Guidebook for Philadelphia
Food Scene
One of the most vibrant parts of South Philadelphia, this several-blocks-long commercial strip is lined with produce stalls that sell their wares under awnings on the street. Stores include traditional butchers, fishmongers and delis. The northern end is still predominantly Italian; south of Washington St skews Mexican, so you can pick up tortillas and tortellini in the same trip.
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Italian Market
919 S 9th StOne of the most vibrant parts of South Philadelphia, this several-blocks-long commercial strip is lined with produce stalls that sell their wares under awnings on the street. Stores include traditional butchers, fishmongers and delis. The northern end is still predominantly Italian; south of Washington St skews Mexican, so you can pick up tortillas and tortellini in the same trip.
Keeping the balance right between food market and dining destination, Reading Terminal Market dates back to 1893 and is a city institution. The 75 local stalls crammed into 75,000 sq ft provide a strong flavor of Philly's cultural melting pot, embracing everything from Pennsylvania Dutch to Thai cuisine and attracting everyone from billionaires to blue-collar workers.
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Reading Terminal Market
1136 N 12th StKeeping the balance right between food market and dining destination, Reading Terminal Market dates back to 1893 and is a city institution. The 75 local stalls crammed into 75,000 sq ft provide a strong flavor of Philly's cultural melting pot, embracing everything from Pennsylvania Dutch to Thai cuisine and attracting everyone from billionaires to blue-collar workers.
You won't miss Geno's, which commands its sharp triangular street corner in a blaze of orange and neon as if it has wandered in from the Las Vegas strip. Outdoor seating only.
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Geno's Steaks
1219 S 9th StYou won't miss Geno's, which commands its sharp triangular street corner in a blaze of orange and neon as if it has wandered in from the Las Vegas strip. Outdoor seating only.
You will not find more authentic or delicious Malaysian food in Philadelphia than that served here. Skewers of meat or tofu are grilled to order and come with a classic Malay peanut sauce or a Hainanese sauce sweetened with pineapple.
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Saté Kampar
611 E Passyunk AveYou will not find more authentic or delicious Malaysian food in Philadelphia than that served here. Skewers of meat or tofu are grilled to order and come with a classic Malay peanut sauce or a Hainanese sauce sweetened with pineapple.
If the dozen Boston terriers on the wall seem incongruous with the food, don't worry: this place has been serving farm-to-table since 1983. Come here for your truffles and artisan cheeses, peak summer tomatoes and plenty more. Yes, the Greyhound is the signature drink. Need you have asked?
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White Dog Cafe
3420 Sansom StIf the dozen Boston terriers on the wall seem incongruous with the food, don't worry: this place has been serving farm-to-table since 1983. Come here for your truffles and artisan cheeses, peak summer tomatoes and plenty more. Yes, the Greyhound is the signature drink. Need you have asked?
Drinks & Nightlife
It feels a little disrespectful to call such a fun and fabulously decorated place a 'dive bar', but the friendly staff and patrons of Tatttooed Mom likely wouldn't mind and that label just easily sums up the bar's casual, welcome-to-all nature.
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Tattooed Mom
530 South StIt feels a little disrespectful to call such a fun and fabulously decorated place a 'dive bar', but the friendly staff and patrons of Tatttooed Mom likely wouldn't mind and that label just easily sums up the bar's casual, welcome-to-all nature.
In business since 1933, Franks' regulars call this bar an 'institution' with some irony, but it does have grunge style as well as housing the Off The Wall gallery. Like many Philly dives, it offers the 'citywide special': a shot of Jim Beam and a can of PBR for $2.50. Need cheaper? Try the 'DF Shelf of Shame' beer for just two bucks!
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Dirty Franks
347 S 13th StIn business since 1933, Franks' regulars call this bar an 'institution' with some irony, but it does have grunge style as well as housing the Off The Wall gallery. Like many Philly dives, it offers the 'citywide special': a shot of Jim Beam and a can of PBR for $2.50. Need cheaper? Try the 'DF Shelf of Shame' beer for just two bucks!
This dining car and bar complex has been a fixture on Spring Garden St since the 1950s. It was revamped by new owners in 2007, with the dining car retaining its classic chrome-edged bar, button seat and booth layout. Brunch is served daily until 3:45pm and a dinner menu kicks in from 4pm to 1am.
There are events including DJ nights in the attached bar and in warmer weather there's also an outdoor garden area.
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Silk City Lounge
435 Spring Garden StThis dining car and bar complex has been a fixture on Spring Garden St since the 1950s. It was revamped by new owners in 2007, with the dining car retaining its classic chrome-edged bar, button seat and booth layout. Brunch is served daily until 3:45pm and a dinner menu kicks in from 4pm to 1am.
There are events including DJ nights in the attached bar and in warmer weather there's also an outdoor garden area.
Sightseeing
This picturesque house, built in Nagoya in 1953 to a 17th-century design, has been set in 1.2 acres of traditional Japanese gardens in Fairmount Park since 1958. Check online for various events, including tea ceremonies, that are held here (bookings and extra payment required).
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Shofuso japanska hús og garður
Horticultural DriveThis picturesque house, built in Nagoya in 1953 to a 17th-century design, has been set in 1.2 acres of traditional Japanese gardens in Fairmount Park since 1958. Check online for various events, including tea ceremonies, that are held here (bookings and extra payment required).
Completed in 1901 following 30 years of construction, City Hall takes up a whole block, and at 548ft is the world's tallest structure without a steel frame. The view from the observation area immediately beneath the 27-ton bronze statue of William Penn that crowns the tower takes in most of the city (reserve tickets ahead as space is limited). The daily interior tour is a treat, too, and will give you a greater appreciation of this grand building.
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Philadelphia borgarstjórn
1400 John F Kennedy BlvdCompleted in 1901 following 30 years of construction, City Hall takes up a whole block, and at 548ft is the world's tallest structure without a steel frame. The view from the observation area immediately beneath the 27-ton bronze statue of William Penn that crowns the tower takes in most of the city (reserve tickets ahead as space is limited). The daily interior tour is a treat, too, and will give you a greater appreciation of this grand building.
The 'birthplace of American government,' this modest early 18th-century Georgian building is where delegates from the 13 colonies met to approve the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. Expect a line out the door and around the block for this one – it's the prime attraction in a city packed with history.
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Sjálfstæðishöllin
520 Chestnut StThe 'birthplace of American government,' this modest early 18th-century Georgian building is where delegates from the 13 colonies met to approve the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. Expect a line out the door and around the block for this one – it's the prime attraction in a city packed with history.
Arts & Culture
The city's premier cultural institution occupies a Grecian temple–like building housing a superb collection of Asian art, Renaissance masterpieces, post-impressionist works and modern pieces by Picasso, Duchamp and Matisse among others. Especially notable are galleries filled with complete architectural ensembles, including a medieval cloister, Chinese and Indian temples and a Japanese teahouse.
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Philadelphia Museum of Art
2600 Benjamin Franklin PkwyThe city's premier cultural institution occupies a Grecian temple–like building housing a superb collection of Asian art, Renaissance masterpieces, post-impressionist works and modern pieces by Picasso, Duchamp and Matisse among others. Especially notable are galleries filled with complete architectural ensembles, including a medieval cloister, Chinese and Indian temples and a Japanese teahouse.
This impressive, multimedia-rich museum will have you virtually participating in the American Revolution with interactive dioramas and 3D experiences that take you all the way from contentment with British rule to the eventual rejection of it. Learn about the events, people, cultures and religions that participated in one of the world's most important revolutions. Lots of hands-on displays and video stories mean kids will have as much fun as adults. Note that all tickets are timed: reserve them early online.
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Múseum Bandaríska byltingarinnar
101 S 3rd StThis impressive, multimedia-rich museum will have you virtually participating in the American Revolution with interactive dioramas and 3D experiences that take you all the way from contentment with British rule to the eventual rejection of it. Learn about the events, people, cultures and religions that participated in one of the world's most important revolutions. Lots of hands-on displays and video stories mean kids will have as much fun as adults. Note that all tickets are timed: reserve them early online.
The ongoing life's work of mosaic mural artist Isaiah Zagar, this is a folk-art wonderland of mirror mosaics, bottle walls and quirky sculpture. Zagar's mosaic murals can be seen around the city – visit here first, and you'll know what to look for. It also hosts small exhibitions of other artists' work with a focus on those who are self-taught and making mosaics or folk-art works.
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Philadelphia Magic Gardens
1020 South StThe ongoing life's work of mosaic mural artist Isaiah Zagar, this is a folk-art wonderland of mirror mosaics, bottle walls and quirky sculpture. Zagar's mosaic murals can be seen around the city – visit here first, and you'll know what to look for. It also hosts small exhibitions of other artists' work with a focus on those who are self-taught and making mosaics or folk-art works.
Parks & Nature
The snaking Schuylkill River bisects this 2050-acre green space, the largest city park in the US, splitting it into east and west sections. On either side of the river are cycling and jogging paths, playing fields, lawns, public art and several historic mansions.
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Fairmount Park
Reservoir DriveThe snaking Schuylkill River bisects this 2050-acre green space, the largest city park in the US, splitting it into east and west sections. On either side of the river are cycling and jogging paths, playing fields, lawns, public art and several historic mansions.
Shopping
Center City
Essentials
Whole Foods Market
2101 Pennsylvania Ave