Everything To See on Your Next Trip to Philadelphia

The Rittenhouse Hotel in Philadelphia opened in 1989 on Rittenhouse Sq. and has been an iconic, five-star resort ever since. Chef Concierge and Les Clefs d’Or USA member Sean McCarthy arrived in 1993 as a resort messenger; as we speak, he leads a crack crew of concierges who know the Metropolis of Brotherly Love higher than most natives. 

Under, his plan for benefiting from your time on the town.

InsideHook: The place can I get a cup of espresso and go for a superb stroll?

McCarthy: Fingers down one of the best place to go is La Colombe on nineteenth Avenue. The unique location of this now-national model continues to be situated a half block from the resort. As for strolling in Philadelphia, there are two distinct routes we usually suggest. Firstly, a stroll north of the resort to the artwork museum district down the Ben Franklin Parkway (modeled after the Champs Elysees in Paris) previous the Barnes Foundation, Rodin Museum and the Philadelphia Museum of Art to Kelly Drive. Kelly Drive brings you alongside the Schuylkill River previous the boat homes the place native universities and excessive faculties ship out their rowing groups. Additionally it is the place cyclists and runners abound. Second could be a stroll down Walnut Avenue previous the native retailers on Rittenhouse Row to the historic part of Philadelphia. At sixth and Walnut you will note the again of Independence Hall, which is surrounded with most of the most iconic Philadelphia landmarks in our historic sq. mile. 

How a couple of restaurant the place solely locals go? 

South Philadelphia usually — extra particularly Passyunk Avenue, which is house to many small foodie-oriented choices, together with Stateside (gastropub), Laurel (trendy French American) and Bing Bing Dim Sum (Chinese language with a Jewish twist). Moreover, 5 staples of South Philadelphia could be Dante and Luigis, Ralph’s, Villa Di Roma, Pesto and The Saloon. 

The place to move on an evening out?
For late nights I might say Yakitori Boy in Chinatown for karaoke, Kung Fu Necktie for dwell music and drinks and Graffiti Bar on thirteenth Avenue.

Greatest price range eats on the town? 
Fez Moroccan delicacies, providing a seven-course feast for $25 per particular person; Canto House in Chinatown options genuine Cantonese delicacies; Nan Zhou Hand Drawn Noodle House gives discount noodle dishes with handmade noodles; Dizengoff, a small and trendy Israeli restaurant situated three blocks from The Rittenhouse Resort, and an informal choice for people who can’t get into the highest Philadelphia restaurant Zahav; and Caribou Cafe, a French cafe/bar with one of the best cheesesteak within the metropolis.

The place can I’m going for one of the best dessert?
For gelato, make your technique to Gran Caffe L’Aquilla; get blissful ice cream at The Franklin Fountain in Outdated Metropolis; discover cookies at Famous Fourth Street in Studying Terminal Market; and take a look at all the pieces at Miel Patisserie on seventeenth Avenue, however particularly the macarons. 

Greatest place for a sundown cocktail?
I’d suggest both Moshulu, a historic floating restaurant on the Delaware River with dockside eating or JG SkyHigh on the 4 Seasons Resort, situated on the sixtieth ground of Philadelphia’s tallest constructing. 

The place ought to I’m going within the space for a day spent outdoors?  
Most undoubtedly Kelly Drive within the historic district.

The place’s a great place to snap an Instagram-worthy picture?
The Rocky statue on the high of the Philadelphia Museum steps (after all). Additionally cease by the “LOVE” and “AMOR” statues on Ben Franklin Parkway.

Greatest neighborhood to take a four-hour stroll if I need to get acquainted with a extra “genuine” facet of town? 

East Passyunk Avenue in South Philadelphia; Queen Village and Society Hill for historic properties; Fitler Sq. for a quiet, quaint neighborhood simply steps away from the enterprise district. For a extra edgy, younger neighborhood I might say Fishtown or Northern Liberties, two neighborhoods going via a gentrification course of and residential to a lot of our youthful Philadelphians. 

What’s the simplest technique to get round city, when it comes to transportation?
SEPTA, our bus and practice routes, go in all places should you’re used to public transportation. If not, Philadelphia is a really walkable metropolis. Uber and Lyft are additionally prevalent within the metropolis.

What’s a lesser-known cultural establishment price visiting?
The Rosenbach, a small literary museum housed in a historic house on Delancey Avenue; Mütter Museum, the nineteenth Century medical museum within the Faculty of Physicians constructing; and the Barnes Foundation, the world’s greatest privately owned assortment of Impressionist and post-impressionist works, in addition to sculptures and different objects. 

What’s a cool architectural web site that’s not mobbed with vacationers?
The Wanamaker Building at thirteenth And Market Avenue (now Macy’s) was the unique John Wanamaker’s division retailer, as seen within the film Model; The Bourse constructing is an authentic granary alternate within the historic district; the Reading Terminal Market (which is mostly mobbed sadly, nevertheless is well worth the go to) is a historic practice shed for the Studying Railroad Firm, now an indoor public market. 

What’s one of the best factor you’ll be able to solely get in your metropolis?
Conventional cheesesteaks, after all. Really helpful spots embody Geno’s, Pat’s King of Steaks, Sonny’s in Outdated Metropolis, Dalessandro’s in Roxborough and my favourite, the French impressed cheesesteak on the Caribou Cafe, made with filet on a French baguette, topped with brie, caramelized onions and pomme frites.  We additionally supply house-made tender pretzels at The Rittenhouse Resort. 

What’s one of the best factor you’ll be able to solely do in your metropolis?
Historical past, historical past, historical past! We’re town the place the nation as we all know it was born. It’s additionally the one place the place you’ll be able to run up the Rocky steps on the Philadelphia Museum of Art, similar to he did within the film. 

What’s one thing I can say or do to endear myself to locals?
Know order a cheesesteak, “wit or witout,” that’s with or with out onions. Know pronounce the river between Heart Metropolis and College Metropolis, which is the Schuylkill River, pronounced SKOOKLE. And by no means present up on our streets carrying something associated to the Dallas Cowboys; we love our Eagles. 

What’s one thing that vacationers have a tendency to do this actually annoys locals? 
Stroll down our small sidewalks facet by facet, slowly, drive slowly, sit via a visitors gentle with out turning proper on pink (which is allowed right here), or put on Dallas Cowboys gear. 

What’s an merchandise or exercise that vacationers are likely to get ripped off on? Any tips about keep away from that?  Our taxi charge from Philadelphia Worldwide Airport is $28.50 plus $1 per further particular person to Heart Metropolis. Don’t let the taxis inform you any otherwise. 

I’m in search of a low-key brunch. The place to? 
Sam’s Morning Glory Diner in Bella Vista gives nice espresso and home made biscuits. Famous Fourth Street Deli on Bainbridge serves up enormous parts of corned beef hash, challah French toasts and one of the best cookies! Green Eggs Cafe and Bluestone are excellent conventional brunch spots. Off the overwhelmed path on thirteenth and Callowhill is Cafe Lift, an industrial design informal area with tasty meals choices. 

Greatest place to eat a meal or have a beer outdoors when the climate’s good?
Parc for certain. It’s an ideal Parisian cafe on Rittenhouse Sq. and good for individuals watching. We even have beer gardens everywhere in the metropolis from north to south, east to west. My favorites are the Independence Beer Garden within the historic district and Philadelphia Brewing Company on Frankford Avenue. I additionally love the superb picks at Second District Brewing in South Philadelphia. They’ve an array of house-brewed beers on faucet and nice meals in addition, along with quite a lot of vegan choices. That is an open-air neighborhood spot mixed with persona. Simply ask for Paul and he’ll stroll you thru the picks on faucet. 

Any potential points I must be frightened about or take note of in the case of public transportation (busy instances, delays, petty crime, and so on.)?
Not any completely different from different cities, however at all times remember that you’re in a metropolis. Busiest instances (after all) are rush hour within the morning from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. and night from 3 p.m. to six p.m., in addition to earlier than and after occasions on the sports activities complicated, in case you are on the Broad Avenue SEPTA Line. Though Philadelphia hasn’t at all times had one of the best popularity with media, it’s usually a really pleasant and secure metropolis, and that goes for the general public transportation system, too. That being stated, don’t take pleasure in six or extra beers at Second District Brewing after which get on the Broad Avenue Line by your self flaunting your bling at 1 a.m. 

What’s the one factor everybody forgets to pack? Or the one factor everybody ought to bear in mind to pack when visiting?
Telephone chargers — everybody forgets them. We do supply a variety at The Rittenhouse Resort, nevertheless, we do not need sufficient for everybody. Snug footwear are additionally a should since Philadelphia is a strolling metropolis. 

Lastly, what’s one of the best ebook to learn in regards to the space earlier than I come? 
Excellent Sq. on the historical past of Rittenhouse Sq. and Discovering the Hidden Metropolis, a contemporary tackle the historical past of Philadelphia that also exists below everybody’s noses, such because the outdated practice traces that go beneath Heart Metropolis, outdated landmarks decaying in each neighborhood and different landmarks which have been repurposed into useable areas. Dr. Mutter’s Marvels is one other good learn overlaying the founder and namesake of the Mutter Museum.