Our Philly Birthday Getaway

Celebrating the 4th of July and Our Son’s Birthday in the City of Brotherly Love

This July, we decided to make my son’s birthday extra special with a trip to Philadelphia. It just so happened to line up with the 4th of July weekend since his birthday is July 5th. From fireworks and water ice to science exhibits and burgers, Philly gave us a weekend full of memories we’ll never forget.

Day 1: Arrival & Downtown Vibes

After a smooth airport day, we arrived at the Philadelphia International Airport and checked into the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown which was literally right in the heart of downtown. The location was perfect for walking and exploring. We unpacked, freshened up, and headed out to soak up the city. Our first dinner was at the Hard Rock Café, and it set the tone for the trip: fun, family-friendly, and full of flavor.

Day 2: The Fourth in the Birthplace of America

We were especially excited to spend Independence Day in the city where it all began. Our day started by watching the 4th of July parade downtown. The kids got to try Philly water ice for the first time (a hit!), and we spent the afternoon exploring the area, including a stop at LOVE Park. The famous sculpture was… a little smaller than we imagined, but still such a fun photo op.

As night fell, we hoped to catch the big Wawa Welcome America concert to see Jazmine Sullivan perform. Unfortunately, due to a local strike, the artists we wanted to see choose not to perform in order to stand with the city workers, but we still made the most of it, chatting with local artists and city workers instead. We finished the evening with a glow party in our hotel room and fireworks lit up the room television!

Day 3: Junior’s Birthday Bash

We started the day off with excitement; it was Junior’s birthday! Our main activity was a visit to The Franklin Institute, where the Body Worlds exhibit left us in awe. Junior loved the engineering exhibit and how interactive the different rooms of the museum was.

We got around the city with a ride on the Philly PHLASH bus, and of course, we had to stop by the Rocky Steps for that iconic moment. (Yes, we ran up them—yes, we were out of breath!) When it came time for dinner, Hard Rock Café made a second appearance because Junior couldn’t stop talking about their BBQ burger and vanilla milkshake. We gave in and it was totally worth it.

But the night wasn’t over. For his big birthday surprise, his dad took him to Chromakopia, where he got to see Tyler, the Creator live in concert. Watching his face light up during the show was a core memory we’ll never forget.

This trip was everything we hoped it would be: a mix of celebration, discovery, and connection. Philly gave us the perfect mix of history, excitement, and good eats to celebrate both the 4th of July and Junior’s special day.

If you're looking for a quick family trip with meaning and fun packed into every corner, Philadelphia should definitely be on your list.

Would you celebrate a birthday in Philly?Let me know in the comments or connect with me on Instagram/TikTok [@simplieDiamond] for more family travel inspiration.