I’m travelling to Philadelphia for a week at the end of May on business. It looks like I’ll have plenty of time to wander around while I’m there. What should I see? Where are the best places to grab a bite to eat? Anything fun or educational or just interesting is fine. Bonus points if it’s something I wouldn’t normally see in a tourist guide. Any other tips for visiting the city you might have are welcome.
Btw, the only definite on my list is Independence NHP.
You are by law required to visit Pat’s Cheesesteaks in South Philly (I forget the exact address). It’s more fun if you do so at 3 a.m.
For fun and education, just run rampant on the Ben Franklin parkway. Start with the Franklin Institute, then the Academy of Natural Sciences, and slowly work your way down to the Art Museum, making sure to check out all the international flags. (You are also required by law to run up the steps of the art museum while poorly singing the “Rocky” theme.) Then spend the rest of the afternoon in Fairmount Park, making sure not to get mugged, and buying one hot dog and one soft pretzel from every street vendor you see.
Also, head down to Vet’s Stadium (won’t be there much longer!) and get yourself some nosebleed seats for a Phillies game if they’re in town. Be sure to take the Fern Rock-Pattison Phillies Express for that true Philly experience.
I really enjoyed the Philadelphia Mint when I visited. Also, of course, there’s Independence National Historical Park, where the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall (where the Declaration of Independence was signed), are along with many other buildings. Everyone knows the painting of the signing of the DofI so seeing the actual room where it happened is quite a remarkable thing. Haven’t been to the other museums, but the Art Museum (forgot the exact name) is excellent.
Depends what you’re interested in. Elfreth’s Alley is reputed to be the oldest continuously-inhabited street in the U.S. The Franklin Institute and the creepy Mütter Museum are fun, and of course there’s the Phila. Museum of Art and the Academy of Fine Arts.
South Street USED to be a nice funky Greenwich Village-type area, but I understand it’s gone downhill in the past decade or so.
The Reading Terminal Market is both fun to wander around AND a great place to get a bite to eat!
Third Street Jazz and Rock used to be one of my favorite record stores anywhere. Is it still open?
You are also required by law to eat lunch at least once during your stay at Reading Terminal Market. If you go later in the week, most of the Amish stands should be open as well.
If you’re in to beer, try out Monk’s Cafe; Belgian beers on tap, lots of other good brews, and great mussels and pommes frites.
South Street is still an interesting place, and you can get a good steak at Jim’s if you don’t feel like journeying into South Philly for Pat’s or Geno’s.
Since all the educational stops were mentioned I’ll cover shopping, dining, and entertainment. Mannyunk is where all the trendy small shops and cafes are; it’s a good place to wander around on a nice afternoon. As ResIpsaLoquitor mentioned, Pat’s Steaks are great, but I’m partial to Jim’s Steaks on South Street (double cheese and extra onions by request). While you’re on South Street, check out TLA video they have all the artsy films you won’t find anywhere else. If you’re interested in a fine evening out I recommend drinks at Tangerine or Cube Libre in Old City and dinner at Buddhakahn, Pod, or Mory Moto’s (all trendy “neo-ethnic” restaurants owned by Steven Star – mostly 20-30 something’s frequent these places) or for less trendy but more upscale continental food try Fork, its excellent. If you’re really a high roller there’s always the Fountain Room at the Four Seasons. As for entertainment, Fluid is a decent, small club, and Silk City Lounge is small, intimate locale known for great music. If you want a loud, obnoxious, enormous party filled with loose women (you never specified your tastes) try Rock Lobster or Egypt on Delaware Ave. There is also a Dave and Busters in that area (if you don’t have one near you, its a large bar/restaurant/video arcade). That’s pretty much all I can think of, I love Philly – Go Sixers!
You are also required by statute to visit Penn’s Landing and the Liberty Bell.
Delaware Avenue is decent for clubbing if you’re able to handle semi-rough areas. If you’re willing to go a bit farther, there’s always the USS New Jersy over in Camden, or Valley Forge National Park, or even Longwood (I’d be happy t o guide you around that place!) if you’re up for some amazing plants and greenhouses.
Thanks everyone. These are very good ideas.
Acutally, Independence Hall is where both the Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution were debated and signed. The silver inkstand in the front of the room is the genuine articke – it was used in 1776 and again in 1787 to sign both documents, respectively. On regular occasion I used to carry in gloved hands to and from the safe.
If you want a bit of off-beat and peculiar history see the Senate Chamber on the second floor of Congress Hall next to Independence Hall (Philly was the US Capitol for ten years), and the back galleries (if open to the public) of the Second Bank of the United States. Try and find a long time ranger in the park willing to talk about the real ghosts in those areas. (Yeah, yeah I hear you skeptic Dopers!) I spent considerable time in both places during business hours and after hours, and have personal experience with things supernatural there. I know of many, many people, including visitors, who have “experienced” things in those areas.
Unfortunately, the Hill, Physick Keith [sic] House not far from Independence Square is not open at night. If it were I guarantee you would experience things to make your hair stand on end. I spent two weeks babysitting the House while the curator and his wife (friends) were on holidays. The House was closed in the interim and every night the ghosts had parties with music, dancing, moving furniture, etc. Of course, the organization that runs the place will deny everything.
Fairmount Park Trolley Tour, if it’s still running is a good way to see a lot of sights and not have to take cabs or public transport.
Generally, you want to stay out of North Philly (safety wise) but South, West are fine.
I also really enjoy the Please Touch Museum myself.
[sub] I almost typed "The Please Touch Myself Museum. [/sub]
Go to the art museum and do the Rocky Run up the steps.
Well, thanks for the tips. I got back a few days ago. I was only able to spend 3 days and 3 nights in the city and not the whole week I was hoping for. Here’s what I was able to do when I wasn’t attending conferences.
I stayed at the Loew’s Hotel in the PSFS building - that was architecturally interesting, but I didn’t have time to tour the upper levels. It’s listed as a 4-star hotel, but the service was anything but …
On the first full day I was able to visit Independence National Park - Independence Hall, Independence Square, the Visitor Center, and the Liberty Bell. I understand security down there is a little nuts - but I waited in line for an hour to get into the Hall - and there were about a dozen rangers wandering around doing nothing to speed the process along. In the evening I wandered around Center City, the Old City, and the theatre district. My coworker and I stopped in at a hole in the wall restaurant and bar for dinner where I learned a valuable lesson about finding out what kind of place it might be ahead of time 
The food was great though.
On Day Two, I stopped in at the Mint, but was turned away by a security guard who thought I would find the gift shop a lot more interesting than the now off-limits tour. In the early evening, I visited Reading Terminal Market for a bite to eat and then took a long walk down the parkway to the Philadelphia Museum of Art, stopping at the Rodin Museum along the way. Except for the concert int he main hall, there was ahrdly a soul in the place. I was shadowed by security guards in every single room and given conflicting advice by several of them. It was like they’d never seen a guy with a backpack before! Fascinating place, though. I hadn’t realized the collection was THAT good. A whole room full of Monet. wow. I could have easily spent two days there. Some of my best photos from the trip were taken at the museum.
On Day Three, I went to the Washington Square / Dock St area to photograph more colonial buildings including Carpenters Hall and Elfreth’s Alley. I was too early to get into the 2nd national portrait gallery and the Exchange is no longer open to the public. I had dinner at McCormick’s, not bad, but Legal Seafood is better. That evening I went to Penn’s Landing and then to the Seaport Museum for a private party. I had been walking everywhere, but this time I took the subway and got off just before all the nightclubs and cafes. Got some great night photos of the Ben Franklin bridge, Penn’s Landing and the old warships. I didn’t have time to visit the museum during the day, though.
I did a LOT of walking on this trip to see the real city, so I saw a lot of people as well as a few landmarks along the way. I was surprised at the number of sidewalk vendors, protesters, and aggressive panhandlers. It was worse Boston! I was also surprised at how quickly the city shuts down in the evening. Excepting bars, almost nothing is open past 5pm. Unfortunately service was generally poor in most places. I had breakfast in the hotel restaurant, which was supposed to be a good pick but it took twenty minutes to get an order taken and half an hour to be served what amounted to toast with very few customers in the place and no apologies from management. In other places, service was slow and unfriendly as though they couldn’t be bothered to deal with actual customers. Rangers and security guards were surly for no particular reason. Walking through the museum, I felt like a known shoplifter. On the positive side, it’s a very cosmopolitan city. It’s as interesting or more so than Boston, the nearest big city I’m familiar with and have lived in. Lots of interesting things to do and see during the day. The museums alone would keep me busy for a week or more. When the security situation is squared awaya nd construction is finished, the old city will be a lot more fun. Although my first visit to the city was a tempered success, I’m excited enough about what I saw to convince Mrs. evilhanz that we should take a personal trip to the city. She’ll get a big kick out of seeing the Wannamaker building when I start singing " … and we can BUILD this bridge together …". 
Oh by the way, what the heck is a Wawas?
Wawa is a chain of convienence stores, centered in the Delaware Valley. Notable for each store’s faux-stone facade, and the included deli.
Wawa - convenience store chain, privately owned with an outstanding reputation locally and by many visitors. Based in Wawa, PA…this is a dairy company turned convenienve store.
They are spreading through the Northeast.
Wawa = Goose (flying goose?) in a local Native American language. A flying goose is part of the company logo.
Many professionals, consultants visit my office annually, and they become faithful Wawa patrons.