A Perfect Long Weekend in Philadelphia: Food, Music, and Black Joy
Philadelphia is one of the first places I traveled solo as a young adult. Back then when I was around 24 years old, I used to take the bus or drive myself, but when I decided to go to The Roots Picnic this year, it occurred to me that I could take the train. I hadn’t been to the City of Brotherly Love in a few years, so I was interested to see how I would feel returning as slightly more seasoned adult at 30 years old. Philly was never a favorite city of mine, but my long weekend there turned out to be a nice mix of culture, discovery, and fun.
A nice hotel stay
I stayed at the Motto by Hilton Philadelphia Rittenhouse Square, which was a super cute, clean, and comfortable stay. There’s a restaurant, a cafe, and two bars on site, and it’s also within walking distance of many other restaurants and shops, including Reading Terminal Market. The train station is just four minutes away by car and other notable landmarks like City Hall and Independence Hall are nearby. If I hadn’t been out all day at the festival, it’s certainly the kind of hotel I would escape to just to relax and decompress in a different city.
Good Food and City Vibes
I began my trip with a visit to Sampan, a chic Asian street food-inspired restaurant tucked away in Midtown Village. The menu was a delightful mix of bold flavors and creative dishes. Read my full review to see what I ordered.
For dessert, I couldn’t resist a stop at Van Leeuwen Ice Cream for the right amount of sweet to cap off a day of travel and exploring the neighborhood surrounding the hotel.
The next morning, I made my way to Reading Terminal Market, a Philly spot that’s as iconic as the Liberty Bell. The soul food restaurant I used to go to was no longer there, but I found a great replacement in Ma Lessie’s Chicken & Waffles. I, of course, got the signature chicken and waffles, which was delicious, plus yams, mac n’ cheese, and housemade strawberry lemonade.
Black Joy
On the second day of the festival, we figured we would have brunch before heading to the park. A friend in the city recommended Marathon, a local favorite with indoor and outdoor dining. I went with the brioche french toast and a side of bacon, the meal I’m known to order at brunch, and I wasn’t at all disappointed.
The highlight of the trip was obviously The Roots Picnic. This annual festival, hosted by Philly’s own The Roots, is a celebration of Black culture, music, and joy. Whenever i’m at an event like this, I’m always reminded of how much I love being among my people. Seeing black people of all ages come together to enjoy music and experience joy will always be a moment.
I’ve been to several different festivals, and the energy of a festival often depends on the age of the attendees, which is directly determined by the artists performing. The Roots Picnic draws an older crowd that proved to be relaxed and super friendly. Each day, we chose a place to spread our blankets, stayed put there the entire day, and formed community with those around us.
The lineup was incredible, but I have to say I really enjoyed seeing both Jill Scott and Fantasia live for the first time. Babyface seemed to be a fan favorite and seeing Lil Wayne perform brought back middle school memories of when he was my favorite rapper. It was a pleasure to see Nas live for the second time in my life, and I was ecstatic when he brought out Ghostface Killah as a surprise guest.
I had sworn off festivals after my experience at Something in the Water in 2022, but witnessing Black joy at The Roots Picnic in all its forms—music, dance, laughter, and togetherness—was the perfect way to start my summer.
This trip was my first time taking the train since I was a kid, and as a boarded to return home, I thought of all the possibilities of long weekends and exploring other cities that are just a train ride away.
