Staying in Rittenhouse Sq for a few days (Philadelphia, Reading: city hall, hotel)

[jasonb885]

Hello.

I'm taking the train down from Boston and staying in Rittenhouse Sq from Saturday through Wednesday. Any recommendations on things to do in the area that don't require a car? It's my first time in Philadelphia as an adult.

Thank you.

[kidphilly]

What do you like to do, Rittenhouse gives you the ability to walk to almost everything in the city core weather permitting.


Do you like museums, history, eating (what kind), going out? etc?

[Patmcpsu]

The museums are not far away, and the best bet for nearby entertainment. Rittenhouse Square is a shopping/nightlife/restaurants hotspot, if you're into that, but it's a little too stuffy for my taste. I do recommend Helium Comedy Club if you're into stand-up.

Old City is on the east end of town, and that's where the historical sights are. The shopping/nightlife/restaurant scene is also strong there, but more "trendy" than "stuffy".

[KansastoSouthphilly]

I recommend checking out the Barnes foundation and springing for the audio tour. Check out the Mutter Museum. Head over to Old City and check out the many historical sites and museums. You could easily spend a whole day just in old city. You will definitely want to walk over to reading terminal market at some point.


I also recomend visiting eastern state penitentiary in the fairmount neighborhood and recommend checking out the Italian market though you might want to uber it to both if you are not used to walking long distance.


If you like interesting food I would check out the dizengoff location on sansom between 16th and 17th st. It is truly delicious. Carvers also has great cheesesteaks near 18th and Chestnut. Randstead room is fun if you like cocktails in a speakeasy environment. If you like craft beer and Mussels Monks at 16 and Spruce is world famous.


Since you are staying in Rittenhouse there is a virtually unlimited number of bars and restaurants a short walk away.

[jasonb885]

Originally Posted by kidphilly

What do you like to do, Rittenhouse gives you the ability to walk to almost everything in the city core weather permitting.


Do you like museums, history, eating (what kind), going out? etc?

Definitely the historical amenities interest me. As for food, I generally into Indian, Lebanese, Turkish, Thai, Vietnamese, and Pizza. I'm bringing my dSLR for photography. In Boston, we have the Freedom Walk which meanders past most of the major historical sites in in downtown proper. Anything like that in Philadelphia?

My approach for travel seems of late seems to be, go somewhere and just see what happens. So I don't have any specific plans. It can be nice just to get away for a long weekend.

The weather looks decent Saturday, Sunday, Monday. It looks less good on Tuesday and Wednesday. Is snow an issue in the area? In Boston the city continues much as if it isn't snowing.

[KansastoSouthphilly]

Originally Posted by jasonb885

Definitely the historical amenities interest me. As for food, I generally into Indian, Lebanese, Turkish, Thai, Vietnamese, and Pizza. I'm bringing my dSLR for photography. In Boston, we have the Freedom Walk which meanders past most of the major historical sites in in downtown proper. Anything like that in Philadelphia?

My approach for travel seems of late seems to be, go somewhere and just see what happens. So I don't have any specific plans. It can be nice just to get away for a long weekend.

The weather looks decent Saturday, Sunday, Monday. It looks less good on Tuesday and Wednesday. Is snow an issue in the area? In Boston the city continues much as if it isn't snowing.

If you like Lebanese food you should definitely make it a point to try out Suraya in the fishtown section of the city. It is exceptional. You will need reservations though.

[Patmcpsu]

Originally Posted by jasonb885

Definitely the historical amenities interest me. As for food, I generally into Indian, Lebanese, Turkish, Thai, Vietnamese, and Pizza. I'm bringing my dSLR for photography. In Boston, we have the Freedom Walk which meanders past most of the major historical sites in in downtown proper. Anything like that in Philadelphia?

You definitely belong in Old City. If it's not too late, change your hotel to that part of town, because that's where you'll find yourself mostly.

The hottest restaurant in Philly is Zahav, which is Israeli food in Old City. It's tough to get a reservation there, but try your best. If you fail at that and are in a small party, you can try sitting at the bar first-come-first-serve. If you have an Amex Platinum Card, their reps are supposedly good at getting reservations there. It's a little expensive but not insane.

Amada is another well-known Philly restaurant (maybe past its prime though) in Old City, which is Spanish but kind of close to what you described. Amada is more expensive than Zahav.

I would definitely trust the ethnic food scene in Old City over Rittenhouse. Rittenhouse has some, but most restaurants there are more "old money" type.

[PHL10]

Even if you spend losts of time in Old City, staying in Rittenhouse is fine. I like your approach of just showing up and see what you find and get a feel for the place - I like to travel like that as well.

Visitphilly.com is great site and take a look at the map which shows all the major attractions in Center City.


https://www.visitphilly.com/maps-dir...nloadable-maps

[rowhomecity]

Welcome.

Check out.

Art Museum.
Barnes.
Rodin.
Boathouse Row.
Mural Arts Tour.
Old City and all its historic sites and wonderful galleries.
Society Hill.
Queen Village. - Check out Neighborhood Ramen!!
Dmitris is also good in Queen Village and in the quaint and historic part of the neighborhood. Its a BYO.
City Hall. Go on a tour. And pay for the elevator ride to the top. Building took 30 years to build. Was the tallest building in the world when completed. Largest muncipal building in the USA.

I can keep going. But id say this is a good start.

[Pine to Vine]

No one has mentioned Reading Terminal Market, Philadelphia‘s top tourist draw, pulling in even more visitors than the Liberty Bell. Unlike Faneuil Hall in Boston, RTM primarily functions as a market for locals and not as a tourist trap seeking refrigerator magnets and Cheers mugs. Definitely worth a stop.