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Free outdoor entertainment at Penn's Landing
Photo by G. Widman for GPTMC
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Location:
Historic Philadelphia
Transportation:
Walking. Cabs, horse-drawn carriages, and trolley optional.
Duration:
Approximately 36 hours (Friday evening to Sunday afternoon)
So you're on vacation. Believe it or not, that doesn't mean you have to splurge!
In Historic Philadelphia, you'll find plenty of places where prices haven't changed much since our Founding Fathers were milling about town.
And we've put an entire weekend itinerary together for you, a step-by-step guide full of budget-conscious meals, fun stuff for the family and even a few cost-effective cocktails.
So read on — and we'll see you when you get here!
Friday
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5 P.M.
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National Mechanics
Photo courtesy of National Mechanics
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Welcome to Philadelphia, "America's best beer-drinking city." To start your vacation on the right foot — rather, the right barstool — head to The Khyber, a charmingly gritty bar in the middle of 2nd Street.
This is a great spot to get a casual burger and fries, knock back a few local microbrews and catch an up-and-coming live act. And for authentic Philadelphia attitude, you really can't do much better than The Kyber.
Just up the street is National Mechanics, a new bar known for its gastropub-esque menu and quirky decor. Try a delicious salad or a gourmet burger — everything is tasty and light on your wallet.
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8 P.M.
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2) Rockin' on the RiverfrontFrom Old City, it's just a short, breezy walk down to Penn's Landing where, on Friday nights, you can catch free concerts all Summer long. Ranging from gospel to jazz to R&B, the music is family-friendly and the scenery — the Delaware River to the east and the Philadelphia skyline to the west — is pretty much unbeatable.
And if you're here during the colder months, it's time to lace up and skate at the Blue Cross RiverRink! This ice rink comes equipped with a heated pavilion, snack bar and lessons for the whole family.
Extra credit: If you visit Philadelphia for a mid-week stay, you can get cinematic on Thursday nights in the Summer with Penn's Landing's free Screenings Under the Stars!
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10 P.M.
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3) The Night is Still Young
If you want a more happening scene, Triumph Brewing Company is a two-story architectural wonder where beer is the starring act. Their late-night menu is a little pricier than Race Street's, but the European-style grub is no less affordable.
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Saturday
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9 A.M.
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Mrs. K's Koffee Shop (3rd and Chestnut Streets) is a Philadelphia legend, for a few reasons. First, you can get generous portions of your favorite breakfast plus a cup of coffee for under $8. Second, if you're so inclined, you can try a delicious plate of scrapple — a real Philadelphia pastime. Finally, you'll meet a waitress who calls you "Hon" and gently chides you if you don't finish your meal.
In short, you're getting a generous dose of authentic Philadelphia to help wake you up.
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10 A.M.
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Independence Hall by carriage
Photo by J. Smith for GPTMC
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5) Classic Stops — on the Cheap!
You can also check out the gift shop and re-fill your water bottles here — bringing a reusable water bottle is a great way to keep costs down, as you won’t be tempted to spring for a soda.
Spend the rest of the morning touring Independence Hall (FREE) and Congress Hall (FREE), seeing The Liberty Bell (FREE) and wandering through Franklin Court (at $2, almost free!).
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12:30 P.M.
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Lunchtime! And you're in luck — Philadelphia is a city that loves to eat.
Campo's has been dishing out delicious-but-cheap cheesesteaks and hoagies since 1947. You'll be getting one of the best sandwiches (under $8) you've ever had, plus a peek at a thoroughly charming corner deli.
Or for a more exotic option, take the short walk to Chestnut Street, where Spanish tapas restaurant Amada offers the Catalan Express lunch for just $12.50. Not a bad price, considering that Amada is one of the very best restaurants in the city.
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2 P.M.
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Elfreth's Alley
Photo by E. Savaria
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7) Getting the Story Straight
While you're in the area, try to find a Once Upon a Nation bench, where you can sit and listen to professional storytellers spin tales about Philadelphia's earliest days, free of cost.
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6 P.M.
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For a no-frills, comfortable dinner that's easy on your wallet, Sassafras International Café — which is more of a bar, really — may be your best bet. The locals swear the burgers are "the best in town," offered with a wide assortment of sauces and cheeses — and that even James Bond himself couldn't mix up a better martini. In a city full of great bars, Sassafras is a class act.
Not feeling like a burger? Try a gourmet pizza at Pizzicato, where the ingredients are fresh and the crust is light and fluffy. And you can't beat the sidewalk seating, putting you right in the center of Old City's growing Saturday night scene.
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8 P.M.
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Franklin Fountain
Photo by B. Krist for GPTMC
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9) Make Mine a Double Scoop!
The options are a bit pricey, but small scoops are available and the sundaes are big enough share. Bottoms up!
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10 P.M.
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Tonight, you'll be choosing your own adventure — your gustatory adventure, that is. At Beneluxx, which is actually located below ground along 3rd Street, you can try samples of chocolate, cheese, wine and beer (where a whopping 30 brews are on draft).
Beneluxx is the only restaurant in the world with glass rinsers built into the tables, so you can sample and cleanse as you go. Happy tasting!
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12 A.M.
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Outside Skinners in Old City
Photo by B. Krist for GPTMC
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Why end your vacation early? Get one final round of drinks at Sugar Mom's, a hip, subterranean bar where you'll find cheap beers on tap, corn dogs on the menu and pinball machines lining the walls.
Or stay above ground with a quick jaunt to Skinners Dry Goods Tavern on 2nd and Market, an everybody-knows-your-name kind of bar where pitchers and booths are the way to go.
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Sunday
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9 A.M.
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For a quick breakfast, take a short walk to Cosi at 4th and Chestnut Streets — they have a nice selection of bagels, eggs, coffee and smoothies, and you can't beat it for affordability.
Or for a more authentic (though slightly more expensive) Philadelphia breakfast, visit Old City Coffee for bagels, croissants and a few cups o' Joe — their version of which is consistently voted one of the best in town.
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10 A.M.
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Headhouse Square
Photo by M. McClellan
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Starting at 2nd and Lombard Streets, you’ll find the newly revived Headhouse Square Farmers' Market. You can pick up coffee, fresh fruit, bread and cheese here, perfect for a late-morning picnic.
There are a few tables set up around the Market, or you can take your goodies over to Penn’s Landing and eat while enjoying the breeze by the Delaware River.
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12 P.M.
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Spend the rest of your time in Philadelphia taking a few guided SoundAboutPhilly podcast tours. You can download these free tours from gophila.com to your iPod and learn about the neighborhoods as you wander.
You can check out Philadelphia's bookish roots with Literary Philly or explore the city's culinary cultures with Philadelphia Flavorhoods, just to name a few. And if you want to share your own Philly favorites, you can even create your own podcast!
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Hotels + More
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Transportation
If you're traveling from New York, New England, DC, Baltimore, Harrisburg, etc., Amtrak is easy. And you can get 50% off a companion fare when you use the special discount code: V454. Book online at Amtrak or call 1-800-USA-RAIL.
Driving
If you drive here, stash your car off-street until you leave. Though you might enjoy an occasional cab, trolley or carriage ride, most of these places can be reached on foot. Parking regulations are strictly enforced in the historic area, and you may find yourself getting towed with un-municipal efficiency.
Accommodations
You can’t get much closer than the Holiday Inn Philadelphia :: Historic District, which is right in the thick of everything (distance: 0 miles) and has a sunny rooftop pool with a view.
The Sheraton Society Hill Hotel is just four blocks from Independence Hall and a block from Penn’s Landing in beautifully restored Society Hill. It has a bit more greenery than most city hotels and a heated indoor pool.
The Hyatt Regency is one of the historic area’s newest hotels, a tower right on the Delaware River. Sit at the outdoor bar and listen to the creak-creak of moored boats.
The Philly's More Summer Fun Hotel Package is a popular getaway — and a terrific deal. It’s available throughout the Summer and comes with a $50 value American Express®-branded reward card. Click here to check out the package, then choose your favorite hotel!
More food and drink, please!
Of course, this itinerary is just a sample of the amazing range of food and drink in Philadelphia. Take a closer look at our Dining and Nightlife opportunities and chart your own course across the city!
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