Things to do in Philadelphia
Murals, markets, birria tacos, and a Fishtown bar you'll want to move into.
This itinerary moves the way Philadelphia actually works: neighborhoods on foot, lunch at the counter, dinner worth dressing up for. It suits the traveller who wants real food and good drinks over tourist traps, and who'd rather spend on one serious meal than blow the budget on a hotel lobby.
Day 1: South Philly, Murals and Mawn
Start with coffee in Reading Terminal, see Isaiah Zagar's Magic Gardens, queue for lamb barbacoa tacos at South Philly Barbacoa, then Cambodian cooking at Mawn and a quiet cocktail at Grace & Proper.
- 9:30 AM
Old City Coffee
Local roaster's stand inside Reading Terminal Market: a six-bean espresso to carry round the aisles.
Map - 11:00 AM
Philadelphia's Magic Gardens
Isaiah Zagar's maze of mosaic, mirror and bottle glass on South Street; book a timed ticket, closed Tuesdays.
Map - 12:30 PM
South Philly Barbacoa
Cristina Martínez's lamb barbacoa tacos with a cup of consommé; check the days, it keeps short hours.
Map - 7:30 PM
Mawn
Phila Lorn's Cambodian kitchen on 9th Street: start with the kuy teav noodle soup and share the grilled meats.
Map - 9:30 PM
Grace & Proper
Grace & Proper is a low-key cocktail bar a block away, great drinks without the attitude.
Map
Day 2: Rittenhouse, Barnes and Vedge
A roast pork sandwich at Tommy DiNic's sets you up for the Barnes Foundation's singular collection, a late-afternoon run along the Schuylkill, and one of the best vegan dinners in the country at Vedge.
- 9:30 AM
Sabrina's Cafe - University City
Big brunch plates near Drexel; the stuffed challah French toast is the order.
Map - 12:30 PM
Tommy DiNic’s
America's best sandwich: roast pork with provolone and broccoli rabe on a Sarcone's roll, don't skip the jus.
Map - 2:15 PM
The Barnes Foundation
Idiosyncratic masterpiece collection, Renoir, Cézanne and Matisse hung exactly as Barnes intended; unlike any other museum in the world.
Map - 4:30 PM
Belmont Plateau and Boxers' Trail
Fairmount Park loop with famous skyline-over-meadow view and Joe Frazier's training trails.
Map - 7:30 PM
Vedge
Acclaimed vegan restaurant that converts even committed carnivores, the one memorable dinner of the trip.
Map - 9:30 PM
Day 3: Fishtown and Olde Kensington
Open at Forin with a coffee, track down Liguria for lunch, then head to Laser Wolf for Israeli charcoal-grilled dinner before finishing the trip exactly right at Murph's Bar.
Where to stay
The Notary Hotel (Autograph Collection)
Central, reasonably priced, and close enough to walk to Reading Terminal and Rittenhouse without overthinking it.
ROOST East Market
Apartment-style rooms at a mid-range price, good for a three-night stay where you want space to spread out after long days on foot.
Make Philadelphia your trip
Swearby drafts the days from places people swear by. Swap any stop, then invite the crew by text, even friends without the app. Vote on dates, track costs as you go, and everyone gets one number at the end.
Get Swearby on the App StoreBefore you go
Book ahead
- Independence National Historical Park: weeks ahead
- Barnes Foundation: weeks ahead
- Kimmel Center: weeks ahead
- Jeffersonville Golf Club: a few days ahead
- Longwood Gardens: weeks ahead
- The Golf Course at Glen Mills: a few days ahead
Skip these
- Pat's and Geno's as your cheesesteak verdict; locals prefer Angelo's, John's Roast Pork, Jim's or DiNic's.
- The Rocky statue photo as a substitute for the museum behind you.
- Liberty Bell at midday in summer; go at opening or in the last hour.
- Cheesesteak from a Center City tourist counter or food cart, and South Street bar crawling as an adult nightlife plan.
The full Philadelphia travel guide: when to go, safety, getting around