Isabel & Alex
Isabel & Alex
Do, Eat and Drink In Philly
Do, Eat and Drink In Philly
Philadelphia is an accessible and walkable city with several diverse neighborhoods to explore. Below are some of our favorite places in our adopted home.
BUS TOURS
If you have time and it is your first time in Philly- we recommend taking a bus tour to get a feeling for what the city has to offer.
Big Bus Tours Philadelphia
Tour bus with multiple stops and a tour guide. Allows you to get on and off the bus at various locations around the city.
City-Sightseeing Bus Tours
Tour bus with multiple stops and a tour guide. Allows you to get on and off the bus at various locations around the city.
Center City- City Hall & Dilworth Park
A very ornate building in the Second Empire Style. Great to walk around and take the elevator up to the observation deck for views of the city.
The building is topped by a 37 ft tall statue of city founder WIlliam Penn.
Dillworth Park, which is in front of City Hall, offers year-round activities and outdoor markets.
ALEX & ISA'S PICKS
Isabel's Favorite restaurant. BYOB (Bring Your Own Booze) rustic trattoria style establishment focusing on classic Roman cuisine in the heart of Center City, Philadelphia. Call ahead for reservations.
(215) 545-6265
1328 Pine Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107
Oldest bar in Philadelphia. Serving pub eats and a great beer selection.
1310 Drury St. Philadelphia, PA 19107
1776 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy. Philadelphia, PA 19103
JFK Plaza (Love Park)
Philadelphia’s iconic John F. Kennedy Plaza — better known as LOVE Park — is most famously the home of Robert Indiana’s iconic LOVE statue, which has resided in the space almost continuously since 1976.
Reading Terminal Market
Reading Terminal Market, one of the nation’s oldest and largest public markets, first opened in 1893. Today, it stands out as one of the greatest public markets in the country.
You can enjoy eating a wide swath of different cuisines, from sublime soul food and exquisite Asian and Middle Eastern dishes to authentic Philly cheesesteaks and traditional Pennsylvania Dutch fare — all available from largely locally owned, family-run stands.
Note- Some vendors are closed on Sunday
ALEX & ISA'S PICKS
Beiler's Doughnuts- any flavor is good! There are dozens to choose from
DiNic’s- try the roast pork sandwich
Spataro's Cheesesteaks- pretty good place to try one
Termini Brothers Bakery- outpost of a famous Philly bakery. Known for their Italian pastries and cannoli.
Chinatown
Cantonese immigrants first settled in Chinatown in the mid-19th century. Today, the neighborhood is packed end-to-end with restaurants, stores and schools that represent Hong Kong, Cantonese, Sichuan and Taiwanese cultures, with a sprinkling of Korean, Thai, Malaysian, Burmese, Vietnamese and Japanese- rolled ice cream thrown in for good measure.
ALEX & ISAS PICKS:
Alexs favorite ramen joint
204 N 9th St, Philadelphia, PA 19107
Dim sum and small plates
218 N 13th St, Philadelphia, PA 19107
Hand drawn noodle dishes
131 N 10th St, Philadelphia, PA 19107
Famous for their Dumplings
1020 Race St, Philadelphia, PA 19107
AsianFresh Market
Two story grocery store with various selections of Asian grocery staples. Stop in and pick up some snacks and candy.
142 N 10th St, Philadelphia, PA 1910
Rittenhouse Square
Rittenhouse Square is anchored by its namesake park, and the surrounding streets are filled with elegant apartment buildings and hotels, high-profile restaurants and chic bars.
Walnut St. between 15th and 22nd. Streets have nice stores if you are in the mood for some shopping.
ALEX & ISA'S PICKS
Mussels, fries, craft ales & other Belgian-accented offerings dispensed in a brewpub setting.
264 S. 16th. Street Philadelphia, PA 19102
Great cocktail bar across the street from Rittenhouse Square
135 S 18th St, Philadelphia, PA 19103
Multilevel bar with great pub grab and beer selection. Decent wings.
224 S. 15th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102
Hummus and Isreali fare. Make sure to get extra pitas.
1625 Sansom St, Philadelphia, PA 19103
Relaxed destination with a contemporary vibe serving Neapolitan pizzas, plus calzones & salads.
1615 Chancellor St, Philadelphia, PA 19103
Old City Neighborhood
People love the neighborhood for its fashionable boutiques, great restaurants, eclectic galleries and theaters, and vibrant nightlife.
Named for blacksmith and property owner Jeremiah Elfreth’s Alley was home to the eighteenth-century artisans and tradespeople who were the backbone of Colonial Philadelphia.
ALEX & ISA'S PICKS
great cocktail bar with small bites
48 S 2nd St, Philadelphia, PA 19106
No frills tavern used as inspiration for the one showcased on "It's Always Sunny.."
228 Race Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106
Alexs favorite place for a cheesesteak in the city
228 Market St, Philadelphia, PA 19106
Old Time Ice Cream stand / soda fountain
116 Market St, Philadelphia, PA 19106
gift boutique that features only handmade items from the best talent in the city
35 N 3rd St, Philadelphia, PA 19106
Independence Hall
Right across the road from the Liberty Bell Center, the Independence Hall where the Declaration of Independence was signed is waiting to be discovered. Free tours run every half an hour, but again, this can get really busy so I’d recommend getting there early to avoid long wait times – Tickets are available on the visitor center, just across the Liberty bell.
In terms of the historical side of things to do in Philadelphia, this one is our favorite as it’s kind of mind blowing to think that you can stand in the same room as the founding fathers of the USA.
Liberty Bell
Seeing the famous Liberty Bell is a rite of passage in Philadelphia. It’s free to view the bell, but there is usually a line outside with people eagerly waiting to spot this piece of history. To see the bell itself won’t take long – there’s no exhibit or additional info panels to delve into here, so lines should move quickly.
The best photo opportunity in here is to line up the Bell with the Independence Hall behind (ideally with no people in the background!). It’s one of the top tourist things to do in Philadelphia and has massive symbolic significance, so it is worth a look.
Local tip: if you visit after hours or if there is a long line, you can view the bell through a small window towards the rear of the pavilion.
National Constitution Center
The National Constitution Center is a non-profit institution that is devoted to the study of the Constitution of the United States. Located at the Independence Mall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the center is an interactive museum which serves as a national town hall, hosting government leaders, journalists, scholars, and celebrities who engage in public discussions, including Constitution-related events and presidential debates.
Museum of the American Revolution
The Museum of the American Revolution, formerly The American Revolution Center, is a museum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania dedicated to telling the story of the American Revolution. The museum was opened to the public on April 19, 2017, the 242nd anniversary of the Battles of Lexington and Concord, some of the battles of the American Revolutionary War, on April 19, 1775.
Betsy Ross House
The Betsy Ross House is a landmark in Philadelphia purported to be the site where the seamstress and flag-maker Betsy Ross (1752–1836) lived when she is said to have sewed the first American Flag.
Queen Village & Society Hill
Queen Village and Society Hill are two historic neighborhoods in South Philly. Some of the oldest residential structures are located here, along with a large variety of restaurants and cafes.
ALEX & ISA'S PICKS
Venezuelan street food restaurant.
Owned by Venezuelan raised brothers, the establishment offers arepas, plus fried plantain sandwiches (patacones) & juices at this chill spot. ($)
524 S. 4th St. Philadelphia, PA 19147
Detroit Style Pizza and cocktails. Great rooftop area.
632 S 5th St, Philadelphia, PA 19147
Great burgers
848 S 2nd St, Philadelphia, PA 19147
Philadelphia's Magic Gardens
Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens (PMG) is an immersive mixed media art environment that is completely covered with mosaics. The creator, Isaiah Zagar, used handmade tiles, bottles, bicycle wheels, mirror, and international folk art to chronicle his life and influences. The space is made up of two indoor galleries and a bi-level outdoor sculpture garden.
Italian Market 9th Street
The Italian Market is the popular name for the South 9th Street Curb Market, an area of South Philadelphia featuring awning covered sidewalks, curb carts, grocery shops, cafes, restaurants, bakeries, cheese shops, butcher shops, etc., many with an Italian influence.
There are a lot of places to eat cheesesteaks in Philly- but this area is home to Geno's and Pat's known for their cross-corner rivalry.
ALEX & ISA'S PICKS
As documented on Chef's Table- order by the kilo and enjoy
1140 S 9th St, Philadelphia, PA 19147
Portuguese corner bar serving small bites
941 S 8th St, Philadelphia, Pa 19147
Italian bakery known for their cannoli.
1009 Christian Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147
Anthony's Italian Coffee & Chocolate House
Coffee shop. Buy a bag of beans to bring home.
903 S 9th St, Philadelphia, PA 19147
Genos and or Pats Cheesesteaks
If you must! Open 24/7. They are right across the street from each other
1237 E. Passyunk Ave, Philadelphia
East Passayunk Street
The highly walkable thoroughfare that gives East Passyunk (pronounced “Pashyunk” by locals) its name is lined with indie boutiques, bars and cafes. It’s home to traditional red gravy Italian restaurants, world-famous cheesesteak spots and highly acclaimed eateries that have earned it a spot on Food and Wine’s list of 10 Best Foodie Streets in America.
ALEX & ISA'S PICKS
1648 E Passyunk Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19148
Isa's favorite place for ice cream
1439 E Passyunk Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19147
Small store for Philly themed goods
1507 E Passyunk Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19147
Alex's favorite brewery. This is a satellite location.
1646 South 12th St. Philadelphia, PA 19148
Philadelphia Museum of Art
The vast collections in this temple of art make it one of the largest art museums in the country — and an absolute must-see on the city’s cultural circuit.
The museum’s holdings encompass more than 240,000 works spanning 2,000 years, including pieces from the ancient world, medieval times, the Renaissance, the Impressionist movement and modern day.
Philadelphia Museum of Art Steps
The "Rocky Steps” and statue are undeniably two of the most popular attractions in Philadelphia.
A near-constant flow of people arrive daily at the bottom of the stairs at the Philadelphia Museum of Art to snap a picture with the Rocky statue, originally created for a scene in Rocky III and now a real-life monument
Barnes Foundation
Philadelphia art collector Albert C. Barnes (1872–1951) chartered the Barnes in 1922 to teach people from all walks of life how to look at art. Over three decades, he collected some of the world’s most important impressionist, post-impressionist, and modern paintings, including works by Renoir, Cézanne, Matisse, and Picasso. He displayed them alongside African masks, native American jewelry, Greek antiquities, and decorative metalwork.
In its award-winning Parkway home, designed by Tod Williams Billie Tsien Architects | Partners, Dr. Barnes’s final 1951 arrangement of the collection is still on view.
Penn's Landing Marina
Visit the Independence Seaport Museum and historic warships, and enjoy dinner cruises on the Spirit of Philadelphia.
Fishtown/ Frankford Ave.
This classic working-class neighborhood, so named due to its history as an epicenter for the commercial shad-fishing industry, offers a colorful exception to the city’s gridded urban rule with its collection of narrow streets beset with modest row homes and independently owned businesses.
ALEX & ISA'S PICKS
weirdly on Time Magazine's 100 Places to go to in the World. Pretty good pizza.
1313 N Lee St, Philadelphia, PA 19125
German Beer Garden with eats
1210 Frankford Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19125
Jewish + Ramen Bar fushion combo thing
1416 Frankford Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19125
Chic & spacious Lebanese café, market & restaurant with bar & outdoor garden ($$$)
1528 Frankford Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19125
Authentic Turkish Cuisine Anatolian and Mediterranean Cuisine No Reservations! ($$)
944 N. 2nd St. Philadelphia, PA 19123
Isa's favorite place for cocktails. Distillery makes their own vodka, gin and absinthe.
25 E. Allen St. Philadelphia, PA 19123
Other Half Brewery Philadelphia
1002 Canal St. Philadelphia, PA 19123
1727 Front St. Philadelphia, PA 19122