Guidebook for Philadelphia
Food Scene
A cute place to get coffee, pastries, or a loaf of bread within walking distance to our house.
17 locals recommend
Metropolitan Bakery & Cafe
4013 Walnut StA cute place to get coffee, pastries, or a loaf of bread within walking distance to our house.
Can you say all you can eat Indian Lunch Buffet for $10? It is delicious! Have a student ID for the Philly area? You can get 10% off if you show it
17 locals recommend
New Delhi Restaurant
4004 Chestnut StCan you say all you can eat Indian Lunch Buffet for $10? It is delicious! Have a student ID for the Philly area? You can get 10% off if you show it
A salad chain that is prominent on the East Coast. We love going there when we want healthy food, but have no time. Salads are between 8-10$ but easy fill you
16 locals recommend
sweetgreen
3925 Walnut StA salad chain that is prominent on the East Coast. We love going there when we want healthy food, but have no time. Salads are between 8-10$ but easy fill you
You know Bobby Flay? The renowned chef? He opened this tasty burger restaurant in 2010 and it has been a happening place ever since. We almost always get the LA Burger. You can also crunchify (add potato chips) to any burger for free!
18 locals recommend
Bobby's Burger Palace
3925 Walnut StYou know Bobby Flay? The renowned chef? He opened this tasty burger restaurant in 2010 and it has been a happening place ever since. We almost always get the LA Burger. You can also crunchify (add potato chips) to any burger for free!
A great place to try your first Ethiopian food. We can normally share a combo dish and be VERY full.
56 locals recommend
Abyssinia Restaurant
229 S 45th StA great place to try your first Ethiopian food. We can normally share a combo dish and be VERY full.
Iconic ice cream shop in old city, steps away from 2nd street station on the Market Frankford Line (which is only a few stops from our house). This ice cream shop gets very busy on weekends in the summer.
90 locals recommend
The Franklin Fountain
116 Market StIconic ice cream shop in old city, steps away from 2nd street station on the Market Frankford Line (which is only a few stops from our house). This ice cream shop gets very busy on weekends in the summer.
One of the BEST brunch places in Philly. It also happens to be walking distance from out house. Order the Stuffed Challah French Toast and share it with one other person ( you will still be full). This is one of our favorite breakfast/brunch places in Philly.
99 locals recommend
Sabrina's Cafe
227 N 34th StOne of the BEST brunch places in Philly. It also happens to be walking distance from out house. Order the Stuffed Challah French Toast and share it with one other person ( you will still be full). This is one of our favorite breakfast/brunch places in Philly.
Pat's vs. Gino's is the long time Philadelphia Cheesesteak Rival. This is probably the most touristy place to buy a cheesesteak in Philadelphia. We both don't have a preference as to which place is best, but they are across the street from each other, so maybe you should decide?
316 locals recommend
Pat's King of Steaks
1237 E Passyunk AvePat's vs. Gino's is the long time Philadelphia Cheesesteak Rival. This is probably the most touristy place to buy a cheesesteak in Philadelphia. We both don't have a preference as to which place is best, but they are across the street from each other, so maybe you should decide?
This is a vegan restaurant. They have vegan Philly cheesesteak if that is your thing. They have a lot of other options that you will be surprised are vegan, because they don't neccessarily taste vegan.
67 locals recommend
HipCityVeg
127 S 18th StThis is a vegan restaurant. They have vegan Philly cheesesteak if that is your thing. They have a lot of other options that you will be surprised are vegan, because they don't neccessarily taste vegan.
Han Dynasty
3711 Market StOur favorite Chinese food! Super close walk from our house.
A great place to have a sit-down meal. Vegetarian and vegan friendly. Get a reservation in advance.
42 locals recommend
FARMiCiA
15 S 3rd StA great place to have a sit-down meal. Vegetarian and vegan friendly. Get a reservation in advance.
Drinks & Nightlife
Our favorite place to go dancing. From salsa to bachata, this is a great place for novice to experts to go dancing. It is also right off of the 2nd street subway station, so it is a quick train ride from our house.
15 locals recommend
Brasil's Nightclub
112 Chestnut StOur favorite place to go dancing. From salsa to bachata, this is a great place for novice to experts to go dancing. It is also right off of the 2nd street subway station, so it is a quick train ride from our house.
World Cafe Live Philadelphia
3025 Walnut StIntimate Friday night concerts.
Sightseeing
Did you know Edgar Allen Poe lived in Philly? You can take tours of the house. Around Halloween they have some fun spooky events
32 locals recommend
Edgar Allan Poe National Historic Site
532 N 7th StDid you know Edgar Allen Poe lived in Philly? You can take tours of the house. Around Halloween they have some fun spooky events
If you haven't seen Rocky but are now visiting Philly, this is worth seeing. Come pose in from of this large statue, located outside of the Philadelphia Museum Of Art. Run up the iconic Rocky Steps!
91 locals recommend
Rocky Statue
2600 Benjamin Franklin PkwyIf you haven't seen Rocky but are now visiting Philly, this is worth seeing. Come pose in from of this large statue, located outside of the Philadelphia Museum Of Art. Run up the iconic Rocky Steps!
Want to see where the declaration of independence was signed? You'll need to pick up tickets at the visitor center prior to getting a tour. Also free!
569 locals recommend
Independence Hall
520 Chestnut StWant to see where the declaration of independence was signed? You'll need to pick up tickets at the visitor center prior to getting a tour. Also free!
The Liberty Bell is probably the MOST iconic sight in Philly. It's also free. Enjoy!
755 locals recommend
Liberty Bell
526 Market StThe Liberty Bell is probably the MOST iconic sight in Philly. It's also free. Enjoy!
The nation's oldest residential street. Continually inhabited since 1702
154 locals recommend
Elfreth's Alley
126 Elfreth's AlleyThe nation's oldest residential street. Continually inhabited since 1702
Betsy Ross made the first flag of the U.S.
It is an interactive tour, with an actor portraying Betsy Ross. Very informative and interesting way to learn more about U.S. history.
210 locals recommend
Betsy Ross House
239 Arch StBetsy Ross made the first flag of the U.S.
It is an interactive tour, with an actor portraying Betsy Ross. Very informative and interesting way to learn more about U.S. history.
Philadelphia is the "City Of Brotherly Love" and the iconic LOVE statue is in this park. Amazing views of center city and the parkway.
135 locals recommend
Love Park
Arch StreetPhiladelphia is the "City Of Brotherly Love" and the iconic LOVE statue is in this park. Amazing views of center city and the parkway.
Come and learn all about the U.S. constitution. You could spend anywhere between 1-3 hours reading everything in this museum. Admission free on some holidays. Check their website for more details.
172 locals recommend
National Constitution Center
525 Arch StCome and learn all about the U.S. constitution. You could spend anywhere between 1-3 hours reading everything in this museum. Admission free on some holidays. Check their website for more details.
Museum all about the American Revolution. Depending on your interest level you could spend between 1-4 hours there.
122 locals recommend
Museum of the American Revolution
101 S 3rd StMuseum all about the American Revolution. Depending on your interest level you could spend between 1-4 hours there.
Take a walk down South Street to get a taste of South Philly. You can find anything here from cheesesteaks to bars to tattoo parlors etc.
74 locals recommend
South Street
South StreetTake a walk down South Street to get a taste of South Philly. You can find anything here from cheesesteaks to bars to tattoo parlors etc.
During the winter there is an ice skating rink and holiday village, during the Summer there is a splash pad to beat the heat. You can also take $8 ($4 for students) tour of the top of city hall for a good view of the city and to see the huge statue of William Penn (the leader of the original colony of Pennsylvania)
354 locals recommend
Philadelphia City Hall
1400 John F Kennedy BlvdDuring the winter there is an ice skating rink and holiday village, during the Summer there is a splash pad to beat the heat. You can also take $8 ($4 for students) tour of the top of city hall for a good view of the city and to see the huge statue of William Penn (the leader of the original colony of Pennsylvania)
A medical museum connected with the college of physicians of Philadelphia. Interesting for those in medicine or who don't mind seeing what some people might call gore (internal parts of bodies, skeleton, etc.)
Einstein's brain is on display here, along with many other medical relics.
333 locals recommend
First Food Market
116 S 21st StA medical museum connected with the college of physicians of Philadelphia. Interesting for those in medicine or who don't mind seeing what some people might call gore (internal parts of bodies, skeleton, etc.)
Einstein's brain is on display here, along with many other medical relics.
Great Museum for children. Interactive exhibits. Could spend 1-4 hours with a child here.
214 locals recommend
Please Touch Museum
4231 Avenue of the RepublicGreat Museum for children. Interactive exhibits. Could spend 1-4 hours with a child here.
Parks & Nature
Definitely a must for history buffs. Will need a car or be willing to take a long bus to go see, but definitely worth it if you are interested in the revolutionary war.
179 locals recommend
Valley Forge National Historical Park
1400 N Outer Line DrDefinitely a must for history buffs. Will need a car or be willing to take a long bus to go see, but definitely worth it if you are interested in the revolutionary war.
Cute park with kid's playground. Tight-knit community feels. Saturdays there is a farmer's market with food brought in from local farmer's (including some Amish vendors)
188 locals recommend
Clark Park
4300-4398 Baltimore AveCute park with kid's playground. Tight-knit community feels. Saturdays there is a farmer's market with food brought in from local farmer's (including some Amish vendors)
Boathouse row is an iconic road where all of the local Universities store their rowing boats for use on the Schuylkill River. Take a run, jog, walk, or bike ride on the Schuykill river train, which will take you all the way to Valley Forge if you set your heart to it (and want to go 20+ miles)
204 locals recommend
Boathouse Row
1 Boathouse RowBoathouse row is an iconic road where all of the local Universities store their rowing boats for use on the Schuylkill River. Take a run, jog, walk, or bike ride on the Schuykill river train, which will take you all the way to Valley Forge if you set your heart to it (and want to go 20+ miles)
running/biking trail along the river. A good workout or a nice leisurely walk. Definitely worth a visit to see the city.
52 locals recommend
Schuylkill River Trail
Schuylkill River Trailrunning/biking trail along the river. A good workout or a nice leisurely walk. Definitely worth a visit to see the city.
Arts & Culture
Philadelphia is famous for its murals. You can take tours run by the non-profit that is behind the creation of the murals. You can also do a self-guided tour of murals in center city link here: https://www.muralarts.org/self-guided/
23 locals recommend
Mural Arts Philadelphia
1727-29 Mt Vernon StPhiladelphia is famous for its murals. You can take tours run by the non-profit that is behind the creation of the murals. You can also do a self-guided tour of murals in center city link here: https://www.muralarts.org/self-guided/
Definitely a unique Philly experience. Homegrown Philadelphia artist who has been beautifying South Philadelphia for decades
385 locals recommend
Philadelphia's Magic Gardens
1020 South StDefinitely a unique Philly experience. Homegrown Philadelphia artist who has been beautifying South Philadelphia for decades
Rodin Museum
2151 Benjamin Franklin PkwyFamous Sculpture Museum Pay-as-you-wish all the time!
Another famous art museum in Philly! It previously was a private art collection of a prominent doctor, now open to the public! Free the first Sunday of every Month!
560 locals recommend
Barnes
2025 Benjamin Franklin PkwyAnother famous art museum in Philly! It previously was a private art collection of a prominent doctor, now open to the public! Free the first Sunday of every Month!
Very iconic art museum. Pay as you wish on Wednesday nights and the first Sunday of every month.
1164 locals recommend
Philadelphia Museum of Art
2600 Benjamin Franklin PkwyVery iconic art museum. Pay as you wish on Wednesday nights and the first Sunday of every month.
Essentials
Large grocery store with a lot of variety, also on the pricier side.
101 locals recommend
The Fat Chicken
2355 S Bucknell StLarge grocery store with a lot of variety, also on the pricier side.
ALDI
4421 Market StVery Budget-friendly! Bring a quarter in order to use a shopping cart!
A national chain that is definitely one of our favorite places to shop!
305 locals recommend
Bob and Barbara's Lounge
1509 South StreetA national chain that is definitely one of our favorite places to shop!
Entertainment & Activities
In the Summer it is a roller skating rink and carousel, in the winter an ice skating rink and winter wonderland. Lots of good food available from food trucks and vendors.
53 locals recommend
Blue Cross RiverRink
101 S Christopher Columbus BlvdIn the Summer it is a roller skating rink and carousel, in the winter an ice skating rink and winter wonderland. Lots of good food available from food trucks and vendors.
Where the Eagles Play! Accesible by train take Market-Frankford line to 15th street, transfer to Broad Street line South bound, take train to last stop.
112 locals recommend
Lincoln Financial Field
One Lincoln Financial Field WayWhere the Eagles Play! Accesible by train take Market-Frankford line to 15th street, transfer to Broad Street line South bound, take train to last stop.
Sports and Concert Venue Accesible by train take Market-Frankford line to 15th street, transfer to Broad Street line South bound, take train to last stop.
124 locals recommend
Wells Fargo Center
3601 S Broad StSports and Concert Venue Accesible by train take Market-Frankford line to 15th street, transfer to Broad Street line South bound, take train to last stop.
Cinemark University City Penn 6
4012 Walnut St$5 Tickets on Tuesdays