Bailey & Rally
Things To Do
The Old Mill
Where our wedding is - for reference! See the "Schedule of Events" page for more info.
Cambria Hotel
Where our hotel is - for reference! See the "Travel" page for more info.
Magic Gardens
Very cool art installation. Instagram away!!
Philadelphia Museum of Art
More than just paintings, there is something for everyone from architecture to armor. Our favorites are the room full of paintings of America's national parks, Eakin's original "Gross Clinic," and the original statue from the top of Grand Central station. Explore the many art galleries, or just run up the steps like Rocky and take in a view of the city.
Ben Franklin Parkway / Museums
Philadelphia’s diagonal Benjamin Franklin Parkway stretches one mile from just beyond City Hall to the Philadelphia Museum of Art at the edge of Fairmount Park, acting as the home of museums, cultural institutions and other attractions. Planner Paul Philippe Cret and designer Jacques Gréber, both French, modeled the parkway after the Champs-Élysées of their native country, creating a beautiful thoroughfare here in Philadelphia. Our favorites: The Franklin Institute and the garden outside the Rodin Museum.
Reading Terminal Market
Choose from foods from around the world. Our favorites are the donuts from Beiler's, but their booth is closed on Sundays. Also, the Train Wreck from Beck's Cajun Cafe is a force to be reckoned with. (Don't get fooled by DiNic's, they don't have the best sandwich in America.)
Schuylkill River Trail
Great place for a bike or run along the river. Head north to pass under some of the bridges from the Rocky montage. (By the way, it's pronounced like "Skookle")
Liberty Bell and other historical sites
Free and no reservation required, you can sometimes walk right in to see the bell and a small museum about what it allegedly has done. Sometimes the line gets pretty long on the weekends. Other historical spots nearby are Independence Hall (look up to see Nic Cage, reservations required for the tours there); Ben Franklin's grave (bring a penny to leave there); National Constitution Center ($$$, but has a neat museum); Philadelphia Mint (free tours, no reservations required, make your own pirate-themed coin)
National Museum of American Jewish History
The highlight when we went was a rotating exhibit (on Bill Graham!), so hopefully something good comes around in March.
Sedgley Woods Disc Golf
Public course with a great vibe and great people. BYO discs and check out 27 world-class holes that feel a world away from the hustle and bustle of downtown. Watch out for Billy.
Battleship New Jersey
Self-guided walking tours aboard a World War II ship. Philly friends - check this out if you haven't yet. Out of town friends - we think you can sign up to sleep in the bunks there, but can't officially recommend it.
2221 Catharine St
Great place for video games and cookouts, sometimes Domino's has a hard time delivering here.
Forbidden Drive
Amazing place to walk through the woods next to the Wissahickon creek. The "forbidden" refers to the fact that cars still aren't allowed on the gravel path that winds from Lincoln Drive to Morris Arboretum. Check out the bridge next to Kitchens Lane to see where we got engaged!
Love Park
Take your picture with the famous 'Love' statue. Or if it's closer, there's another one on Penn's campus, too.
Elfreth's Alley
The nation’s oldest continuously inhabited residential street. Over 300 years later, the historic 32 houses that line the street remain hot properties, and this itty-bitty cobblestone street enjoys designation as a National Historic Landmark.
University of Pennsylvania
Our old stomping grounds. Check out Locust Walk and College Green. Do a kegstand at 4053 Sansom for old times sake.
Franklin Square
Franklin Square, one of five public squares laid out by William Penn in his original plan for Philadelphia, offers a refreshing, urban green space with a ton of awesome activities (Philly-themed mini-golf, a carousel, and a burger spot) within its eight-acre grounds.
Eastern State Penitentiary
When Eastern State Penitentiary opened in 1829, spectators from around the world marveled at its grand architecture and radical philosophy of strict isolation. Eastern State finally closed its doors as a prison 1971, after 142 years in use, and has since been named a National Historic Landmark. Today, tours offer a glimpse at life inside the prison’s historic cell blocks through exhibits like Al Capone’s restored 19th-century cell, stories of inmate escapes, and critically acclaimed art installations.
Mütter Museum
(The College of Physicians of Philadelphia) This museum houses an expansive collection of medical oddities and the anatomically peculiar (including skeletons, preserved abnormal body parts, and a megacolon).
Valley Forge National Historical Park
With more than 3,600 acres of rolling hills and well-worn trails, Valley Forge is now a magnet for runners, bicyclists and picnickers as well as history buffs.
Wawa
Just heaven. If the bride or groom are unaccounted for at any point, check here first.
Barcade
Bar with lots of arcade games - definitely check out the Michael Jackson one HEE HEE! Also, lots of other cool bars and restaurants in the surrounding area, known as Fishtown.
Food & Friends
A twist on the Philly BYO scene, you can bring your own food to this bottle shop and go crazy with their assortment of beers that you buy by the bottle. Also a great place to pick up a six pack or make a "mix-your-own" six pack. Look up to the top floor of the building to see where we first lived together.
Audrey Claire
With an intimate and open-air feel, this Mediterranean BYOB offers many delicious options. Since they don’t take reservations, it’s best to go before the dinner rush. (It's also cash only!) Head to Food & Friends beforehand to grab some brews.
Lorenzo and Sons Pizza
Slices of pizza so big that they require two plates. Don't expect toppings unless you go on a Tuesday. Head there late night and you might catch some Sig Eps grabbing their 'Zos. For the fearless: get a cheesesteak from Jim's across the street and wrap it in a slice to make a South Street Burrito (aka Philly Taco).
Pat's King of Steaks
The famous South Philadelphia cheesesteak restaurants, Pat's and Geno's, are right across from each other. Cash only, and to get the classic just say "wiz wit," no please or thank yous required. If you want a great cheesesteak closer to downtown, check out Steve's or Jim's.
Green Eggs Café
If you're a brunch person, this is the happening place in Philly. Definitely try to get there early or bring a book or something because the line is usually out the door and then some.
The Franklin Fountain
This restored soda fountain serves up handmade ice cream in an astounding number of flavors. Go down the street to Shane Confectionery, one of the oldest candy stores in the country, for more old-fashioned treats.
Beijing Restaurant
Where we went on our first date! The best Chinese food in town at a BYOB right on Penn's campus. If you play your cards right, Vanessa will pay for it.
Honest Tom's Plant Based Taco Shop + Lil Pop Shop
Located next to each other in West Philly, these two local establishments perfectly compliment each other. Grab some tacos or a burrito from Honest Tom’s then head to Lil Pop Shop for dessert. The popsicle shop offers a variety of flavors, including dairy-free, hand-crafted in small batches from seasonal, local ingredients.
Alma de Cuba
We love this modern Latin American restaurant. Everything we’ve ordered is amazing (including the cocktails!).
Yards Brewing Company
Now located in a 70,000 square foot facility at 5th and Spring Garden Streets Yards’ 100% wind-powered brewery churns out eight signature beers, a number of seasonals and the Ales of the Revolution line, based on recipes conceived by Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin and George Washington.