A Philadelphia Matriarch Itinerary

Step Back in Time with Estella & Florence

Rittenhouse Square, Philadelphia, PA

Some stories don’t stay bound by their covers. Have you ever read the final pages of a book and felt an irresistible urge to visit the very places you just journeyed through? The setting lingers in your imagination—streets, houses, and landscapes waiting for you to step inside.

That’s one of the joys of reading historical fiction. Real places become alive again through story, and sometimes they call us to visit them in person. The Philadelphia Matriarch was written with that in mind: the bustling streets of early 20th-century Philadelphia, the quiet farmlands of Lancaster County, the train stations, squares, and cafés where my characters lived their lives.

And then there’s Lititz—a charming town where I once lived. Known for Wilbur’s chocolates, Sturgis pretzels, and its walkable Moravian heritage, Lititz holds a special place in both my story world and my own heart. Like Philadelphia and Lancaster, it’s a place where past and present intertwine, and where you can still walk the same streets my characters might have wandered.

Here's a possible weekend getaway itinerary, if interested.

Exploring Philadelphia

Stay in History: The Bellevue-Stratford Hotel

Begin your journey by checking into the restored Bellevue-Stratford Hotel (now Hyatt at The Bellevue). Once the “Grande Dame of Broad Street,” its gilded lobby and sweeping staircases capture the very elegance Estella once dreamed of.

A Night at the Theater: Kimmel Center / Academy of Music

Just steps away, take in a performance at the Kimmel Center or the historic Academy of Music, where echoes of the city’s cultural past still resonate in velvet-lined balconies and golden chandeliers.

Fuel at Reading Terminal Market

Morning calls for a hearty bite at Reading Terminal Market—a bustling food hall that reflects the immigrant flavors and simple comforts that fed Philadelphia families for generations.

Automat Memories: Horn & Hardart

Stroll past 818 Chestnut Street, where the Horn & Hardart Automat once stood. Imagine rows of glass windows filled with steaming pies. Today, the façade whispers of innovation in affordable dining.

The Wanamaker Building

Step into the Wanamaker Building, a temple of shopping and art. Schedule a private tour to marvel at the grand pipe organ and the shimmering mosaics—testament to the craftsmanship and ambition of the early 20th century. (Note the nearby Union League… “The Club” mentioned in the book where Estella & Stephen met often for lunch).

A Love Story in Rittenhouse Square

Wander through leafy Rittenhouse Square, where Florence first spotted William reading on a bench. The hum of carriages has quieted, but the park remains a haven for chance encounters and enduring romance.

Aldine Theater (Now CVS)

Continue your walk to the site of the Aldine Theater, once a palace of flickering reels where William’s world came alive as a projectionist. Though repurposed, the building still marks the intersection of love, work, and dreams.

A Riverside Promise: Bartram’s Garden

Travel beyond Center City to Bartram’s Garden, America’s oldest surviving botanic garden. Stroll the meadow paths leading to the Schuylkill’s edge, where Florence and William pledged their future together surrounded by nature’s quiet blessing.

Exploring Amish Lancaster County

Parkesburg Train Station

Begin your Lancaster County journey at the Parkesburg Train Station—the very place where Florence was first taken to meet her Amish family. Though small, this station is a poignant touchstone, marking the shift from city life to countryside simplicity.

Strasburg Railroad

Continue along winding country roads to Strasburg, where you can board an authentic steam train for a scenic ride through Amish farmlands. The chug of the locomotive, the whistle’s call, and the sweeping fields dotted with horse-drawn buggies echo the world Florence would have known.

The Amish Village

Stop next at the Amish Village, where you’ll step inside a traditional farmhouse, barn, and schoolhouse. Here you’ll gain insight into Amish faith, culture, and craftsmanship—the rhythms of daily life that shaped Florence’s childhood.

Intercourse, PA

Drive onward through Intercourse, PA—famed for its craft shops, quilting stores, and old-fashioned general stores. This is the perfect place to slow down, shop for handmade goods, and enjoy the bucolic scenery.

Lititz, PA – A Storybook Town

End your day in Lititz, once home to the author herself, and brimming with history and charm:

• Wilbur’s Chocolates – sample confections made for more than a century.

• Julius Sturgis Pretzel Bakery – America’s first commercial pretzel bakery.

• Lititz Moravian Church & Square – where history meets community.

• Independent bookshops, Inns, and cafes – all within a walkable village setting.

Stay the Night

Choose from two beautifully restored inns in Lititz for your overnight stay:

• The Wilbur Lititz – a boutique hotel inside a historic chocolate factory.

• Lititz Springs Inn – overlooking the town square, offering timeless charm.

Optional Extension: Spend another half day meandering along the backroads of Lancaster County. Stop at roadside produce stands, explore covered bridges, or simply watch the rhythm of Amish life unfold—horse-drawn plows, laundry drying on long lines, and the quiet hum of fields at work.

Please let me know if you take the journey. I'd love to see your pictures and hear about it!