Kaitlyn & Gregory
Insider's City Guide
Fairmount Water Works
This is where we are getting married! "The Fairmount Water Works is a National Historic Landmark, a Civil Engineering Landmark, and a National Mechanical Engineering Landmark, and was designed and constructed to provide safe, clean drinking water to the city of Philadelphia." An ideal place for a mechanical engineer and a physician assistant to get married, don't you think?
Philadelphia Museum of Art
This is located just a few minutes away from our wedding venue and one mile from the hotels. You also might recognize this building from the iconic scene from the original Rocky movie. Tourist frequently love to reenact this scene by running up the stairs and taking a selfie with the Rocky statue located at the base of the stairs. Also the view from the top of the stairs gives you one of the most amazing views of the downtown city skyline.
Boathouse Row
Sandwiched between Kelly Drive and the Schuylkill River, Boathouse Row features a series of historic structures, starting with Fairmount Park’s recreation center, Lloyd Hall, and rowing clubs claiming the next 10 buildings all the way to the Sedgely Club, a private social enclave, which rounds out the Row. Each club is a member of the Schuylkill Navy of Philadelphia, the oldest amateur athletic governing body in America. At night, lights outline one of the city’s loveliest views, aptly named Boathouse Row.
Philadelphia City Hall
In his original 1682 design for the city, William Penn set aside the Center Square for public buildings, but it took 200 years before the square was used for that purpose. The present City Hall on Center Square was begun in 1871 and took over 30 years to complete. John McArthur Jr. was the architect and supervised construction with the assistance of Thomas U. Walter. The first floor is built of solid granite — 22 feet thick in some places — supporting a brick structure faced with marble. The 548-foot tower is the tallest masonry structure in the world without a steel frame.
JFK Plaza
Philadelphia’s iconic John F. Kennedy Plaza — better known as LOVE Park — LOVE Park gets its nickname from Robert Indiana’s iconic LOVE statue, which has resided in the space almost continuously since 1976.
Rittenhouse Row
Along Rittenhouse Row’s busy sidewalks — many with seating for alfresco dining and drinking in the warm months — residents and visitors find high-end stores; locally owned boutiques; small galleries; bargain stores; theaters and entertainment; cafes; beer, wine and cocktail bars; and restaurants of all kinds, from petite BYOBs to crowd-pleasing chains. Surrounded by more than 200 dining, retail and cultural establishments, this is Philadelphia’s High Street shopping neighborhood, stretching from the Avenue of the Arts (Broad Street) to 21st Street, between Spruce and Market Streets.
Independence National Historical Park
Literally the place where they wrote and signed the Declaration of Independence AND the United States Constitution. Plus the Liberty Bell is also here (located in the Liberty Bell Center). So you should definitely check it out if you have the chance. Plus there are lots of good places to eat in Old City too.
Betsy Ross House
The place where Betsy Ross lived and supposedly sewed the very first American Flag.
Spruce Street Harbor Park
The Spruce Street Harbor Park is an urban beach located in Penn's Landing in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Open during the summer, the place features a boardwalk along the Delaware River with a beachfront atmosphere
Edgar Allan Poe National Historic Site
The Edgar Allan Poe National Historic Site is a preserved home once rented by American author Edgar Allan Poe, located at 532 N. 7th Street, in the Spring Garden neighborhood of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Though Poe lived in many houses over several years in Philadelphia, it is the only one which still survives.
The Franklin Institute
The Franklin Institute is a science museum and the center of science education and research in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It is named after the American scientist and statesman, Benjamin Franklin, and houses the Benjamin Franklin National Memorial. They also have rotating exhibits that come and go every so often so keep your eyes out for what collections they may have in July 2020!
The Franklin Fountain
Bow-tie-wearing staff dispense classic ice cream parlor/soda fountain treats in an old-timey space. Kait particularly loves eating the ice cream from here.
Shane Confectionery
Candy maker established in 1911 offering chocolates & other sweets in a restored historic building. Also the oldest candy store in the country!
Reading Terminal Market
This is a MUST! I'm sure many of you may have had the good fortune of listening to one of Kait's sagas on all the wonderful food here. There are so many options to choose from so there is something for everyone. Hours run from 8:00 am until 6:00 pm although some vendors do not open until 10:00 am.
Moshulu
High end restaurant on a BOAT! Need I say more? Aside from good dinner they have fantastic Brunch on the weekends!
Barcade
Classic arcade video games in a hip urban space/bar. They serve a variety of cocktails and craft beers so you can drink and play your favorite classic arcade games! One of our favorite places to visit when we're in the city!
El Vez
Trendy Mexican joint serving upscale eats & cocktails in a colorful, flashy setting (they have great guac and margs)!
Dim Sum Garden
Two words - Soup Dumplings! Trust me you can not go wrong with their soup dumplings. They also have your classic rice & noodle meals if dumplings are not your style - but you should seriously just do yourself a favor and get the soup dumplings.
City Tavern Restaurant
A reconstructed Colonial tavern where servers in period dress deliver old-fashioned American fare. The City Tavern was the unofficial meeting place of the delegates before and after sessions of the first Continental Congress (in 1774), convened at nearby Carpenters’ Hall. George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Richard Henry Lee and Peyton Randolph are among the participants.
Alma de Cuba
Fusion fare with Cuban influences
Ashton Cigar Bar
Swanky lounge above a noted cigar shop with an extensive selection of stogies, whiskeys & cocktails.
Opa
Contemporary Greek plates large & small are served in an eye-catching setting with a lively bar.
Weckerly’s Ice Cream
They make some of the best ice cream in the entire city. They make everything from scratch in small batches that come from locally sourced ingredients. The flavors change often - so there is always something new to try. Plus their ice cream sandwiches are the bomb.
Mission Taqueria
"Mission Taqueria is a lively Mexican cantina in the heart of Center City Philadelphia. The crew behind Oyster House has created a bright and airy second floor space with broad communal tables that are an easy spot for groups to gather for margaritas after work, or a festive taco dinner. Our open kitchen invites views of the authentic methods behind our menu: fresh ground masa, made-to-order tortillas, and a wood grill whose smoke and scent enhances both the flavors and the atmosphere."