In the Driver’s Seat: A Romantic Weekend in Philadelphia
Far-flung travel is fabulous if you have the time (and budget!) to make it happen. But if you’re looking for a quick and easy getaway, allow us to remind you of the beauty of the weekend road trip. In this recurring series, we ask seasoned travelers to share all the details of their best recent trip, from the car they drove to the clothes they packed—and, of course, the must-visit locations on their itinerary.
The Destination
Philadelphia is just two hours from the New York area, but people don't often think of it as a destination for a quick romantic getaway. Growing up in New Jersey, I would go to Philly for school trips to landmarks like the Liberty Bell Center punctuated with stops for cheesesteaks. On a recent trip for my cousin's wedding, though, I saw a dreamier side of the City of Brotherly Love.
What I Drove
The Mercedes-Benz GLS 450 4MATIC. I drive a four-door sedan nearly every day, so wielding an up-to-seven-seater SUV with a keyless start was a little different—but in a good way. After swooning over its luxe features like a touchscreen infotainment system that's seamlessly controlled from the driver's seat, built-in zoned climate control, and heated leather seats, my husband and I jumped in to start our weekend adventure.
Since we had more than enough room for the two of us and just a couple of suitcases, riding and driving the GLS 450 felt almost like taking a private jet to my cousin's wedding, rather than a traditional road trip. It even featured illuminated trimming from door to door and a number of exterior projector lights to guide your step at night.
What I Packed
I danced the night away in formal attire on Saturday for the wedding, but during the rest of our time in Philly, more comfortable, everyday clothes like sneakers, sweats, and jeans were a must, especially since the city is more casual than my corner of NYC and NJ. The weather wasn't too chilly on this particular weekend—low 50s during the day and slightly cooler at night—which allowed me to layer a few core pieces and avoid lugging around a heavy coat. Of course, I also packed a few key beauty essentials, like Victoria Beckham Beauty's Kajal Jewel Eyeliner and a set of glitter-tipped French press-ons from OPI to polish off my wedding guest look.
The Itinerary
Friday: After checking into our suite at the Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia at Comcast Center, a short rest, and quick change of clothes, my husband and I were already gearing up for another drive—only 25 minutes away this time—just outside of Philly, for my cousin's rehearsal dinner.
Stop 1: In lieu of a traditional sit-down, the couple kicked off their wedding weekend at Regal UA King of Prussia, with a private screening of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, exclusively for their wedding guests. Though King of Prussia is technically outside of Philadelphia, it's definitely worth the trip if you're a superfan of shopping, since it's easy to get lost exploring the 450-plus stores—from Apple to Zara.
Saturday: Wedding day! Since we had a few hours before the start of the festivities that evening, my husband and I decided to take our time journeying around the city.
Stop 2: We started by grabbing breakfast (a delicious smoked salmon Benedict with expertly seasoned potatoes) at JG Skyhigh, one of the Four Seasons Philadelphia's built-in eateries. The restaurant is breathtaking, named Skyhigh for its elevated placement in the building, which showcases some of the best views you'll find of the city. The entire space is cradled with floor-to-ceiling windows and a plush interior that almost feels more like a lounge than an eatery.
Stop 3: After our fantastic feast, we took a stroll down North 19th Street toward popular Rittenhouse Square Park to walk it off. If you're not familiar, Rittenhouse Square is one of five original squares crafted by the city's founder, William Penn, in the 17th century and is now a mainstay for visitors and musicians, along with lots and lots of dogs and their owners.
Once we finished a quick lap around the square, we stopped into The Barnes Foundation to soak in a little art (one of my not-so-secret guilty pleasures). And since my husband needed a last-minute pocket square to punctuate his suit, we stopped into Suitsupply to grab one before heading back to the Four Seasons to change for the evening.
Stop 4: My cousin's union took place in the heart of Philly (and only a 15-minute drive away from our hotel) at The Bellevue Hotel, one of the most idyllic settings in the city to say, "I do." The French Renaissance–designed space is one of the oldest and well-known landmarks in Philadelphia at more than 100 years old and adorned with rows and rows of romantic twinkling chandeliers and winding marble staircases.
Stop 5: After a full night celebrating love, my husband and I were able to make our getaway even more romantic with the help of the Night Spa at the Four Seasons Hotel before catching up on a few z's. The Night Spa is as exclusive and luxe as it sounds: Located on the hotel's 57th floor, the couples experience starts at 10:30 p.m. with your choice of a 60-minute massage—my husband and I each decided on the Crystal Oil option—along with treats like chocolate-covered strawberries, macarons, and an ice-cold bottle of champagne to enjoy.
Before even jumping onto the massage table, we were greeted with the glow of dozens of flickering candles to set the mood, along with stunning decor created by designer Jeff Leatham. We also had private access to the hotel's pool, saunas, sound system, and locker rooms, which definitely helped channel ultimate VIP status. As an added bonus after the Night Spa, we were gifted with a pair of fleece-lined robes to keep, plus 12 long-stemmed red roses tied neatly with a bow.
Sunday: Before checking out of our room and heading back to New Jersey, we toasted to a weekend well spent over glasses of orange juice along with a five-star spread of omelets, fruits, and more, which (no offense to my cousin) was one of my favorite moments of the entire trip. Is there anything better than lounging in a fluffy white robe while munching on flaky croissants and gazing out at an epic view?
Stop 6: As a parting gift for all Philadelphia had given us over the span of 72 hours, we made a pit stop at the iconic "Rocky Steps"—also known as the stairs at the Philadelphia Museum of Art—just for the nostalgia.
As a pescatarian of more than 10 years, I don't envision myself chowing down on an authentic Philly cheesesteak anytime soon, unless it's vegetarian. But I can easily picture taking another trip to the historic city in the very near future—even if it's not to partake in someone else's love story.
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