Nathalie & Brendan
Things To Do
Independence National Historical Park
Independence Hall. The Liberty Bell. Ben Franklin's grave. Congress Hall. Washington Square. They're all here. You'll be surrounded by some of America's oldest existing buildings, many of which date to the 1700s. If you're a history buff, this section of Old City is an absolute must. Even if you're not, this is one of Philadelphia's most iconic locations.
Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Philadelphia's most beautiful buildings await on each end of this gorgeous parkway. City Hall stands on one end; the Museum of Art looms on the other. In between, the mile-long avenue is lined with all the flags of the world. The parkway includes many more highlights, such as LOVE Park, the Rodin Museum, the Franklin Institute, the Barnes Foundation, Logan Circle, and the Cathedral Basilica. This is our favorite area to show visitors!
Philadelphia Museum of Art
Yes, this is the home of the Rocky steps and the famous view of Philly's skyline you'll see at the top. But it's also home to some of Nat's and Brendan's favorite works of art. Nat particularly loves the Monet paintings in the modern art section, and Brendan loves the immersive global art exhibits, including the Hindu temple.
Wissahickon Valley Park
You won't believe you're still in Philadelphia when you're on the trail at Wissahickon! If you want to escape the bustling city for a couple of hours in favor of somewhere more peaceful, this is your spot. We love hiking to Devil's Pool, but it can be a tough scramble. The Andorra Meadow Loop is an easier favorite. We'd be remiss not to mention our favorite cheesesteak place, Dalessandro's Steaks (cash only), is nearby.
Reading Terminal Market
The dining options here are infinite. PLEASE make sure to try Miller's Twist for a soft pretzel! We stake our Philadelphian reputation on it. Other great spots include Old City Coffee, Bassetts Ice Cream, and DiNic's Roast Pork, home to Philly's other signature sandwich. (Get your roast pork with provolone and broccoli rabe. Trust us!) It's typically crowded, so be prepared to bump elbows.
East Passyunk and Passyunk Square
It's pronounced Pash-unk. These bordering neighborhoods are two of our favorites in Philly. Stroll down Ninth Street to check out the open-air Italian Market (which features vendors of many different ilks and ethnicities), then stop at Cosmi's Deli for a delicious Italian hoagie. Avoid Pat's and Geno's.
Ishkabibble's
We couldn't finish this list without recommending a cheesesteak joint. We get our steaks "wiz wit" (that's short for cheese wiz and sautéed onions). If you just can't stomach the idea of cheese wiz, provolone is good too. They're also famous for "gremlin juice." We typically go to the location at 517 South St., but the original is at 337 South St. Stop by the nearby Magic Gardens for a taste of the city's famous public art scene.