Philly for perfect weekend getaways

Stay at the Palomar Philadelphia in Philly's Rittenhouse Square.

By Vince Font

I have to admit to a nerdish love of the “Rocky” movies, and an equal fascination with the famous steps that lead up to the Philadelphia Museum of Art. So when the opportunity came for me to visit the City of Brotherly Love by escorting my wife to Philadelphia’s “Perfect 10” girlfriend getaway held on 10/10/10 (she assured me that married couples were also allowed), I couldn’t pass it up. I wasn’t an expert on Philadelphia hotels, but I’d had my fair share of luck finding some really fabulous hotels for weekend getaways.

This vacation was no exception. Staying at the Palomar Philadelphia was a stroke of great luck. With rooms starting in the $160s, you might not call this a cheap getaway, but the accommodations are truly five-star. It was also a perfect strategic move on my part. Recently renovated and screaming elegance from every square inch, the hotel (which has a classy and reasonably priced restaurant called Square 1682) is within short walking distance of another place I’ve always been fascinated by: the Mutter Museum and its collection of medical oddities.

After satisfying my morbid curiosity and terrifying my better half at the Mutter, we headed over to take in one of the Columbus Day weekend events — the Cleopatra exhibition at The Franklin Institute, on display until January 2, 2011. The exhibit is loaded with rare artifacts and accentuated by multimedia presentations that create a captivating atmosphere.

Finally, my plot was hatched when we headed over to the Philadelphia Museum of Art to take in the Desert Jewels exhibit, featuring a treasure trove of North African jewelry that captivated my wife’s interest so much I was able to slip away and fulfill a dream. Yes, I  ran up the steps out front with a grin like a kid in a candy store (be warned,those steps are tougher than they look).

Vince Font is a freelance writer born in Puerto Rico and currently escaped to Utah. When not dreaming of interstellar travel, he’s on the hunt for weird, wacky, and off-the-beaten-track vacation destinations. Next stop: The Lizzie Borden Bed and Breakfast.

Tagged: Hotels