Guidebook for Philadelphia
Food Scene
If you're feeling adventurous, try the Americola: two shots of espresso + Mexican Coca Cola. They also serve normal café things.
43 locals recommend
The Green Line Cafe
4426 Locust StIf you're feeling adventurous, try the Americola: two shots of espresso + Mexican Coca Cola. They also serve normal café things.
Affordable yet delicious Lebanese restaurant with the city's best baklava and other Lebanese desserts.
49 locals recommend
Manakeesh Cafe Bakery & Grill
4420 Walnut StAffordable yet delicious Lebanese restaurant with the city's best baklava and other Lebanese desserts.
You probably wouldn't think that waiting for a humongous sandwich for a half hour would be fun, but the folks at Koch's make it worth your while with free samplings and general ridiculousness.
10 locals recommend
Koch's Deli
618 Locust StYou probably wouldn't think that waiting for a humongous sandwich for a half hour would be fun, but the folks at Koch's make it worth your while with free samplings and general ridiculousness.
Some of the city's best burritos and tacos. Enjoy it while sitting in the outdoor parklet.
72 locals recommend
Honest Tom's Plant Based Taco Shop
261 S 44th StSome of the city's best burritos and tacos. Enjoy it while sitting in the outdoor parklet.
"Gourmet popsicles with flavors like Vietnamese Iced Coffee, Key Lime Pie, and Grapefruit Rosemary."
32 locals recommend
Lil Pop Shop
265 S 44th St"Gourmet popsicles with flavors like Vietnamese Iced Coffee, Key Lime Pie, and Grapefruit Rosemary."
Tampopo
269 S 44th St"Delicious, quick, and affordable Korean/Japanese food."
A more upscale experience but for very reasonable rices. Delicious Mediterranean food. I suggest going there for brunch.
57 locals recommend
Aksum
4630 Baltimore AveA more upscale experience but for very reasonable rices. Delicious Mediterranean food. I suggest going there for brunch.
Local 44
4333 Spruce StreetClassy and trendy neighborhood bar with great food.
Get a flight to sample six (extremely) whacky flavors at this popular ice cream spot, such as Birch Beer Vanilla Bean, Mint Julep, Balsamic Banana, Earl Grey Sriracha, and Smoked Cinnamon.
46 locals recommend
Little Baby's Ice Cream - Cedar Park Embassy
4903 Catharine StGet a flight to sample six (extremely) whacky flavors at this popular ice cream spot, such as Birch Beer Vanilla Bean, Mint Julep, Balsamic Banana, Earl Grey Sriracha, and Smoked Cinnamon.
Essentials
Supreme Shop n Bag
4301 Walnut StNearby everyday grocery store.
Excellent grocery store with organic and local goods. Non produce items can be pricey.
146 locals recommend
Mariposa Food Co-op
4824 Baltimore AveExcellent grocery store with organic and local goods. Non produce items can be pricey.
CVS
4314 Locust StDrinks & Nightlife
One of the city's best brewpubs and pizzerias. Sit outside on a nice day for a classic West Philly experience.
156 locals recommend
Dock Street Brewing Co
701 S 50th StOne of the city's best brewpubs and pizzerias. Sit outside on a nice day for a classic West Philly experience.
Bottle Shop at Local 44
4329 Spruce StCarries a variety of rare brews.
This attic of a dive bar offers a surprisingly deep selection of beers and whiskeys. Jazz performances Sunday nights, and bluegrass Thursday nights. It's a small space, so it can get very cramped during popular times.
56 locals recommend
Abyssinia Restaurant
229 S 45th StThis attic of a dive bar offers a surprisingly deep selection of beers and whiskeys. Jazz performances Sunday nights, and bluegrass Thursday nights. It's a small space, so it can get very cramped during popular times.
Parks & Nature
Get your fill of fresh, local produce and artisanal goods at the city's best farmers market (Thursdays and Saturdays). Also: bocce, LARPing, and craft markets.
188 locals recommend
Clark Park
4300-4398 Baltimore AveGet your fill of fresh, local produce and artisanal goods at the city's best farmers market (Thursdays and Saturdays). Also: bocce, LARPing, and craft markets.
The best people watching in the city. This place always feels welcoming and cozy, if a little rough around the edges, filled with all kinds of people. Bring a book, some food, or just yourself. You can always find a seat. At 18th and Walnut.
620 locals recommend
Rittenhouse Square
135 S 18th StThe best people watching in the city. This place always feels welcoming and cozy, if a little rough around the edges, filled with all kinds of people. Bring a book, some food, or just yourself. You can always find a seat. At 18th and Walnut.
Getting Around
Subway/elevated train (blue "Market Frankford Line") with quick route to north of Penn's campus, Drexel, 30th Street Station, points in Center City, and fun spots in Northern Liberties / Fishtown. Must have exact change ($2.25) or a token.
12 locals recommend
46th Street
Subway/elevated train (blue "Market Frankford Line") with quick route to north of Penn's campus, Drexel, 30th Street Station, points in Center City, and fun spots in Northern Liberties / Fishtown. Must have exact change ($2.25) or a token.
34 Trolley with quick access to Penn, Drexel, 30th Street Station, and Center City as far east at City Hall. Must have exact change ($2.25) or a token.
Baltimore Av & 45th St station
34 Trolley with quick access to Penn, Drexel, 30th Street Station, and Center City as far east at City Hall. Must have exact change ($2.25) or a token.
42 bus provides moderately frequent (every 10-15 minutes) service to Penn, Childrens Hospital, and points in Center City. Must have exact change ($2.25) or a token.
Spruce St & 45th St station
42 bus provides moderately frequent (every 10-15 minutes) service to Penn, Childrens Hospital, and points in Center City. Must have exact change ($2.25) or a token.
21 bus provides moderately frequent (every 10-15 minutes) service to Penn, Drexel, Rittenhouse Square, and points in Center City. Must have exact change ($2.25) or a token.
Chestnut St & 48th St station
21 bus provides moderately frequent (every 10-15 minutes) service to Penn, Drexel, Rittenhouse Square, and points in Center City. Must have exact change ($2.25) or a token.
Entertainment & Activities
During the warmer months, this pop-up park is the coolest spot in the city to hang out. Complete with hammocks, lawn/arcade games, and plenty of beer. It can be a little out of the way, but on a nice day, it's perfect.
317 locals recommend
Spruce Street Harbor Park
301 S Christopher Columbus BlvdDuring the warmer months, this pop-up park is the coolest spot in the city to hang out. Complete with hammocks, lawn/arcade games, and plenty of beer. It can be a little out of the way, but on a nice day, it's perfect.
Hip bowling spot with decent pub foodand good beer. Also has pinball, pool, etc. Lots of great nearby spots for food, live music, and beer. Take the Market Frankford Line (it's the blue one) from 46th and Market or Lyft/Uber.
104 locals recommend
North Bowl Lounge n Lanes
909 N 2nd StHip bowling spot with decent pub foodand good beer. Also has pinball, pool, etc. Lots of great nearby spots for food, live music, and beer. Take the Market Frankford Line (it's the blue one) from 46th and Market or Lyft/Uber.
One of three Ritz theater venues within a few blocks (the other two are Ritz East and Ritz at the Bourse). Great spot if you're into top-notch independent/foreign films.
83 locals recommend
Landmark's Ritz Five
214 Walnut StOne of three Ritz theater venues within a few blocks (the other two are Ritz East and Ritz at the Bourse). Great spot if you're into top-notch independent/foreign films.
Sightseeing
University of Pennsylvania
A beautiful, historic campus. Worth a stroll.