Alexis’s guidebook
Food scene
Suburban Square has been open since 1928! It's is about a 5-minute drive from our place. Here you'll find shops restaurants (Lola's garden is good, Average Joe's is not- don't get drawn in by their patio!)
We love the Ardmore Farmer's Market and Kilwins.
Around the corner on Lancaster Ave, there are a bunch of small shops, restaurants, and bars. We like the Ardmore Music Hall, DePaul's Table, Local Wine & Kitchen, Ripplewood Whiskey & Craft, and Mikado Thai Pepper.
For breakfast, we love the Ardmore Station Cafe and Nudy's Cafe.
For coffee, we like The Story Coffee & Bookstore.
45 locals recommend
Suburban Square
602 Coulter AveSuburban Square has been open since 1928! It's is about a 5-minute drive from our place. Here you'll find shops restaurants (Lola's garden is good, Average Joe's is not- don't get drawn in by their patio!)
We love the Ardmore Farmer's Market and Kilwins.
Around the corner on Lancaster Ave, there are a bunch of small shops, restaurants, and bars. We like the Ardmore Music Hall, DePaul's Table, Local Wine & Kitchen, Ripplewood Whiskey & Craft, and Mikado Thai Pepper.
For breakfast, we love the Ardmore Station Cafe and Nudy's Cafe.
For coffee, we like The Story Coffee & Bookstore.
An indoor food hall/ farmers market that's been open since 1892! You can pass this on your walk from Rittenhouse Square to Chinatown if your condensing center city into one day.
739 locals recommend
Reading Terminal Market
1136 N 12th StAn indoor food hall/ farmers market that's been open since 1892! You can pass this on your walk from Rittenhouse Square to Chinatown if your condensing center city into one day.
Neighborhoods
Most of the neighborhoods in this area meet on Lancaster Ave. If you keep driving up Lancaster Ave after you run into Haverford, you will run into Bryn Mawr.
We like The Choice BYOB (Nothing fancy, just excellent food), XOLO tacos, La Cabra Brewing Smokehouse, and Hope's Cookies for something sweet.
Bryn Mawr
Most of the neighborhoods in this area meet on Lancaster Ave. If you keep driving up Lancaster Ave after you run into Haverford, you will run into Bryn Mawr.
We like The Choice BYOB (Nothing fancy, just excellent food), XOLO tacos, La Cabra Brewing Smokehouse, and Hope's Cookies for something sweet.
This is one of our favorite neighborhoods that also runs into Lancaster Ave.
For food, we like Autograph Brasserie and White Dog-Wayne.
Close to White Dog on N Wayne Ave & Lancaster Ave, there are a ton of charming restaurants/bars, including Teresa's Next Door, 118 North, and The Great American Pub. I highly recommend checking this intersection out if you're looking for multiple options for food/drink.
11 locals recommend
Wayne
This is one of our favorite neighborhoods that also runs into Lancaster Ave.
For food, we like Autograph Brasserie and White Dog-Wayne.
Close to White Dog on N Wayne Ave & Lancaster Ave, there are a ton of charming restaurants/bars, including Teresa's Next Door, 118 North, and The Great American Pub. I highly recommend checking this intersection out if you're looking for multiple options for food/drink.
This is in Center City Philadelphia, and it's an excellent starting point to venture into the city. There are endless restaurants, bars, and shops.
Parc is a classic restaurant, but I encourage you to google the area and find something that suits your tastes because the options are ENDLESS!
Check out SPIN, a ping-pong club, & Rec & Royal if you're in the area and looking for drinks + an activity.
620 locals recommend
Rittenhouse Square
135 S 18th StThis is in Center City Philadelphia, and it's an excellent starting point to venture into the city. There are endless restaurants, bars, and shops.
Parc is a classic restaurant, but I encourage you to google the area and find something that suits your tastes because the options are ENDLESS!
Check out SPIN, a ping-pong club, & Rec & Royal if you're in the area and looking for drinks + an activity.
This neighborhood is also close to Center City, and if you don't mind a 20-minute walk you can visit on the same day you venture into Rittenhouse square. Doing this will allow you to get a feel of the entire city. I recommend walking down one of the "tree" streets i.e., Walnut St, Chestnut St, as opposed to Market St.
Check out Hop Sing Laundromat, a speakeasy-style bar with a not-so-secret unmarked entrance.
208 locals recommend
China Town
This neighborhood is also close to Center City, and if you don't mind a 20-minute walk you can visit on the same day you venture into Rittenhouse square. Doing this will allow you to get a feel of the entire city. I recommend walking down one of the "tree" streets i.e., Walnut St, Chestnut St, as opposed to Market St.
Check out Hop Sing Laundromat, a speakeasy-style bar with a not-so-secret unmarked entrance.
Sightseeing
King of Prussia Mall is a staple in the area and some consider it a must for first-timers. It's too big for me, but decide for yourself!
221 locals recommend
King of Prussia
160 N Gulph RdKing of Prussia Mall is a staple in the area and some consider it a must for first-timers. It's too big for me, but decide for yourself!
Fantastic for biking and running. It's a 9-mile long loop from the Philadelphia Museum of Art, past Boathouse Row, then into East Falls.
Have a picnic, go for a walk or a run, find Indego bike-sharing kiosks on Fairmount Ave, and ride down to the drive. This area is incredible, especially on a nice day.
141 locals recommend
Kelly Drive
Kelly DriveFantastic for biking and running. It's a 9-mile long loop from the Philadelphia Museum of Art, past Boathouse Row, then into East Falls.
Have a picnic, go for a walk or a run, find Indego bike-sharing kiosks on Fairmount Ave, and ride down to the drive. This area is incredible, especially on a nice day.
Spa/sauna
Okay, so this place won't be for everyone; it is a Russian/Turkish bathhouse with four different sauna/steam rooms that sometimes reach 200+ degrees Fahrenheit, a pool, and jacuzzis.
It is not fancy by any means, BUT it is an awesome place to see Venik Platza or traditional Russian oak leaf beating. Ask for oak leaves yourself or sign up for a session at the front.
It's about a 45-minute drive from the house, but totally worth it. It's $50 per person and BYOB—definitely a unique way to start the morning.
Southampton Spa
141 Second Street PikeOkay, so this place won't be for everyone; it is a Russian/Turkish bathhouse with four different sauna/steam rooms that sometimes reach 200+ degrees Fahrenheit, a pool, and jacuzzis.
It is not fancy by any means, BUT it is an awesome place to see Venik Platza or traditional Russian oak leaf beating. Ask for oak leaves yourself or sign up for a session at the front.
It's about a 45-minute drive from the house, but totally worth it. It's $50 per person and BYOB—definitely a unique way to start the morning.
City/town information
Shopping and riverside restraunts. If you have time or don't mind driving an hour, this area is worth visiting.
142 locals recommend
New Hope
Shopping and riverside restraunts. If you have time or don't mind driving an hour, this area is worth visiting.
Traveler advice
Book before you go
Reservations are recommended for all restaurants!
Especially on weekends