What are the must see/must do activities in your city? I'm going with my husband for a weekend away in early June and we've never been.
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@meredithNYC: It depends. What kind of things do you like to do? Do you like historical attractions? There's the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall. There's also Penn's landing, Reading Terminal Market and the Love Statue. Also, Boat house row. You gonna try a Philly's cheesesteak? Art museum? Gonna run up the stairs like Rocky did?
For new cities, I like to see what tripadvisor.com recommends. Hasn't gone wrong yet.
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@bluestriped bee: Yep - into the history of the city, any kind of outdoor events and definitely food. I hear there is great Italian food in Philadelphia, but unfortunately I'm kind of bored with Italian right now since it feels like that's ALL there is in Stamford - lol. So I'm open to any other kind of cuisine.
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Reading Terminal Market! Such a fun stop during the day- go when you're hungry!
If you like art, the PMA and the Barnes Foundation are both amazing.
Walking around Old City/Society Hill looking at the historical buildings and architecture is such a nice way to spend a day. -
@meredithNYC: I'm not a true Philadelphian, though. I have never lived in the city. I'm a girl who was born and raised in the suburbs of Philly.
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@lioneyes: Ohhh... looks like the Barnes Foundation has free admission first Sunday of the month. Sounds good to me! And yes to wandering - sometimes that's my favorite part of visiting a new place
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I miss Philadelphia! Independence Hall will be crowded, but I was surprised how moved I was by standing in the same place as the country's forbears.
As for the rest of touristy things, you'll have to look in a guide. But if you LOVE food and drink...bring an appetite!
Go to Rittenhouse Square, grab some coffee from La Colombe (a short distance from the square) and people watch or peruse the farmer's market if it is a weekend morning. Get breakfast at Parq, because the windows will be open. Go to Rouge for burgers, Tria for tidbits (three fermented....wine, cheese and beer), Distrito for great tequila cocktails and amazing reimagined Mexican (Jose Garces'), Monks for mussels that I still dream about, Eulogy for the beer list...and so many more. There are probably a million more restaurants open since I've lived there.
You should go to the Art Museum, because they usually have wonderfully curated collections. Walk along the Schuylkill, and just walk through center city. It is very walkable and if you live in NYC, it will feel very small. I used to live near 23rd and South and would go to a little hole in the wall French cafe (Cafe Lutecia) for a quick coffee or espresso, to Ants Pants cafe (an Australian started) for the "bacon stack", then after I'd recovered, I'd walk by the community gardens to access the Schuylkill trail and run as far as I could. I'd grab a beer at Ressurection or Ten Stone, then head home.
I love where I live, but in another life, I loved Philly nearly as much!
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@lioneyes: Oh yes! Reading!!! I'd walk there specifically for sandwiches from Tommy Dinic's. Even if you don't love pork, you have to try these. Roasted, amazing, goodness. It's more akin to roast beef, but so much better. I would avoid the "cheesesteak" places and take family here.
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I work in Philly and live in the suburbs, but I always love running up the Ben Franklin Parkway to the art museum and down boathouse row. It's especially pretty now in the spring as long as you don't have a pollen allergy! If you're going in early June, it will be nice to just check out for a walk or they rent out bikes and carriages along there as well!
Reading Terminal Market is also a must in my opinion!
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I lived in Center City for a few years and I've been in the suburbs for several more years. There have been great suggestions ! What comes to my mind...ice cream at Franklin Fountain, gelato at Capogiro, cheese steaks at Jim's if you don't mind the line (more convenient than Pat's/Geno's), Independence Hall and Liberty Bell, view from top of City Hall, Reading Terminal Market, nearly any Jose Garces or Stephen Starr restaurant, and at least one BYOB (Audrey Claire is one favorite).
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Reading Terminal Market!! Such an awesome place to find cool treasures and yummy lunch!
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Subscribe to the Uwishunu blog http://www.uwishunu.com/
It will let you know what special events are happening when you're in town.My pick for a great day in the city is the Zoo
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@Espion: Tria was going to be my suggestion, too! Love it.
All of the thing everyone above has already suggested are great ideas. I second whoever said DiNic's roast pork over a cheesesteak. DiNic's is incredible. I, personally, can take or leave a cheesesteak. I know, sacrilege. But there's a reason it was voted best sandwich in the country!
If you're coming the first weekend in June, and you're into live music, there is a free concert at the Piazza (in Fishtown) that weekend featuring The Head and the Heart and Bear Hands. The Piazza has a bunch of restaurants and bars, and they basically close up the whole piazza and people wander around, eat, drink, and enjoy the live music. We'll be there!
If you want to see a bunch of sights, you could check out one of the walking tours. Hubs and I did a ghost tour a couple of years ago that was really fun. If drinking is your thing, there are also some historic pub tours. And they now have the Big Red Pedal tours, which I really want to try!
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@Espion: OMG, I've never seen anyone else mention Cafe Lutecia -- DH and I used to be regulars there (to the point where half the time they didn't even bother to ask us what we wanted, they just started making our food when we walked in, haha). I miss it SOOO much! Anytime I hear the music from Amelie, it brings me right back there
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You guys, these are awesome suggestions! Thank you!!!
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@littlebug: OMG, Big Red Pedal tours are so cool...but would be cooler if you could drink while pedaling. I saw them doing that in Houston, I think. Or Dallas, I can't remember which town i was in on business.
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