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View from City Hall, Photo by\u00a0Norman Maddeaux \/ CC BY-ND<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n If you\u2019re searching for your next vacation destination, look no further than the City of Brotherly Love.\u00a0 Philadelphia was named Lonely Planet\u2019s #1 Best City to Visit in the US in 2016, and for good reason: the history, the architecture, the food\u2026\u00a0 I lived in Philly for 8 years before moving away last summer, so you could say I know my way around.\u00a0 Allow me to guide you through the streets of Philly, from historic sites to local hotspots.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n OLD CITY<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Elfreth’s Alley, Photo by\u00a0Celine \/ CC BY-SA<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n If you want to see where Philly (not to mention this country) got it\u2019s start, head down to Old City.\u00a0 Situated on the Delaware River Waterfront<\/a>, this neighborhood is the epitome of historic, old world charm. Narrow cobblestone alleyways and 200+ year old brick homes mingle next to eclectic boutiques and coffee shops. You could spend an entire day in this neighborhood, walking the streets, seeing the Liberty bell and visiting the National\u00a0Constitution Center. If you end up here on the first Friday of the month, galleries open their doors to the public for an event called \u201cFirst Friday<\/a>\u201d.<\/p>\n Independence Hall, Photo by\u00a0Prayitno \/ CC BY<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n The Sites<\/strong>: The Liberty Bell<\/a>, National Constitution Center, Independence Hall<\/a>\u00a0(where the Declaration of Independence was signed)<\/em>, Elfreth\u2019s Alley<\/a>, Christ Church Burial Grounds (Benjamin Franklin\u2019s Grave), Betsy Ross House<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n NORTHERN LIBERTIES & FISHTOWN<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Piazza at Schmidts, Photo by\u00a0Justin Wolfe \/ CC BY<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n North of Old City, past the Ben Franklin Bridge, is Northern Liberties (NoLibs). Aptly named, it used to rest just past the city\u2019s northern limits, and was considered Philadelphia\u2019s first suburban neighborhood.\u00a0 Today, NoLibs is a prominent neighborhood in the middle of Philadelphia. On any given night, restaurants and bars on 2nd street will be packed with 20 to 30 year olds. Go to\u00a0Standard Tap<\/a> or North Third<\/a> if you\u2019re hungry – both are neighborhood staples. During the day, head to Yards Brewing Co<\/a>. for a tour and beer tasting, or hit the lanes at North Bowl<\/a> (but if you go at night, be prepared for a wait!). \u00a0The Piazza at Schmidts regularly has events that you can check out here<\/a>. \u00a0If it\u2019s music you seek, NoLibs does not disappoint.\u00a0 There is jazz every night at Starbolt<\/a>, eclectic local bands at Ortlieb\u2019s, and a DJ dance party at Silk City.<\/p>\n Penn Treaty Park, Photo by\u00a0Jason Bachman \/ CC BY-ND<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n Next to NoLibs is Philly\u2019s next \u201cIt\u201d neighborhood: Fishtown. Over the past few years, Fishtown’s Frankford Avenue has seen an explosion of new businesses, restaurants, and construction. On the weekend, go to Kraftwork – their brunch specials (the quiche!) and the 20-tap beer list can\u2019t be beat.\u00a0 Or just grab a pie at Pizza Brain<\/a> and chill out at Penn Treaty Park.<\/p>\n Pizza Brain, Photo by\u00a0Viviandnguyen \/ CC BY-SA<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0Live Music Venues<\/em><\/strong>:\u00a0 Union Transfer<\/a>, Silk City<\/a>, Johnny Brenda\u2019s<\/a>, Ortlieb’s, Kung Fu Necktie<\/a>, The Fillmore<\/a> CENTER CITY & RITTENHOUSE SQUARE<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n City Hall, Photo by\u00a0Aby Jose \/ CC BY-SA<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n From Fishtown, you can catch the El<\/a> at Front & Girard and head west toward Center City.\u00a0 Less of a neighborhood vibe, Center City holds all of the hi-rise buildings that create Philly\u2019s beautiful skyline.\u00a0 When you first arrive, make sure to take your picture in front of the iconic LOVE statue (currently at Dilworth Plaza), and take a tour of\u00a0City Hall<\/a>. Fun fact: Before 1987, City Hall was the tallest building in the city. For shopping, Walnut Street between Broad and 20th is where you want to go to fill that retail void with shops like Apple, Intermix, Vince, and more. If you enjoy more intimate, family-owned shops, visit 13th street<\/a>. Dinner is its own affair in Rittenhouse Square, just west of Center City.\u00a0 Request an outside table at Parc<\/a> to people-watch and look out over the park<\/a>. End the evening by catching a concert at the Kimmel Center or a play at Plays & Players Theatre<\/a>.<\/p>\n Rittenhouse Square, Photo by\u00a0John Donges \/ CC BY-ND<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n Drinks & Happy Hour<\/strong>: Tria<\/a>,\u00a0The Franklin Bar<\/a>, Monk’s Cafe<\/a>, Philly Beer Week<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n FAIRMONT & ART MUSEUM\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n The Art Museum, Photo by\u00a0Thomas \/ CC BY-ND<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n Take the Ben Franklin Parkway<\/a> from City Hall, and you\u2019ll hit the Art Museum & Fairmount neighborhoods. If it\u2019s a beautiful, sunny day, this is where you want to be.\u00a0 Stroll down to Boathouse Row, home to many collegiate sculling clubs, or have a picnic in the scenic Fairmount Park, adjacent to the Philadelphia Museum of Art<\/a> (and the \u201cRocky Steps<\/a>\u201d).\u00a0 For a bite to eat, head down Fairmount Avenue to Fare<\/a>, Jack\u2019s Firehouse or the London Grill<\/a>.\u00a0 Then take a tour of the historic Eastern State Penitentiary<\/a>, which once held prisoners Al Capone and \u201cSlick Willie\u201d Sutton.\u00a0 Don\u2019t worry, it hasn\u2019t been a working prison since the 1970\u2019s, but some people say it\u2019s still haunted.<\/p>\n Eastern State Penitentiary, Fairmount Avenue<\/span><\/p>\n Quick tip<\/strong>:\u00a0 Rent an\u00a0Indego bike<\/a> (Philly\u2019s bike share program) to get around.\u00a0 The Parkway and many other streets have bike lanes. If you have an extra day, from the Art Museum you can hit the Schuylkill River Trail to visit\u00a0Manayunk.<\/em><\/p>\n PASSYUNK AVE<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Row Homes in Philadelphia<\/span><\/p>\n To completely submerge yourself in the city\u2019s culture, head to South Philly, specifically Passyunk Avenue.\u00a0 It is here that you\u2019ll find classic Philly row homes, vintage boutiques and thrift stores, and a very local crowd.\u00a0 Over the past 5 years East Passyunk has been having a food moment, and offers an amazingly diverse mix of old standbys and hip new places to eat.\u00a0 Consider it foodie-heaven.\u00a0 If you plan ahead,\u00a0 you can even snag a table at Laurel, Top Chef Nicholas Elmi\u2019s French BYOB (When it first opened, you had to make a reservation 3 months in advance!). For the tourist that lives in all of us, stop by Pat\u2019s<\/a> and Geno\u2019s<\/a> for the ultimate Philly cheesesteak experience.<\/p>\n Geno\u2019s Steaks, Photo by\u00a0Mark Goebel \/ CC BY<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n Where to eat<\/strong>:\u00a0 Laurel, Townsend, P.O.P.E.<\/a>, Noord<\/a>, Stateside, Fond<\/a>, Cantina Los Caballitos<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n Need additional tips or advice for visiting Philly? \u00a0Did I miss anything? \u00a0Add your comments and questions below!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" View from City Hall, Photo by\u00a0Norman Maddeaux \/ CC BY-ND If you\u2019re searching for your next vacation destination, look no further than the City of Brotherly Love.\u00a0 Philadelphia was named Lonely Planet\u2019s #1 Best City to Visit in the US in 2016, and for good reason: the history, the architecture, the food\u2026\u00a0 I lived in […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[678],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/psf_blog.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/Elfreths_Alley_800.jpg\")
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