Things to Do
Things to do
Reading Terminal Market – right across from hotel; full of food vendors, shops, restaurants – working farmer’s market and then some
Italian Market – famous from Rocky training scenes – longstanding outdoor market with some awesome pasta, cheese and Italian dessert options
Phila Museum of Art – no powerhouse exhibit at that time; lovely building and permanent collection
Rodin Museum – indoor and outdoor sculpture space
National Constitution Center
National Museum of American Jewish History – Bill Graham & the Rock and Roll Revolution exhibit
Independence Hall/Carpenter’s Hall/Betsy Ross House/Liberty Bell
If with kids: Academy of Natural Sciences, Franklin Institute, Please Touch Museum, Franklin Square Park
African American Museum
DiBruno Bros. – Italian Market (original) and 18th & Chestnut (biggest) – amazing gourmet food store; eat in and take out options; 18th Street location is an easy walk to Rittenhouse Square for a picnic and people watching
Kelly Drive Bike/Walking/Running Path (Indigo Bikes for rent all over city)
Philadelphia Horticultural Society’s Pop-up Beer Gardens:
Go-to spots for eating, drinking and hanging out alfresco.
Two locations:
1438 South Street - The garden will be operated by Khyber Pass Pub, so look forward to stellar cocktails and craft beers, including an exclusive PHS beer brewed by Victory Brewing Company, as well as an enhanced garden design and a menu reflecting the diverse cuisines of South Philadelphia.
Viaduct Rail Park — 10th and Hamilton Streets - will raise awareness of the Reading Viaduct, Philadelphia’s answer to New York City’s High Line. The Rail Park spur will green a quarter-mile section of the unused rail line from Broad Street southeast across 13th and 12th Streets to Callowhill Street, and to give visitors a destination around the still-developing site, PHS has launched a pop-up garden at 10th and Hamilton streets. The Gaslight has designed the menu at Rail Park, and the garden bar will feature six taps and canned beers, wine and cocktails.
Spruce Street Harbor Park – CLOSES SEPT 25, but open weekend leading into conference – urban beach with hammocks, floating restaurant, beer garden, bocce, ping pong, shuffle board, arcade, kayaking, paddle boats, and nearby roller skating. Free park. [ VERY CLOSE TO LA PEG RESTAURANT – EXCELLENT FOOD IN BEAUTIFUL VENUE] Helium Comedy Club
U.S. Mint
Crafty Philly-Centric Gifts and Houseware:
Open House (5-8 minute walk)
Center City Restaurants:
Washington Square/East of Broad/Gayborhood (5-8 minute walk):
• Amis – my favorite neighborhood trattoria by one of Philly’s greatest chef’s • Charlie Was a Sinner – VEGAN – funky cocktail bar/restaurant with speakeasy feel • Varga Bar – impressive beer selection and really good bar food plus real food • Telula’s Garden – beautiful indoor and outdoor spaces and amazing food • Little Nonna’s – traditional red sauce Italian with a modern twist; cute outdoor garden • Barbuzzo – Mediterranean – great pizzas and much more in a bustling setting • Bud & Marilyn’s – spirit of a 70s den with a menu to match • Jamonera – tapas and great cocktails • Lolita – great Mexican restaurant with creative margarita options • Caribou – cute French bistro • Vintage – wine bar with great food • Vedge (VEGAN) – renowned restaurant (that happens to be vegan) with beautiful bar • El Vez – Mexican in vibrant atmosphere, big booth options, outdoor seating available
Business Center – in between Rittenhouse and Wash West (10-12 minute walk):
• Abe Fischer – creative twists on classic Jewish food; creative cocktails • Dan Dan – Sichuan-Taiwanese with cool bar • Oyster House – oyster bar and amazing seafood restaurant; vibrant happy hour
Rittenhouse Square (15 minute walk):
• Dandelion – Steven Starr English pub theme – lovely interior • A Kitchen/A Bar – Woodfired oven specialities • Tinto – tapas by great local chef • Village Whiskey – same chef’s whiskey/burger joint – limited seating • Vernick – my current favorite place for amazing food and cocktails • V Street – VEGAN – same owner as Vedge; more of a casual street food version • Parc – old school French bistro on Rittenhouse Square • Tria (multiple locations) – local wine bars with great food
Old City – near historic sites (20 minute walk): • Amada – Jose Garces first big Philly restaurant – amazing food and setting • Zahav – fantastic Israeli-Mediterranean food • Fork – Ellen Yin’s restaurant that led reinvention of Old City; great space, bar and food • High St. on Market – more casual dining connected to Fork
Philly is an AMAZING food town, so I would not spend my time/belly space on cheesesteaks. If you must, know that locals do not agree – at all - on which is best. I like Jim’s on South Street.
Note: www.glutenfreephilly.com to find out friendliest places for GF.
A few local dessert options:
Capagiro – artisanal gelato several locations
Termini’s – Italian cannolis and other baked treats
Verde – artisanal chocolate and budinos
The Franklin Fountain – old fashioned ice cream shop, with old fashioned candy shop next door
Metropolitan Bakery – several locations – great desserts and breads
Bake Shop – fantastic baked goods and breakfast sandwiches
La Colombe – most renowned Philly coffee roaster – Rittenhouse Square and City Hall location (best for people watching and great view of City Hall and newly renovated Dilworth Park in front of it)