Things to do in Philadelphia, splurging
Reading Terminal, Magic Gardens and the Barnes, dinner at Vernick, Suraya for lunch.
This itinerary is built for someone who books restaurants weeks out and judges a city by its wine list and its coffee. The days move between Center City polish, South Philly's immigrant-kitchen energy, and Fishtown's sharper, newer edge. It is a trip for people who sleep well after a very good meal.
Day 1: Rittenhouse, murals, and Vernick
Start the trip at Reading Terminal, spend the afternoon in Fairmount Park with the skyline laid out in front of you, then settle into the Vernick empire's wine-focused room for the kind of dinner that sets the standard for the days that follow.
- 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
Sang Kee Peking Duck House
Chinatown's roast-duck institution: Peking duck, wonton noodle soup and roast pork over rice.
Map - 2:30 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
Vernick Food & Drink
Greg Vernick's Rittenhouse dining room: wood-oven toasts, raw bar, roast chicken. Closed Sun and Mon.
Map - 9:30 PM
Harp & Crown
Handsome, buzzy bar a short walk from dinner, strong cocktail list and late-night energy without going far.
Map
Day 2: Bella Vista, the Barnes, Mish Mish
A slow South Philly morning, Cambodian cooking at Mawn, an hour at the Barnes, then dinner at Mish Mish and a nightcap at Grace & Proper in Bella Vista.
- 9:30 AM
The Bakery
Neighbourhood bakery-café in deep South Philly for coffee and something warm from the oven.
Map - 12:30 PM
Mawn
Phila Lorn's Cambodian kitchen on 9th Street: start with the kuy teav noodle soup and share the grilled meats.
Map - 2:30 PM
The Barnes Foundation
Renoir, Cézanne, Matisse and Picasso hung wall to wall in Albert Barnes's own arrangements; book ahead.
Map - 7:30 PM
- 9:30 PM
Grace & Proper
Bella Vista cocktail and vermouth bar with a European café feel, a short cab from Passyunk.
Map
Day 3: Fishtown, Suraya, and a long Italian dinner
The city's most interesting new neighborhood earns a full day: a wine-bar coffee shop to open, Lebanese mezze at Suraya for lunch, and Emilia's Italian cooking for dinner before a low-key finish at Murph's.
- 9:30 AM
- 12:30 PM
Suraya
Acclaimed Lebanese in Fishtown, Suraya's garden and mezze spread is a proper lunch destination.
Map - 7:30 PM
Emilia
East Kensington Italian for pasta and a long dinner, a short walk from where the day began.
Map - 9:30 PM
Murph's Bar
Murph's Bar is a well-loved Fishtown spot, the right place to land after a big dinner, well before midnight.
Map
Where to stay
The Ritz-Carlton Philadelphia
The Ritz puts you a short walk from Vernick, Harp and Crown, and Mish Mish, and the level of service matches what this trip costs at dinner.
W Philadelphia
The W sits on the same block as the Ritz and trades some formality for a better bar scene, which suits the late-night rhythm of this itinerary.
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