PH Travels: Philadelphia itinerary

Join Preservation Houston in September 2025 for an inspiring journey to Philadelphia, a city where history, art and innovation converge. This draft itinerary offers a glimpse of the thoughtfully curated experiences that await. Plans may change as we finalize the schedule. We’ll post any updates here, and travelers who register for the Philadelphia trip will receive detailed information as it becomes available.

Day 1: Welcome to Philadelphia

Wednesday, September 17 — The trip begins as you settle in at the stylish Hotel Palomar, located near Rittenhouse Square in one of Philadelphia’s most vibrant neighborhoods. In the late afternoon, we’ll gather for a welcome happy hour at Bok Bar, a South Philly rooftop with sweeping city views, followed by dinner at the storied Palizzi Social Club — opening that evening just for us. It’s a perfect way to connect with your fellow travelers and kick off the adventure.

Day 2: Historic landmarks and urban innovation

Thursday, September 18 — We’ll begin our first full day in Philly with a guided walk through the Colonial heart of Philadelphia that brings the city’s founding history to life. Along the way, we’ll get a feel for the city’s innovative 1682 grid plan and how it shaped urban growth. After a special tour of works from Mural Arts, the nation’s largest public art program, we’ll stop for lunch at the iconic Reading Terminal Market. The afternoon will include visits to two jaw-dropping landmarks, the PSFS Building and City Hall. We’ll recap the day over a private dinner at The Dandelion, a favorite spot near Rittenhouse Square.

Day 3: The suburbs and the Benjamin Franklin Parkway

Friday, September 19 — Our morning in suburban Philadelphia will begin with an exclusive tour of Lynnewood Hall, a Gilded Age estate in Elkins Park poised to become one of the nation’s largest preservation projects. From there we’ll head to Chestnut Hill to explore Louis Kahn’s exquisite Margaret Esherick House before breaking for a catered lunch at the Morris Arboretum and Gardens — followed by time for you to explore the arboretum’s grounds. In the afternoon, we’ll return to the city for a tour of the Barnes Foundation, home to one of the world’s great art collections. Wrap up your day with a stroll along the grand Benjamin Franklin Parkway, often called “Philadelphia’s Champs-Élysées,” before an evening and dinner on your own.

Day 4: West Philadelphia and the art museum

Saturday, September 20 — We’ll discover the character and contrasts of West Philadelphia this morning, beginning with a private reception at the home of a Philadelphia preservationist and antique collector followed by a visit to the University of Pennsylvania’s historic campus. After a special look inside architect Frank Furness’ masterpiece, the stunning Fisher Fine Arts Library, we’ll stop for lunch at White Dog Cafe, a University City favorite. The afternoon will include visits to two landmarks: 30th Street Station, the city’s imposing Art Deco transportation hub, and the beautiful Philadelphia Museum of Art — we’ll take a guided architectural tour of the museum’s building, then give you free time to explore its extraordinary collections. That evening, we’ll gather for dinner at Wm. Mulherin’s Sons in the heart of Fishtown, a historic industrial quarter now alive with creative energy.

Day 5: Farewell Philly

Sunday, September 21 — We’ll close our time together with a special brunch at the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, home to treasures like the first two drafts of the U.S. Constitution, an original proof of the Declaration of Independence and the oldest surviving American photograph. Afterward, enjoy free time for a final neighborhood stroll, a return to a favorite spot or a visit to somewhere still on your list. As the trip comes to a close, you’ll carry with you lasting memories and a deeper connection to one of America’s most remarkable cities.

We will provide a motor coach transfer from Hotel Palomar to Philadelphia International Airport for flights leaving Sunday evening.