Philly, affectionally known to the locals, is one of the cities where the old and the new meld together in the hippest possible ways. You’ve got your traditional historic sites that tourists flock to, but there’s also the fantastic arts scene, wonderful grub, and cultural buzz that keeps evolving and never becomes dull.
I visited this fantastic city at the weekend, and honestly, it was something I will never forget. Whether you prefer history, you are a huge foodie, or you are after a fun weekend, then there is something there for you, no doubt.
In this article I’m going to give you some fantastic weekend break suggestions for Philly today. I’ll include my favorites, the bucket list stuff, and some off-the-beaten-path spots that made my experience there really unforgettable.
Day 1: History, Food, and a Touch of Culture
Morning: Kickstart with Breakfast at Reading Terminal Market
I began my vacation with a fantastic breakfast at Reading Terminal Market, which happens to be one of the country’s oldest and largest public markets. It is located smack-dab in the middle of downtown, with such a hip atmosphere, filled with fresh produce, fruits, veggies, meats, cheeses, bakery items, and an abundance of local items to sample.
I could not resist one of those legendary Philly soft pretzels (come on, how can you resist?), along with a glass of Old City Coffee to enjoy alongside. Plenty of breakfast options, such as pancakes at Beiler’s Bakery or that Lancaster County scrapple at DiNic’s, are available. The market is abuzz, and really, what could be nicer than starting your day with the locals?
Late morning: Visit the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall
Then, after breakfast, I headed straight to the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall. They are, pretty much, the ultimate icons of American independence, and you can’t claim to have been to Philly unless you’ve seen them!
The Liberty Bell is completely free to visit, and you can visit at any time of the year. Honestly, it feels really powerful standing directly in front of it. That crack in the bell, like, is pretty famous, and standing there made me realize so many things about the long process to freedom and how our nation came together.
Right alongside it is Independence Hall, where they signed the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution. You’ve gotta tour there (it doesn’t cost anything, but you’ll need to get tickets, so book ahead). The tour does the place proud and tells some interesting stuff about the individuals that made America what it is today. The incredible design of Independence Hall is something you’ll be remembering forever afterwards.
Afternoon: Having lunch and visiting the street art at Graffiti Pier
For lunch, I needed something different, so I went to South Street, which is one of the hippest, most eclectic streets in the city of Philadelphia. As I was walking around, I found Jim’s Steaks, and I totally got treated to an incredible Philly cheesesteak. I’ve eaten my fair share of cheesesteaks throughout the years, but Jim’s happened to be one of the best that I’ve ever had. That really thin, tender steak topped with melted cheese on this soft hoagie roll was absolute perfection.
After lunch, I headed to Graffiti Pier, this really old pier that’s completely plastered with the best street art ever. I mean, it’s one of the coolest spots in Philadelphia if you like photography or you like neat artsy stuff. It overlooks the Delaware River, so you can see anywhere from really detailed murals to random graffiti tags. It has this awesome sneakiness, like you accidentally strolled into some off-the-beaten-path art museum while you’re cruising around.
Evening: Dinner and Drinks in Fishtown
I’d been walking all day, so I was completely set to take it easy that night. I caught an Uber and sped off to Fishtown, one of the best areas in Philly. It’s full of fantastic restaurants, breweries, and cocktail lounges. I started the evening with supper at Loco Pez, this really good, relaxed Mexican restaurant that’s not only tasty, but chill too. The fish tacos were really fresh, the margaritas fantastic.
If you want to unwind after eating, you gotta go to Frankford Hall—it’s this really hip beer garden that has such a relaxing atmosphere. They’ve got huge communal tables and all kinds of local beers, so it’s the best place to relax and hang with your friends (oh, or meet some new friends since all of the workers there are so friendly).
Day 2: Art, Parks, and Cool Little Finds
Morning: Brunch at Green Eggs Café
The following morning, I woke up completely desiring something other than the usual, so I went to Green Eggs Café to have brunch. It’s one of these really trendy restaurants that does all manner of fun takes on traditional brunch fare. I ordered up their specialty, the Stuffed French Toast, and, wow, it was incredible—crunchy on the outside, full of sweet creamy cheese and fresh fruit on the inside. And if you’re not up for something sweet, no worries, huevos rancheros and breakfast burritos are on the menu, too.
Late Morning: Philadelphia Museum of Art and The Rocky Steps
Dude, you can’t visit Philly unless you visit the Philadelphia Museum of Art. However, honestly, the most awesome thing at the museum to many peoples’ minds isn’t the art—no, it’s those Rocky Steps. When I saw the iconic steps, I immediately wanted to run up them, like Sylvester Stallone does that classic Rocky scene. I was not exactly at the top of my physical condition, but what an adrenaline rush it was to recreate that scene from one of the greatest motivational films of all time.
So, after I caught my breath (and took some fun celebratory selfies), I went inside to explore the museum’s incredible art collection. They’ve got everything, ranging from Renaissance art to pieces created nowadays, but I was particularly into the American art collection. And if you can, don’t skip the Rodin Museum, which is located very close to this one, to see even more incredible sculptures.
Afternoon: Stroll Through Fairmount Park
You know what I love about Philly? The parks are so easy to access! After visiting the museum, I was totally ready to just relax for a while and explore Fairmount Park, which is one of the largest urban parks in the nation. It’s such a great place to unwind, whether you’re the outdoorsy type or just need a quick break from the frantic city pace. There are tons of trails, gorgeous gardens, and some pretty neat old mansions to explore, too.
I was walking along the Schuylkill River Trail, and boy, the views of the city skyline and the river are incredible. Trees line the trail, and you’ll pass lots of bikers, along with runners who completely adore the same thing too. It’s one of the coolest spots to take some fantastic photos of the city skyline, too.
Evening: Dinner in Old City and Sunset Views at Penn’s Landing
To finish off my final night in Philly, I headed to Old City, which is one of the hippest areas of the city. The old architecture, cobblestone roads, and trendy stores make it the best place to stroll around.
I finally made it to Zahav last night, that fantastic Israeli restaurant that everybody’s been talking about. It has all the Middle Eastern items I’ve been hearing so much about, but boy, the lamb shoulder was fantastic. It was incredibly tasty and so comforting.
Then afterwards, after eating, I walked down to Penn’s Landing along the water to see the sunset. They’ve completely revitalized this area recently, and it is such a hip place to be in the city now with parks, restaurants, and piers. I just hung around the water and thought of all the great stuff I’d experienced and witnessed that weekend. Philly does get it exactly, I mean it does, mixing all that history, culture, and nature so that it stays with you.
6 Bonus Tips To Make the Most of Your Weekend
1. Transportation
To be honest, the public transport of Philly is not so bad, but unless you’re in no hurry, I’d really opt for ride-sharing services like Uber or Lyft. The city is really, really walkable, so be prepared to walk a lot, particularly the part that’s historic.
2. Book Ahead
Some sites such as Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell are free, but you still require these timed-entry tickets. You’d best get them well beforehand, particularly if you are visiting at a busy weekend.
3. Pack for the Weather
You need to pack for Philly weather because it’s really unpredictable. For sure, check the forecast and pack accordingly, especially if you’re planning on going to the parks or any outdoor places.
4. Explore Philly’s Craft Beer Scene
You’ve got to see what the Philly craft beer scene is like—it’s fantastic! If you like beers, you’ve got to go to Yards Brewing Co. or Tired Hands Brewing Company. Seriously, regardless of what type of beer you enjoy, be it IPAs or something more unique, the breweries of Philly are going to blow you away.
5. Take a Philly Mural Tour
Philadelphia has this fantastic nickname, the “Mural Capital of the World,” and really, it fully deserves it. There are more than 4,000 murals dotted throughout the neighborhoods. You can completely take a walking mural tour yourself, or you can just take a stroll through along the likes of West Philly to see some fantastic street art. It’s really art you’ve never before seen!
6. Don’t forget to get those soft pretzels!
I mention it all the time, but trust me—Philly soft pretzels are famous everywhere! You can get them anywhere, at street vendors to gourmet bakeries. Just take one, slather with some mustard, and you’re eating the quintessential Philly experience. It’s really the best street eats you can get!
Recap of An Awesome Weekend in Philly
Philly completely blew my mind. The city has some incredible historical landmarks, fantastic eats, and tons of under-the-radar gems—literally, there’s something awesome to see around each corner. It’s full of history, art, and really hip neighborhoods just waiting to be discovered—Philly has it all. If you’re considering a weekend vacation with culture, adventure, and time to relax, you absolutely need to put Philadelphia at the top of your list.
If you’re considering going somewhere for the weekend soon, I hope the following provides you with some inspiration and makes your stay here unforgettable. I look forward to returning and visiting all the additional awesome stuff that Philly has to offer!