Philadelphia, PA

During summer of 2021 we did lots of domestic travel, particularly to places within driving distance because it was our first time owning a car in New York City! Owning a car in the city lasted only as long as it took for everyone to rush back to new york after the pandemic. So, we enjoyed having a car for about a year and a half and it was perfect timing to explore the northeast with a baby in tow. Philly was top of our list, and the first time either of us had been there in over a decade, and our first time together. We spent a weekend there in early October and it was beautiful with the fall foliage! Here are my list of Philly recommendations :)

Eats & Treats

Coffee: Menagerie Coffee, Old City Coffee, Ultimo Coffee, Brown Street Coffee

Bakery: J’aime French Bakery, K’Far Cafe, Oui, ICI Macarons & Cafe

Breakfast: Middle Child, FRIEDA

Brunch: Walnut Street Cafe, Alma del Mar

Lunch: El Merkury, Juno, The Bourse Food Hall, Famous 4th Street Delicatessen

Dinner: Pizzeria Stella, Vetri Cucina, Forsythia, Bud & Marilyn’s, Parc

Cheesesteak: Sonny’s, Dalessandro’s, Woodrow’s, John’s Roast Pork

Dessert: Franklin Ice Cream Bar

Activities

• Explore Old City
• See Quince St. and Elfreth’s Alley, two of the cutest streets in the city
• Liberty Bell and Independence Hall
• Eat a cheesesteak, duh.
• City Hall and Love Sign
• Rittenhouse Square, have a picnic lunch or eat at one of the many cafe’s surrounding the square
• Museums: Rodin Museum, Barnes Foundation, Please Touch Museum (Children’s Museum)
• Magic Gardens, such a unique indoor/outdoor art gallery, don’t leave without experiencing it
• Walk Benjamin Franklin Parkway, see the Rocky steps and statue
• See Boathouse Row
• Washington Square

Signer's Garden in front of Library Hall

Signer's Garden in front of Library Hall

Independence Hall

"The Bank Building"

Franklin Ice Cream Bar

"First Bank of the United States"

Dean on the steps of the First Bank

18th Century Garden

Neighborhood around Quince, Irving, and Latimer St.

Neighborhood around Quince, Irving, and Latimer St.

Neighborhood around Quince, Irving, and Latimer St.

Neighborhood around Quince, Irving, and Latimer St.

Neighborhood around Quince, Irving, and Latimer St.

Neighborhood around Quince, Irving, and Latimer St.

Neighborhood around Quince, Irving, and Latimer St.

Neighborhood around Quince, Irving, and Latimer St.

Neighborhood around Quince, Irving, and Latimer St.

Neighborhood around Quince, Irving, and Latimer St.

Neighborhood around Quince, Irving, and Latimer St.

Neighborhood around Quince, Irving, and Latimer St.

Neighborhood around Quince, Irving, and Latimer St.

Neighborhood around Quince, Irving, and Latimer St.

Rittenhouse Square

Rittenhouse Square

Rittenhouse Square

Rittenhouse Square

Philadelphia City Hall

Rocky Statue

The steps at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, aka the Rocky steps

View from the top of the steps

Picnic in Rittenhouse Square

Picnic in Rittenhouse Square

Lunch at Sonny's

Menagerie Coffee

South 3rd St. on the way to Three Bears Park

South 3rd St. on the way to Three Bears Park

South 3rd St. on the way to Three Bears Park

South 3rd St. on the way to Three Bears Park

Playing at Three Bears Park

South 3rd St.

South 3rd St.

The famous "LOVE" sign!