Victoria's Guide to Philly/Delco
Food scene
One of the best markets in the country. Highly recommend on a Saturday when more vendors are open. Everything is excellent, really. The Amish food stands have amazing pickled items that are PA delicacies.
1611 locals recommend
Reading Terminal Market
One of the best markets in the country. Highly recommend on a Saturday when more vendors are open. Everything is excellent, really. The Amish food stands have amazing pickled items that are PA delicacies.
Everyone has their opinions on which is the best cheesesteak in town, but this is a local’s choice. Avoid Pat’s and Geno’s. They’re gross. Jim’s you can sit inside and order a beer and I think they are the perfect portion. You’ll but full, but not too full after 1. Get it with whiz or American cheese
219 locals recommend
Jim's South St.
Everyone has their opinions on which is the best cheesesteak in town, but this is a local’s choice. Avoid Pat’s and Geno’s. They’re gross. Jim’s you can sit inside and order a beer and I think they are the perfect portion. You’ll but full, but not too full after 1. Get it with whiz or American cheese
If you’re not into a cheesesteak, another good sandwich spot is a roast beef sandwich or meatball hoagie at DiNic’s (duh-NICKS)
9 locals recommend
Tommy DiNic’s
If you’re not into a cheesesteak, another good sandwich spot is a roast beef sandwich or meatball hoagie at DiNic’s (duh-NICKS)
Isgro Pastries
The best Italian bakery in the city.
You can’t come to Philly and not get a cannoli. They have several locations in town
48 locals recommend
Termini Bros Bakery
You can’t come to Philly and not get a cannoli. They have several locations in town
This old school Italian restaurant used to be a mafia house. It’s in the heart of the Italian market. Need to be slightly more dressy here.
21 locals recommend
Dante & Luigi's
This old school Italian restaurant used to be a mafia house. It’s in the heart of the Italian market. Need to be slightly more dressy here.
This place will remind you of the restaurant in the Godfather. Old school Italian food with great drinks. Come hungry. You won’t be sorry
26 locals recommend
Ralph's Italian Restaurant
This place will remind you of the restaurant in the Godfather. Old school Italian food with great drinks. Come hungry. You won’t be sorry
Steven Starr restaurant with amazing French cuisine. Any of his restaurants are great. This is right across from Rittenhouse Square
266 locals recommend
Parc
Steven Starr restaurant with amazing French cuisine. Any of his restaurants are great. This is right across from Rittenhouse Square
Tom's Dim Sum
Great food and take out. Has tables for a small group
Kid friendly, you can easily spend the whole day here. Highly recommend going when the Eagles are playing! It’ll be less crowded.
Hay rides, Apple picking, pumpkins, face painting, pony rides, outside petting zoo, farmer’s market, beer garden, and novelty store.
37 locals recommend
Linvilla Orchards
Kid friendly, you can easily spend the whole day here. Highly recommend going when the Eagles are playing! It’ll be less crowded.
Hay rides, Apple picking, pumpkins, face painting, pony rides, outside petting zoo, farmer’s market, beer garden, and novelty store.
Good pizza, cheesesteaks, cheese fries etc. If that’s what you’re craving. Right down the road.
Femi's Pizza Party of Brookhaven
Good pizza, cheesesteaks, cheese fries etc. If that’s what you’re craving. Right down the road.
You have to get the Godfather Hoagie while you’re here. It’s a supreme Italian-like hoagie with prosciutto and extra sharp provolone that is amazing.
Ro Lynn Delicatessen
You have to get the Godfather Hoagie while you’re here. It’s a supreme Italian-like hoagie with prosciutto and extra sharp provolone that is amazing.
Local brewed beer and good American food
52 locals recommend
Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant - Wilmington
Local brewed beer and good American food
Azie Media
Amazing sushi in the suburbs
Fellini Cafe of Media
Good local Italian food. BYOB
House
Great brunch
Weekend Night Fun
Live Band Karaoke on Friday and Saturday nights at 8PM-1AM. It’s a good time. You won’t regret it
Fergies Pub
Live Band Karaoke on Friday and Saturday nights at 8PM-1AM. It’s a good time. You won’t regret it
My favorite LGBT bar in Philly. Has a fun piano bar and club dancing upstairs
16 locals recommend
Tavern on Camac
My favorite LGBT bar in Philly. Has a fun piano bar and club dancing upstairs
Great bar known for matchmaking! Lots of couples come back for their wedding anniversaries. Also know for TouchTunes which is a digital app control for the jute box on your phone.
44 locals recommend
McGillin's Olde Ale House
Great bar known for matchmaking! Lots of couples come back for their wedding anniversaries. Also know for TouchTunes which is a digital app control for the jute box on your phone.
The Black Sheep Pub & Restaurant
Great bar with Guinness on tap
Fun activity for kids. It’s an arcade with candy that employs adults with developmental disabilities. I know the owner and it’s a great place!
Game On State
Fun activity for kids. It’s an arcade with candy that employs adults with developmental disabilities. I know the owner and it’s a great place!
Sproul Lanes
Glow bowling on weekends!
Sightseeing
It’s my favorite place to take out of town visitors. It’s a very cool and funky art gallery and exhibit that really embodies the Philly spirit. They have walking tours of the mosaic murals in the neighborhood. I easily go once a year.
463 locals recommend
Philadelphia's Magic Gardens
It’s my favorite place to take out of town visitors. It’s a very cool and funky art gallery and exhibit that really embodies the Philly spirit. They have walking tours of the mosaic murals in the neighborhood. I easily go once a year.
They have amazing permanent exhibits here including a giant human heart, physics things, and have awesome rotating exhibits. In 2022, they had an awesome Harry Potter exhibit
998 locals recommend
The Franklin Institute
They have amazing permanent exhibits here including a giant human heart, physics things, and have awesome rotating exhibits. In 2022, they had an awesome Harry Potter exhibit
If you’re interested in a scenic walk or hiking, the campus has beautiful walking trails and is itself an arboretum.
31 locals recommend
Swarthmore College
If you’re interested in a scenic walk or hiking, the campus has beautiful walking trails and is itself an arboretum.
Perfect place to take the kids. Have lots of parking. You can get tickets day of easily. It’s all inside
282 locals recommend
Please Touch Museum
Perfect place to take the kids. Have lots of parking. You can get tickets day of easily. It’s all inside
Beautiful orchids in spring and holiday decorations in the winter. They have a great water light show. Kid friendly, lots of walking, strollers are highly recommended. They also serve food and beverages inside.
530 locals recommend
Longwood Gardens
Beautiful orchids in spring and holiday decorations in the winter. They have a great water light show. Kid friendly, lots of walking, strollers are highly recommended. They also serve food and beverages inside.
Biggest retail mall in America. Has the highest amount of stores than any other mall. Amazing shopping with high-end stores.
324 locals recommend
King Of Prussia
Biggest retail mall in America. Has the highest amount of stores than any other mall. Amazing shopping with high-end stores.
Neighborhoods
Lots of food! All the food! The parking is not great, so wear good walking shoes but the food is worth it.
466 locals recommend
Philadelphia's 9th Street Italian Market
Lots of food! All the food! The parking is not great, so wear good walking shoes but the food is worth it.
Great park in Center City. They usually have markets and artists there on weekends selling local goodies
77 locals recommend
Rittenhouse
Great park in Center City. They usually have markets and artists there on weekends selling local goodies
Shopping, good restaurants, amazing professional theatre, cool clubs and bars
230 locals recommend
Center City
Shopping, good restaurants, amazing professional theatre, cool clubs and bars
Great shopping, restaurants, and mom and pop shops. Amazing gift stores Kuda, Ten Thousand Villages, and Earth & State
State Street
Great shopping, restaurants, and mom and pop shops. Amazing gift stores Kuda, Ten Thousand Villages, and Earth & State
Traveler advice
Getting around
SEPTA regional rail into Center City Philly
From the house, I recommend parking your car at the Rose Valley, Wallingford, or Swarthmore stations depending on available parking spaces. Wallingford is closest with the least amount of spots, especially on weekdays. You can pay in cash on the train or by card at the station. Trains come about once an hour. These drop you off at UPenn/Drexel, Suburban Station (17th and Market), Jefferson Station (near the Convention Center, City Hall, and Reading Terminal Market), and Temple University. If you’re going to one of the arenas, you can drive in 20 mins.
Customs and culture
The Legendary Accent
The accent is hilarious and very specific. I wasn’t allowed to post a link, but search for the Drexel University “10 Philadelphia Jargon Terms Everyone Should Know” and you’ll get the hang of it! Tina Fey also nails it in her SNL Revolutionary War skit.
Don't miss
Linvilla Orchards
The most perfect place to visit in the fall! Very kid friendly, no pets. Apple and pumpkin picking with a petting zoo, only rides, feeding animals, farmer’s market, and Apple cider donuts that are to die for.
Ways to save
Take the Subway, bus or regional rail.
Check out the SEPTA website for schedules.
Book before you go
Tickets to Book ahead of time
Museums, Independence Hall, Liberty Bell, Betsy Ross’s House
What to pack
Comfy casual chic
Philly is not known for their fashion, but we do tend to keep it on the casual side. Jeans are cool at most places. This town is kind of a judgement-free zone for not being dressed up enough which is great for vacation right?
Useful phrases
See customs and culture for the accent and lingo
Don’t worry, I grew up here. I’m a local.
Traveling with kids
Strollers
Philly is not the most wheelchair accessible city. Similar to strollers it’s lacking on the accessibility with public transportation so it’s best to drive and park if you’re doing a stroller.