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Things to do and see in Philadelphia from a former Philly native
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items Philadelphia is my hometown and, what I think, is the most underrated city in the US. The food scene is to die for, the museums are world class, and there are so many amazing things to do that don’t fit either of those categories. I hope my guide of ...
Map
Sections
4
Food
Museums
Outdoors
Shopping
Food
Depending on the day, the vibe can be a bit on the younger side but if you go for chill weeknight drinks or, my fav, Meatless Monday when their veg and vegan sandwiches are only $7, you’re bound to have a fantastic time. On the interior decor alone, ...
Tattooed Mom
The cutest and most delicious place for latkes! But literally, all of their food is good. I’ve truly never had a bad meal here and it was 2 blocks from my boyfriend’s apartment in college so I went here A LOT
Honey's Sit 'n Eat
In college, on more than one occasion, I watched someone cry while eating Circles’ cuisine. While their food is absolutely amazing, typically, the tears are from underestimating the meaning of “Thai hot.”
Circles Thai | Contemporary Asian Cuisine
Not to sound 80 years old but, back in my day, American Sardine Bar only served two items for food: their out of this world onion rings, and sardines. They seem to have A LOT more food at this juncture and many friends have really enjoyed it but my o...
American Sardine Bar
This place is a true experience. All of the food is entirely vegan but you’d never know it. They offer super inventive dishes as well as reworked classics. My favs, when available, are the “crab”cakes and the apple sangria.
Charlie was a sinner.
This burger and Little Bad Wolf in Chicago are tied for first place. It’s super customizable and all ingredients are locally sourced from nearby farms.
P'unk Burger
THIS is the best cheesesteak in the city, hands down. If anyone tells you to go to pat’s, geno’s, or Jim’s, they’re probably from Upper Darby or some such suburb. Del Rossi’s has it all, too. If you aren’t in the mood for a cheesesteak, they’ve got y...
Del Rossi's Cheesesteak & Pizza CO.
This is the OG place for your fresh baked bread. I used to walk here with my mom, at least weekly, when I was little to grab rolls for the week and a slice of white pizza or tomato pie. Go and thank me later
Cacia's Bakery
You can’t go to Philly and not try water ice! Rita’s is lovely, but you’ve gotta hit the one’s in my stomping grounds. Pops is one of the first and one of the best but you can find water ice in just about every neighborhood! Pops has really unique ro...
Pop's Homemade Italian Ice
Not a day goes by that I don’t think of this delicious 7 course feast. If you eat meat you MUST try the lamb, it’s actually life changing
Marrakesh
Museums
This is my childhood science museum and, while I haven’t been back in years, I can probably draw out a floor map for you by memory. I was starting to write “don’t miss the” and then couldn’t tell you a definitive favorite or two. Just spend the day h...
The Franklin Institute
Do you also have a morbid fascination with the dead? If so, this museum is for you and if not, you need to avoid this museum at all costs. There are some tame things in here, and by that I mean the world’s last working iron lung, but also there’s a w...
The Mütter Museum at The College of Physicians of Philadelphia
This was one of my favorite places to go as a kid because of the dinosaurs. I don’t know if they still do this but you could play paleontologist and find “fossils” (they looked and felt real but what did I know as a kid) and I would be there for HOUR...
The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University
The Museum of the American Revolution is a newer addition to Philly, and also a very important one. This is the museum for what history class didn’t teach you. The deep dive into the revolution makes you realize the true scope and effect that the war...
Museum of the American Revolution
Few people know that Edgar Allan Poe lived in Philadelphia for a significant period of his life! Take a tour and try to visit the mind of one of America’s great horror authors
Edgar Allan Pоe National Historic Site
I feel like people think that the Philly Art Museum can be a bit gimmicky, due to the whole Rocky business, but it really is a world class art museum! Make sure you visit the suits of armor, they’re hard to miss
Philadelphia Museum of Art
Outdoors
While this is seasonal, it’s always worth a mention. The Harbor Park is just a great place to unwind from Memorial Day to late September. You can grab a drink, grab some amazing food from the surrounding food trucks, sit in a hammock, take a picnic, ...
Spruce Street Harbor Park
Okay listen, ice skating and I DO NOT mix, but that should be a testament to how fun it is here otherwise! There’s great food, great drinks, a lodge to play games, Santa appearances, fire pits to make smores on, …a proposal on the ice every five seco...
Independence Blue Cross RiverRink
As a spooky bish, Eastern State Penitentiary is a must for me. You also have *options*! You can go during the day for a historical tour, which is wild on its own, or, if it’s the appropriate time of year, you can go to their haunted jail attraction. ...
Eastern State Penitentiary
You can see a lot of this from the outside but being in there is so very worth it. There is so much space you don’t realize exists until you’re in it!
Philadelphia's Magic Gardens
This is a fun hop-on-hop-off trolley tour that explores haunted sites all over the city. The story telling is wonderful and it’s kinda nice not having to walk all over the city. Give it a shot and make sure you slip your tour guides a fiver
Terror Beyond The Walls
Shopping
While this looks like an unassuming building, you’ll find yourself actually getting lost in this store. Mostly Books has expanded into surrounding space over the years but that’s what makes it so special. You’ll spend hours in this cluttered yet meth...
Mostly Books
To be completely forthright, I haven’t been here (YET) but this is the new store in the location of one of my former favorite Asian food markets in Chinatown. This is what’s now in the “underground supermarket” space and it truly sounds delightful! I...
YOU & ME - Updated September 2025 - 58 Photos & 21 Reviews