by Wendy
Jack and I were happy to spend part of Spring Break in Philadelphia with my sister April and nephew J.

We begin a morning road trip, taking turns playing favorite U2 songs. Despite staying up the previous night to watch old episodes of The Simpsons, we are wide awake in America. The air is cool and as we get closer to Philadelphia, the day turns beautifully sunny.

Jack drops us off near Independence National Historical Park while he goes to park the car. Unlike last year’s Spring Break when I scored tickets to popular DC attractions, I’ve dropped the ball. I forgot you need free passes to Independence Hall, where the U.S. Constitution and Declaration of Independence were signed. D’oh! There are none available to reserve online, and while walking to the security checkpoint, a guard states same-day tickets are gone.

We decide to view the surrounding area and buildings accessible without a pass. Yet as we approach a large group to ask for directions, someone is giving away three tickets to Independence Hall. Whoo-hoo! We enter what our guide proclaims is the most historic building in America for a short tour (as I text Jack to let him know where we’ve gone).

There is a lengthy line to see the Liberty Bell – no getting around that. J decides he’s more interested in the Revolutionary War Museum than standing in this bell of a line. We say what the bell, let’s go. And instead we have a bell of an interesting time seeing George Washington’s war tent, checking out other exhibits, visiting the cool gift shop and bell yes, running this wordplay joke into the ground.

Long lines loom again during a late lunch at historic Reading Terminal Market. Was it this busy in 1893? We secure a tiny table in the midst of the crowds. We indulge in fries and cheesesteaks, and April and J try dessert from Bassetts, oldest ice cream company in the country.

The next activity on the itinerary still delves into history…the history of VIDEO GAMES! The Franklin Institute is open late on certain days to accommodate the Game Masters Exhibit, scheduled to run until September 3. For three hours, we roam between various rooms featuring the work of innovators from past decades. There are arcade classics, indie favorites, games played with keyboard and consoles. Graphics change from simple dots and lines to cartoons to virtual technology. We hear 80s pop near vintage games, and Dance Central’s electronic beats closer to the exit. Jack channels his Defender expertise and takes top spot on the board; I’m not too rusty at Centipede. J excels at Sonic and Minecraft and April loves the patterns of Columns. We all try slicing berries and melon with a sharp wave in the Fruit Ninja game.

We walk back in the cool night and the city lights. Dinner is takeout pizza eaten in the century-old Hyatt Bellevue hotel. What a great day – always something new and old to see in Philadelphia.