I’m back from hiatus! There’s a million things I want to write about since graduating and travelling around Asia but I haven’t gotten around to it yet. In the meantime, enjoy this guide to Philadelphia I wrote for a friend on the plane ride to Japan!
Philadelphia is a beautiful, walkable, colorful city. In fact, I love it so much that I’m planning on staying for at least a few more years. In the spirit of my previously posted New York City day trip, I’ll have a detailed one day itinerary at the end but start with various notes and recommendations.
City Guide
I will divide the city areas into accessible/inaccessible by the SEPTA market frankford line (the L).
By the L
Penn is part of University City in West Philly. We’re by Drexel and St Johns. It is a nice, amenity-rich neighborhood. We are separated from Center City by the Schuylkill River.
West Philly, with a core around 45th street, is a vibrant, ethnically diverse neighborhood. They have great food and rich culture. Cute shops, including thrifting.
Center City stretches from the Schuylkill river to around 8th street. There are many good restaurants and things to do within. Within Center City:
Rittenhouse Square is right across the river from us and is quite nice and posh. They have a farmer’s market often. 1900-ICE-CREAM is the best soft serve I ever had and it’s not even close, please go asap.
City Hall is at 15th street. Dilworth Park is very pleasant and there’s always something going on there. Use it as a reference and base for journeys into the city.
Chinatown is right by City Hall. Arguably the best one in the States behind NYC.
13th street / Gayborhood is a restauarant/bar/nightlife hub. They have the best happy hours (go to Double Knot) and is one of the more lively areas during the weekend.
Old City is beautiful and surprisingly vibrant. It is historic but still very much living and growing. It has great restaurants and shops.
Fishtown is the grimy, hip, and young area of Philly. They have the great restaurants and bars.
Other forms of transportation better
Though this includes bus and the Broad Street line.
Philadelphia Museum of Art area: There are a lot of other museums and interesting things around here.
South Street: it runs parallel to Center City and is the other main commercial corridor of the city. Super fun.
Italian Market / Little Saigon: good food and a colorful walk.
Passyunk: it’s deep into South Philly, but they have amazing food and my favorite place in Philly: the Bok Building. It has the best bar (Bok Bar) and best bakery (Machine Shop) in the city.
Technically accessible by taking L to 15th and then Broad Street Line down, just takes ~30 min.
Manayunk: only accessible by bus or regional rail (30th street station). A cute suburban/urban hybrid town that’s worth a day trip.
Fairmont Park: a mind bogglingly huge park that the Schuylkill River Trail cuts through. Best explored by bike or run.
Best Restaurants
4th Street Deli
Mawn: Cambodian fusion by Italian market
Double Knot: best happy hour
Marrakesh: affordable Middle Eastern course, cool atmosphere, courses
Pizza Jawn in Manayunk
JG Skyhigh: views
Kim’s KBBQ: best kbbq ive ever had (including Korea)
Splurge places: Her Place (french course), Suraya (Lebanese), Zahav (Lamb), Barclay Prime (Steak)
Check my Beli for more @j23y
One Day Itinerary
This trip can be done on foot, bike, or public transport. I personally think bike is the best, but I understand it’s difficult to navigate a new city on one. You can get an unlimited bikeshare pass for $10 here: https://indego.refr.cc/joeyjung
I think the best bet would be using the new Philadelphia tourist bus called PHLASH. For $5, it takes you on a route that closely mirrors this itinerary. Do your research and use it if it seems good!
Google Maps Links
30th street to Art Museum: https://maps.app.goo.gl/t7UNpBK9fM6crJaw8
Transport from Art Museum to LOVE Park: https://maps.app.goo.gl/8X29jgViMH42YDGR6
LOVE Park to Old City: https://maps.app.goo.gl/6NYQSRj4LpfyvuyK7
Transport from Old City to 13th Street: https://maps.app.goo.gl/n1sUYiqjpXzma7cf6
Art Museum to City Hall
I’ll assume you came in on the Amtrak to 30th Street Station. The megabus also drops you off on 30th. From the airport, take the SEPTA regional rail train to 30th street.
You’re going to first walk down to the Schuykill River Trail and take it to the Art Museum. It’s a scenic walk, only about thirty minutes. You’ll go in through the back entrance. If you come during spring, you can see the cherry blossoms behind the Museum down the hill.
Buy tickets to the museum here and spend around 2 hours looking around. Most of the iconic works are on the bottom floor (Monet, Van Gogh, Picasso, etc), so go there first and give it a good look. The rest of the museum is beautiful— don’t miss the Japanese home and garden.
Come out of the front and see a great view of the City.
These are also the famous Rocky Steps, so run up them with that one song playing on your phone.
Next, you’re gonna walk or bus down to Love Park and City Hall. This is the beating heart of the city. Take a picture by the statue and hopefully be able to walk into the City Hall courtyard.
City Hall to Old City
From here, it’s only a short walk to Reading Terminal Market, where you will have a yummy lunch. Take your pick inside. Leave some room for a cheesesteak in an hour or two.
From here, it’s another short stroll (5 min) to Chinatown. Look around and get a dessert here. If you’re alone, get a Matcha or Ube soft serve at Matcha Maiko. If you’re with others, get the Mango Shaved Ice at Mango Mango.
From here, you’re gonna walk through Franklin Square to get to the Liberty Bell. If you have time, I recommend doing the mini golf there — it’s not too expensive and it’s Philadelphia themed.
Walk down to the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall from Franklin Square. Appreciate it. Maybe do the tour (I’ve never done it but surely it’s good)
From there, walk down Chestnut Street into Old City and appreciate the colonial architecture and homes. There’s many little museums, shops, cafes, and thingies to see around here. Grab a cheesesteak at Oh Brother Philly, the best tourist trap spot in the city. Sorry, no time for Pat’s and Geno’s! End at Franklin’s Fountain, which has the best root beer I’ve ever tasted.
13th Street and Such
From here, take the SEPTA subway from 2nd street to 13th street (Gayborhood). This is a restaurant row and has the best happy hours in the city. If you come early enough (4-5 ish), go to Double Knot. I take everyone here. If you can’t find a seat, try Sampan or Graffiti Bar next door — it’s the same menu. Barbuzzo is my next pick, but any on that street will be good.
It’s up to you from here! There’s plenty of good bars and things around. It’s a little bit of a trek, but I recommend JG Skyhigh for the best rooftop bar and view of the city. Tip: it’s actually a hotel lobby, so you can go up and appreciate the view for free.
-J3