WHERE TO SLEEP
- Old City – the birthplace of American independence, this now modern neighborhood is best known for Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell. Nightlife options include trendy eateries and bars along South 2nd Street.
- Center City – central business district with lots of shopping and restaurants
- Rittenhouse – a neighborhood in center city home to luxury apartments, rittenhouse square park, and nice restaurants.
- Fishtown – a neighborhood for hipsters and creative types. The vibrant nightlife includes hip bistros, beer gardens and a retro arcade.
Maar’s Pick
- Sheraton in Old City
- Airbnb in Rittenhouse
WHERE TO EAT
Brunch/Lunch
- Sabrina’s (famous for the French toast)
- Cafe La Maude (Lebanese-inspired menu with a mouth-watering Parisian touch)
- Parc (french bistro in rittenhouse square)
- HipCityVeg (vegan)
- Shake Shack
Dinner
- ANY Steve Starr Restaurent – One of the largest multi-concept and independent restaurant groups in the country. See below for a list of my favorites.
- El Vez (quirky mexican restaurants)
- The Dandelion (small and intimate)
- Butcher and Singer (upscale steakhouse)
- The Continental Mid-Town (Global menu and creative cocktails)
- Buddakan (Modern Asian Cuisine)
Maar’s Pick
- Sabrina’s
- The Continental Mid-town
EXPLORE
- Run up the rocky steps and explore the Art Museum
- Visit the Liberty Bell
- Walk around city hall and take some insta pics (amazing view down board street)
- Reading Terminal Market (Philly’s biggest food market – great for lunch)
- Bar Crawl in Fishtown (see above for bars)
- Enjoy a Philly cheesesteak (visit the corner of South 9th Street and Passyunk Avenue, where rivals Geno’s Steaks and Pat’s King of Steaks)
NIGHTLIFE
- Frankford Hall
- Barcade
- Garage Fishtown
- Barbary (late night, cash only)(great place to end in fish town)
- Yakitori Boy (Japanese karaoke bar)
- Morgan’s Pier (Beer Garden on the water facing the Benjamin Franklin Bridge)
- Cuba Libre (Latin club – great for dancing)
- Concourse (has a ball pit)
- Bok Bar (seasonal rooftop bar)
- Bowling at Lucky Strikes
- Hop Sing Laundromat (Cash only speakeasy)
- Time (live music)
- Tria (wine bar)
- Zavino (wine bar)