PHILADELPHIA, PA
Philadelphia is a city most known for its place in history and its cheesesteak industry. My friend Cat is from Philly and she moved back to the city after college. She had amazing recommendations for restaurants and activities, shared in this guide. Happy Traveling!
Travel Tip:
- Walk if possible! Philly is a walkable city and exploring on foot is the best way to get to know the city. Taking the subways is also an option.
Three fun things:
- Philly has a bunch of cute boutique stores and small businesses, so wander into them and see what you can find. South Street is a fun area to go through with lots of vintage stores, restaurants, weird bars, boutiques. Also check out Senoj, a black-owned small boutique store where the owner will give you wine as you shop.
- During the summer on Wednesdays, a bunch of outdoor bars and restaurants in Center City have deals on drinks and food for an event called Center City Sips. Grab a discounted drink after work with a friend!
- There are a bunch of BYOB places (mostly Italian restaurants) that make meal expenses very reasonable. Check out Giorgio on Pine and La Baia.
- Loews Hotel: an upscale option right in City Center.
- Airbnb: an easy and budget friendly option. There’s plenty of options.
- Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens: an iconic mixed media art installation created using handmade tiles, bottles, bicycle wheels, mirrors, and international folk art. It can be touristy but is still very fun. Wander around the indoor and outdoor spaces, take pictures and take in its unique aesthetic. It’s located on South Street, which is a nice street to walk around.
- Old City: walk around the historic part of town. You’ll be able to stroll past Independence Hall and see the Liberty Bell. The old buildings in the area are pretty to walk around and see. For when you want a break, check out Independence Beer Garden. It’s a big space that has tasty beer and games like corn hole.
- Kelly Drive: walk along Kelly Drive on Boathouse Row for gorgeous views of the water, boats and houses. It’s located on the Schuylkill River. At night, the boathouses light up.
- Sports games: get to really experience the extreme passion of a Philadelphia sports fan. All the stadiums are right next to each other in South Philly so it’s the place to be whenever there’s a game happening. Don’t want to go to the game but still want to be around the spirited fans? There is a huge bar called Xfinity Live close to all of the stadiums that is always rowdy. They have themed rooms like a silent disco room and a room with a mechanical bull.
- Museums: if you’re in the mood to learn something new, check out one or a few of Philly’s museums. The Museum of the American Revolution, The Franklin Institute and National Museum of American Jewish History are fun to wander through and unique to Philly. The Franklin Institute is a bit young but still interactive and fun.
- City Hall & Love Park in the winter: the plaza where the LOVE Sign is located. During the winter, there’s a skating rink, hot chocolate, a light show and Christmas village. It’s cute.
- Spruce Street Harbor Park: an outdoor space along the Delaware River to grab a bite, play some outside games and relax. There are food trucks, and food vendors on Penn’s Landing, hammocks and space to chill. It’s more fun in the summer when the weather is nice.
- Sabrina’s Café: a cute sit-down café with fantastic breakfast food. Favorites include stuffed French toast and huevos rancheros that is served in a tortilla bowl. Split the challah French toast with the table so everyone gets a bite. There are three locations around the city.
- Go-to diners: try Famous Fourth Street Deli or Sam’s Morning Glory for a hearty diner breakfast. These spots aren’t anything fancy, just great classics at an affordable price.
- Green Eggs Café: the perfect place to go if you’re super hungry. They serve incredibly large portions and insane options including fried Oreo French Toast. Cat’s favorite dish is the short rib Benedict which is served on cheddar hash browns. Also, get the side of grits. There are multiple locations and they usually don’t take reservations, so if one has a long wait try another location!
- Harp & Crown: where you can find an all-you-can-eat brunch buffet. It’s open all day and has a big menu. Inside, there’s also a bowling alley you can rent out for big parties.
- Rowhome Coffee: a grab and go café. They have excellent coffee and serve a delicious breakfast sandwich on a soft pretzel.
- Middle Child: where you can get thick and tasty sandwiches. They have a small seating area inside, but it’s a quick walk to Washington Square Park! Sometimes they run out of bread, so don’t go too late or call ahead. Cat’s favorite is The Surfer, a turkey sandwich with an incredible blueberry jam. They also have breakfast sandwiches.
- Philly Cheese Steak: the great debate! Before you order, decide if you want it with (wit) or without (wit-out) onions and decide which cheese you want – Cheese Whiz (whiz) or provolone. Cat’s favorite spot is Dalessandros. It’s a little outside of the city, but 100% worth the journey if you want to get the best. The famous, more touristy spots are Pats and Genos. They are located right next to each other so you can do a taste test to see which you like better.
- Reading Terminal Market: a market with many different stalls and vendors. There’s something for everyone here. Grab something for lunch and then have fun shopping for fresh produce, meat, fish, candy, ice cream and more. You could truly spend all day here. Overwhelmed with the options? Try Tommy DiNic’s roast pork sandwiches.
- Monks Café: a casual spot for delicious Belgian food. They have an extensive beer list, mussels, burgers, and frites. Open for lunch and dinner.
- Sampan / Double Knot: two connected restaurants with separate menus and spaces. Sampan serves Asian fusion cuisine and Double Knot has sushi. Anything from Sampan is delicious but favorites include edamame dumplings, bang bang shrimp, anything on a bao bun, and duck fried rice. The portions are small, so get a bunch of dishes to share. They also have a small bar outside. Make a reservation!
- Bud & Marilyns: a restaurant serving American food that is very filling. You should get the fried cheese curds, fried chicken and biscuits. They have huge pieces of cake for dessert too. It’s not a light meal, but very good.
- Kalaya: a spot where you can find authentic Thai food. They have an incredible selection of curry. A lot of their dishes are very spicy and it’s recommended to get the coconut rice on the side. Get a reservation, it’s very small inside.
- Victor Café: an Italian place in South Philly. All the waiters and staff are local opera performers and sing throughout the meal, about every 15-20 minutes. Come here for dinner and a show.
- Barclay Prime: the best steakhouse in Philadelphia. It’s a fancy and expensive pick, but worth it. They have a wagyu beef cheesesteak that is outrageous.
- Laurel: a chic and fancy spot perfect for a special occasion. A prix fixe 6 course chef tasting menu. The food is curated perfection; Cat names it as one of the best meals of her life.
- Sweet Box Bakery: a bakery with incredible and cute cupcakes, cookies, and cookie dough. They also have cookie bars such as “the jawn” that are rich and delicious, but might earn you a trip to the dentist. While munching on your sweet treats, check out a fun art gallery right next door, Kapp Kapp.
- Franklin Fountain: great ice cream with a unique storefront. The inside looks like an old-timey ice cream shop. They have a bunch of flavors and they serve it to you in Chinese takeout boxes. It’s in the heart of Old City.
- Morgan’s Pier: an outdoor space that’s right on the water. They have seasonal decorations and activities. Sometimes they have live music. It can get pretty crowded with a younger crowd, especially later at night.
- PHS Pop Up Garden: a seasonal spot to grab colorful and flavorful drinks. It’s only open in the summer and it’s put on by the Philadelphia Horticultural Society. There are lots of pretty flowers and greenery. The drinks are a bit overpriced, but the venue has a great ambiance.
- Woody’s Bar: a gay bar that’s the go-to spot for a lively night. The upstairs is almost like a club.
- Brick Wall Tavern: a more low-key option. The bar is connected to Porta, which is a pizza restaurant that is converted into a bar and dance floor at night. They sometimes have live music.
- McGillin’s Olde Ale House: the oldest pub in the city. Doors opened when Lincoln was elected president. The Irish pub is always decorated with Christmas lights. You can eat downstairs, and upstairs the designated area for nightlife.
