Pull into your hotel and start thinking about how you are going to spend the $75 you just saved on free parking with the Philly Overnight® Hotel Package.

First stop on your retail romp is Old City, where you’ll find dozens of indie boutiques, specialty shops and galleries. For the oenophiles on your list, Pinot stocks every accessory and gadget a wine aficionado could want. Pick up a solar-powered backpack and phone/iPOD/laptop recharger at The Big Green Earth Store, which stocks hip, eco-friendly gifts made from recycled products.

For affordable ladies and men’s accessories, make your next stop j. karma boutique or Fivi, then dash across the street to see what threads costume-designer-turned-boutique-owner Sevilla Smith has on the racks. And pick up edgy wristwatches, T-shirts or designer denim for your favorite guy at Deep Sleep. Most of the shops are open until 7 p.m. on Friday, but some keep ringing up sales until 9 or 10 p.m.

By now you’ll be famished, and since Old City is restaurant central, all you have to do is decide on a cuisine — American favorites at Triumph Brewing Company, continental cuisine at Fork, sushi at Zento, Spanish tapas at Amada or Korean barbecue at Meju — and savor the flavors and aromas that waft across your table.

Celebrate your shopping success with a Buzz Aldrin, Dean Martini or Orchid Martini, just three of The Continental’s many signature cocktails. For a quiet spot where you can plot the next day’s shopping strategy, perch yourself at the bar at Positano Coast, sip on a glass of Prosecco and enjoy the wrap-around views of Old City.

Serious shopping requires stamina, and stamina requires a good breakfast. Start your day with savory crepes, salads and fresh-squeezed juice at Creperie Beau Monde, a French-style bistro in the city’s hip South Street district, or hearty omelets and buttermilk pancakes at Sabrina’s Café in the legendary Italian Market.

Now the fun begins. Rev up the car because your next stop is the jaw-droppingly large King of Prussia Mall.

In addition to Neiman Marcus and Nordstrom’s, there are more than 400 shops with a dizzying array of up-to-the-minute merchandise. Beef up your favorite music-lover’s sound system with accessories from Bose, outfit your favorite metrosexual with designs from Hugo Boss, inspire your favorite youngster’s creativity with a kit from the Lego Store or treat your favorite glamazon to an Hermes scarf or Louis Vuitton handbag.

If you and your credit cards need a change of scenery, stop by Main Street in Manayunk on your way back into the city.

But first, some lunch! Grab a quick salad and wrap at The Couch Tomato Café, or cozy up to a bowl of homemade soup, seared tuna or grilled shrimp burrito at Derek’s Restaurant, a Manayunk mainstay.

Now that you’re recharged, you can start charging again. All that glitters really is gold at Gary Mann Design, specializing in custom jewelry, estate pieces and mezuzahs that are works of art. You’ll be the toast of any holiday dinner when you show up bearing gifts from Nicole Miller for her or Senor, a men’s clothier with style to spare, for him. And since there is still a little wiggle room on your credit card, treat yourself with a pair of cozy pajamas or lacy lingerie at Touchables, The Bra Store.
 

All that shopping really does take it out of you, but the chefs in University City have culinary tricks up their sleeves that will get you back in the holiday spirit. Named one of the nation's best new restaurants by Esquire Magazine, Rae restaurant in the dazzling Cira Centre mixes modern American cuisine with sleek modern styling — and a wine list that tops out at more than 200 selections.

If you’re more in the mood for bold and spicy, Distrito is your place. With 60 kinds of tequila for margaritas, more than 600 decorative masks, a dining booth made out of an old Volkswagen Beetle and an innovative chef who puts an unexpected spin on Mexican cuisine, it’s a party waiting to happen.

Finish your night at World Café Live. The concert venue, named for the national NPR radio show that originates here, books all the names that are on your iPOD. The sound system is killer, and it’s a great place to pick up last-minute gifts for the music-lovers on your list.

For a more traditional performing arts experience, head to the Avenue of the Arts, otherwise known as Broad Street. Follow Elle’s Harvard adventures in Legally Blonde (December 2 – 7), or be dazzled with the Pennsylvania Ballet’s stunning new sets and costumes for their performances of Balanchine’s The Nutcracker (December 12 – 31). Both shows are being performed at the Academy of Music, which is so elaborate you’ll have a hard time keeping your eyes on the stage.

Before turning in for the night, kick back and relax over a glass of wine and plate of artisanal cheeses at Tria, a Philadelphia favorite with two locations in Center City. You're going to the Rittenhouse spot, which is a dreamy blend of cozy, tasty and sophisticated.

Before you set out to finish your shopping, make time for brunch first. There’s a Parisian vibe going on over at Rouge on Rittenhouse Square. The glam nightspot is also a glam brunch spot where you can start your day with a bubbly mimosa, farm-fresh omelet or signature Rouge burger.

Just a few steps away, the new Parc Brasserie is so reminiscent of Paris that the only thing missing is the Seine. As you sip on a Kir Royale, decide from among fluffy pancakes, oeufs however you like them, fruits de mer and other traditional French specialties.

If you still have names on your gift list, slip into Petulia’s Folly and choose from their sleek home furnishings, stylish women’s clothing, statement-making jewelry and trendy accessories. With holiday entertainment on your schedule, head to Details to pick up invitations and thank-you notes crafted from handmade and imported paper.

Now that you’ve completed your gift list, reward yourself with a trip to Naked Chocolate Café. Here you’ll find chocolate in every form — candy, cakes, hot cocoa, cookies and a sipping chocolate that is so rich and thick, your spoon actually stands up straight.

Transportation

If you're traveling from New York, New England, DC, Baltimore, Harrisburg, etc., Amtrak is easy — and you can get 50% off a companion fare when you use our special discount code V454. Book online at Amtrak or call 1-800-USA-RAIL.

Driving

If you drive here, stash your car off-street until you leave. Though you might enjoy an occasional cab, trolley or carriage ride, there’s nothing you can’t reach on foot. Parking regulations are enforced in the historic area, and you may find yourself getting towed with un-municipal efficiency.

Accommodations

If you've fallen in love with Old City — which many visitors to Philadelphia eventually do — the Holiday Inn Philadelphia Historic District is right in the thick of everything (distance: 0 miles).

If you're prepared to splurge even before you hit the shops, book a stay at the legendary Rittenhouse Hotel. As graceful as the lady-like statue that greets visitors to the hotel, the Rittenhouse epitomizes luxury in Philadelphia.

The Independent, meanwhile, is a new boutique hotel right in Center City. Each guest room features its own unique design, while the building — an example of Georgian-Revival architecture — is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The Hyatt Regency is one of the historic area’s newest hotels, a tower right on the Delaware River. You can sit at the outdoor bar and listen to the creak-creak of moored boats.

The Philly Overnight® Hotel Package is a popular getaway — and a terrific deal. It’s available throughout the year and gives you free parking (worth $50 or more) and special offers and discounts - in addition to deluxe accommodations in Center City Philadelphia. Check out the package, then pick your favorite hotel.

More food and drink, please!

Of course, what we've recommended is just a sample of the amazing range of food and drink in Philadelphia. Take a closer look at the city's Dining and Nightlife offerings and pick your favorites.