Philadelphia in June

[johnpsanderson]

Thanks to a work trip I have an opportunity to grab a few free days in Philadelphia. Any top tips on things worth doing there (it’ll be early June)?

I’ve already clocked that they *do* have a NASCAR race up there but not until a bit later on. Other than that I’ve no fixed ideas apart from ‘not massively expensive’ and I don’t want to travel around a lot so not bothered about hopping on a flight for 24hrs madness in Vegas or anything like that…

[belleair302]

Philly can be a pretty rough city and has its troubles. Obviously the Liberty Bell is a must see. The are some heart attack restaurants, baseball game, run up the Rocky stairs, South Street nightlife, Al Capone prison, explore the craft beer scene, Segway tour , go to the Camden Aquarium just across the river in NJ, go to Amish Country just east of Philly, book a day drag Racing in Reading about an hour away, visit Valley Forge for the independence experience. Penn Museum is good, do a serial killer tour, walk Elfreth Alley the oldest street in the USA, brewery tour downtown, and my favorite is Diggerland operating full sized JCBs and other construction kit.

[johnpsanderson]

Thanks for the pointers, much appreciated!

[gregch]

Depending where you're based (I guess if travelling on business likely Market St area?), Rittenhouse is pretty nice - decent 'French' restaurant Parc right on the square, which in June will be very pleasant. There's also, in that area, the Dandelion - a surprisingly accurate American take on a 'British-style' pub complete with horse brasses, Bombardier on draft and chicken tikka masala. Sadly the Hop Sing Laundromat (was the coolest/oddest bar in town a few years back) I think is defunct these days.

Worth actually going into the museum of art, if you're going to pose on the 'Rocky' steps - there's some amazing stuff in there. Nearby the Barnes Foundation has tons of Renoir etc that's not my thing at all but the building is an impressive bit of modern architecture.

Obvs the olde worlde touristy bit "historic district" around the liberty bell is worth a walk around, if you fancy it. And have yourself a cheesesteak (with wizz, natch). Could go see some baseball (Phillies)?

Also very easy to hire a car and drive out to the west of the city, where you come into leafy suburbs and pretty countryside - and ultimately Amish country.

I've spent a lot of time in Philly, and I'd slightly take issue with the idea that it's universally rough - it has big deprived areas, sure, but you're not going to encounter very much unpleasantness in the city center.

[gregch]

Can't believe in all that verbiage I still forgot to mention FedNuts.

[mattybrown]

Once you have seen Philly you could also hire a car and head south to Washington or go north to Princeton.

[johnpsanderson]

Just to add, in case anyone else comes across this thread, I randomly discovered this place in in Philadelphia, so will try and squeeze in going to look at the cars: https://simeonemuseum.org/

[SaulGoodman]

gregch said:

Depending where you're based (I guess if travelling on business likely Market St area?), Rittenhouse is pretty nice - decent 'French' restaurant Parc right on the square, which in June will be very pleasant. There's also, in that area, the Dandelion - a surprisingly accurate American take on a 'British-style' pub complete with horse brasses, Bombardier on draft and chicken tikka masala. Sadly the Hop Sing Laundromat (was the coolest/oddest bar in town a few years back) I think is defunct these days.

Worth actually going into the museum of art, if you're going to pose on the 'Rocky' steps - there's some amazing stuff in there. Nearby the Barnes Foundation has tons of Renoir etc that's not my thing at all but the building is an impressive bit of modern architecture.

Obvs the olde worlde touristy bit "historic district" around the liberty bell is worth a walk around, if you fancy it. And have yourself a cheesesteak (with wizz, natch). Could go see some baseball (Phillies)?

Also very easy to hire a car and drive out to the west of the city, where you come into leafy suburbs and pretty countryside - and ultimately Amish country.

I've spent a lot of time in Philly, and I'd slightly take issue with the idea that it's universally rough - it has big deprived areas, sure, but you're not going to encounter very much unpleasantness in the city center.

Post Covid it's a bit rougher. Our friends live on Rittenhouse and we were treated to a guy taking a piss right next to us when we were sat on a bench in the square. Agree though - there are some rough areas but generally it's the same as any other big city.

Reading Terminal Market for some great food. Definitely go to a Phillies game.