Christmas Escapade: From NYC To Philadelphia – Great, Festive And Holiday Fun!

Intro

Embark on a festive journey from New York City to Philadelphia this Christmas season! 🎄 Join us as we venture from the bustling Port Authority Bus Terminal in NYC to the charming streets of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Explore the historic Elfreth’s Alley Museum and delve into American heritage at the Betsy Ross House. Witness the beauty of downtown Philly at sunset and indulge in culinary delights at Shane Confectionery and the Reading Terminal Market. Experience the magic of the holidays with gingerbread houses, cheesesteaks, and Christmas decorations galore.

Don’t miss out on the enchanting Christmas Villages and ice skating at Independence Blue Cross RiverRink. From savory delights at Sampan to shopping sprees at The Shops at Liberty Place, this Christmas escapade promises unforgettable memories in the heart of Philly! 🎅🎁

From NYC to Philadelphia

Another weekend in December, another Christmas escapade. But this time closer to home. I was going to Philadelphia, where I was supposed to go later in the year.

This time I wanted to explore more of the city, staying one night and doing the most Holiday related things I could do.

I took a bus from the Port Authority by Times Square, and in a little less than an hour later I was already in Phillly. At that time their bus terminal was not opened yet, so they dropped us off at some weird location closer to the river. From there we managed to walk to our touristy destinations.

Old Town

Definitely Pennsylvania is well known for its Old City. This area is considered the birthplace of the United States and contains many significant historical sites, including Independence Hall, where the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were debated and adopted.

Old City is known for its cobblestone streets, colonial-era buildings, and landmarks such as the Liberty Bell. It’s a popular destination for tourists and history enthusiasts seeking to explore the early history of the United States.

The Elfreth’s Alley Museum is definitely a good area to start with the scenic walk.

And not too far from there, and after getting some Starbucks, we got to the Betsy Ross House and Museum. The souvenir shop was kind of cute, and of course all the Christmas decorations were giving it a festive look.

On the way to the next spot, we noticed this person trimming the tree with no recollection of OSHA regulations, and not stopping the pedestrians below.

By the Delaware River

Walking more towards the river, we found this cute candy store that has been opened since 1863, the Shane Confectionary. We got some hot cocoa and a box full of a variety of chocolates.

Not too far from there, we got to our first Christmas place. The Independence Blue Cross RiverRink, not only very entertaining with the skating, but also, with many other amenities around.

Like for example this big tent/lounge where we could get a variety of food and beverage, and there were also spots to do s’mores as well.

We were staying in the Midtown by the City Hall, and we had to Uber once our room was ready. The hotel was the Holiday Inn Express Philadelphia-Midtown. A very good value, in the heart of the city, and steps from the clubs, bars, restaurants, and like I said, the City Hall.

Reading Terminal Market

We were hungry, and definitely had to go to one of the most famous places in this city, the Reading Terminal Market.

The Reading Terminal Market is famous for its rich history, diverse food options, locally sourced produce, vibrant atmosphere, and status as a popular tourist destination. Established in 1893 in a historic train shed, the market offers a wide array of goods from fresh produce to international delicacies, creating a bustling and exciting environment for visitors.

They also had a Gingerbread House competition.

So many options to eat, but I chose the traditional Philly Cheesesteak. It did not look as appetizing, but tasted sooo good.

Later that night

After all the eating, we decided to walk around, and explore the Midtown (or Downtown) of the city. The early Sunset was upon us, but this beautiful transformed city was offering a lot.

Before going partying, we stopped by the Sampan restaurant, and decided to get the Chef’s Tasting Menu, which is 7 different options for $55.

The food was so delicious, I would definitely come back to this Korean style restaurant.

The next morning

I wanted to show a little bit of how the breakfast buffet is served in this Holiday Inn. Not many hotels offer this service anymore, and I am glad that we did, because it was a nice surprise for us.

This morning was to finish exploring this part of the town, and to go shopping (since apparently some things are cheaper here than in NYC). I actually got a pair of hiking shoes.

But in this rainy day, there was also time to check the Christmas decorations, and the rinks.

More shopping meant going to an actual mall. And that we did, by getting into The Shops at Liberty Place, and go on a shopping spree. I love having malls close to the downtowns. Not very common anymore.

The Christmas Villages

There were a couple of Christmas Villages in the surroundings of Midtown, and even though it was raining, we explored them, and got some hot cocoa.

I love these Christmas markets, in NYC they are really good, but these ones were unexpectedly amazing. I cannot wait to explore the Germany ones at the end of 2025 (yeah, I already planned it lol).

After checking around, it was time to go to the temporary bus terminal, and get the bus to NYC. Next adventure is out of this world.