Exploring Philadelphia and Valley Forge: History, Cheesesteaks & Our First Blackstone Dinner
- campsidephotos
- Aug 27
- 3 min read
Philadelphia was one of those stops that had been on our list for a long time, and it didn’t disappoint. The city is so rich in history, culture, and amazing food that it felt like everywhere we turned, there was something new to discover. Add in the beautiful grounds of Valley Forge and a few RV firsts, and this stop turned into something truly memorable.
Stepping Back in Time in Philadelphia
We began our visit with some of the city's most iconic sights. At Independence Hall, it was surreal to stand in the very room where both the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution were debated and signed. The weight of history inside those walls was incredible—it gave me goosebumps just imagining the conversations and decisions that shaped our country.
From there, we made our way to the Liberty Bell, where I couldn’t help but think of its cameo in How I Met Your Mother (yes, I laughed to myself remembering Barney trying to “lick the Liberty Bell”). Funny enough, the security guard told us people actually do try to lick it—gross, but apparently true.
No trip to Philly would be complete without trying a true Philly cheesesteak, and let me tell you—boy, I was in heaven. Who doesn’t love melted cheese, thinly sliced beef, and that perfect roll? It was everything I hoped it would be!
We also made our way toward the famous Rocky steps at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, only to find the streets closed off for a festival. I was so bummed not to get the classic “Rocky moment” run up the steps. Next time!
Downtown, we learned about the William Penn statue atop City Hall, where he stands proudly pointing. Locals say his direction is tied to good luck for their sports teams, and as big fans of city lore, we loved that little fact.
We also stopped at Benjamin Franklin’s grave, where the tradition is to toss pennies onto the tombstone. The reason? Franklin’s famous motto: “A penny saved is a penny earned.” Looking at the sea of copper coins across the stone, it felt like a fitting tribute to one of America’s greatest thinkers.
The Betsy Ross House was another highlight. Walking through the space where the first American flag was stitched felt like stepping into a living piece of history.
Valley Forge: A Place of Reflection
One of the most moving stops on our journey was Valley Forge National Historical Park. The rolling hills and open fields are now serene, but imagining George Washington’s army camped there in the brutal winter of 1777–1778 was humbling.
Over 12,000 soldiers endured that winter—suffering from disease, hunger, and bitter cold. Roughly 2,000 didn’t survive, yet the time spent at Valley Forge became a turning point. With the help of Baron von Steuben, the troops transformed from weary men into a disciplined fighting force. Standing among the reconstructed log cabins and walking the grounds where Washington once stood, it was easy to feel the resilience and determination that ultimately carried the Revolution forward.
Our First Blackstone Dinner
Another memorable part of our Philly stop was finally getting our Blackstone grill. Being brand new to it, we had no idea how much propane it would take to season the grill properly. Midway through cooking our very first meal, the flame sputtered out—my husband had completely run out of gas. Of course, right when we ran out of gas, the camp store closed 5 minutes prior. We were both so bummed, thinking our first Blackstone dinner was ruined before it even began.
But then something wonderful happened. A very kind family nearby saw what had happened and generously gave us a 1-gallon propane canister so we could finish our meal. That small act of kindness turned the evening around. And honestly, that’s one of the things we love most about RVing: the community. Strangers become friends for a moment, helping each other out with no expectation in return. It gives you so much faith in humanity to see generosity and kindness shine through in the simplest of ways—like saving someone’s very first dinner on their brand new grill.
Philadelphia gave us a little bit of everything—history, amazing food, kind people, and some truly special memories. It’s one of those stops that reminded us why we hit the road in the first place: to connect with history, with people, and with experiences we’ll never forget.
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