Philly Favorites
Philadelphia Restaurants
A number of our favorite spots around the city In Old City (near the hotels): - Zahav (top rated Israeli restaurant, be on the lookout for reservations far in advance) - Talula's Garden - Fork - High Street Philly In Rittenhouse (a beautiful park a ~30 minute walk or 10 minute drive from the hotels where Matt and Kim lived during school): - Parc (a classic spot right on the park, great for brunch or dinner) - The Love - Via Locusta In Fishtown (a fun, trendy area great for finding beer gardens and great new restaurants): - Kalaya (a Matt and Kim favorite and recent James Beard award winning Thai restaurant) - Suraya (a must go for brunch or dinner!)
Old City Walking Tour
We will have two 90-minute private walking tour groups scheduled for Saturday morning at 11:00 leaving from the Renaissance hotel. We hope you'll enjoy the opportunity to learn about the city's history and enjoy one of our favorite areas! Explore historic Philadelphia on this walking tour of the Old City District, a quick and convenient introduction for first-time visitors. See Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, the Betsy Ross House, Ben Franklin Post Office, Carpenters’ Hall, and more. Then wander down Elfreth’s Alley, the nation’s oldest continuously inhabited residential street. Our storytelling guide will cover famous historic moments in American history as well as the history that you won't see in textbooks!
Philadelphia's Magic Gardens
Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens (PMG) is an immersive mixed media art environment that is completely covered with mosaics. The creator, Isaiah Zagar, used handmade tiles, bottles, bicycle wheels, mirror, and international folk art to chronicle his life and influences. The space is made up of two indoor galleries and a bi-level outdoor sculpture garden. Timed reservations are recommended
Reading Terminal Market
Welcome to the Reading Terminal Market. One of America’s largest and oldest public markets, housed since 1893 in a National Historic Landmark building, the Market offers an incredible selection of locally grown & exotic produce, locally sourced meats and poultry, plus the finest seafood, cheeses, baked goods, and confections. You’ll find everything you need to create a memorable meal, from cookbooks, to table linens, to kitchenware, to fresh cut flowers, and more. Plus the widest variety of restaurants under one roof. Find it all here at Philadelphia’s historic public market!
Barnes Foundation
The Barnes Foundation houses one of the world's great collections of modern European paintings paired with African sculpture, antiquities from China, Egypt and Greece and Native American art. The true draw of this widely visited museum is the Barnes’ permanent collection, featuring 181 Renoirs, 69 Cézannes and 59 Matisses, along with works by Manet, Degas, Seurat, Prendergrast, Titian and Picasso — one of the world’s largest collections of Impressionist, Post-Impressionist and early Modern paintings. Reservations for a timed ticket are recommended. (For any Chicago friends and family, the Barnes was designed by the same architects as the Obama Presidential Library being constructed on Chicago's South Side!)
Philadelphia Museum of Art
Vast collections of art from across the globe and through the ages — including Renaissance, American, East and South Asian, Impressionist and contemporary masterpieces — make the Philadelphia Museum of Art one of the most significant art museums in the country, while exhibitions, lively programs and an outdoor Sculpture Garden make it a cultural must-see. (For any Rocky fans, take a moment to run the steps!)