Travel: Philadelphia, PA

Philadelphia is a city where history and modern life blend seamlessly, creating an atmosphere unlike any other. Known as the birthplace of American democracy, its streets are lined with landmarks that tell the story of the nation's past—from Independence Hall to the Liberty Bell. But beyond its rich history, Philly offers an endless array of unique experiences, from its vibrant food scene to its art-filled neighborhoods. During my trip, I explored the city’s layers—walking through centuries-old sites, discovering hidden gems, and immersing myself in the energy that makes Philadelphia so special.

Inside the structure of Philadelphia City Hall.

An Ode to History

​Anastacia's Antiques

This antique shop deserves to be recognized as a museum in and of itself. There are so many wonderfully unique and strange oddities in this shop. Whether you are looking for mourning jewelry made of hair, dentures, or Cracker Jack toys, Anastacia's Antiques most likely has it. All time ceases to exist when you are exploring inside of this hidden gem. I easily could have spent hours scavenger hunting. I made a conscious decision to focus on the jewelry cabinet as to not overwhelm myself. Stated by Anastacia herself, one of the things she always hears about her store is people saying that they could live there - I can confirm I am one of those people.

I ended up purchasing a beautiful, silver brooch with mythological cut-outs. Unfortunately there was no marking on the back to indicate the designer, but I knew I had found something that would always remind me of my trip to Philadelphia. ​This place is perfect for a macabre souvenir!

The outside of the shop.

The interiors of the shop are so marvelously curated and designed. 

A corner of the jewelry cabinet filled with Victorian brooches.

The brooch I purchased from the shop.

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​The Wagner Free Institute

The Wagner Free Institute of Science has a fairly in tact Victorian museum space on the second floor, filled with the carcasses and bones of animals studied at the institution.  It was founded in 1855 by philanthropist William Wagner, and the space has been designated a National Historic Landmark. What piqued my interest about the museum was its preserved Victorian interior. Photos are not allowed on the second floor, but an image of the lecture hall on the main floor gives you a sense of how historic the space actually is; I absolutely love the dark, gothic chairs in the lecture hall. The door is also so old that you need to ring a bell for someone to open it for you. The institute still offers coursework and lectures, utilizing the space as it was intended for natural history education. The museum is free to visit, embracing the sentiment of accessibility to science educational for all.

Lecture hall located on the main floor. It is still used today.

Columbia Book and Stationary Store wooden thermometer.

Sign located near the front entrance.

The front door.

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The Dream Garden

The Dream Garden was designed by Maxfield Frederick Parrish using Tiffany glass, named after the famed Louis C. Tiffany. There are 260 color tones of irreplaceable glass used in this mural, with more than 100,000 pieces and was completed in 1915. This piece is essentially a painting made of glass. When you see it in person, there's a lot to take in! There are shadows and flickers of light that appear as you look closely at the mural. It's such a special piece of art, and it is free to visit inside the lobby of the Curtis Building. There is also a lovely stone bench in the lobby that you can sit on to gaze at this masterpiece. 

A photo of The Dream Garden. Noticed the many coins tossed into the fountain.

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Philadelphia Flower Show

What inspired my visit to Philadelphia in the first place was the Philadelphia Flower Show, created by the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society. I was gravitated by the expansive and creative display of flowers, as well as being amongst fellow nature lovers and gardeners. It was lovely to see so many institutions and designers come together under one roof to create something magical. The displays were so colorful and full of life. It reminded me why I loved being in nature in the first place, and it was exciting to see how others interpreted this year's theme 'Gardens of Tomorrow'. The theme felt fitting, especially as so many of us anticipate the future on the edge of our seats. 

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Philadelphia's Magic Gardens

I did not know what to anticipate when visiting Philadelphia's Magic Gardens, but boy did I feel inspired. This place is like stepping into a mosaic maze filled with fragmented pieces of things that sometimes make sense but most of the time don't. I thought it would feel claustrophobic, but there was actually something so tranquil about the space. It was curated chaos! If you need to escape reality, this is the place to visit. Ironically amidst the chaos, you are somewhat forced to practice mindfulness and presence as you scour all of the bits and pieces around you. It's impossible to appreciate every single fragment of the garden, but there are a lot of hidden motifs and gems. I appreciated finding a lot of vintage glassware and ceramics! I was surprised to find that there is a basement on the premises which can be accessed via private tour.

Tip: I would recommend walking to the gardens because you will notice glass murals all over the neighborhood on your route there.