SINGH FAMILY
Things to do in Philadelphia - from S&A
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Coffee
La Colombe Rittenhouse* - the first La Colombe, originated in Philadelphia, with draft coffe
Elixr* - great drip coffee
Ultimo Coffee* - another great local roaster
Uncle Bobbie’s* - an independent Black-owned bookstore and coffee shop in Germantown
Food/restaurants
Reading Terminal Market* - a veritable culinary treasure trove, this indoor market has been open since 1893
Tria* - an upscale cafe/wine lounge in Rittenhouse Square
Sampan - one of our family’s favorite modern Asian fusion restaurants in the arts district
Jim’s on South St* - the best cheesesteaks in town (and they have vegetarian and vegan options!). Pro-tip, you can order Jim’s from Milkboy across the street :)
Mango Mango - a mango obsessed dessert place, whose mango crepe cake slices are elusive but amazing
Sakana Omakase Sushi - for those that love omakase, holds up to Japanese & west coast standards
Friday Saturday Sunday - 2023’s James Beard Outstanding Restaurant - fixed menu and Black-owned
Zahav - middle eastern cuisine, another James Beard winner
Vedge - modern, vegan fine dining by James Beard nominees
Bars/nighttime
Graffiti Bar* - right behind Sampan (and your can order Sampan’s food from there)
Tattooed Mom* - artistic, grungy, fun, alternative bar/club on South St
Parks on Tap - a traveling outdoor beer garden series that benefits the Fairmount Park Conservancy; it will reside along the banks of the Schuylkill river during our wedding week.
Dirty Frank’s - the most famous local dive bar around, or head to McGlinchy’s (Irish Pub) or Doobie’s (old school/jukebox) to be closer to Rittenhouse Square (all are cash only)
Board Game Bar/Cafes - Queen & Rook in Old City and Thirsty Dice* in Fairmount are great options
Daytime
Spruce Street Harbor Park - an outdoor park with games, hammocks, lights and food open in warm months
Wooden Shoe Books* - an anarchist bookstore on South Street
Philly AIDS Thrift* in the Gayborhood (did you know that the Black & brown pride flag originated in Philly?) - you can find incredible old-school comics, books, and curios of many kinds here
Magic Gardens* - a famous mosaic garden/exhibition in South Philadelphia
Walk the Mural Mile* - did you know that Philadelphia has the most murals of any city in the country? Sonali worked with the Mural Arts program in high school, try to see how many of their murals you can spot!
Fairmount Park - the largest accessible urban park in the world, and also where the Museum of Art is located. Go for a walk, run, bike, or just lounge and enjoy the river views. Or try to find the Cave of Kelpius!
Car-Free Walnut Street on September 29th - activities and shopping on a normally very busy street. They’re also broadcasting the Eagles game on September 29th at 1 PM (if you’re interested in spectating Philadelphia sports fans).
If it’s raining
Franklin Science Institute* - an activity/exploration and science-oriented museum along the parkway, currently hosting an exhibit of marvel-inducing lego sculptures.
Please Touch Museum - one of our top recommendations if you’re looking for a fun place for young kids
Museum of Art - also the location of our wedding <3
Mutter Museum* - the former College of Physicians, housing creepy bodily specimens and mysteries
Philadelphia’s Free Library* - a huge library, with a notable rare books section, in a gorgeous historic building along Ben Franklin Parkway (hosting events like this free printmaking workshop at 1pm on the 28th, or their James Baldwin Love and Revolution exhibit)
Historic
Elfreth’s Alley* - the longest continuously inhabited street in America
Independence Hall - where both the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States were debated and adopted
Carpenter’s Hall* - the meeting place for the First Continental Congress, hosting free re-enactments to celebrate their 300th anniversary this year
Liberty Bell - one of the most iconic symbols of American independence
President’s House* - self-guided outdoor exhibit at the foundation’s of the early president’s households
National Constitution Center* - the first and only museum dedicated to the U.S. Constitution
Mother Bethel and the Richard Allen Museum - the mother church of the nation’s first black denomination, founded in 1787
Betsy Ross House - birthplace of the American flag
Eastern State Penitentiary - a historical site that was once the first wagon wheel prison where solitary confinement began; it also becomes the largest set of haunted houses at night in the fall
Christ Church Burial Ground - one of America’s most unique Colonial and Revolution-era graveyards
Wanamaker Building - America’s first department store, and home to the largest operating musical instrument in the world
Germantown Friends Meeting* - where the first written petition against slavery is still housed
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Philadelphia: Over 4000 Murals
Liberty Bell & Independence Hall
Philadelphia Museum of Art & Rocky Steps
Philadelphia Ratha Yatra Parade Sunday Sept 28th noon to 7 pm