After a big trip(s) to Europe and Mexico in spring, we decided to try something new and explore a little bit more of our own country with a……ROAD TRIPPPPP!
Stop 1: Cleveland, OH
The 5 hour drive landed us in Cleveland late afternoon so we checked into our Air bnb (it was in a bit of a sketchy area just outside the immediate city), freshened up, and headed out to explore our first city. Our time here was limited as we were more excited to get other places but we managed to sneak in a few fun things!
Step #1: One of the famous “Cleveland” signs (of the 5 that exist, the one we chose to find was right along Lake Erie and had beautiful skyline views behind it). Our GPS freaked out about 100 times with all the construction, but the view was worth it!
Step 2: East 4th Street! If you haven’t been, this little street is for pedestrians only and is lined with restaurants, shops, bars, and music venues. Cute little lights hang overhead and guide your way. After a stroll of the street, we decided to eat at Butcher and the Brewer– part restaurant, part deli, part brewery (what more could someone want?!). First off, the experience was a win in my book because they had my favorite ginger beer, but the “breakfast flatbread” pizza and “bbq pork shank” did NOT disappoint (bacon wrapped dates were a-okay, too). The ambiance is quite cool, very industrial and loud.
Step 3: Probably the largest outdoor chandelier that you will ever see in your life that hangs over Playhouse Square, a theater-rich area of town (theaters line the streets on each side!). Matt was a trooper here and let me literally run out into the middle of the streets to take pics while he watched from the car (and probably laughed).
Stop 2: Pittsburgh
Ready for a bigger city, we upgraded the next day to Pittsburgh, just a 2.5 hour-ish drive. After checking into the Marriott downtown, we did not waste any time and wandered our way to the Strip District (not what it sounds like). Here shops, restaurants, and markets of all different cultures line the streets. We had our eyes set on Pittsburgh’s famous breakfast spot, Pamela’s (which I definitely tried to pronounce with a spanish accent that Matt never let me live down). Several locations exist throughout the city but this one allowed us to see an area of interest AND feed our stomachs. Our more recent travel tendency is to order chocolate milks….so we did while we waited for our food. This cash only spot has everything you could imagine—even salad with french fries on it (balanced life, right?!). The ambiance is a bit retro and all of the servers serve all of the tables so ask for what you need!
Around the corner were the city’s bike rental system so we quickly hoped on and began our self-guided tour of the city: over one of the 446 bridges, down the river front, past the Pirate’s stadium, through the Eagles stadium, around the park overlooking the intersection of the 3 rivers, and to Market Square. Here we hoped off and finished exploring by foot. After a quick nap and freshening up, we walked our way to Täkō (some of the best guac and tacos I’ve tasted to date–Matt even bought the t-shirt that the servers wear). The ambiance is dark and full of unexpected art….the skulls, bike chain chandeliers, and octopus leg lights were just a few of my favorites. With a quick walk across the bridge, we walked right into the Pirate’s stadium and sat ourselves right in the bleachers munching on some ice cream. The backdrop of the city behind the outfield is breath-taking. Seriously, I’ve never seen something so beautiful at a baseball game.
The next morning we went for a few mile run along the river and ended at Raymond’s Cafe for breakfast (beware, they might have ricotta blueberry pancakes but they do not have free wifi…didn’t know that was still a thing). After the mile walk back to the hotel, we packed up and jumped on the road again to our 3rd destination…
Stop 3: Philadelphia (“Philly Philly”)
We quickly dropped our stuff, threw on some new clothes and started walking northeast past Philly’s Chinatown (looking for a fire station for Matt) and into the area of town housing more of the historic sights. We had to try three different locations, but we eventually found Elfreth’s Alley, home to approximately 32 homes built as early as 1728 and considered America’s oldest residential street. We were fascinated that people live in these homes despite the tourists constantly passing through. Heading to dinner, we walked right past the Liberty Bell set in a contrastingly very modern building. Fast forward and we finally arrive at Ralph’s, America’s oldest Italian restaurant still in business. They happened to be filming a show for the travel channel which added to the excitement. Up for dinner was meatballs (these were amazing), gnocchi in vodka sauce, and parmesan cheese with a glass of Chianti. While we weren’t overly impressed with the food, it was fun to see how many people packed into the little restaurant for the experience. With a quick uber ride (because of the blisters from my sandals), we pulled up at Bud and Marilyn’s to try out their HUGEEEE funfetti cake slices. Matt was in heaven as funfetti is his second love in life right after donuts. With enough food in us to last a week, we walked the rest of the way back to the hotel to turn in for the night.
Ready for breakfast the next morning, we walked to Honey’s Sit and Eat for breakfast (I recommend the bagel and lox) which had a bike rental station nearby that allowed us to continue on our journey to University of Pennsylvania’s campus. After riding around, we stopped at the book store to each purchase a shirt #nerdalert. We then continued our bike ride to Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens that are even intriguing from the outside. From here we walked to get our anticipated Philly cheesestake sandwich. If you want the true taste test, head to Geno’s and order one sandwich (which happens to be across the intersection from Pat’s King of Steaks). Then walk across the street and give one a try from Pat’s. We regret not doing the true taste test especially because we were hearing that Pat’s was better that day. Stuffed again, we rented bikes again, rode to the riverwalk, checked out Spruce Street Harbor, Benjamin Franklin bridge, and finally found Graffiti Pier (which happened to be closed due to dangerous activity by visitors). All in all, by the time we dropped our bikes off back by the hotel, we had ridden somewhere between 10-15 miles. Showers were beyond necessary so we cleaned up before heading back out for dinner at the b-e-a-u-ti-ful Talula’s Garden–yummmmmmm. Our cheese plate hit the spot–so did the wine and beautiful decor which quickly shifted when we traded an amazing patio for the Phillie’s baseball game. The field was an amazing way to end the night (so was the woman blowing tons of bubbles from the bleachers).
Waking up the next morning, we trekked to the Rocky Stairs and back (about a 3 mile run), and hopped back in the car to Cinci to see family and get home quickly for a wake!
