I spent this past weekend in Philadelphia, a city I’ve passed through many times en route to New York, but had never gotten to know. When Gilt Groupe’s Jetsetter had a deal for the Palomar in trendy Rittenhouse Square, I decided it was time for a weekend getaway, as the city is just under two hours from Washington by train.

Philadelphia offers a mix of historic charm and cultural sophistication that is sometimes missing from Washington’s sterile architecture and overcrowded restaurants–and the quiet streets are a refreshing change from New York’s hustle and bustle. While there’s no place like home–or New York, for that matter–Philadelphia provides a pleasant change of scenery for a weekend.

Stay
If you can get a deal at the Palomar, it’s an excellent choice for it’s location in one of the city’s hippest neighborhoods. In fact, SniqueAway, a travel deals site similar to Jetsetter, currently has rooms at the Palomar starting at $169/night.

The Palomar is a standard Kimpton hotel, so if you’ve stayed at one before, you know what you’re getting. Fortunately, what you’re getting is comfortable and stylish, complete with Kimpton’s signature daily wine happy hour in the lobby and animal-print bathrobes in your room. Our first room was a standard double with alley view, but the hotel happily switched us to a king room with a sweeping view of the city, as noted in the Jetsetter deal. I appreciated the hotel’s small details, like the Art Deco decor with Revolutionary War imagery and Etro toiletries, though the hotel’s easy walk to most of our destinations was the best part of the stay.

Hotel Palomar Philadelphia

Eat & Drink
I’m not a big beer drinker, but a dive bar’s bland vodka and soda seems all wrong with a burger and fries. Village Whiskey (118 S. 20th Street, Rittenhouse Square) solves the problem by serving classic (and strong!) cocktails with juicy 8 oz. burgers and duck-fat fries. I may be unusual, but I think a cheddar burger tastes much better with a Negroni than a filling beer. With 50s music and industrial decor, Village Whiskey is not too fancy for burgers but stylish enough for Friday night.

Of course, a trip to Philadelphia is not complete without Italian food. Jennie of A Glass of Milk recommended Amís (412 S. 13th Street, Washington Square), one of James Beard chef Marc Vetri’s restaurants. The incredible fettuccine with lamb ragu and swiss chard ravioli with spring onion ragu both literally melt in your mouth, and you’re not too full for scrumptious polenta strawberry shortcake for dessert.

Shop
If you like to shop, Philadelphia has a variety of unique boutiques, particularly on N. 3rd Street in Olde City. Art in the Age (116 N. 3rd Street) offers a small but well-curated collection of men’s and women’s casual clothing, housewares, art, and the store’s signature Root liquor. Sugarcube® (124 N. 3rd Street), a few doors down, is worth a stop for men’s and women’s vintage as well as a large selection of labels like A.P.C. and Frock! by Tracy Reese. For edible souvenirs, visit the 9th Street Italian Market for fresh pasta and cheese, as well as vegetables that are practically free compared to DC farmers’ market prices.

Sugarcube®

Learn
Philadelphia has history and culture for every taste. We visited the Liberty Bell Center (526 Market Street) for a dash of history, and although the actual bell is surprisingly unimpressive, the small museum tells the story of the bell’s significance and is worth a visit. At the Philadelphia Museum of Art (26th Street & Benjamin Franklin Parkway), skip the main building and take the shuttle to the Perelman Building, which currently has two fascinating exhibits on men’s tailoring and men’s extreme fashion, as well as a startling collection of controversial photos from the 1970s-1990s.

Vivienne Westwood Man’s Bondage Suit, c. 1990, via The Peacock Male, Philadelphia Museum of Art