How a Quick Trip to Philadelphia Turned Into Something More

The way my life is set up, I can't plan too far ahead.

Most weeks revolve around clients, events, meal prep, grocery shopping, menu planning, proposals, and all the little things that come with running a business. But every now and then, I look at my calendar and realize something rare has happened.

I have a few days to myself.

That's exactly what happened a couple Sundays ago.

I first searched Chicago, but between the World Cup and hotel prices that nearly made me choke on my coffee, I quickly changed directions and started looking at Philadelphia instead.

I didn't want to go too far.

I just needed a reset.

A few clicks later, I had booked a room at the Motto by Hilton in Rittenhouse Square and was on my way.

Getting Right Into It

I arrived Wednesday afternoon

and immediatley headed to dinner at the love. Beautiful Restaurant, Wonderful Staff. Great Food.

My waitress's name was Jamie. Believe it or not, this isn't the first time I've had a waitress named Jamie. I actually have Jaime/Jamie stories for days, but that's a blog for another time.

I ordered the fried chicken with collard greens and grits and finished with a fruit cobbler topped with lavender ice cream.

They did their thing.

If you're visiting Philadelphia, put it on your list.

From there I walked to Theater Exile.

Now let me tell y'all about the thunderstorm.

I was too close to call a cab and too far to want to turn around. Halfway through the walk, the sky opened up and I got absolutely drenched. There was a brief moment where I considered heading back to the hotel, changing clothes, and calling it a night.

I'm glad I didn't.

I arrived wet, cold, and miserable. If you know me, you know I hate being cold.

But once the show started, none of that mattered.

The Great Privation by Nia Akilah Robinson

was extraordinary. Thought-provoking, beautifully written, and exactly the kind of theater experience I hope to stumble upon when I travel.

The next morning I walked to Philadelphia's Magic Gardens.

I had no idea what I was walking into.

A Place Unlike Anything I've Ever Seen

What began as a simple attraction quickly became one of the most memorable experiences of my trip.

Every inch of the space is covered in mosaics, mirrors, tiles, bottles, sculptures, and found objects,. The deeper I wandered, the more I realized this wasn't simply an art installation.

It was a life's work.

Created by artist Isaiah Zagar, Magic Gardens is the result of decades of creativity, vision, and persistence. As I learned more about his story, I discovered that behind the beauty was also struggle, resilience, and a determination to keep creating.

Sadly, Isaiah Zagar passed away earlier this year at the age of 86, making the experience feel even more meaningful.

No photograph can fully capture what happens there.

You simply have to experience it for yourself.

The Bookstore That Was Supposed To Be A Quick Stop

After Magic Gardens, I walked down South Street to Black & Nobel.

At least, that was the plan.

I figured I'd pop in, browse a few books, and be on my way.

Two hours later, I was still there.

The photos online do not do this place justice.

Not even close.

Black and Nobel Book Store

422 South Street Philadelphia PA 19147

Inside, I found books that are nearly impossible to find in mainstream bookstores, including several titles by Dr. Claude Anderson. I found the Ethiopian Bible, political books, history books, cultural books, and enough reading material to keep me busy for months.

What really made the experience special, however, were the owners.

Hakeem Hopkins and his son Sage welcomed me as though I had been visiting for years. What began as casual conversation quickly turned into discussions about books, history, Philadelphia, culture, and life.

My quick stop turned into one of the highlights of the trip.

Becoming A Beginner Again

Eventually I had to leave because I was nearly late for my pottery class at Yay Clay.

The studio itself was a little tricky to find, tucked away inside a warehouse space, but once inside it was wonderful.

My instructor, Isaac Scott, was patient, encouraging, and hands-on.

As someone who spends most of her life being the teacher, it was refreshing to become the student.

There's something special about learning a completely new skill as an adult.

No expectations.

No pressure.

Just curiosity.

I loved it.

The Unexpected Highlight

A few days later, after visiting Uncle Bobbie's Coffee & Books in Germantown, I set out on foot toward the Johnson House.

It was hot.

Really hot.

At several points during that walk I questioned every decision I had made that day.

Along the way, however, I stumbled across Beaucoup Hoodoo, a bookstore and spiritual shop that somehow never appeared in my search for Black-owned bookstores in Philadelphia.

Sometimes the best discoveries aren't on the itinerary.

By the time I finally reached the Johnson House, I was tired, overheated, and wondering if the walk had been worth it.

Then I found the doors locked.

I walked around the building, disappointed, convinced I had missed my opportunity.

Thankfully someone inside saw me circling the property and invited me in.

What followed became the highlight of my entire Philadelphia trip.

The Johnson House served as a station on the Underground Railroad, helping freedom seekers continue their journey north.

Learning about William Still, Harriet Tubman, abolitionists, and the realities of the Underground Railroad while standing inside the actual house made history feel real in a way no book ever has for me.

It wasn't just a tour.

It was an experience.

Dreams, Possibilities, and Adventure

Later in the trip, I stumbled across a poet sitting at the farmers market at Rittenhouse Square with a typewriter.

She asked strangers to give her a topic and she'd write a custom poem.

When she asked what was closest to my heart, I answered:

Dreams.

Possibilities.

Adventure.

Looking back, I think those three words perfectly describe what this trip became.

Nothing Was Keeping Me From ODUNDE

ODUNDE was one of the main reasons I booked the trip in the first place.

Before I ever boarded the train, I had already decided that nothing short of death was keeping me from that festival.

It did not disappoint.

South Street transformed into a celebration of African culture, food, music, art, and entrepreneurship. Vendors traveled from Philadelphia, New York, Maryland, Chicago, and beyond to showcase their businesses, products, and crafts.

I spent hours wandering through the festival, discovering everything from African artifacts and handmade jewelry to body care products, clothing, books, and artwork. One of my favorite discoveries was Nurilens, a company creating handcrafted wooden eyewear that immediately caught my attention.

By the end of the day, I had walked more than 20,000 steps and somehow still wasn't ready to leave.

I also discovered something else.

I genuinely enjoy being curious.

I enjoy wandering.

I enjoy learning.

And I enjoy allowing myself to be surprised.

One thing I learned quickly is that Philadelphia rewards planning ahead.

A few places I was excited to visit, including The Colored Girls Museum and Lest We Forget Museum of Slavery, require appointments or advance planning. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to visit either this time around, but both remain high on my list for my next trip—and if their missions resonate with you, I encourage you to add them to yours as well.

I also missed Elfreth's Alley, barely scratched the surface of Fishtown, and discovered enough in Germantown to justify an entire trip dedicated to that neighborhood alone.

Philadelphia and I are not done with each other yet.

Why It Matters

As a private chef serving families throughout Westchester County, New York, my work is centered around caring for others.

I genuinely love what I do.

But this trip reminded me of something important.

You can't constantly pour into others without occasionally refilling your own cup.

I came home exhausted.

In fact, I spent the better part of the following week recovering from my vacation.

But somewhere between the bookstores, the history, the pottery wheel, the poet with the typewriter, the thunderstorms, the conversations, and the 20,000-step days, I found exactly what I had gone looking for.

A reset.

And every step was worth it.