Planes, trains and automobiles: Philadelphia and Baltimore edition

I've discovered that my Europe experience has changed how I travel, specifically, how I prepare for a trip. Jenna Brie and I left for our vacation to Philadelphia and Baltimore with nothing planned except for our hotel reservations. We got to each city with little knowledge of what sites and attractions we needed to see, but armed and ready to ask, "Okay, big city. What do you have to offer us? We're ready to be impressed."

I'm not sure what we were expecting, but Philadelphia was HOT. We spent our day and a half there visiting the historical necessities: the Betsy Ross house, Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell and Elfreth's Alley (the oldest continuously inhabited street in the US). Most of the historic sites are smack in the middle of the city and free, which was nice because it meant that most everything was walkable and budget-friendly! We did get a kick out of seeing park rangers roving around city streets with their silly hats, since it's a part of Independence National Historic Park.

Tiny tiny doorway in Elfreth's Alley

Travel buddies in front of Independence Hall

My favorite thing in Philadelphia was the steps at the Museum of Art. You know the training montage in Rocky IV (I think?), where he ends with a victorious run all the way up the steps, then pumps his fists in his air at the top, with the beautiful view of the city in the background? So we ran up the steps and had a celebration at the top, just like Rocky. Then we sat on the edge and watched countless others do the same thing, cheering and clapping for them. We love to people watch, and this was too much fun.

Go get 'em!

Philly cheese steak: cheese whiz or no?

Jenna Brie and I were both pretty excited about taking the train from Philly to Baltimore. We're obviously clueless about our northeast geography, because we were both completely surprised when one of our train stops was in Delaware.

I can still hear the letters clicking on the arrivals sign at the train station in Philly.

Our first day in Baltimore was rainy and cold - cold enough to make me wish I had packed a jacket. Luckily, Jenna Brie has family in the area so we were treated to a driving tour of the city, complete with plenty of fun facts ("Now here's a little nothin' for ya..."). We had the most amazing crab cakes for lunch and even stopped by to snap a picture at Charm City Cakes, where the TLC show Ace of Cakes is filmed!

Thanks Beth and Elaina!

Have I mentioned how gorgeous Baltimore is? Most of the attractions are along the Inner Harbor and water taxis shuttle back and forth to the different neighborhoods. We spent the day checking out Fort McHenry, where Francis Scott Key penned "The Star Spangled Banner," and wandering around the cute neighborhood of Fell's Point. Being the foodies we are, we couldn't resist taking advantage of the fact we were in town for Restaurant Week. We had the most amazing 3 course dinner at Kali's Court for a cool $35, after which we kicked off our shoes and ran barefoot along the pier watching crabs swim in the harbor.

I'm on a boat!

Crazy fun mirror tree at the American Visionary Art Museum

Philadelphia and Baltimore treated us well, but Jenna Brie had to get back to Tennessee and I had to make my way down to Washington DC for and old friend's wedding. More on that soon, but for now you can check out Jenna Brie's posts about our trip here and here.