How to go on a proper Philly Adventure

My Personal Philly Bucket List

One of the biggest highlights of living in Philly-or any city really- is that there is always a TON to do. They have stuff for everyone-museums, fun activities, delectable foods, strong drinks, and coffee shops aplenty.

Museums

• The Franklin Institute: Easily one of my favorite places in Philly. A science museum with plenty of hands-on activities. While this is generally geared towards families with kids, I definitely went a few times with friends. A wonderful way to bring out your inner child. The Astronaut Ice Cream in the gift shop is an absolute must-have. The last time I went, the IMAX theater was still closed due to COVID. But if you have the chance to watch an IMAX film, do it. It’s an incredible feeling of being completely immersed in your surroundings, and the next-closest thing to virtual reality.
• The Academy of Natural Sciences: Part of Drexel University and the oldest natural science museum in the Americas. Perhaps the coolest thing in this museum is the dioramas, displays of taxidermied animals in their natural habitats. It feels like being in a zoo of sorts. A zoo frozen in time is the best way to describe it.
• The Museum of the American Revolution: To me, this felt like I was in my 8th-grade social studies class all over again, but on steroids. Take a step back in time to learn about the Revolution-how the war came to be, some of the major battles, the challenges faced by Indigenous People, how black people were treated during the war, and plenty more. For all you tea people out there, they have a “cocoa tea” in the gift shop that is surprisingly tasty. I expected it to taste like watered-down hot chocolate but it doesn’t. Rather, it’s a refreshing tea that has just the right amount of sweetness (in my personal preference).
• The Art Museum: There is so much to say about the art museum and so little time, though I feel it speaks for itself. An overwhelming amount of artwork that seemingly never ends. Don’t fret if you can’t see it all at once- a general admission ticket works for two days. I spent a few hours there once and barely scratched the surface of what there is to see. I’d recommend going on the first Sunday of the month or Friday nights for free admission.
• The Mütter Museum: Go here if you have a strong stomach and a desire to look at weird stuff. I, for one, do not have a strong stomach and felt a bit faint about halfway through. That’s about all I’m willing to say about that. Very fascinating museum nonetheless though, with a room of human skulls, an area of bizarre bone deformities, and the largest human poop.
• The Liberty Bell Center: It’s a whole National Historic Park. In the middle of Philly. Can’t get much better than that. Pack a lunch to enjoy on the green, and be prepared to wait in line for a while to see the actual liberty bell. I haven’t actually been in the museum portion of it, the outdoor section is pretty fascinating.
• Penn Museum: Another one of my favorite museums in Philly- a lot of global history, ranging from the Aztecs to Africa to Asia. The Ancient Egypt exhibit is perhaps the most profound though-they have real mummies there. Like, those are the bodies of actual people who once lived on this earth. It really strikes you when you come across the first one, and leaves you with a bit of existential dread.
• Independence Seaport Museum: Ok so I still haven’t actually been to this museum but my brother and I did go to their submarine. The sub was an interesting experience-picturing yourself hundreds of feet underwater in this cramped sub and trying to not die in a war. Surreal for sure. I’m sure the museum is great too I just haven’t made it there yet :/

Some museums that I wanted to visit but haven’t made my way to yet (unfortunately) are the Rodin Museum, the Barnes Foundation, and the National Museum of American Jewish History, though there are plenty of other museums to check out. Philly is a wonderful city for all history buffs out there.

Activities

This is kinda a broad category of things you definitely gotta go to while in Philly, just because. I could go on and on about what there is to do in terms of random activities but these are my top recs.

• Blue Cross Riverrink: They have a Summerfest and a Winterfest-so no matter when you go there’s plenty of fun for the whole family. It’s a roller-skating rink in the summer and an ice skating rink in the winter. There are plenty of activities ranging from mini-golf to amusement park games, to food and drinks aplenty. And right on the river too.
• Eastern State Penitentiary: Ok so this does fall into the museum category as well but I’m putting it here for their “Terror Behind the Walls” in October. As a museum, it’s dope as hell–plenty to see and learn about (you get to see Al Capone’s cell) and it’s cool to wander the grounds and pretend you’re in an episode of Orange Is the New Black. I haven’t done “Terror Behind the Walls” but I’ll be damned if I don’t make it there this October since everyone raves about it.
• Mural tour: They have a proper mural tour for the city, but it’s honestly just really nice to walk around and enjoy the inspiring murals throughout the city. There is so much incredible talent casually strewn across buildings.
• Kimmel Center for Performance: I saw John Mulaney here. 10/10 would recommend. Great for all theater nerds out there, as well as anyone into comedy, orchestra, and plenty more.
• Dilworth Park: It’s kind of hard to miss Dilworth Park while in Philly. It surrounds city hall and hosts plenty of events throughout the year. I would highly recommend going during December when it turns into a giant Winter Village full of shops to purchase holiday gifts for friends and family.
• The Magic Gardens: I feel like this could be classified as a museum because of the indoor section but I’m putting it under fun activities because it doesn’t feel super museum-y. Jaw-dropping mosaic artwork by Isaiah Zagar and there’s nothing else quite like it. It feels like you’re getting dropped into a maze in an I SPY book.
• Night Life: Y’all there is so much to do if you’re over 21 in Philly. I didn’t go out much because I was bartending most nights until 3 AM. Given that, I don’t think I’m necessarily the best person to give advice on where to go. That said, if you identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community, it’s a rite of passage to go to Woody’s Gay Bar. At least once. There are other gay bars in the area, but I found that as a queer woman specifically there were rarely other women at other bars so usually I stuck to Woody’s.
• Manayunk Main Street: So many restaurants and quaint little shops to check out, as well as a path that runs along the Schuykill River, with the opportunity to see turtles. Doesn’t get much better than that in my opinion. My personal fave place is Valerio Coffee Roasters right on Main Street.
• Cherry Street Pier: Definitely a place where you have to look ahead of time to see what events are planned. Feminist flea markets, dance parties, a gorgeous beer garden, and studio spaces for artists to work/display their artwork. There is always something going on.
• Watch a Sporting Event: Football, hockey, baseball, basketball, no matter the sport, Philly games are iconic. Philadelphia sports fans are truly on another level, and for proof of that, look no further than when the Eagles won the Super Bowl back in 2018.

Restaurants/Coffee Shops

Philly has great food. A lot of it. Like, a lot a lot. These are my favorite haunts from my time in Philly (restaurants and coffee shops alike) and I’m sure you’ll find one that fits your fancy. Don’t hate on me if I didn’t get the “real good places or whatever” this is a wholly personal preference. I’m not much of a foodie, so these are just the places that stuck out for me. Trust me, there are a TON of places that I still want to go to but haven’t made it there yet.

• Angelo’s Pizzaria: Ok Ok so I know the whole “Pat’s and Gino’s” debate about who has the best Philly cheesesteak and how you “have to try both of them” but imagine my surprise when I learned that most Philadelphians feel kinda “eh” about them. I still haven’t been. You wanna know a phenomenal Philly Cheesesteak place though? Angelo’s. Right on 9th and Fitzwater and the best Philly Cheesesteak I’ve ever had.
• Sampan: The best way to explain Sampan is pan-Asian appetizers. I think they have bigger plates too, but every time I went, my friends and I would just get a bunch of the appetizers and split them. They’re SO GOOD too. While you’re there, check out the graffiti bar in the back it’s really fascinating and the bartenders there are really great.
• Tom’s Dim Sum: Tastiest Dim Sum in the city, for sure. If I had the money I’d go there every. Single. Day. The dumplings are delicious and definitely a must-try, though everything on the menu is pretty good.
• McGillan’s: The oldest running tavern in Philly- and for good reason. Great food, great vibes, and great drinks. Warning though: the ciders will get you very hungover. I learned that one the hard way, unfortunately.
• Reading Terminal Market: Another absolute must-see in Philly. A staple of Philadelphia, Reading Terminal Market is a ginormous indoor market with food stalls of all kinds, deli meats, fresh food, coffee, and gifts. One of their merchants, Luhv, sells 100% vegan deli meats, for those of you who may be interested.
• Fresh Donuts: Y’all gotta try their apple fritters here. Hands down the best apple fritters out there. As someone from NJ who is rather proud of our bagels, Fresh Donuts does pretty well on their breakfast sandwiches. Also, everything there is dirt cheap, so you know it’s gonna be hella good. I’d recommend calling ahead of time.
• Moshulu: If you’re looking for a fancy date night right on the water, look no further- Moshulu is your spot. Bit pricey, but well worth it. Should probably be a fan of seafood to go here.
• Cake and Joe: One of the coolest coffee shops in the city, in my humble opinion. And I’ve been to quite a few. The presentation for their pastries is to die for, coffee is pretty good, and they have “calpis,” a Japanese drink that tastes kinda like yogurt. Unsure how exactly to describe it but it was quite fascinating to me.
• Dizengoff: If you’re a hummus fan, please go here. Outside of hummus, they don’t have much else but this is perfect for a light, mouth-watering snack or lunch.
• Bar Bombón: Ideal for anyone with a vegan diet-100% of menu items are vegan. But it doesn’t taste vegan it’s kinda wild. I was convinced their cheese was real cheese… but it’s not. Very tasty food, very wonderful experience.
• Nine Ting Restaurant: Y’all I had never heard of hot pot or had any idea of what it was prior to going to Nine Ting, and let me tell you, it was an EXPERIENCE. For those of you who don’t know what it is, think of a Hibachi grill where you’re your own chef. All you can eat. Bring a bunch of friends and your own alcohol for a night to remember.
• Lil Nonna’s: Some of the best Italian food in the city, if not the best. The garlic bread is truly a gift from heaven, and I will stand by that until the day I die.

Philly Advice

• Have a student ID? Bring it with you to the museums for a discount. I graduated from college last year, but I still brought my ID everywhere with me and definitely saved myself a good couple of bucks.
• If you’re looking to save a couple of bucks and don’t mind walking a bit through the neighborhoods, peek around for free parking. Spot Angels (I love this app) is great at helping you find those places, though of course, double-check the signs just in case. And if a neighborhood doesn’t feel safe, it’s probably not. Septa (their public transportation system) can take you just about anywhere and google maps is great at telling you what bus/subway/trolley to get on/where.
• When using Septa, be aware of the pass you’re purchasing. The first time I accidentally somehow managed to purchase a week pass for $25 and then used it exactly once. Don’t ask how but it was a huge waste. I think they have weekend options, but definitely plot out where you’re going to figure out if it’s worth it to do that or just get a new pass every time you’re using it. Cards are available at the trolley, subway, and train stations, but not the random stops throughout the city, so if you’re taking the bus and don’t have a pass, bring $2.50 with ya per trip. Exact change, I’m pretty sure.
• BE AWARE OF YOUR SURROUNDINGS. I grew up in a town where not a lot of crime happened, so moving to Philly honestly scared the sh-daylights out of me. Bring pepper spray with you, but be aware that most bars will take it if they find you have it on you. Same with sporting events. I lost a good canister of pepper spray this way RIP. Just be smart with what you’re doing, who you’re talking to, and where you’re walking.
• Along with that, if a neighborhood feels sketchy, it’s probably sketchy, and you should probably leave.
• If you’re planning on drinking, bring your ID (obv), and make sure other people with you have theirs/are 21 if you’re close to the drinking age. In Pennsylvania, all people at the table have to be 21 or older for someone to have a drink, unless it’s like, parents and their kids or something. Went on a date and my date didn’t have her ID, so even though we were both over 21, I wasn’t allowed to drink. Bit of a bizarre rule but something to keep in mind.
• Bit of bartending advice: for the love of God, please know what you’re ordering before getting up to the bar, especially at a nightclub when it’s busy. Us bartenders have a constant line of people, so make it easier for everyone and don’t ask what we recommend. It will either be a vodka soda or a $42 shot of Don Julio 1942 depending on our mood. Along with that, tip your bartenders/servers. Please.
• Have fun! Walk around places, stop at all the cute shops that strike your fancy (Open House is probably my favorite), and be sure to check in to see what events are happening while you’re there. You never know what you’ll find in the city.

Alright y’all, I think that’s about everything I’ve got for Philly! I’m sure there’s some stuff that I’m missing, but that’ll get you started. Above everything, plan your trip ahead of time but keep an open mind, and it’ll be a blast.

If you enjoyed this, take a look at my Resources page where I’ll have other bucket list ideas and plenty more fun stuff!

Until next time,
-MAC