By Shannon at the Southern Schoolhouse
What was supposed to be a smooth flight north turned into an unexpected road trip when our flight to Philadelphia was canceled at the last minute. With my daughter’s volleyball tournament scheduled to start the next morning, we had no choice but to rent a car and hit the road, eight hours of lots of traffic, determination, snacks, and bonding time later, we arrived in the City of Brotherly Love at 11:30pm.
We checked into the Sonesta Rittenhouse, a cozy and stylish spot that gave us a comfortable place to rest between early mornings and long days at the Pennsylvania Convention Center, where the tournament was held. Despite the packed schedule, we managed to carve out a few moments to explore the city and create some unforgettable memories.
Our Philly experience wouldn’t have been complete without trying a cheesesteak, and Cleavers did not disappoint — juicy, flavorful, and everything we hoped for. We also grabbed a meal at Little Pete’s, a classic Philly diner that felt like a warm hug after a hectic day.
One evening, we took a little detour on our walk to the convention center and stopped by the Rocky statue and climbed the iconic steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, a must-do moment for any first-time visitor. We also admired the stunning architecture of City Hall, a centerpiece of the city that’s even more impressive in person. The flowers were in bloom and so beautiful!
Coming from North Carolina, Philly was a whole new pace for us. The energy, the traffic, the people, it was a lot to take in, but also kind of thrilling. There’s something special about being thrown into a busy city and finding your own rhythm, even if you’re just visiting for a weekend volleyball tournament.
In the end, what started as a travel hiccup turned into a spontaneous adventure full of laughter, good food, and meaningful time with my daughter. Philly, you challenged us, definitely exhausted as we enter a new week, but we’re grateful for the experience.
