Adventures in Sweets

Stepping out of Suburban Station into Love Park and seeing the iconic city hall with William Penn perched on its tower overlooking the city, I am immediately reminded of why Philadelphia is one of my favorite cities. It is a vibrant metropolis full of landmarks, museums, and world-class restaurants that could easily fill a four or five-day itinerary. However, since many of the main attractions are in close proximity to one another, 24 hours spent in the city is well worth the time.

Getting to Center City from the Airport

The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transit Authority (SEPTA) Airport Line is a quick, cheap, and easy way to get downtown. A $6.75 fare, a 30-minute train ride to Suburban Station, and you will find yourself in the heart of the City of Brotherly Love. ​

Reading Terminal Market

Reading Terminal Market is an iconic food market and eatery in the heart of Center City. It first opened its doors on February 22, 1893, but has continued to evolve and change with the urban environment and consumer needs over its 130-year history. Today, you will find 80 merchants selling fresh produce, baked goods, meats, fish, crafts, and more. In addition to touring the market, it is the perfect place to grab a bite to eat at one of the many counters or take your food to eat al fresco at the next stop.

JFK Plaza (Love Park)

One of the most iconic art pieces in Philadelphia is the famous LOVE sculpture. Located in JFK Plaza, also known as Love Park, across the street from city hall, find yourself a seat and take in the surroundings. The LOVE sculpture was created for the United States Bicentennial in 1973. If you visit on a Wednesday, you may see couples tying the knot in the park. To the northwest, at the end of Benjamin Franklin Boulevard, there is a stunning view of the Philadelphia Art Museum.

Benjamin Franklin Parkway & Museums

The view tree-lined thoroughfare known as Benjamin Franklin Parkway from Love Park is reminiscent of the Champs Elysees in Paris. Spend the rest of your afternoon exploring either the Philadephia Museum of Art, Franklin Institute, or the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University.

Climb the famed Rocky steps to the Philadelphia Museum of Art, one of the oldest art museums in the United States. It opened in 1876 as part of the Centennial Exhibition and moved to its current location in the 1920s. It is home to more than 200,000 objects and remains committed to preserving and maintaining a world-class visual art collection. They have this handy guide to help you plan your visit depending on the amount of time you have. On Friday nights, the museum stays open until 8:45 PM.

For those who enjoy more right-brain activities, the Franklin Institute is one of the oldest centers of science education in the country. It is THE most visited museum in the state and houses 12 permanent exhibits in its collection, in addition to renowned traveling exhibits. The current exhibits and experiences cover a wide span of activities and interests, including the Lego Art of The Brick exhibit, the Giant Heart, SportsZone, a planetarium, and a tech studio.

Lastly, The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University is one of the leading natural history museums that seeks to educate and inspire visitors to care for the natural world around them. As you enter the main hall, you are greeted by the awe-inspiring Tyrannosaurus Rex and ten of his prehistoric dinosaur friends. From there, visitors are invited to two full floors of exhibits which include dioramas, an exhibit about the largest organ of the human body – the skin, digging for fossils, and an exhibit titled “What Eats What” about the food chain.

Graffiti Bar

After a day of exploring, quench your thirst at this “secret” watering hole. The neon sign overhead will take you down a side alley appropriately covered in graffiti to a patio bar behind the restaurant Sampan. When the sun is out, this place is bustling so grab a seat as soon as you see one. There is one big-screen TV (this is Philly after all), but most people are there to grab a drink after work or catch up with friends. The happy hour drink menu includes $5 drink specials and the food menu serves small Asian-inspired plates, like crispy spring rolls and mushroom shumai, for $6 and wraps and buns, like a chili crisp chicken bao or a pork banh mi, for $7. This is one of the highest quality and budget-friendly happy hours you will find in the city.

Barbuzzo

If you manage to leave Graffiti Bar and still have an appetite, a block down is Barbuzzo. This Mediterranean eatery has an open kitchen and a wood-fired pizza oven. Without reservations, you could find yourself in a first-come, first-serve situation at the bar or chef’s counter. The chef’s counter overlooks the line in the kitchen so you can watch the chefs prepare your dish. Popular dishes include the meatballs, mussels, and wood-fired pizza. They also have a solid drink menu of cocktails, mocktails, beer, and imported wine.

​La Colombe Coffee Roasters

When you need an early caffeine kick to start the second half of this itinerary, swing by La Colombe Coffee Roasters. La Colombe originated in Philadelphia in the early 1990s and they now operate 30 cafes around the country. Despite their growth, they remain committed to proactive, long-term relationships with small farmers and socially responsible growers associations. Additionally, they have a special blend that supports the ACLU and have a history of supporting get-out-the-vote efforts, increasing access to mental health, and funding for school lunches. Conveniently, there is a cafe located right near Independence Hall.

​Independence Hall & Plaza

Nearly 250 years ago, the Founding Fathers signed the Declaration of Independence at Independence Hall setting forth the principles upon which the United States would be formed after its formal separation from England. It was also the site where the US Constitution was signed. Today, the 20-minute tour takes visitors to the Assembly room where these momentous events occurred. Also in Independence Plaza is the Liberty Bell Center, which houses the famed Liberty Bell with its iconic crack, the National Constitution Center, and the American Revolution Museum.

Green Eggs Cafe

For brunch or lunch following a morning of sightseeing, find your way to Green Eggs Cafe. They are cash only, but it is well worth stopping by an ATM. The specialty espressos, cocktails, and fruit smoothies pair beautifully with their insane list of French toast and benedict options. The menu also includes vegan and tofu items, so there is something for everyone. My only warning is that they are very generous with their portions and we found out quickly that our eyes were bigger than our stomachs!

With that, you have maximized your time in Philadelphia and hopefully, it will be the seed of inspiration for future trips!