Life, Liberty and Cheesesteaks
February 4, 2024 4:25 PM Subscribe
Planning a (2nd) trip to Philly, what have we missed?
We first visited Philly back in 2018. We enjoyed it so much we're planning another trip there in late May, for about 4 days.
During our last trip, we visited the Museum of Art, the Mutter Museum, the Liberty Bell, Elfreth Alley, Eastern State Penitentiary, and Reading Terminal Market. There may be some others I'm forgetting. We never got to Independence Hall, so that's on the list this time. I'd also like to check out the Magical Gardens. We also got a cheesesteak and a roasted pork sandwich.
What are some other sights we should check out? Any unique restaurants worth a visit? I already have Veda bookmarked, and the Italian Market. And also the Rodin museum.
Oh and we won't have a car, but are comfortable with public transit/walking a bunch.
Thanks all!
We first visited Philly back in 2018. We enjoyed it so much we're planning another trip there in late May, for about 4 days.
During our last trip, we visited the Museum of Art, the Mutter Museum, the Liberty Bell, Elfreth Alley, Eastern State Penitentiary, and Reading Terminal Market. There may be some others I'm forgetting. We never got to Independence Hall, so that's on the list this time. I'd also like to check out the Magical Gardens. We also got a cheesesteak and a roasted pork sandwich.
What are some other sights we should check out? Any unique restaurants worth a visit? I already have Veda bookmarked, and the Italian Market. And also the Rodin museum.
Oh and we won't have a car, but are comfortable with public transit/walking a bunch.
Thanks all!
I always enjoy Monk's Cafe because they often have a few beers that are difficult to find on the East Coast.
posted by phil at 5:25 PM on February 4 [3 favorites]
posted by phil at 5:25 PM on February 4 [3 favorites]
Bartram's Garden.
posted by sevenstars at 6:06 PM on February 4 [1 favorite]
posted by sevenstars at 6:06 PM on February 4 [1 favorite]
You’ve seen a lot of great stuff already! Magic Gardens, the Rodin, and Independence Hall are solid choices. If you want to do more with historical stuff, Carpenter’s Hall (site of the first Continental Congress) and the Franklin Court Printing Office are good to see, too. I haven’t been to Christ Church, but it’s next to see on my list of historical stuff in Philadelphia.
If you like impressionist/post-impressionist European paintings, the Barnes Foundation has an amazing collection.
Another thing we’ve not yet seen but that we keep meaning to check out: Bok.
We enjoy visiting Shane Confectionery even though it is obscenely overpriced.
Have fun!
posted by TEA at 6:25 PM on February 4
If you like impressionist/post-impressionist European paintings, the Barnes Foundation has an amazing collection.
Another thing we’ve not yet seen but that we keep meaning to check out: Bok.
We enjoy visiting Shane Confectionery even though it is obscenely overpriced.
Have fun!
posted by TEA at 6:25 PM on February 4
I’d like to suggest a visit to Chanticleer which is a garden in Wayne, PA. It requires taking SEPTA regional rail and then either a taxi or Uber/Lyft/etc, but it is truly exceptional.
The garden is gorgeous and there are lots of chairs to sit in and enjoy it. It has some of the most creative and exciting horticulture in the US
posted by sciencegeek at 6:26 PM on February 4 [6 favorites]
The garden is gorgeous and there are lots of chairs to sit in and enjoy it. It has some of the most creative and exciting horticulture in the US
posted by sciencegeek at 6:26 PM on February 4 [6 favorites]
Native Philadelphian who still goes back 2-3x a year here.
Restaurants: Seconding Vedge and Monk's. Reading Terminal has enough variety that a repeat visit is probably in order. Laser Wolf (Israeli) is our favorite restaurant in the city, but you'll probably have to reserve in advance because it's definitely not a secret if it ever was. Their sister restaurant K'far Cafe was great the one time I went. Federal Donuts is a must visit any time I'm back in the area -- come for the donuts, but don't sleep on the chicken. Darling Jack's Tavern is a nice chill spot with good food. Frieda is a nice little cafe / breakfast spot in Old City.
Attractions: definitely do check out the Magic Gardens, and look for some of the murals / homes in the area from the artist. (I think they give out a flyer showing you where they are.) The African American Museum in Philadelphia is small-ish but definitely worth a visit. The Franklin Institute isn't for everyone, but I enjoy it.
Enjoy your visit!
posted by tonycpsu at 6:27 PM on February 4
Restaurants: Seconding Vedge and Monk's. Reading Terminal has enough variety that a repeat visit is probably in order. Laser Wolf (Israeli) is our favorite restaurant in the city, but you'll probably have to reserve in advance because it's definitely not a secret if it ever was. Their sister restaurant K'far Cafe was great the one time I went. Federal Donuts is a must visit any time I'm back in the area -- come for the donuts, but don't sleep on the chicken. Darling Jack's Tavern is a nice chill spot with good food. Frieda is a nice little cafe / breakfast spot in Old City.
Attractions: definitely do check out the Magic Gardens, and look for some of the murals / homes in the area from the artist. (I think they give out a flyer showing you where they are.) The African American Museum in Philadelphia is small-ish but definitely worth a visit. The Franklin Institute isn't for everyone, but I enjoy it.
Enjoy your visit!
posted by tonycpsu at 6:27 PM on February 4
the restaurant Suriya is excellent.
Wonderspaces was neat, near reading terminal market
i liked the spruce street harbor park, and have enjoyed a show at Brooklyn Bowl Philly.
also as you get closer to the days, this link of what's on for the coming weekend in Philly is always so useful to me.
posted by wowenthusiast at 6:39 PM on February 4 [1 favorite]
Wonderspaces was neat, near reading terminal market
i liked the spruce street harbor park, and have enjoyed a show at Brooklyn Bowl Philly.
also as you get closer to the days, this link of what's on for the coming weekend in Philly is always so useful to me.
posted by wowenthusiast at 6:39 PM on February 4 [1 favorite]
Barnes Foundation! Get a guided tour. You could easily go twice and get very different (excellent) experiences.
Indonesian at Hardena in South Philly.
Eat all the hoagies for me :(
posted by supercres at 8:05 PM on February 4 [1 favorite]
Indonesian at Hardena in South Philly.
Eat all the hoagies for me :(
posted by supercres at 8:05 PM on February 4 [1 favorite]
Bartram's Garden, Barnes Foundation and the Rodin museum, as mentioned above, are not to be missed. And Chanticleer gardens are absolutely spectacular if you can get there.
The murals throughout the city are unrivaled. I've always seen them while driving around, but perhaps there's a bus tour.
posted by Scout405 at 8:14 PM on February 4 [1 favorite]
The murals throughout the city are unrivaled. I've always seen them while driving around, but perhaps there's a bus tour.
posted by Scout405 at 8:14 PM on February 4 [1 favorite]
I've always enjoyed a visit to the Philadelphia Academy of Fine Arts
posted by TimHare at 8:23 PM on February 4 [2 favorites]
posted by TimHare at 8:23 PM on February 4 [2 favorites]
In April the Southeast Asian Market in FDR park starts running on Saturdays and Sundays - honestly I think it's my favorite thing in Philly, I can't wait for it to re-open this year!
posted by catcafe at 8:37 PM on February 4
posted by catcafe at 8:37 PM on February 4
Go get some Barbacoa and pancita tacos at South Philly Barbacoa. Incredible food, amazing people.
posted by Exceptional_Hubris at 2:52 AM on February 5
posted by Exceptional_Hubris at 2:52 AM on February 5
The masonic temple offers guided tours, that I (a non-mason) find fascinating. Double it up with a tour of city hall and you will get a ton of architectural history.
posted by Literaryhero at 3:14 AM on February 5
posted by Literaryhero at 3:14 AM on February 5
If the weather is nice, spending a couple hours walking around finding all the murals is fun. Warning: the maps on the Mural Arts website is a little unreliable / out of date but a lot of them are easy to spot!
Also worth walking along the Schuylkill River Walk.
Seconding the Barnes -- it's truly overwhelming but a must-see if you like impressionist art.
Some of the Steven Starr restaurants are worth trying. I like the Continental Mid-Town at 18th and Chestnut and Talula's Garden at Washington Square West.
posted by The Vintner of Our Disco Tent at 6:03 AM on February 5 [1 favorite]
Also worth walking along the Schuylkill River Walk.
Seconding the Barnes -- it's truly overwhelming but a must-see if you like impressionist art.
Some of the Steven Starr restaurants are worth trying. I like the Continental Mid-Town at 18th and Chestnut and Talula's Garden at Washington Square West.
posted by The Vintner of Our Disco Tent at 6:03 AM on February 5 [1 favorite]
Philadelphian here. Lots of great recommendations above. For an added dose of history, Philly has a number of centrally located old homes that you can visit, including Hill-Physick House. Browse Philly AIDS Thrift for fabulous vintage wear. Not far from Magic Gardens, you could eat at The Breakfast Den or Rex at the Royal.
posted by knile at 7:42 AM on February 5 [2 favorites]
posted by knile at 7:42 AM on February 5 [2 favorites]
Highlights of our last trip was Edgar Allan Poe's house, where we arrived just in time for a reading performed by a park ranger, and the Fireman's Hall Museum. Definitely check out the Magic Gardens. Also really enjoyed Triple Bottom Brewery, which goes out of its way to hire people who have experienced homelessness and incarceration (and conveniently close to the Poe house).
posted by General Malaise at 8:39 AM on February 5
posted by General Malaise at 8:39 AM on February 5
Oh and if you make it to Independence Hall, go around the corner to a nondescript door, where you go in and see the original meeting place of the Supreme Court. Definitely the best part of that visit.
posted by General Malaise at 8:43 AM on February 5
posted by General Malaise at 8:43 AM on February 5
The Philosophical Society has a tiny museum on the side of Independence hall and every exhibit I've seen there has been great (and not at all limited to philosophy).
The Science History Institute in old city, the Academy of Natural Sciences on Logan Circle. And I still haven't made it to the Wagner.
posted by sepviva at 9:39 PM on February 5
The Science History Institute in old city, the Academy of Natural Sciences on Logan Circle. And I still haven't made it to the Wagner.
posted by sepviva at 9:39 PM on February 5
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Great (fast food) falafel at Goldie.
posted by sriracha at 4:35 PM on February 4 [4 favorites]