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Published on July 16, 2019
Festival travel: Escape from Miami to Philadelphia for MusikfestPhoto: iStock

For 10 days in August, top acts from across musical genres will converge on Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, for Musikfest, held annually since 1984. That means there's still time to book your travel for Philadelphia, an easy hop to Bethlehem and the historic Lehigh Valley.

One of the largest non-gated music festivals in the nation, Musikfest, running Aug. 2-11, showcases an eclectic mix of modern music and art while paying homage to the region's German roots. Proceeds benefit nonprofits around the valley.

Expect over 500 performers, with headliners including Earth, Wind & Fire, Brad Paisley, Weezer and Godsmack. While you're there, take the chance to dig into the region's unique history, outdoor recreation and culinary offerings.

It’s more doable than you think. According to travel site Skyscanner, there are plenty of flights from Miami to Philadelphia in that time frame, and the prices aren't too shabby.

So if you're looking for a change of scenery, here are some deals to put on your to-do list. (Prices and availability are current as of publication and subject to change.)

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Flight deals to Philadelphia

The cheapest flights between Miami and Philadelphia are if you leave on Aug. 2 and return from Pennsylvania on Aug. 7. Frontier Airlines currently has roundtrip tickets for $168.

If you are looking for a more direct flight, you can fly into Lehigh Valley International, then head to Philly after spending time at the festival. If you fly out of Miami on Aug. 2 and return from Allentown on Aug. 11, Delta Airlines can get you there and back for $427.

Top Philadelphia hotels

To plan your stay, here are some of Philadelphia’s top-rated hotels, according to Skyscanner, that we selected based on price, proximity to things to do and customer satisfaction.

The Ritz-Carlton, Philadelphia (10 Avenue of the Arts)

Photo: Trip by Skyscanner

For an all-around top recommendation, consider The Ritz-Carlton, Philadelphia. The hotel has a five-star rating on Skyscanner.

Set in the heart of Philadelphia, this hotel is close to attractions such as the Free Library of Philadelphia, City Hall, the Reading Terminal Market and Liberty Bell Center.

Kimpton Hotel Palomar Philadelphia (117 S. 17th St.)

Photo: Trip by Skyscanner

There's also the 4.4-star rated Kimpton Hotel Palomar Philadelphia

"Palomar hotel was lovely! Location was great — and we loved cruising through the city on their bikes. They have a wine happy hour and free coffee in the morning. We found the staff to be friendly and helpful," wrote visitor Colin. 

La Reserve Bed & Breakfast (1804 Pine St.)

Photo: Trip by Skyscanner

A third option is La Reserve Bed & Breakfast. The 4.6-star inn is three blocks from the Rittenhouse Square shopping and restaurant district.

Featured Philadelphia restaurants

Don't miss Philadelphia's food scene, with plenty of popular spots to get your fill of local cuisine. Here are a few of the top-rated eateries from Skyscanner's listings.

Talula's Garden (210 W. Washington Square)

Photo: Trip by Skyscanner

One of Philadelphia's most popular restaurants is Talula's Garden, which has an average of five stars out of nine reviews on Skyscanner. Talula's Garden is a collaboration between restaurateur Stephen Starr and top Philadelphia chef Aimee Olexy, who Philadelphia magazine says has the ability to send the "fine-dining elite into effusions of breathless adjectives," according to the restaurant's website.

"After dining at Talula’s Garden I knew that I [had a] new favorite restaurant in Philly," wrote visitor Elvira. "I wish I could give more than five stars to this place — for food, service, menu selections, ambiance. Yes, it’s kind of expensive but well worth it."

Sabrina's Cafe (910 Christian St.)

Photo: Trip by Skyscanner

Another popular dining destination is Sabrina's Cafe, with 4.8 stars from 24 reviews.

"The best stuffed French toast made with challah bread, topped with bananas and powdered sugar," wrote reviewer Nazsh.

Pat's King of Steaks (1237 E. Passyunk Ave.)

Photo: Trip by Skyscanner

Also worth considering is Pat's King of Steaks, which was founded by Pat Olivieri in 1930.

According to the restaurant's website, Olivieri had a modest hot dog stand at the base of the famous Italian Market in South Philadelphia. One day he decided to have something quite different for lunch, so he sent for some chopped meat from the butcher shop. He cooked the meat on his hot dog grill, placed the meat onto an Italian roll and dressed it with some onions. The Philly steak sandwich was born. 

"If you want to have the ultimate Philly cheesesteak experience, you definitely need to come to Pat's," wrote Kacie. "It's on 'Cheesesteak Corner,' right across from Geno's. The line is probably going to be super long, but it moves quickly. You won't feel like a tourist because you'll be among locals, and most of them are super friendly!"

Featured local attractions

Not sure what to do in Philadelphia, besides eat and drink? Here are a few recommendations, provided by Skyscanner.

Philadelphia Museum of Art (2600 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy.)

Photo: Trip by Skyscanner

First up is The Philadelphia Museum of Art, which features over 200 galleries filled with treasures spanning continents and cultures, drawn from a collection of more than 400,000 works of art.

The huge stone edifice of the museum looks over the Schuylkill River. Scale the steps made famous in the "Rocky" movies and dine at the Museum Restaurant or walk in Fairmount Park, just behind the museum.

"This is hands-down one of the country's best museums," wrote visitor Rya. "[It has] art style- and time period-based rooms from all around the world. It takes more than a day to take it all in."

The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts (300 S. Broad St.)

Photo: Trip by Skyscanner

The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, home of the Philadelphia Orchestra, is another popular destination.

"Very beautiful place," wrote visitor Coy. "Took a tour and saw a few shows here. The [tour guides] are always friendly and informative, but the best part is actually experiencing a live show. The music sounds wonderful in person and it’s such a wonderful sight to witness."

Schuylkill River Trail

Photo: Trip by Skyscanner

Finally, consider checking out Schuylkill River Trail. A 20-plus-mile section of the multipurpose trail terminates on South Street in Philadelphia's Center City.

"If you're big on trails then definitely take the time to stop by the Schuylkill River Trail," wrote visitor Cierra. "Good for biking, walking and running."


This story was created automatically using flight, hotel, and local attractions data, then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.

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