The drive from Washington DC to Philadelphia is under three hours which makes it perfect for a weekend or even a quick overnight getaway.
What I like best about Philadelphia is all the history you’ll find around every corner. It reminds me of Boston but with a little more grit. 
Visiting with Ben Franklin at UPenn
A whole lot of LOVE on the Penn campus 
I especially like the way the cobblestone was preserved – still there but not cumbersome. 
There are historic information signs everywhere explaining the importance of a building or area. A nice refresher of my Revolutionary knowledge. 
Betsy Ross House
Ben Franklin’s gravesite – I thought the pennies were a nice touch. Didn’t see any $100 bills…
A building reflected within a building.
Christmas tree at City Hall.
XOXO photo opportunity.
There’s a lot about Ben Franklin in Philadelphia and I was happy to finally see George Washington as well.
Since I have more time than money these days, I scowered the Internet (specifically Tripadvisor) for hotel deals in central Philly. The best deal was a Sunday night stay at the Hotel Monaco (Kimpton).
For a history buff, it’s perfectly located next to Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell. The hotel is trendy without trying too hard and I appreciated the cheery welcome upon arrival. We walked to most historic sites, restaurants and shops but did catch a cab when we came back from the Theater. We weren’t planning to see “The Book of Mormon” but discounted tickets were available and the seventh row seats were hard to pass up.
After reading the reviews, I splurged and paid a little extra for a room with a view. It was definitely worth it: 
Looking out to Independence Hall
A very comfortable room with fun amenities like a kite – a nod to Ben Franklin!
Displaced Beachbums 