Things to do around town
Benjamin Franklin Parkway
This beautiful, tree-lined boulevard is a culturally rich area, stretching from the magnificent City Hall to the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Attractions include Robert Indiana's LOVE Sculpture, Logan Circle with its impressive fountain, The Franklin Institute featuring the Marvel Comics Exhibition through Sept. 2nd, The Barnes Foundation with one of the worlds most impressive collections of impressionist / early modernist paintings, and the smaller Rodin museum dedicated to the preeminent French sculptor. One can walk end to end in about 45 minutes on a good day, but events like Jay-Z's Made In America Festival, Aug. 31st - Sept. 1st, will cause delays.
Zahav
Philly has amazing food. We also have Zahav, the Best Restaurant in America 2019 according to the James Beard Foundation. BOOK EARLY if you want to try this famous Israeli restaurant - we're talking about months in advance. For those with less patience, the chefs at Zahav have numerous, smaller, faster and more casual restaurants around the city including Federal Donuts (infamous fresh fried donuts and fried chicken), Dizengoff (humus), Goldie (falafel), Rooster Soup (soup and sandwiches) and Abe Fisher (up-scale deli dishes). Each is delicious and worth visiting!
Vedge
Yes, we have cheesesteaks a plenty, but we also have some of the best vegetarian and vegan food anywhere. Most famous is Vedge, a formal and upscale restaurant devoted to all things vegan and the pursuit of epicurean alchemy. The same chefs at Vedge also have V-Street, a more casual and colorful restaurant featuring vegan street food. For a fast, meat-free lunch, try the nearby Hip City Veg.
Philadelphia Historic District
Once our Nation's Capital, Philadelphia has a rich history and many museums and monuments dedicated to telling the story. Centered around Independence Hall, one can easily walk to see the Liberty Bell, the recently completed Museum of the American Revolution or explore the small alley ways around Old City, the aptly named historic center of Philadelphia. Bars, restaurants and coffee shops are everywhere. Our favorite lunch spot is High Street on Market for great sandwiches, salads and pastries. Also stop by P.J. Clarke's for lunch, dinner or drink at its impressive bar. Step outside P.J. Clarke's front doors to view the 50 foot long "Dream Garden" mosaic by artist Maxfield Parrish, executed by Louis Comfort Tiffany in 1916 for the lobby of the Curtis Building.
Rittenhouse Square
Rittenhouse Square is the most popular and the prettiest of the five original squares conceived by William Penn when he planned the city in the late 17th Century. Close to all of the wedding events, the square hosts a farmers market every Saturday morning and is flanked by some of the most popular restaurants in the city. Two of our favorites are Parc, the bustling French bistro with highly sought-after outdoor seating and The Dandelion English pub just a block north for amazing brews and fish 'n’ chips. The surrounding neighborhood, our neighborhood, is speckled with great little restaurants and bars. We recommend Friday, Saturday, Sunday for great cocktails and delicious food, Vernick on Walnut Street for some of the best and priciest food in the city, Trattoria Carina for amazing homemade pasta, Honey's for cheap and easy BYOB brunch, Poi Dog for authentic Poké Bowls and Lil Pop Shop on 20th Street for ice cream pops and delicious home made pies (try the cherry and rosewater).
East Passyunk Avenue
Yes, there are also cheesesteaks here - two of the most famous joints in town (Pat's and Gino’s), but don't be deceived, East Passyunk is one of the best neighborhoods in the city for great food. Check out our favorite restaurant in the city, Laurel, for its amazing tasting menu (its also BYOB if you want to keep the costs down a touch). In the Valley (ITV) next door has a small and amazing bar food menu, including fresh, steaming hot and crackling on the plate pork rinds. Bing Bing Dim Sum has great Chinese dumplings while Nord will introduce you to great Dutch cuisine. If you are looking to walk off all that food, check out the famous Italian Market on 9th Street.
Gayborhood
Yes, it really is the name. The area from Chestnut to Spruce streets between 12th and 13th is one of the most lively and colorful in the city. The streets are teeming with great restaurants like Sampan / Double Knot, El Vez, Vetri Cucina, Vedge and Bud & Marilyn's (the place to go if you are missing fried cheese curds). It will come as no surprise the majority of gay bars are located here, Woody's being the most infamous. U Bar attracts a slightly older and more friendly crowd. If you are in the mood for singing and show tunes, then try Tavern on Camac. The small side streets (Camac, Latimer, Quince, Manning) are amongst the prettiest in the city.
Coffee
For all you coffee snobs... yes, you know who you are, Philly has plenty to offer. We recommend two of our local chains, available throughout the city. La Colombe is getting big, but its quality is still great. Rival Bros. is a smaller chain here in Philly and arguably the better of the two.
Eastern State Penitentiary
Given a lot of you are coming from a convict colony, we want to ensure you feel at home. Go, stay, whatever.
Mural Arts Philadelphia
Started in the mid-1980s to combat unwanted graffiti, Philly is now the unofficial "Mural Capital" of the country. Employing approximately 300 artists around the city, Mural Art Philadelphia, which sponsors the initiative, also offers scheduled and private tours - a great way to get off the beaten path and see the city.