I went to college in Philly and spent the greater part of 3 years there. As such, I have a soft spot for the City of Brotherly Love and it remails my favorite big city I’ve stayed in.
I’m not the best with crowds, busy sidewalks, and traffic, but Philly has places to escape from the hustle and bustle and get back to nature. It also has a pretty vast public transportation system of buses and trains which makes accessing these places easier without having to rent a car.
Getting Around
Before we begin, I wanted to make a little note on how to travers this large city. While uber and cabs are available everywhere, they can be pricey if you’re using them all the time. My best bet during my time there was to use SEPTA—the underground public transport. There are many different routes and they can take you to (or close to) almost anywhere you want to go. There’s also an airport line to get you into the city when you arrive. It’s reasonably priced and much faster than trying to take a car everywhere you go. SEPTA also recently came out with a reloadable card service so no more worrying about tokens!
The Market-Frankford line and the Broad Street lines are your main go-to’s. They run North and South of the city meeting right in the middle at City Hall. It really is an experience taking public transport wherever you go, but the efficiency of this one makes it all worthwhile.
Places to See
While Philly does have a lot of tourist attractions, the point of this whole website is to give you places you may not find in the guidebooks. As probably one of the most historic cities, there are a lot of landmarks that are cool to check out, but you’re probably gonna be waiting in line and be paying pricey admission fees. I will be mentioning some of these below as they are an important part of the city’s—and quite frankly the United States—culture, but I’m gonna try to keep it to what I enjoyed most when I lived there.
The Philadelphia Museum of Art
PMA is a place that I frequented. While it is costly, it’s very worth it as the art they have is one of a kind. Each section is themed for a different place or style of art, and they have special exhibits that wow viewers every season.
One of my favorite rooms was the Asian art exhibit which featured large statues, replicas of homes and temples, as well as ancient artifacts. The pillared temple hall (pictured right) was a place of meditation for me, and I found peace there when I wanted to escape from the hustle and bustle of city life.
The museum itself is definitely one to beat. The famous Rocky steps lead you to the grand front entrance, and on Friday nights they have live performances from local artists. Behind the museum are gardens, the infamous Boathouse Row—where the colleges keep their rowing equipment to practice—and beautiful views of the Shuylkill river. The PMA is truly an experience not to miss out on!
Fairmount Park
Fairmount Park is the largest park in Philadelphia offering a nature escape from the city. With more than 2000 acres of green space, there is plenty to explore. There’s a horticulture center, an arboretum, The Underground Railroad Museum, many different houses and pavillions, The Mann Center for Performing Arts, and the Please Touch Museum—a museum just for kids! There’s so much to explore at Fairmount, just be sure to bring your walking shoes!
My favorite place there by far was the Japanese garden (pictured right).
With hundreds of species of plants, the Shofuso House—a traditional Japanese dwelling, provides a glimpse into the architecture of Japan, and a bonus koi pond in the garden. This was a peaceful place which offers an authentic Japanese escape without the flight time. The house itself is filled with traditional furniture and hosts authentic tea ceremonies as well. The trees and plants which surround the property offers a stark, yet beautiful contrast to the native Philly landscape. The Shofuso House is certainly one experience not to miss! Admission is $12, but if you’re going to spend money on a museum, I would definitely recommend checking this one out.
Center City
Heading into Center City Philadelphia can be daunting. Huge buildings surround the narrow streets with hurried-locals weaving by you if you’re not up to speed. Lots of different shops and stores beckon you in, but while the cute boutiques and high-end fashion outlets may be tempting, there are some quieter places to escape the spending culture that I frequented during my time in Philly.
Rittenhouse Square
Rittenhouse Square (pictured right) is a great park to take a deep breath and people-watch. Surrounded by restaurant and shops it’s a great place for a picnic, game of frisbee, or just to lay out on a towel in the sunshine (if it’s summer that is). Rittenhouse is dog friendly and there’s almost always seating available.
On warm summer days you may see a local farmers market or a live performance, and during the holidays, the trees and lamp posts are decked out for the holidays, making an excellent location for photo-shoots. While it may be smack-dab in the middle of Center City, it is definitely a local gem to escape the hustle and bustle of the neighboring streets.
Buffalo Exchange
Buffalo Exchange is just one of those places you have to go. While I am aware it’s a chain, this consignment/used clothes store, has everything from designer brands to funky outfits and accessories, all at much lower prices than the surrounding stores. Searching through the aisles, you can almost always find something neat to take home.
Philly definitely has it’s own fashion style, and at Buffalo Exhange you get a true glimpse of the the direction it’s going in. A great place for a non-traditional souvenir that isn’t a miniature Liberty Bell statue, or a bobble-head of Benjamin Franklin.
Philadelphia City Hall & Dilworth Park
City Hall (pictured right) is a beauty. It’s also a way of knowing where you’re going as the statue of William Penn—the founder of Philadelphia—on top is always faces North. It was once the tallest building in Philadelphia until 1986, so if you can see it from where you are, you may be able to avoid getting too turned around. Dilworth Park, which sits in front of the building, has fountains in the summer, entry to SEPTA—Philly’s underground public transport—and an ice-skating rink in the winter. Keep in mind this is not the historic Independence Hall, but it’s still a landmark worth putting on your itinerary.
City Hall is home to an observation deck offering great views of the city, but if you really want to see some sights, this next one is unbeatable…
This view is incredible. If you’re not afraid of heights, I would definitely recommend checking out this observation deck. While it is on the pricier side of admission costs, it offers panoramic views of the city, and really gives you an idea of how big Philadelphia really is.
Going up here early in my freshman year, also helped me get my bearings on where I was and how to navigate the city. If you have some extra time on your hands, make sure you pick a clear day because this view isn’t one to miss.
West Philadelphia
In West Philadelphia born and raised…okay I won’t go there, but West Philly is definitely worth checking out.
Home to most of the universities in Philly, including my alma mater, this area is quaint and very unlike Center City. Across the Schuykill (had to learn how to pronounce that one from my roommates), you can find historic buildings, vast libraries, and interesting statues, as well as seeing some of the wonderful people who chose to make this city their home.
Old townhouses line the streets, and you get more of a suburban feel with trees and parks everywhere. The campuses are rich with architecture and the shady quads offer a place to take a much-needed breather.
South Street
South Street is just plain cool. It’s almost an arts district, almost a shopping district, but definitely home to some of the most interesting places in all of Philadelphia
Philly Aids Thrift is a store with everything you can think of. Old relics, furniture, and clothes stuff the rooms in which this thrift store is housed. The best part is, it supports local charities and organizations, and even has drop-in HIV testing! You’ll definitely find some hidden gems in this place!
The Magic Gardens (pictured below) on South St. is an Instagrammer’s dream. This maze of sparkles, mirrors, and glass bottles is truly awe-inspiring and a great place to go for a photo-op. Isaiah Zagar’s unique mosaic art is the mastermind behind this place and it truly is a Philadelphia must-see.
Independence Mall is not a traditional shopping mall, but rather the historical epicenter of Philadelphia. As one of the first real cities in the United States, the history of the buildings in the mall date back to the 1700s. Also known as “America’s Most Historic Square Mile,” you can find Betsy Ross’s first house, modern day free-speakers, and you simply can’t go to Philly without seeing the Liberty Bell. If you’re looking for a bit of history in your trip, this is it.
independence hall - the landmark of the declaration of independence and the constitution
Passyunk Avenue
Passyunk Ave. is home to a food-lover’s paradise. While it isn’t a traditional tourist stop in Philadelphia, walking the street is truly reminiscent of the brotherly love in Philly in the form of food!. Here you can find the infamous Pat’s and Geno’s for Philly Cheesesteaks, food festivals, and countless other food themed activities to choose from.
One you’re stuffed, one of my favorite non-food hole in the walls here is the Urban Jungle, a plant store. They have hundreds of species to choose from and take very good care of their plants. They also offer classes and workshops for those who might not have as green a thumb as they’d like.
Places to Eat
The food in Philly is amazing, but with hundreds of restaurants to choose from, picking the best place can be quite the process. Here are some of my favorites that I frequented during my time there:
Manakeesh Cafe, Bakery, and Grill $ Walnut & 45th St.
This place is bomb, and you know I love me some Arabic food. With platters, wraps, and sides galore, you can really mix and match your meal all while knowing it came from an authentic chef.
Ekta Indian Cuisine $ Between Sansom and Chestnut on 40th St.
The dinner buffet, oh the dinner buffet. I still dream about it sometimes. After a long day of exploring the city, this meal is heaven. Reasonably priced and they even have a student discount!
Barbuzzo $$ Sansom & 13th St.
Yet another mediterranean kitchen, this place is fire. It offers everything from pizza and pasta to octopus and other interesting tastes. The downtown venue is adorable and definitely a good spot to treat yourself.
R2L $$$ Liberty Place
This fine dining establishment is at the top of Liberty place and offers panoramic views of the city. While it is pricey, the food and cocktails are to die for. Definitely worth a look if you’re wanting a 5-star meal for a special special occasion!
Philadelphia will always be a soft spot for me. It’s a great city to visit, and offers a lot to every type of traveler. I hope you enjoy it too and will share with me your experiences there. Until then, keep on reading and researching so you can own your wanderlust!