To Do/Eat/See
Tattooed Mom
Tattooed Mom is my (Julie) favorite bar in Philly. Travis even took me here the night he proposed - that's how much I love it! You can hang downstairs in the quirky, bright bar area filled with fun nooks and funky chairs and 90s novelty toys. Or you can head upstairs to the grungiest punkiest dive bar and play pool with the riffraff. And YOU KNOW they have a fine selection of IPAs, vegan corn dogs and other fun snacks from your childhood - vegan, veg, and carnivorous options! (please invite me if you go)
South Street
Home of Tattooed Mom, this street boasts a plethora of weird Philly things. It's punk, it's hipster, it's artsy, it's unique. Grab a brat and a brew at the German beer hall Brauhaus Schmitz, check out the mosaic wonderland at Philadelphia's Magic Gardens, peruse the record shops and thrift stores, people watch.
Old City
Get some history! See the liberty bell, visit the Betsy Ross House, explore museums, or just walk around and enjoy the brick-laden streets and buildings while enjoying a fancy (or boring) coffee from one of the cute cafes scattered around the neighborhood.
Reading Terminal Market
Who doesn't love a good city marketplace? RTM is a Philly landmark offering everything from cheesesteaks to diners to souvenirs to local produce to essential oils. They have it all! And it's an experience just walking through and imagining buying your groceries for the week before heading back to your flat in Old City. NOT recommended if crowds are not your thing.
Rocky Steps
Get that Rocky pic. You know you want to. It's okay, we're not judging.
Philadelphia Museum of Art
While you're grabbing your Rocky pic, you might as well check out the iconic art museum!
Kimmel Cultural Campus
You don't have to go to Broadway to experience good theatre! We've seen some incredible shows here from Les Mis to Hamilton.
Masonic Temple
This place is magnificently beautiful and mad historic. The themed rooms might be a tad inappropriate but they are fascinating ("It was a different time").
Eastern State Penitentiary
I can't describe it better than the museum's superb content creator so: "Eastern State Penitentiary was once the most famous and expensive prison in the world, but stands today in ruin, a haunting world of crumbling cellblocks and empty guard towers. Its vaulted, sky-lit cells held nearly 85,000 people over its long history, including bank robber "Slick Willie" Sutton and "Scarface" Al Capone."
Harp & Crown
Looking for speakeasy AND bowling vibes? We know just the place! Grab a fancy buffet brunch upstairs or head downstairs to their secret hideaway to knock down some pins with a martini in hand. Mary-approved.
Butcher and Singer
Fancy Steak House - ask Trav for recommendations. Stephen Starr Restaurant.
Talula's Garden
Go for both the farm-house aesthetic and the farm-to-table food. Adorable. Delicious. Stephen Starr Restaurant.
Charlie was a Sinner
Small upscale cocktail bar with vegan tapas. Even if you're not vegan I promise you will love this place for the swanky vibes, creative cocktails and insanely tasty tapas. Carnivore tested and approved.
Amada
Go here if you like wine and tapas. And spending money.
John's Roast Pork
Try their famous roast pork sandwich - it's Travis' favorite in the city. Their cheesesteak is also very good but if you're looking specifically for cheesesteaks, you’ll want to check out Tony and Nick’s ⤵️
Tony and Nick's Steaks
Formerly Tony Luke's, this is Travis' go-to stop following a few brews at a Villanova game. Other great cheesesteak options: Pat's, Jim's South Street (if they've reopened), and Campo's.