Right before Christmas we made a quick trip up to the City of Brotherly Love. This was my second time in Philadelphia, but the first time I really got to do so much.
We had a handful of recommendations for Philly frequenters and mixed in a few other places.
Where to Eat
1. Chapter House Cafe & Gallery: In the art district of Philly, this quaint cafe serves up delicious lattes and an assortment of other coffees. It was the perfect start to our morning with its charm and tasty pastries.
2. High Street Market: We hit up this place for breakfast on our second day in the city. The menu is small but oh so good! Their bread is indescribable. Located conveniently next to the Ben Franklin Museum and The First Post Office.
3. Geno's vs. Pat's: The great debate in Philly. We tried both while we were there and I have to hand to crown to Geno's. I liked their meat better. Sorry Pat's fans. People line/drive up to grab these steaks. BRING CASH. No cards accepted. If you aren't a cash person check out Steve's Prince of Steaks for a good steak. Order your cheese steak the traditional way 'wit' or 'witout' (onions) +whiz.
4. Reading Market Terminal: So many choices and so little time. You could literally go into this indoor market and eatery and not eat at the same place for two weeks! It is a mixture of goods, groceries and specialty counters serving up food like you would believe! We ate at Harvest Deli, which also has a location outside of the city closer to the family farm.
5. Amish Farmer's Market: The is a huge Amish population in Pennsylvania. We went to the Newton Farmers Market outside of the city to grab some fresh baked Amish lemon bars and over breakfast items. At this particular market, there were other local farmers as well serving coffee and fresh fish.
Breweries/Bars
1. Yards Brewing: Referred to as Yards, this brewery started in 1994, this Brewery is huge! The beer is great and the wings are huge! Put this one our your list to get a taste of classic Philly. They just opened a new taproom!
2. Evil Genius Brewing: This one is definitely funky. All the beers are famous quotes, like "We were on a BREAK" and some seasonal beers "Santa I Know Him." Grab some food and play some games! This is a brewery you will want to hangout at for awhile.
3. McGillin's: The oldest bar in Philadelphia. Their menu literally says they survived prohibition. This was our favorite bar. Upstairs has more highboys, but downstairs is where you can sit and enjoy their menu. The prices are right for all of their drinks, even the specialty cocktails.
1. Chapter House Cafe & Gallery: In the art district of Philly, this quaint cafe serves up delicious lattes and an assortment of other coffees. It was the perfect start to our morning with its charm and tasty pastries.
2. High Street Market: We hit up this place for breakfast on our second day in the city. The menu is small but oh so good! Their bread is indescribable. Located conveniently next to the Ben Franklin Museum and The First Post Office.
3. Geno's vs. Pat's: The great debate in Philly. We tried both while we were there and I have to hand to crown to Geno's. I liked their meat better. Sorry Pat's fans. People line/drive up to grab these steaks. BRING CASH. No cards accepted. If you aren't a cash person check out Steve's Prince of Steaks for a good steak. Order your cheese steak the traditional way 'wit' or 'witout' (onions) +whiz.
4. Reading Market Terminal: So many choices and so little time. You could literally go into this indoor market and eatery and not eat at the same place for two weeks! It is a mixture of goods, groceries and specialty counters serving up food like you would believe! We ate at Harvest Deli, which also has a location outside of the city closer to the family farm.
5. Amish Farmer's Market: The is a huge Amish population in Pennsylvania. We went to the Newton Farmers Market outside of the city to grab some fresh baked Amish lemon bars and over breakfast items. At this particular market, there were other local farmers as well serving coffee and fresh fish.
Breweries/Bars
1. Yards Brewing: Referred to as Yards, this brewery started in 1994, this Brewery is huge! The beer is great and the wings are huge! Put this one our your list to get a taste of classic Philly. They just opened a new taproom!
2. Evil Genius Brewing: This one is definitely funky. All the beers are famous quotes, like "We were on a BREAK" and some seasonal beers "Santa I Know Him." Grab some food and play some games! This is a brewery you will want to hangout at for awhile.
3. McGillin's: The oldest bar in Philadelphia. Their menu literally says they survived prohibition. This was our favorite bar. Upstairs has more highboys, but downstairs is where you can sit and enjoy their menu. The prices are right for all of their drinks, even the specialty cocktails.
Historic Sites/Things To Do
1. Magic Gardens:This was one of my favorite things we did while in the city. Local artist Isaiah Zagar, has created beautiful and eclectic mosaics throughout south street in Philadelphia. His largest projects is an outdoor garden dubbed the Magic Gardens. You do have to pay $10 to tour the gardens, but it is worth it! The Magic Gardens are a non-profit so the cost of your ticket goes to the upkeep of the exhibit.
2. Rocky Steps/ Philadelphia Museum of Art: The famous steps Rocky Balboa is finally able to conquer at the end of his run are at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. At the bottom right of the steps (if facing the museum) is the statue dedicated to Rocky and at the top are foot prints for you to stand in to get that famous view.
3. Betsy Ross House,Benjamin Franklin's Grave & Elfreth's Alley: Betsy Ross' house has been turned into a Museum. This tour is one of the cheaper tours in Philadelphia and you even get to meet Betsy herself. This one is fun and interactive for everyone. Not to far down the road is Christ Church Burial Ground were Ben Franklin's grave is located. There is a cost to get in, but you can just toss a penny on his grave from the fence if you don't feel like paying to walk a grave yard (we didn't). Elfreth's Alley is the America's first residential street and nicely preserved! It is just a block over from Betsy's place and is gorgeous to walk down.
4. Independence Hall:Make sure to grab your free tickets at the Philadelphia Visitor's Center for this one. You can walk around the grounds no problem, but you need a ticket to go on the tour and get into the hall. The tour only last 30 minutes and is a quick history refresher. Also, if you are trying to cross of National Parks, this is one!
5. Mural Mile: Philadelphia is full of Murals and a thriving art community. You can see Isaiah's work on random walls throughout South Street, but there are murals all around the city. There is even a Mural Mile Organization. They provide a self guided tour map that you can print and use to get around the city.
6. The First Post Office & Benjamin Franklin Museum: On Market street you can find the only post office that is still themed like it was in colonial life. Ben Franklin was the first Postmaster General and walked to this post office via the alley way that connected his house to Market Street. This alley way is still preserved so you can literally walk where old Ben walked. His house isn't standing, but there are markers for where his toilet and other fixtures were.
1. Magic Gardens:This was one of my favorite things we did while in the city. Local artist Isaiah Zagar, has created beautiful and eclectic mosaics throughout south street in Philadelphia. His largest projects is an outdoor garden dubbed the Magic Gardens. You do have to pay $10 to tour the gardens, but it is worth it! The Magic Gardens are a non-profit so the cost of your ticket goes to the upkeep of the exhibit.
2. Rocky Steps/ Philadelphia Museum of Art: The famous steps Rocky Balboa is finally able to conquer at the end of his run are at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. At the bottom right of the steps (if facing the museum) is the statue dedicated to Rocky and at the top are foot prints for you to stand in to get that famous view.
3. Betsy Ross House,Benjamin Franklin's Grave & Elfreth's Alley: Betsy Ross' house has been turned into a Museum. This tour is one of the cheaper tours in Philadelphia and you even get to meet Betsy herself. This one is fun and interactive for everyone. Not to far down the road is Christ Church Burial Ground were Ben Franklin's grave is located. There is a cost to get in, but you can just toss a penny on his grave from the fence if you don't feel like paying to walk a grave yard (we didn't). Elfreth's Alley is the America's first residential street and nicely preserved! It is just a block over from Betsy's place and is gorgeous to walk down.
4. Independence Hall:Make sure to grab your free tickets at the Philadelphia Visitor's Center for this one. You can walk around the grounds no problem, but you need a ticket to go on the tour and get into the hall. The tour only last 30 minutes and is a quick history refresher. Also, if you are trying to cross of National Parks, this is one!
5. Mural Mile: Philadelphia is full of Murals and a thriving art community. You can see Isaiah's work on random walls throughout South Street, but there are murals all around the city. There is even a Mural Mile Organization. They provide a self guided tour map that you can print and use to get around the city.
6. The First Post Office & Benjamin Franklin Museum: On Market street you can find the only post office that is still themed like it was in colonial life. Ben Franklin was the first Postmaster General and walked to this post office via the alley way that connected his house to Market Street. This alley way is still preserved so you can literally walk where old Ben walked. His house isn't standing, but there are markers for where his toilet and other fixtures were.
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