If the idea of planning a girls’ trip sounds too daunting, start by looking closer to home. On a recent spring weekend, my sister and I headed south for a quick but fun-filled overnight trip to Philly. We were impressed with how much fun we managed to pack into 24 hours but if you can get away for longer, I highly recommend it.
Depending on where you are in the Garden State, Philadelphia is about 1-2 hours drive, which means that you’ll spend less time traveling and more time enjoying. Arriving on a rainy Friday afternoon, we checked into Sofitel Philadelphia at Rittenhouse Square and breathed a sigh of relief that it was time for a short break from work, parenting and all the other everyday stuff. We left our car with the valet, which meant we wouldn’t have to worry about parking or driving for the rest of the trip. Since most places we were going were a short walk or Uber drive away, this was ideal.
The Sofitel lobby had a cool, contemporary French look. The concierge asked if we needed help arranging any plans for the evening and was surprised to learn that we were going to see Marilyn Manson perform at the Metropolitan Opera House (I’m a huge fan!).
After getting checked in, we took the elevator up to our room and when we opened the door, we were excited to find a relaxing oasis with two double beds and a marble bathroom with a separate bathtub and shower. The newly renovated room was super chic and just the perfect, comfortable setting for our short sojourn.
After getting changed, our first stop was Bolo, a Latin American restaurant and rum bar. Chef Yun Fuentes’s colorful restaurant transports guests to the islands, specifically his family home of Puerto Rico.
Bolo has a full rum-focused bar program with a variety of classic and signature cocktails and craft beer, and we were excited to try some drinks. I went with a classic daiquiri. If your idea of a daiquiri is some frozen concoction made from a grocery store mix – this is not that! Made simply with rum, lime and sugar, it was a fresh and delightful drink. My sister chose a bubbly glass of cava to start the celebration.
And of course we couldn’t leave without sampling Bolo Light, made by My Local Brew Works, a local custom craft brewery I had actually made my own beer at last year while working on a story. The beer was as delicious as I remembered, and it was perfectly suited to this festive setting.
Next, it was back to the Sofitel for dinner at Liberté Lounge. My sister went for the steak frites and I had the Liberté Burger with an order of truffle fries. Her cocktail, the Liberté, was made with pear infused Tito’s vodka, St. Germain, lemon and sparkling wine. I opted for a glass of brut rosé. Overall, the whole meal was top tier, and the relaxing atmosphere and friendly service solidified this as a perfect spot to eat, drink and unwind.
When it was time to head to the show, we hopped in an Uber which whisked us over to The Met. The historic Metropolitan Opera House opened in 1908 and is an amazing and intimate concert venue. Even though my sister lived in Philly, she didn’t know The Met, so we were both happy to discover this fabulous historic theater. I love seeing shows at places small enough to actually see the performers (not video screens) and MM did not disappoint. Upcoming shows include The Head and The Heart, Danny Go! Live! (for the kids – if you know “The Wiggle Dance,” you know), James Blunt and Barenaked Ladies, to name a few – you can check all upcoming shows here.
The next morning, we hit Kismet Bagels, an adorable bagel shop. The line that flowed out onto the sidewalk confirmed that these bagels were top notch (don’t worry, the wait was not that long). With our bagel and a schmear to go, we hit the road back home, ready to plan our next sister adventure.
Sofitel, 120 S.17th St., Philadelphia
Bolo, 2025 Sansom St., Philadelphia
Liberté Lounge, 120 S.17th St., Philadelphia
The Met, 858 N. Broad St., Philadelphia
Kismet Bagels, 1700 Sansom St., Philadelphia
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