. The homes at Elfreth’s Alley are residential, which makes it SO unique. While not painted the colors of the rainbow, this alley felt a bit like a cobblestone and more colonial version of Charleston, South Carolina’s Rainbow Raw and Washington, DC’s Georgetown neighborhood. The BEST PART?! ALL residents deck out their gorgeous homes during the holiday season AND photos are always welcome!

Plan your visit here.

4 – Admire + Explore Philadelphia’s City Hall

Address: 1400 John F Kennedy Blvd

About: A beautiful Baroque architectural building in the heart of downtown Philadelphia, City Hall is where all of the city’s governmental affairs happen. Philadelphia City Hall was once the world’s tallest building but has since been surpassed by the Washington Monument in Washington, D.C. and the Eiffel Tower in Paris as well as many other buildings. While it is free to visit City Hall and admire its ornate exteriors as well as explore its interiors although you must go through a security checkpoint to do so, there are 2 tour options for guided tours. I outline all the information on visiting and touring Philadelphia’s City Hall in this blog post and guide. While visiting Philadelphia’s City Hall, be sure to check out the onsite Visitor Center for more information.

Plan your visit here.

5 – Visit Reading Terminal Market 

Address: 1136 Arch Street

About: Reading Terminal Market is one of the oldest and largest public markets in the United States, having first opened in 1893. Located in the heart of downtown Philadelphia with close proximity to City Hall, Reading Terminal Market is an indoor market that’s open daily from 8am-6pm, providing locals and visitors alike with the opportunity to purchase grocery and deli items, specialty goods, and dine at local restaurants and cafes. Although it is not free to purchase items or dine at onsite restaurants and cafes at Reading Terminal Market, it is 100% free to enter and stroll this really neat public market. Truly, Reading Terminal Market feels like a walk through a piece of Philadelphia’s history and unique culinary scene throughout the centuries.

Plan your visit here.

6 – Snap a Photo In Front of Love Statue at Love Park

Address: 15th and John F Kennedy Blvd

About: To commemorate being in “the City of Brotherly Love,” snap a photo at Love Park‘s iconic Love Statue. Love Statue is currently one of Philadelphia’s most well-known landmarks, having been created by Robert Indiana in 1976 in honor of the United States’ Bicentennial (200 years-Birthday). More recently, the Love Statue was refurbished and repainted as a part of Love Park’s renovation in 2018. It is worth noting that Love Park is 100% free to visit and stroll. 

Plan your visit here.

Wrap-Up:

Over the years, I feel fortunate to have visited Philadelphia on several occasions! As many of us are just starting out and traveling + sightseeing on a budget, knowing that there are multiple free historic things to do in Philadelphia makes our experiences wallet-friendly, too. Til next time, Philly!!

XOXO – Katie <3

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Bethany Beach, Delaware Travel Guide

***Please note that this Bethany Beach, Delaware travel guide will be updated and recirculated every few months to reflect the town’s most up-to-date information. This guide was most recently updated as of July 2025.***

Ever since my college years, I have been a frequent Bethany Beach, Delaware visitor as I have family that resides in this gorgeous beach town. Alongside seeing my family and spending time with them, I have gotten to adore this coastal spot and have truly fallen in love with it over the years. While there, I have become pretty acquainted with the town and have gotten to know it and its local Delaware charm in hopes that you fall in love with it, too!

Delaware is a unique East Coast state that definitely goes overlooked! Known for no sales tax (!!!!) and being a great place to shop and dine and pretty much be a consumer, Delaware is a GREAT place to visit overall. Bethany Beach, Delaware is one of the many stunning spots that the state of Liberty and Independence has to offer. In the past, I’ve written a post about my few days’ spent at the Delaware Beaches (here), however, I wanted to compile together a more thorough guide of the beach town that I have grown to love.

*Disclaimer: Please note that this post contains affiliate links, which means that if you purchase through one of my links, then I will receive a small commission. This commission is at no extra cost to you. Additionally, this post is not sponsored, and all opinions are my own.*

For more United States travel inspiration, check out my Exploring 50 States expedition page.

Bethany Beach, Delaware Travel Guide

**Note: This Bethany Beach, Delaware travel guide will not list any specific places to stay, as I have limited knowledge on that subject, given that I usually stay with family when in town. However, websites such as Booking.com have hotels and rentals to stay at during your Bethany Beach stay.**

It is worth noting that Bethany Beach offers a variety of opportunities to do things both within the town and the nearby inland areas Dagsboro, Millville, and Ocean View as well as beyond the Bethany Beach vicinity in the fellow Delaware Beaches of Rehoboth Beach, Dewey Beach, and Lewes and nearby Maryland beach town of Ocean City and nearby Bishopville. Many of the activities, restaurants, and shopping opportunities are listed in these towns beyond Bethany Beach and will add a lot of value to your trip.

About Bethany Beach:

Bethany Beach is a coastal town in Delaware as one of the Delaware Beaches, alongside Rehoboth Beach, Dewey Beach, and Lewes. Compared to the other Delaware Beaches towns, Bethany Beach is known for being quieter. One of the unique aspects of Bethany Beach is that it primarily has small businesses ranging from restaurants to shops due to the town’s local regulations. There is an exception, however, for a McDonald’s, Dunkin’, and a few grocery stores, gas stations, and banks. There are several opportunities to enjoy coastal Delaware history, culture, and delicious eats while on a beach vacation in Bethany Beach!

Getting There:

The unique thing about Bethany Beach is that it’s easily accessible by car from New York City, Philadelphia, and Washington, DC. Bethany Beach is not airport accessible, as the nearest airport is Baltimore/Washington International Airport (BWI), which is a 2.5-hour long drive away. That all being said, it is advised to drive to Bethany Beach and have a car with you throughout the entire duration of your trip, as most activities and restaurants require you to have a car (there are several rental car options). See more on getting there here.

Things To Do:

Enjoy a day (or a few!) at the beach – There are several beaches across the Bethany Beach, Delaware area (here). It is worth noting that most beaches charge a $5-$10 fee/car upon entrance and once the parking lots are full will no longer accept anymore cars in. It is highly recommended that you arrive to the beach early in the morning e.g. around 8am-9am to get a good spot and to beat the crowds. To incentivize others to get up a bit earlier, grab some coffee and breakfast at a local breakfast spot or Dunkin’ on the way there!

Bethany Beach boardwalk (live music + movies) – The Bethany Beach Boardwalk is a lovely spot to stroll during both the Summer months and during the off-season to support the local businesses whether it be dining or shopping or some candy shopping (more on that to come!!). Throughout the Summer season, the Bethany Beach boardwalk has live music and movies that take place for the general public to enjoy beside the ocean! And, in the off-season, most notably, my Papa and I once ran into the New Years’ Day run on the boardwalk. See the full list of Bethany Beach Boardwalk events here.

Parasailing – One of my FAVORITE activities that we did one Summer was parasailing. Alongside other water sports and pontoon boating on the Chesapeake Bay, parasailing has been a mega bucket list item of mine over the years and it did not disappoint! My friend Amanda and I with a special thanks to my Dad for booking for us enjoyed a nice (and a bit terrifying experience!) parasailing which was truly one for the books! We went parasailing at nearby Dewey Beach via Dewey Beach Parasail.

Mini golf – Nearby Bethany Beach, there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy the perfect evening doing a favorite Summer activity of mine … mini golfing! Mini golf is a lovely Summer activity that parties of all ages and stages of life can enjoy together. Truly, a lovely activity to do together while on vacation! Nevertheless, there are a few options for mini golfing in Bethany Beach, including: Nick’s Mini Golf, The Millville Boardwalk (home to Lighthouse Beach Golf, Go Karts, and arcade, and an onsite ice cream parlor), and Pirate Golf.

Stroll + Shop at the Rehoboth Beach boardwalk – The Rehoboth Beach boardwalk is like 20+ times the size of Bethany Beach’s boardwalk. It is massive and offers a variety of shops, both well-known coastal brands such as The Black Dog, Sea Bags, and White House Black Market, as well as locally known shops such as Candy Kitchen and several other small businesses. Be sure to check out the ultra-charming Penny Lane, which is about 1/3 of the charming little alleyways for shopping on the Rehoboth Beach boardwalk and grab a bite to eat at one of the several dining options, too. After lunch/dinner, don’t forget to check out Uncle David’s ice cream shop – a local ice cream parlor serving delicious ice cream for a greater purpose. Check out all that the Rehoboth Beach boardwalk has to offer here!

Climb the Observation Towers at Tower Beach – During World War 11 between 1939-1942, 11 observation towers were built alongside the Delaware coastline to protect the shores. Initially, these observation towers were to last for 20 years, however, they have been standing ever since their construction. In 2023 (see here), these observation towers have opened to the public to visit and climb to the top of and enjoy the shorelines from up above while paying tribute to those who have served and protected our nation. There are a few observation towers at Bethany Beach’s nearby Tower Beach there are free to visit and climb. See more information on the observation towers’ story here.

Visit the nearby Lewes Historic District – Known as “the first town in the first state,” Lewes, Delaware provides small town charm, rich maritime and cultural history, delicious local eats, and wonderful local shops. Like the Bethany Beach’s social boardwalk, the majority of shops and restaurants in the Lewes Historic District are small businesses. There is also a few opportunities to check out the adjacent marina, admire some local flora via the gardening club at Mary Vessels Park, and learn some local Lewes history via the Lewes Historical Society. Check out all that Lewes has to offer here!

Dining – Bethany Beach:

Heidaway (97B Garfield Parkway, Bethany Beach) – Heidaway is a lovely Summer season-only restaurant on the Bethany Beach boardwalk known for their vibrant healthy plates and colorful cocktails.

Bonkey’s (Multiple locations – Bethany Beach & Millville) – A family-owned and operated ice cream parlor that originated in Baltimore, Maryland in 1953, Bonkey’s has since been serving up creative flavors and snoballs all the way to the beach!

Shaka Shack (35308 Atlantic Ave, Millville) – An incredibly good casual eatery serving up all-things from sandwiches to burgers to seafood and everything in between, Shaka Shack is a delicious spot to go for some to go eats or to stay for happy hour which I’ve heard is amazing!

Grotto Pizza (Multiple locations – all across the Delaware beaches) – A Delaware beaches pizza classic is Grotto Pizza: the distinct pizza chain to the beach towns with many locations offering dine-in options.

Off The Hook (769 Garfield Parkway, Bethany Beach) – Known for its fresh, honest, and local ingredients, Off The Hook is a farm-to-table upscale restaurant nearby the boardwalk.

Good Earth Market & Restaurant (31806 Good Earth Lane, Ocean View) – Situated with gorgeous outdoor seating in a stunning onsite garden (indoor seating is offered, too!) and health-conscious market, Good Earth Market & Restaurant serves up all-things healthy specialty eats and cocktails.

Baja Beach House Grill (109 Garfield Parkway, Bethany Beach) – A delicious Mexican eats and burger joint with great happy hour drinks, Baja Beach House Grill is conveniently located in the heart of the boardwalk.

Bethany Blues BBQ Pit (Multiple locations – Bethany Beach, Lewes, & Rehoboth Beach) – Serving up Delaware barbecue delights, Bethany Blues BBQ Pit whips up delicious barbecue and specialty cocktails.

Ocean View Brewing Company (85 Atlantic Avenue, Ocean View) – Serving delicious local eats whether it be seafood or burgers and in-house made specialty beers, Ocean View Brewing Company is a unique and delicious brewpub to enjoy a meal (or just a beer!) at just a short drive from the boardwalk. Don’t forget to snap a photo of their unique mural outside!

Cedar Land + Sea Kitchen (30234 Cedar Neck Road, Ocean View) – Voted the Best New Restaurant by Coastal Style Magazine in 2019, Cedar Land + Sea Kitchen serves memorable eats and specialty cocktails for all to enjoy.

Drifting Grounds Coffee House (117 Atlantic Avenue, Ocean View) – A local cafe and retro toy + book shop brewing up coffee, donuts, and baked goods, Drifting Grounds Coffee House not only will leave you coming back for more, but it is also a popular spot for visitors and locals to catch up on some work and hang out.

Harvest Tide (98 Garfield Parkway, Bethany Beach) – Serving up surf and turf delights, Harvest Tide has a carefully curated menu and ultra-kind staff for everyone to leave feeling impressed and wanting to come back for more. Although I have yet to try, I have heard that their newly-released brunch menu is delicious, too!

Maureen’s Ice Cream and Desserts (99 Garfield Parkway #7703, Bethany Beach) – A local cafe and ice cream shop, Maureen’s Ice Cream and Desserts is perfect for a quick pick-me-up while perusing the boardwalk!

Dining – Beyond Bethany Beach:

 

The Restaurant at Lighthouse Sound (12723 St. Martin’s Neck Road, Bishopville, Maryland) – An upscale restaurant serving delicious seafood eats on a gorgeous golf course, The Restaurant at Lighthouse Sound offers panoramic views of Assawoman Bay and Ocean City, Maryland in a relaxing atmosphere.

Dockside Marina Bar + Grill (39413 Inlet Road, Rehoboth Beach, Delaware) – Situated alongside a beautiful marina and offering the literal best Summer time vibes, Dockside Marina Bar + Grill is a casual spot serving delicious local eats and happy hour drinks.

Rose & Crown (142 2nd Street, Lewes, Delaware) – Located inside the Hotel Rodney in the heart of downtown historic Lewes, Delaware, Rose & Crown is a casual bar offering British pub fare and beers.

The Bayside Skillet (7701 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, Maryland) – An award-winning break spot open year-round in Ocean City, The Bayside Skillet is literally bayside offering gorgeous waterfront views and to die for good breakfast eats!

Libation Room (228 Rehoboth Avenue, Rehoboth Beach, Delaware) – A speakeasy within Rehoboth Beach’s Summer House on the Rehoboth Beach Boardwalk, Libation Room has incredible gourmet, innovative eats and cocktails and everything in between!

Shorebreak Lodge (10 Wilmington Avenue, Rehoboth Beach, Delaware) – Casual yet sophisticated, Shorebreak Lodge is a New American restaurant that offers gourmet eats and drinks in a lowkey environment.

Thompson Island Brewing Company (30133 Veterans Way, Rehoboth Beach, Delaware) – A sister restaurant to Ocean View Brewing Company, Thompson Island Brewing Company is a local brewpub located just near the Tanger Outlets that brews beers in-house and serves up delicious eats and desserts.

Ava’s Pizzeria and Wine Bar (29 Baltimore Avenue, Rehoboth Beach, Delaware) – Just a block away from the ocean, Ava’s Pizzeria and Wine Bar is a casual spot offering a vast menu of specialty pizzas, appetizers, and drinks.

The Lighthouse (124 Dickinson Avenue, Dewey Beach, Delaware) – A Dewey Beach tradition for 40+ years, The Lighthouse is a casual spot offering great happy hours and seafood eats as well as live music alongside the Bay.

Longboard Cafe (6701 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, Maryland) – Serving up classic American dishes with a creative flair, Longboard Cafe transports diners to a surfboard shack as they enjoy their delicious eats.

The Grove (12404 St. Martin’s Neck Road, Bishopville, Maryland) – A unique dining experience offered in a charming and funky cottage setting, The Grove serves up exquisite multiple-course eats. Note that reservations are required in advance for this lovely unique dining experience!

Crooked Hammock Brewery (36707 Crooked Hammock Way, Lewes, Delaware) – Known for their food and brews and a good time, Crooked Hammock Brewery offers delicious casual fare and drinks as well as fun activities such as corn hole for all to enjoy.

Rusty Rudder (113 Dickinson Avenue, Dewey Beach, Delaware) – Giving all of the surf n’ turf vibes, Rusty Rudder is a long-standing bayfront restaurant in the heart of Dewey Beach’s social and dining scene featuring live music and great vibes. I highly recommend going during sunset to catch the gorgeous bayside sunset – it is NOT something you want to miss!

The Pines Coastal Tavern (56 Baltimore Avenue, Rehoboth Beach, Delaware) – An upscale American bistro that serves up innovative cocktails and dishes, The Pines Coastal Tavern is an adorable restaurant on the Rehoboth Beach boardwalk that also has special events, concerts, and even drag shows.

Uncle David’s Ice Cream (237 Rehoboth Avenue, Rehoboth Beach, Delaware) – Serving up scoops of ice cream with a greater purpose, Uncle David’s Ice Cream is scooped and served by individuals with Down syndrome in honor of the late David Samson – a man with Down syndrome who strived to overcome a lot of obstacles in life who had a love for Rehoboth Beach. Today, Uncle David’s Ice Cream supports and empowers individuals with Down syndrome educationally, occupationally, and recreationally.

Nectar Cafe & Juice Bar (111 Neils Alley, Lewes, Delaware) – With a gorgeous grand millennial-inspired, rustic-chic interior, Nectar Cafe & Juice Bar makes you feel right at home, offering homemade juices and homey style breakfast and lunch.

Shopping:

Candy Kitchen (Multiple locations – across Delaware & Maryland) – An old-fashioned candy shop serving up classic candies since 1937, Candy Kitchen is a must-stop when in Bethany Beach. Don’t forget to grab some fudge or taffy for the road home!!

Fish Tales (116 Garfield Parkway, Bethany Beach, Delaware) – An adorable boutique selling local souvenirs, preppy clothing and accessories including Lilly Pulitzer and Spartina 449 and Scout Bags, tees, and sportswear, Fish Tales truly has it ALL!

Jayne’s Reliable (33034 Main Street, Dagsboro, Delaware) – A grand millennial’s dream, Jayne’s Reliable is an antique shop offering a curated variety of home decor and garden items. If you love thrifting and antiquing, then this gorgeous shop is worth a stop!

Bethany Beach Books (99 Garfield Parkway, Bethany Beach, Delaware) – Just steps away from the ocean, Bethany Beach Books is an independently owned bookstore offering several author events and book signings and is just such an adorable spot!

Su Casa (Multiple locations- Maryland and Delaware) – A Maryland and Delaware-based furniture store, Su Casa carries local artwork and curated home goods to beautifully decorate your home.

Pink Leopard (235 Rehoboth Avenue, Rehoboth Beach) – Run by a mother-daughter duo, Pink Leopard is a Lilly Pulitzer Signature Store right on the Rehoboth Beach boardwalk! Pink Leopard is housed in a bright and pink and all-things Lilly Pulitzer-inspired cottage, perfect for a vacation treat yourself moment!! Although we missed the boutique’s open hours upon visiting, we enjoyed snapping some photos outside as it’s adorable and will be back again soon!

Tanger Outlets (Multiple locations – Rehoboth Beach) – You cannot leave Delaware without shopping as there’s no sales tax (!!!!). The Tanger Outlets in Rehoboth Beach offer a variety of shops, from Kate Spade to Talbots to Bath and Body Works to J Crew Factory to Simply Southern and everything in between. If you’re looking to do some shopping at a discount especially Back to School, then definitely consider doing so while in Delaware!

Wrap-Up:

Bethany Beach, Delaware has truly become one of my favorite Summer spots! Every Summer, I LOVE driving across the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and immediately feel right at home crossing the Delaware-Maryland state line and am always giddy when I arrive to see my family. Alongside seeing family, I love getting to enjoy the local coastal Delaware charm and enjoy some sunshine and good beach vibes. In writing this Bethany Beach, Delaware travel guide, I hope that I have showed you the beauty and charm in this small coastal town and all that it has to offer.

XOXO – Katie <3

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Early November in New York City

I’ve had a few people ask me over on my Instagram (let’s be friends @_thepinkchickadee) about my recent early November trip to New York City. Let’s be real here: the rates are much cheaper when it comes to ALL of the Christmas fun and action in the Big Apple, yet you still get to enjoy a lot of the holiday cheer that most pay a lot more to do in later November all the way until New Years. At the same time though, you still will notice that early November truly is Fall in New York City (as-is pretty much any other United States city!) and there are some New York City Christmas staples yet to make their holiday appearance (case in point: the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree). At the same time, early November in New York City means you may have some warmer days, such as I did, too. So, plan accordingly and monitor the weather before you pack your bags. Above all else, I had an AMAZING early November time in New York City and truly got the best of both worlds getting to experience the city during both Fall and Christmas time!

In this post, I will be sharing mainly what I did and where I ate during my early November time in New York City. Given that especially early November can be an awkward Fall/Christmas time of year, I definitely did a mix of Fall and Christmas activities while there, too! And, as an avid theatre fan, I saw a few Broadway performances, too!

What I Did:

Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) – Ever since I was in high school, I dreamed of seeing Vincent Van Gogh’s Starry Night painting IRL! I visited Chicago one year for Spring Break and fell in love with Van Gogh’s works via a special exhibit on him, yet missed Starry Night then as its home is in Manhattan at MoMA. MoMA was such a neat museum and I LOVED *finally* getting to gush over Starry Night in-person alongside other fellow museum visitors. MoMA also has other neat modern art displays from centuries of decades past until today. Tickets to MoMA can be bought in advance online (here) or at the door and the gift shop is pretty great, too!

Bryant Park Winter Village – Visiting Bryant Park’s Winter Village was one of the first Christmas-y activities that I did in the Big Apple. The Christmas shops at Bryant Park’s Winter Village are open until early January and they open their doors just after Halloween if not right before. I met some of the COOLEST artists and small business owners at Bryant Park’s Christmas shops! The prices on the locally-made goods are pretty reasonable, too, and a great way to support a small business. Bryant Park’s Winter Village ALSO has food + drink vendors, igloos, and ice skating.

& Juliet on Broadway – I was truly in for a treat seeing my first-ever Broadway show (!!!!!) … & Juliet at Stephen Sondheim Theatre. I had an Orchestra seat and it was seriously an AMAZING show! I ended up grabbing some wine in a souvenir cup and LOVED getting to experience the whole experience and loving atmosphere. & Juliet features an extremely diverse and empowering cast, making it such an accepting show for all. Needless to say, I would definitely see this show again on Broadway!

Central Park + The Plaza Hotel Stroll – I LOVED getting to use my camera to take some gorgeous shots of Central Park and stroll through the adjacent Plaza Hotel. Central Park is truly beautiful on any sunny Fall day – indeed, I feel I hit the jackpot on the day I went! Central Park is also filled with locals and tourists, alike, making it such a beautiful place to both people watch and socialize. While at The Plaza Hotel, I *finally* achieved my childhood dream of owning some Eloise at the Plaza merchandise including a book! The best part about a simple Central Park and Plaza Hotel stroll?!?! Both are FREE!

Central Park:

The Plaza Hotel:

Barbie Exhibit at the Design Museum – While on my way to stroll Central Park at The Plaza Hotel, I stumbled upon the Design Museum’s Barbie exhibit. I *of course* purchased a ticket and went after my lunchtime to check it out! I was truly in for a treat! I got to learn about the evolution of Barbie, from Ruth Handler’s creation of Barbie and the designing process of Barbie’s clothing by Charlotte Johnson in a studio in Japan in the 1960’s to its first designer collaboration with Oscar de la Renta to Barbie running for President and going to space and to Barbie today with the success of the 2023 Barbie movie aka a favorite of mine. There was *even* an original Barbie on display, too! I took several exhibition photos on my camera and truly felt empowered by it ALL! The Barbie Exhibit at the Design Museum costed $20 and is currently on display until February 23, 2025.

Aladdin on Broadway – I was AMAZED by the production team and the presentation of Aladdin on Broadway at New Amsterdam Theatre! I had seen Aladdin back in 2023 for my 24th Birthday (here) and was truly *even more* blown away by seeing it again on Broadway. Truly, an impressive performance that I would highly suggest any and all Aladdin fans see if they get the chance to!

Christmas Shopping on 5th + 7th Avenues – I popped into a few of the shops alongside 5th and 7th Avenues as I was walking to Rockefeller Center! Funny enough, I made my first-ever H&M purchase in 10 YEARS (!!!!!) as I became *very* impressed with what they were selling via the store windows. I also hit up Nordstrom Rack, Macy’s, and Old Navy. Macy’s was DECKED OUT with ALLL the Christmas cheer and even had some adorable small business vendors in a section of the store. I would highly recommend visiting Macy’s at Christmastime and prioritizing it, if you have limited time to do so. At the same time, I stumbled upon St. Patrick’s Cathedral on my shopping strolls, too!

Radio City Music Hall Tour + Rockettes Meet & Greet – Upon purchasing my Rockettes Christmas Spectacular ticket (more on that experience below!), I ended up paying ~$20 extra for the Radio City Tour + Rockettes Meet & Greet add-on. Let me just say that it was WELLLL worth it! I ended up arriving to Radio City Music Hall about 90 minutes before my show and the staff there got me into a tour about an hour before my show (my tickets were scanned right after the tour inside the music hall, too, making the seating process SO MUCH easier!). On this tour, I got to experience the incredible opulence of Radio City Music Hall, including the magnificent chandelier Christmas tree, learn about the incredible artwork, and Radio City’s Great Depression-age history and heritage. I learned that Radio City Music Hall’s stage is SOOO large that it can fit an actual bus on it with plenty of room to spare. The best part?!?! Getting to meet an ACTUAL Rockettes! I highly suggest anyone do this tour to get excited for the Christmas Spectacular!!

2024’s 1st Rockettes Christmas Spectacular Performance – After my tour of Radio City Music Hall, my ticket was scanned and I was off to get seated to see 2024’s 1st Christmas Spectacular Performance (!!!). The Rockettes begin their Christmas Spectacular in early November just as Veterans Day weekend commences. Tickets are definitely much cheaper to see the Rockettes in early November (or after Christmas) as opposed to in the height of the holiday season. My Orchestra seating ticket and tour of Radio City Music Hall was around $100 total for both, which can get much higher in cost as Christmas approaches. I am definitely striving to make a return to see the Rockettes for another Christmas season!

Shopping at Hill House Home at Rockefeller Center – As a HUGE Hill House fan, I *had* to shop at the Hill House Home store at Rockefeller Center! I ended up trying on two Ellie nap dresses aka my FAVORITE Hill House nap dress style before making my decision on which one to take home. The staff here were also ultra-kind and helpful in making my experience pretty great, too. I had never been to a Hill House store before, so this was a TREAT!

Museum at Fashion Institute of Technology – The Fashion Institute of Technology has a free to all fashion exhibition at their museum, which has special fashion exhibitions that change every so often! I *almost* studied fashion in college and ended up touring the Fashion Institute of Technology as a perspective college of mine. The Museum at FIT is definitely a hidden gem that ALL fashion lovers must visit!

Where I Ate:

Breakfast at Cafe Chelsea – Located inside the gorgeous, historic Hotel Chelsea, Cafe Chelsea is a stunning cafe that looks like an upscale retro diner. I ended up popping in here for breakfast, which I enjoyed via one of their retro bar stools to enjoy a delicious breakfast.

Dinner at Monkey Bar – Monkey Bar was my splurge meal while in the Big Apple and the one that I am still dreaming about for my next trip! I ended up eating at the gorgeous bar founded in 1936 in all of its gorgeous glory with its monkey-painted murals and grand millennial-inspired fabric chandeliers. I enjoyed a glass of rose while I walked in and waited a bit for a first-come, first-served bar seat. The bar staff were extremely friendly as well! Totally worth the wait and dining experience!

Coffee at 787 Coffee Co. – An adorable coffee shop focused on empowering creative minds and honoring its Puerto Rican heritage, I enjoyed a nice morning iced coffee in … an IV bag! It was SUCH A FUN New York City experience!

Late night snacks at Slice of New York – I stopped one too many times at some of the many many many Slice of New York pizza shops for a late night (or lunch) slice of pizza. In my honest opinion, nothing beats a good olde slice of New York pizza!

Dinner at Butter – Featured in Gossip Girl, I *had* to dine at Butter while in Manhattan! Butter was located super close by to the New Amsterdam Theatre where I saw Aladdin, making it a great spot for a pre-show meal. My meal was AMAZING and I was able to enjoy the happy hour wine deals at the bar alongside a delicious salmon. Given that Butter has a seasonal menu, I definitely want to check it out again during a different season!

Lunch at Cafe Ginori at Bergdorf Goodman – One of my FAVORITE lunches was at Bergdorf Goodman’s Cafe Ginori! The restaurant is gorgeous in all of its pink wallpaper glory inspired by the Ginori 1735 Italian porcelain used to serve its delicious dishes. I enjoyed a larger than life Aperol Spritz aka a dream come true for me (!!!!!) alongside an AMAZING seasonal butternut squash gnocchi. The staff here were also extremely kind and friendly and the food and drink was amazing – not to mention the vibes, too!

Wrap-Up:

Truly, early November in New York City can be such a treat as you get early bird deals and to enjoy some holiday cheer. See you in a New York minute!

XOXO – Katie <3

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6 Hours in New Hope, Pennsylvania

I have ALWAYS been a big fan of visiting tiny, charming, and historic towns. In September 2019, I visited Charleston, South Carolina and fell *in love* with the entire city that echoes Southern historic charm at every turn. Similarly speaking, I went to the charming AND historic Lewes, Delaware – also known as the first town in the first state – over my New Years Eve weekend. Lewes is Dutch-inspired and A LOT smaller than Charleston, but it still has so much charm and history to it. The same goes for Harpers Ferry, West Virginia which I visited with my best friend Bree back in June of 2022. Through it all, I have fallen in love with the charm that historic towns bring. Hence, they have become a favorite of mine to visit!! SO, when my best friend Amanda and I decided to skip our usual weekend visit to her home just outside of Philadelphia in the city to check out New Hope, Pennsylvania, I knew it was a must-go!!!

To read about my adventures to other historic and charming towns/cities, look no further than here:

For more United States travel inspiration, check out my Exploring 50 States expedition page.

A fun fact about me is that up until I was 8, I lived in Pennington, New Jersey just about 20 minutes away from the gorgeous town of New Hope, Pennsylvania. After moving away from New Jersey, I came back frequently to mainly visit friends and family who live in either Pennington or New Hope or nearby Doylestown, Pennsylvania. I fell in love with the town of New Hope throughout my years of visiting both family and friends. Yet, I never got the experience to simply explore New Hope without family or other commitments looming over my head. This time around, Amanda and I went to downtown New Hope which is a town connected by a driving/foot bridge to Lambertville, New Jersey located across the Delaware River and to Peddler’s Village for an ice sculpture festival. Read more about the bridge between New Hope and Lambertville here: https://pinkchickadee.com/2022/06/28/the-foot-bridge-in-pennsylvania-and-new-jersey/#/

Getting there: New Hope, Pennsylvania is located in Bucks County, Pennsylvania and is best to drive to get to. A LOT of Bucks County requires driving through hilly and windy roads that are gorgeous at every turn, so taking Ubers would definitely add up. New Hope is just over 45 minutes of a drive from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and just under a half hour drive from Trenton, New Jersey. If flying, then it is easiest to fly into Philadelphia and if you take the train, then is it best to arrive at either Trenton or Philadelphia (depending on where else you plan to go if any other place, but definitely Trenton is best if just to New Hope). New Hope/Lambertville makes for a nice weekend getaway from Philadelphia, New York City, Baltimore, and even Washington, DC.

About New Hope: New Hope is located along the Delaware River which divides New Jersey and Pennsylvania. As previously mentioned, on the other side of New Hope just across the Delaware River is the town of Lambertville, New Jersey. You can even step foot in both Pennsylvania and New Jersey at the same time which we *of course!!!* did. Just up the road minutes away from New Hope is Washington’s Crossing, Pennsylvania where *yes* former President George Washington crossed the Delaware River at Christmas time during the Revolutionary War. New Hope is notorious for its riverside dining, eclectic shopping, historic charm, scenic views, thriving LGBTQ+ scene, and impressive theater via the Bucks County Playhouse. According to Visit Pennsylvania, “New Hope is a small town with a big city feel”: something I noticed when I was there on many occasions. Additionally, New Hope has been named one of “America’s Favorite Towns” by Travel + Leisure. Last but not least, it’s fun to note that celebrities such as Gigi Hadid and Tina Fey call or have once called gorgeous New Hope home. Celebrity sightings anyone?!

While in New Hope, Amanda and I walked around the gorgeous town. We did not do any activities in particular except for crossing the foot bridge into New Jersey and checking out the eclectic shopping scene. In recent years, the Ferry Market opened up in New Hope – similar to Union Market in Washington, DC as its a mini dining hall full of small businesses. I treated Amanda and I to some coffee and a pastry. We, then, explored the scenic waterfront views of the Delaware River alongside the iconic Bucks County Playhouse which has performances all throughout the year. Afterwards, Amanda and I walked by the only pink house/building in town where we snapped a few photos aka one of my blogger photoshoot bucket list items of mine (!!!). We also saw the historical Carriage House in town AND snapped a few photos there, too. A lot of the buildings in downtown New Hope are being/have been renovated including the Logan Inn (it has an urban, New York City feel to it) and an old cathedral turned steakhouse (something that I want to try on a future trip with family!!). New Hope is definitely gorgeous and has SO much charm to offer!

After we explored a bit of downtown New Hope, Amanda and I headed for the nearby Peddler’s Village. Peddler’s Village is a shopping and dining district in New Hope that is just about 10 minutes from downtown (sorry – no waterfront views here). The BEST part about Peddler’s Village is that it offers some historical charm and feels to it throughout the whole little village. It, indeed, feels like a village!! What Peddler’s Village had when we went to visit was ice sculptures spread throughout the village. Practically every store had its own ice sculpture outside of it AND the Christmas lights were still up for all to enjoy in a magical Winter wonderland kind of way. Here, Amanda and I checked out the shops but didn’t stay for dinner as it was packed and hard to get a table there and *out of all things and days* there was a gorgeous outdoor wedding in the midst of ALL the crowds. But, through it all, I had a blast being able to get time with Amanda and enjoy some Winter Wonderland magic!

I have always loved being able to explore New Hope, Pennsylvania. New Hope and all of Bucks County for that matter is absolutely stunning. I feel extremely blessed to have family and friends nearby this extraordinary historical town and county, too. Til next time, New Hope!

XOXO – Katie <3

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3 Days at The Delaware Beaches

At the end of June, I went to the Delaware beaches to visit my Dad who lives there full time and shared ALL about it over on my Instagram (follow me @_thepinkchickadee!). I brought my best friend Bryn, too, and my Papa and dog Rosie came along as well. Now, I am going to spill ALL the tea on our weekend at the Delaware beaches!

For more of my recent travels, read here:

So, the Delaware beaches consists of (North to South) Lewes, Rehoboth, Dewey, Bethany, and Fenwick Island. Ocean City, Maryland is just South of Fenwick Island by about 5-10 minutes. My Dad’s home base is Bethany Beach. I usually visit the Delaware beaches about 3 times a year and usually once in the summer time. Each time I go and visit, I see a different part of the Delaware beaches than before. This time around was Bryn’s first time that she can remember even being in the state of Delaware, so we did some things that were new to her yet not so new to me. I am a BIG believer that a fresh perspective on a place previously travelled to is a new visit all in itself. The same concept goes for going to the same place(s) again, too, even with people who have been there before as well. Read more about my adventures in Lewes and Fenwick Island here:

What We Did

We spent both Friday morning and Saturday evening on the Bethany Beach boardwalk. Friday morning, we grabbed coffee at a local cafe on the boardwalk and dipped our toes in the ocean before starting our working remotely day. Surprisingly enough, the Bethany Beach boardwalk was already pretty packed when we got there just after 9am. So, a quick view of the waves and grab and go coffee did the trick! Meanwhile, Saturday evening, we had dinner with my family at Hideaway – an open-air restaurant super close to the beach that is only around during the Summer season. Its super gorgeous on the interiors and the food and cocktails are AMAZING, despite it being pretty packed. Bryn and I, then, went along the boardwalk and checked out ALL of the shops. Bryn really wanted to get a Bethany Beach hoodie, and I found an ADORABLE little local gift shop (whose name I sadly forgot) that sold some Lilly Pulitzer accessories, along with Scout Bags and Spartina, Simply Southern, and Teleties. I *of course* picked up quite a bit of Lilly Pulitzer – haha!

Friday evening was well spent at The Lighthouse Sound Restaurant located along the Chesapeake Bay in nearby-to-Ocean City, Maryland: Bishopville, Maryland. The views there are impeccable and the food is just as good. Read more about my experiences there here: https://pinkchickadee.com/2022/06/30/the-ocean-city-maryland-restaurant-without-the-crowds/#/

Saturday afternoon, we got lunch at the Ocean View Brewing Company. The Ocean View Brewing Company is located just outside of Bethany Beach in Ocean View, Delaware. It is apart of a chain of restaurants, including Thompson Island in Rehoboth Beach, that brew their own beer in-house. When going to the Ocean View Brewing Company, you can see the beer brewing in-house from the windows on the second floor of the restaurant. They have great seafood, burgers, and much more food-wise. The beer is AMAZING, too, and honestly why we decided to come! And then, after enjoying a delicious lunch with some local beer, we went shopping at the Tanger Outlets in Rehoboth Beach. A fun fact about Delaware is that they have tax-free shopping (!!!). Some of the stores that we checked out at the Tanger Outlets were: Simply Southern, J Crew Factory, Francesca’s, Bath & Body Works, Tory Burch (where I bought my dream pair of pink flats!!!!), Vineyard Vines, and Kate Spade. Needless to say, Bryn and I had A BLAST! Some of the other stores that we didn’t check out at the Tanger Outlets are: Crocs, Old Navy, LOFT, Banana Republic, Express, Coach, Levi’s, and Nike. Plan your visit to the Rehoboth Beach Tanger Outlets here: https://www.tangeroutlet.com/rehoboth

And, before we left Sunday evening, Bryn and I had a much-needed beach day at Cape Henelopen State Park in Lewes, Delaware. It was a new-to-me beach, too. It costed us $10 to enter the state park and was $10 well worth it, too. Although it was a bit crowded, we still had a great time at the beach!

The Delaware beaches are a happy place of mine! From the adorable town of Lewes and boardwalks, to the gorgeous beaches at every turn, and the food and shopping all in between, it is definitely worth the visit for me and hopefully for you someday, too.

XOXO – Katie <3

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The Ocean City, Maryland Restaurant Without the Crowds

If you have been to the beach during the summer season, then you know that it is PACKED at ALL times, whether it be the restaurants, the boardwalk, the beaches, the shops, or the traffic. Ocean City, Maryland is NO different than any of the other beaches crowd-wise during the summer months. I regularly visit my family at the Delaware beaches, which is close by to Ocean City, Maryland and its super fun boardwalk and GREAT restaurants. On my Instagram (follow me @_thepinkchickadee!), I shared a bit about my restaurant experience at The Lighthouse Restaurant – a restaurant located along the Chesapeake Bay in nearby-to-Ocean City-Bishopville, Maryland.

Read more on my recent travel experiences on the blog here:

*Disclaimer: Please note that this post contains affiliate links, which means that if you purchase through one of my links, then I will receive a small commission. This commission is at no extra cost to you. Additionally, this post is not sponsored, and all opinions are my own.*

Shop my dress here: https://rstyle.me/+Ic_YV2kaBOWdZcI-gdcWGQ

My family and I spent about 30 minutes driving through the backroads of the Delaware beaches. We were driving through the farms of Delaware, which are on the outskirts of the Delaware beaches. After those 30 minutes were up, we ended up at the gorgeous Lighthouse Sound Restaurant, surrounded by gorgeous waterfront views at every turn, the sound of seagulls chirping, and amazing cuisine!

The Lighthouse Sound Restaurant is located along the Chesapeake Bay and doubles as a club house. It offers both indoor and outdoor seating and gorgeous views of the Chesapeake Bay at every turn. There is a gazebo outside, hills and hills of golf courses, pathways, and the waterfront views. They even *yes, even* have a fireplace in the Wintertime for outdoor seating. My family and I sat outside in their white Adirondack chairs to enjoy our dinner, which boast adorable preppy and classic beauty vibes! At the same time, the indoor seating offered opens up to a HUGE set of windows and there is even an Americana-themed bar, too. As for the menu, the Lighthouse Sound Restaurant offers a plethora of fresh seafood dishes that are local to the Ocean City, Maryland/Delaware beaches area. All in all, it’s a great dining experience!

The BEST part of the Lighthouse Sound Restaurant?! NO BEACH CROWDS!!!

XOXO – Katie <3

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The Foot Bridge in Pennsylvania and New Jersey

One of my favorite things that I LOVE about visiting my Aunt April in New Hope, Pennsylvania is enjoying the views of the nearby Delaware River and town of Lamberville, New Jersey on the other side of it. On my Instagram recently (follow me @_thepinkchickadee!), I shared some photos of the foot bridge, the New Hope-Lambertville Bridge, in both Pennsylvania and New Jersey. The only thing separating the two states is the Delaware River – a monumental river and historical landmark in George Washington’s Crossing of the Delaware on December 25-26, 1776. Its beauty and historical significance reigns true to this day.

Most people on my blogger side of things don’t know that I was born and raised in New Jersey for about 5 years of my life. I lived in New Jersey for a few months after I was born, moved to Fayetteville, Arkansas to live until I was 3, and then moved back to New Jersey until I was 8. The second time that I lived in New Jersey my family and I lived in Pennington, New Jersey – a small town located about 20 minutes from Princeton in one direction and 20 minutes from New Hope and Lamberville in the other. However, even when I lived in Pennington and the many many many years that followed, I never realized the historical significance of the places just minutes away from my pre-8 years of age childhood hometown.

The historical significance of the Washington’s Crossing of the Delaware River is that it was the first move in a surprise attack led by George Washington against the British during the American Revolutionary War. Washington’s Crossing of the Delaware River occurred on the night of December 25-26, 1776. The nearby-to-New Hope and Lamberville is the town of Washington’s Crossing, Pennsylvania which plays homage to a historical downtown village, Washington’s Crossing Inn (where my Aunt Sherri got married!!), and a historical park open to ALL visitors to enjoy the Delaware River, historical sites, and the beauty in between it all. Each year around Christmas time, Washington’s Crossing, Pennsylvania hosts a reenactment of George Washington’s revolutionary crossing of the Delaware River during the American Revolutionary War. The Delaware River in all of its glory and beauty plays a big role in the making of our country, today.

I grew up going to both New Hope and Lambertville as a kid. We would go to New Hope for ice cream. One cool thing is that New Hope has its own Bucks County Playhouse, which showcases several performances, including Kinky Boots which is on tour this summer! Meanwhile, Lambertville had a gorgeous train station that turned into a pizza shop with a nearby duck pond, which my Dad would always take my brother and I to back in the day! Each time we went, we would walk across the New Hope-Lambertville Bridge where there’s even a marker to mark the borders, where *YES* you can stand in both states at once!

Nowadays, I LOVE getting to go visit my family and friends who still live in and around Pennington, New Jersey and enjoy the gorgeous footbridge separating both New Hope, Pennsylvania and Lamberville, New Jersey from one another. Each town offers a plethora of small businesses, historical beauty, great restaurants and cafes, and *of course* drop dead gorgeous waterfront views. I feel extremely lucky to be able to enjoy the waterfront views along the Delaware River, especially knowing that this bridge that I love to admire connecting the two states of Pennsylvania and New Jersey was once not that AND that it played a major major major role in the eventual making of the United States of America.

Personally, I really really really LOVE going to visit New Hope and Lamberville and admiring that gorgeous bridge between the two states and will continue to for YEARS to come!!

XOXO – Katie <3

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A Few Hours in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia

Personally, I find West Virginia one of the most beautiful states that I have ever laid eyes on! Growing up, I would occasionally go on family reunions to Blackwater Falls State Park, West Virginia – a place rated a hidden gem in the United States on MANY pages listing them! – and fell in love with the state simply on our drives through it. On my Instagram (follow me @_thepinkchickadee!), I recently posted about my day trip to Harpers Ferry, West Virginia with my best friend Bryn. Believe it or not, Harpers Ferry, West Virginia is located just an hour-90 minutes west of Washington, DC, making it an easy day trip from the nation’s capital, and it is a beauty!

When coming into the town, it is easiest to drive and simply park there. Harpers Ferry offers parking along its visitors centers and along the streets of the hilly town. The main attractions to visitors in the town are offered at the bottom of the hill, where the town is located. Bryn and I parked at the middle school for free located about 20-30 minutes from the main tourist attractions. Whatever you choose to do – hiking or not, be sure to wear comfortable shoes and clothing and even bring a water bottle for walking as you WILL be walking quite a bit and getting a workout in.

A bit of background about Harpers Ferry, West Virginia: this town is located at the location wherewith the Potomac and Shenandoah rivers meet, also known as The Point, and provides views of both Maryland and Virginia. Harpers Ferry is located just outside of Loudon County, Virginia – a well-known county that is not far from Washington, DC that is legitimately heaven on Earth with its beauty, too. The town even has a train station, which goes into Washington, DC on the daily for commuters. Harpers Ferry is also located along the Appalachian Trail, offering hikes at all levels for visitors, including to the scenic Jefferson Rock which former President Thomas Jefferson found to have such stunning views of the rivers from. This town’s notability comes from being a key site in the 1859 raid of Abolitionist John Brown and a well-known battle during the Civil War. One of the things that I LOVE about Harpers Ferry is the fact that both hiking and sightseeing is offered. So, you can easily come to Harpers Ferry dressed all cute for photos OR dressed all cute for hiking OR a dressed for a little bit of both!

Harpers Ferry has a plethora of small businesses in the town, both for dining and shopping. At the same time, it offers A LOT of historic charm and scenic views at every turn. Bryn and I simply explored many of the shops in town including a candy shop that had candy from decades including the 1920’s, took in the scenic views, and walked across the footbridge over the Potomac and Shenandoah rivers. Everything both Bryn and I did was for free, too – something EASY to do here in Harpers Ferry.

Honestly, my visit to Harpers Ferry was great. The town’s close proximity to Washington, DC and plethora of scenic views make it an easy not even half day trip from the city and allows me to feel as if I am in heaven on Earth. I loved that it was easy to simply spend $0 while here and to just enjoy the moments, history, and gorgeous views while visiting. This was my second time here in Harpers Ferry, as the first time I went with my Mom during lockdown in 2020 to hike. And, if I were to go back again (which I want to!), I would hike a bit, walk through the town, park MUCH MUCH MUCH closer to the town, and go to a vineyard in nearby Loudon County, Virginia. Either way, there is something for everybody in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia!

XOXO – Katie <3

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48 Hours of Philadelphia Christmas Cheer

Merry in Philly! This past weekend, I visited my best friend Amanda who lives in Haddonfield, New Jersey (right outside of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) for a Christmas weekend of fun away! Personally, I have always LOVED the Pennsylvania/New Jersey area. I grew up about an hour North of Philadelphia in Pennington, New Jersey (read on to see my weekend in Pennington last weekend here!) and this area of the mid-Atlantic most definitely feels like home, despite me not actually living there. While in Philadelphia, Amanda and I did ALL the Christmas things that the city has to offer!

Haddonfield, New Jersey

Haddonfield, New Jersey is one of the most precious little towns about 15-20 minutes outside of Philadelphia. It’s an older town that has maintained its charm throughout its modernization that’s centuries long and ever-evolving. There are some stunning churches that resemble those of an old English cathedral courtesy of my study abroad experiences in London, England. At the same time, Haddonfield offers a plethora of small businesses, whether it be restaurants, cafes, shops, and ice cream/gelato parlors. The town gets ALL decked out for Christmas in the most extra and beautiful way possible. It’s a great town to live in and let alone visit!

I have visited Amanda many times in the past, so I have been able to see and admire the downtown streets of Haddonfield many many times before. However, I have had less of an opportunity to do just that at Christmas. Amanda and I walked the streets of Haddonfield during the day, getting coffee at Saxby’s – a New Jersey/Pennsylvania chain that I actually found once in Georgetown, Washington DC last month, and checking out some of the adorable small businesses. One of my favorites that is literally Instagrammable and just drop dead gorgeous on every shelve you turn when it comes to small businesses is Home On Haddon – a home goods boutique that I recently discovered when writing this blog post – HAHA – has an online shop, too. Another small business that I LOVE is a consignment store with an online section – carrying several designers and name brands known as Raks Thrift Avenue. There’s a cute little restaurant there that serves diner-like food called The Bistro on Haddonfield, which Amanda and I enjoyed a Sunday brunch at before I headed back to the nation’s capital. After brunch at The Bistro on Haddonfield, I discovered a newly opened town gem – Downtown Cookies. Downtown Cookies had an adorable balloon arch for ALL of your photo and social media posting needs. Not to mention, their cookies are literally to die for good! Haddonfield most definitely has some sweet gems within its main downtown area that I know anyone can enjoy!

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

On Saturday, Amanda and I spent the afternoon and early evening in Philadelphia. From Haddonfield, downtown Philadelphia is just a few direct stops away on the PATCO line – easy as that! Once we got into the downtown, we went to the Christmas Village that the city has to offer. The Christmas Village of Philadelphia is located in the downtown area right in front of and around City Hall and LOVE Park. Christmas Village offered ice skating, a Ferris wheel, a mini train for children, a carousel, and had several shops and food places along the rows and rows of the Christmas Market. We both didn’t really shop or eat at the Christmas market since it was expensive. Rather, we went to two of the many super fun and Instagrammable pop up bars nearby! I have been fortunate enough to see ALL of the sites in the City of Brotherly Love over the years that enjoying a few drinks can definitely be the focus for me when visiting this magical city.

As for the Christmas bars, I forget the name of the first one we went to but it was right beside City Hall and LOVE Park and in the center of ALLL the action. It had adorable little Christmas houses to sit in and enjoy drinks outdoors with space heaters all around. Meanwhile, the second bar that we went to was Tinsel – a pop up bar that only comes during both Halloween and Christmas time. Tinsel is located on 12th Street South and is next to an adorable Black-owned Popcorn shop with online ordering – Go Popcorn – where we got to meet the sons/cousins of the owners. Tinsel is in a rather small venue, but they have a line to get in – it moves FAST do not worry – in order to keep down on crowds and be sure that all guests pay their $5 cash cover and are of age and is decked out into the 9’s. Tinsel is most definitely a grab a drink, take a picture, and go type of place but it’s still super fun for that allotted time. Amanda and I split a hot chocolate that came with a souvenir Santa cup/mug to take home. After about 20-30 minutes of admiring the gorgeously decked halls of Tinsel, we headed back for Haddonfield.

Philadelphia is one of my all-time favorite cities. I love it and am so glad I finally got to experience it as a 21+ woman, as I was a lot younger the last times that I went! It’s always a blessing to see friends like Amanda, whether near or far.

XOXO – Katie <3

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48 Hours of a New Jersey Christmas

New Jersey is known as the “Garden State” and many people never get to truly see why. New Jersey is a magnificent state and it’s filled with a vast array of beauty. My Aunts, Uncles, cousins, Grandpa, and some of my best friends currently live in New Jersey, giving me plenty of opportunities to go back and visit. In fact, I was actually born in New Jersey and lived there for 5 years of my life! Needless to say, I love love love New Jersey and some of the many things that it has to offer – history, beaches, beautiful countryside, pizza and bagels, and its close proximity to New York City and Philadelphia. This past weekend, I visited one of my childhood best friends Chris in our hometown where I used to live of Pennington, New Jersey in the Central part of the state.

For more United States travel inspiration, check out my Exploring 50 States expedition page.

Day 1 – Pennington Holiday Walk

Coffee with a View Part 1 – in front of Twirl Toy Shop!

Every year, the town of Pennington puts on a Holiday Walk. At the Holiday Walk, they light the town tree, the streets are closed, and many of its local businesses – which fill the streets rather than well-known chains – distribute hot chocolate to attendees for free. All of the local businesses also stay open later so that Holiday Walk goers can shop and support locally. Some of my favorite shops are The Front Porch, Twirl Toy Shop, and 2nd Time Around (a secondhand store that I sadly closing come January 1, 2022). The Front Porch happens to have an online store, too, so I can luckily shop my favorite finds from the DMV! Chris and I also went to Vito’s Pizza – our favorite New York or what I like to call New Jersey style pizza shop that has been around for YEARS – with his girlfriend Kim and our mutual good friend Andrew.

Throughout the night, we all walked the carless main streets of Pennington. Snowflakes that light up twinkle throughout the streets as they line the poles along the Main Street. Pennington is filled with so much historic charm that has remained in tact throughout the years. Its churches that reminisce those of cathedrals straight from the streets of London with their hand-painted stained glass windows, the homes that have been around for centuries and still maintain their unique, historical charm, and its small businesses – some of which have been there for decades, including The Pennington Market and the Pennington Apothecary. Whether its daytime or nighttime, Pennington’s historic charm shines through, especially during the holiday season filled with holiday cheer at every turn you make.

Coffee with a View Part 2 – in front of Poppy Boutique!
Coffee with a View Part 3 – in front of a dazzling Snowflake!

Day 2 – Titusville

On my second day here in beautiful New Jersey, Chris showed me one of his favorite places to walk – Titusville, New Jersey. Titusville, New Jersey is conveniently located along the Delaware River across from Washington’s Crossing Historic Park in Pennsylvania which lays on the other side. There are many riverside views that we were able to take in, even in the Wintertime! The trail along the Delaware River takes you through to a mystical, Victorian style magical wonderland. There are homes, a Titusville church, a cemetery, and several waterfront views that line it. All of the houses were decked out in their best Christmas way to spread some holiday cheer. Needless to say, despite the cold and the less than picturesque than Fall, Spring, and Summer Winter trees, I loved Chris’s regular walk and am so glad I got to do it with him. I was immersed into learning about the historic Titusville, New Jersey from just a simple walk!

Chris and I had an amazing weekend together. Chris is extremely well-versed with his knowledge of Pennington and its surrounding areas, including Titusville. He LOVES New Jersey and is so proud to be a born and raised resident there that it makes anyone want to be proud of their own heritage and hometowns, too. We had such a beautiful weekend getting in friend time and some sightseeing, too. All in all, a true blessing!

XOXO – Katie <3

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