Guidebook for Philadelphia
Food Scene
Laurel
1617 E Passyunk AveAmazing, amazing food. Reservations are definitely necessary.
The food is good, but it's really about the ambience if you're into dining al fresco. Definitely the most lovely outdoor space among Philly's restaurants.
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Talula's Garden
210 W Washington SquareThe food is good, but it's really about the ambience if you're into dining al fresco. Definitely the most lovely outdoor space among Philly's restaurants.
Indoor market with a huge variety of food (both restaurant and grocery), and some other stuff. Best days are Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday, as all Amish vendors are open these days. My favorites: Beiler's Donuts, Meltkraft (fancy grilled cheese sandwiches).
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Reading Terminal Market
1136 N 12th StIndoor market with a huge variety of food (both restaurant and grocery), and some other stuff. Best days are Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday, as all Amish vendors are open these days. My favorites: Beiler's Donuts, Meltkraft (fancy grilled cheese sandwiches).
Arts & Culture
Philly's Magic Garden is an incredibly unique visionary art space--if you're picturing a traditional art museum, wipe that idea from your brain immediately! There is an entire outdoor maze of mosaics to explore, as well as two indoor galleries with current art exhibitions. On the fourth Friday of each month from April to October, the Magic Garden hosts an evening event with live performance and the opportunity for guests to participate in some sort of hands-on art making. There is generally wine available for purchase during these events, but you're also welcome to BYOB.
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Philadelphia's Magic Gardens
1020 South StPhilly's Magic Garden is an incredibly unique visionary art space--if you're picturing a traditional art museum, wipe that idea from your brain immediately! There is an entire outdoor maze of mosaics to explore, as well as two indoor galleries with current art exhibitions. On the fourth Friday of each month from April to October, the Magic Garden hosts an evening event with live performance and the opportunity for guests to participate in some sort of hands-on art making. There is generally wine available for purchase during these events, but you're also welcome to BYOB.
Unlike a majority of American historical sites, Eastern State Penitentiary has not been restored to appear as it was when it was in operation. A majority of the wings have been left as beautiful, crumbling ruins that easily inspire one's imagination.
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Eastern State Penitentiary
2027 Fairmount AveUnlike a majority of American historical sites, Eastern State Penitentiary has not been restored to appear as it was when it was in operation. A majority of the wings have been left as beautiful, crumbling ruins that easily inspire one's imagination.
A collection of medical oddities. Always fascinating, sometimes weird. The museum's permanent collection includes the tallest skeleton on display in North America (He was 7'6"!).
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First Food Market
116 S 21st StA collection of medical oddities. Always fascinating, sometimes weird. The museum's permanent collection includes the tallest skeleton on display in North America (He was 7'6"!).
A venue for all sorts of innovative performance. There's a bar/restaurant on site, and an outdoor beer garden during the warmer months. FringeArts curates the Philly Fringe Festival for a couple weeks each September, with a dizzying number of shows all over the city (some at FringeArts, some at other theaters, some at weird locations--public libraries, churches, parks, the homes of random individuals).
17 locals raden deze aan
FringeArts
140 N Christopher Columbus BlvdA venue for all sorts of innovative performance. There's a bar/restaurant on site, and an outdoor beer garden during the warmer months. FringeArts curates the Philly Fringe Festival for a couple weeks each September, with a dizzying number of shows all over the city (some at FringeArts, some at other theaters, some at weird locations--public libraries, churches, parks, the homes of random individuals).
Essentials
About a five minute walk from my place. You can buy beer and wine (but not liquor) at this grocery store.
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ACME Markets
1400 E Passyunk AveAbout a five minute walk from my place. You can buy beer and wine (but not liquor) at this grocery store.
Whole Foods Market
929 South StFoodery
324 S 10th StHuge selection of craft beers for takeout.
Getting Around
Closest subway station--you can get the Broad Street Line here, which runs south to the stadium and northeast through Northern Liberties and Fishtown to Frankford Terminal.
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Walnut-Locust station
200 S Broad StClosest subway station--you can get the Broad Street Line here, which runs south to the stadium and northeast through Northern Liberties and Fishtown to Frankford Terminal.
Automated docking station for rental bikes in the park. Rides are $4 per half hour, and bikes can be dropped off at any station. See rideindego.com for station map.
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Louis I. Kahn Park
Automated docking station for rental bikes in the park. Rides are $4 per half hour, and bikes can be dropped off at any station. See rideindego.com for station map.
Shopping
Gifts, clothing, accessories, fancy chocolates, Philly-themed items that aren't tacky souvenirs. Also check out Open House across the street--similar vibe but more of a focus on decor and home goods.
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Verde
108 S 13th StGifts, clothing, accessories, fancy chocolates, Philly-themed items that aren't tacky souvenirs. Also check out Open House across the street--similar vibe but more of a focus on decor and home goods.
Parks & Nature
Great for people-watching during the summer months, farmers' market on Saturdays from 10-2 year round.
620 locals raden deze aan
Rittenhouse Square
135 S 18th StGreat for people-watching during the summer months, farmers' market on Saturdays from 10-2 year round.
Drinks & Nightlife
Unexpected and unique craft cocktails, drink list is the size of a short novel.
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The Franklin Bar
1715 S 18th StUnexpected and unique craft cocktails, drink list is the size of a short novel.
There's always something different going on upstairs. Tuesday nights are West Philadelphia Orchestra's Balkan Dance Party--a brass band of 10-ish people play joyful and exuberant gypsy jazz/klezmer/traditionally inspired Eastern European music, and those who wish to do so get in their enthusiastic and sweaty dancing. Other nights are typically burlesque shows (including some with male performers), other local bands, occasional theater events.
20 locals raden deze aan
Franky Bradley's
1320 Chancellor StThere's always something different going on upstairs. Tuesday nights are West Philadelphia Orchestra's Balkan Dance Party--a brass band of 10-ish people play joyful and exuberant gypsy jazz/klezmer/traditionally inspired Eastern European music, and those who wish to do so get in their enthusiastic and sweaty dancing. Other nights are typically burlesque shows (including some with male performers), other local bands, occasional theater events.
Good DJ's (primarily old school hip hop on most nights I've been) and a packed dance floor. No cover.
10 locals raden deze aan
Saint Lazarus Bar
102 W Girard AveGood DJ's (primarily old school hip hop on most nights I've been) and a packed dance floor. No cover.
Dance club upstairs is open after 10pm Thursday-Saturday. Friday nights are particularly good--expect the DJ to mix some Jackson Five in with Tupac and James Brown. Weird but great decor that will remind you of your grandmother's house. Downstairs bar is dedicated to showing international soccer (or "football" if you're not American).
18 locals raden deze aan
The 700
700 N 2nd StDance club upstairs is open after 10pm Thursday-Saturday. Friday nights are particularly good--expect the DJ to mix some Jackson Five in with Tupac and James Brown. Weird but great decor that will remind you of your grandmother's house. Downstairs bar is dedicated to showing international soccer (or "football" if you're not American).