non touristy things to do? (Philadelphia, Washington: hotels, neighborhoods, theater)

[deebin]

Apart from all the touristy things to do, what are other things a visitor should do in Philadelphia?

[Dangerous-Boy]

the philly judo club

[cpomp]

Eat and drink in various neighborhoods. There is so much good food throughout the city.

[Muinteoir]

Just as a plug, many of the “touristy” things, such as the Art and Rodin Museum, Constitution Hall, South Philly Barbacoa, are totally worth it.

I’d highly suggest checking out the Clark Park neighbored, an area few tourists think to visit. It is a charming park with many events, public chess, etc. After going to an event there, you can walk to the shops, bars and restaurants along Baltimore Ave. I highly suggest Dahlak for Ethiopian, Cedar Park Cafe for breakfast, and Dock Steet Brewery for local brews.
http://www.friendsofclarkpark.org/ca...in-clark-park/

Germantown is also often overlooked by visitors and it is highly historical. You can check out the rad cafe and bookstore “Uncle Bobbie’s Coffee and Books” and head out for a hike in the wild Wissahickon Park, if that’s your thing.

Enjoy!

[kyb01]

Originally Posted by deebin

Apart from all the touristy things to do, what are other things a visitor should do in Philadelphia?

There are theaters that show non general public movies.

The waterfront area: Spruce Harbor Park, Summerfest, Cherry Street Pier, Race St Pier, Fringe

A real Chinatown.

The Rail Park

Go to neighborhoods that aren't in the obvious historic core: Manayunk, Queen Village, Fishtown, N. Liberties, Fairmount

There are dozens of restaurants. Don't stick to boring chains.

[kyb01]

Originally Posted by Muinteoir

Just as a plug, many of the “touristy” things, such as the Art and Rodin Museum, Constitution Hall, South Philly Barbacoa, are totally worth it.

I’d highly suggest checking out the Clark Park neighbored, an area few tourists think to visit. It is a charming park with many events, public chess, etc. After going to an event there, you can walk to the shops, bars and restaurants along Baltimore Ave. I highly suggest Dahlak for Ethiopian, Cedar Park Cafe for breakfast, and Dock Steet Brewery for local brews.
http://www.friendsofclarkpark.org/ca...in-clark-park/

Germantown is also often overlooked by visitors and it is highly historical. You can check out the rad cafe and bookstore “Uncle Bobbie’s Coffee and Books” and head out for a hike in the wild Wissahickon Park, if that’s your thing.

Enjoy!

Rather than "Constitution Hall" I think you mean either Independence Hall or the Constitution Center.

[Muinteoir]

Originally Posted by kyb01

Rather than "Constitution Hall" I think you mean either Independence Hall or the Constitution Center.

Haha thanks

[chessimprov]

80s Escape Room, restaurants on 13th St., explore Fabric Row for its Fabrics, try any cheesesteak place that is NOT Pat's, Geno's, or Jim's on South St. (I like Jim's), look for local area gatherings through meetup.com

[PHLondoner]

Explore some of Center City's 'hoods like Rittenhouse or Fitler Square or Society Hill.

I'm still shocked at how infrequently I see tourists exploring a place like Rittenhouse Square. Wander down Delancey from 18th Street to the River, etc. I live in Fitler Square and have never, to my knowledge, seen a tourist there. These are gorgeous urban spaces with their own amenities. Even Society Hill - basically a perfectly preserved 18th Century paradise - the amount of tourists you'll see on a Tuesday afternoon is minimal, and often contained to buggy riders. I rarely see tourists on the Schuylkill River Trail -w which is one of the city's best (and with the boardwalk unique) amenities.

The City does a poor job promoting itself - so these beautiful spaces - within a few blocks of the hotels where most tourists are staying - go completely unnoticed. Meanwhile, they are crawling up and down a decidely ugly stretch of Market and Chestnut East in droves.

This is typically how I travel as well. I've visited places like Paris and Madrid so many times that I've long since abandoned doing "touristy" things. I pick a neighborhood that I haven't explored yet and walk/eat/drink my way thru it for an afternoon. Experience how the locals eat/drink/live for a day.

[KansastoSouthphilly]

Take a walk on Forbidden Drive. Try some of the side trails if you feel up to it. Check out Morris arboretum. Walk along Germantown Avenue in Chestnut Hill. Grab a beer at Earth Bread Brewery or McMenamins in Mt. Airy. Grab coffee at Uncle Bobbies in Germantown.


Check out a comedy show at "good good" theatre in Chinatown. Go dancing with hipsters at the Barbary or 700 club. Go bowling North Bowl. Eat your way through the immigrant restaurants in N 5th Street in Olney. Enjoy cheap drinks at either Dirty Franks or Rays Happy Birthday Bar. Check out the African Restaurants in West Philly. Do karaoke at Queen of Sheba. Eat your way through east passyunk and don't forget the wonderful Vietnamese cuisine on Washington Ave, Mexican food in the Italian market, and Indonesian throughout. Enjoy a whimsically named beer at Evil Genius. Walk as much as you can.