Have you ever been to Philadelphia? I took a last-minute trip this weekend and had the best time. Here are a few ways to explore the city.
#1: Take a Bike Ride
Download the bike share app Indgeo, then use it to pick-up and drop-off bikes at different locations around the city. As long as you keep each ride to 30 minutes or less, it’s only $10 for an unlimited day pass.
A great trick for finding your way from one place to the next is to use Google Maps with a pair of headphones. You can listen to the directions as you ride!
#2: Eat Some Donughts at Federal Donuts
I understand why Federal Donuts is a local favorite! Its laid-back casual environment feels welcoming and their cake-like donuts are really, really good.
We tried three flavors:
- Pumpkin pecan maple (my favorite)
- Chocolate peanut butter crunch (very good, but very rich)
- Cranberry ginger snap (a little too citrusy + sour for my taste).
You can also order coffee and their signature fried chicken, the only other two items on the menu. There are several locations throughout the city.
#3: Drink Some Coffee at La Colombe
La Colombe is one of my favorite places for iced coffee in New York (I usually order it with a shot of espresso), so I was excited to visit the cafe’s flagship location in Fishtown, Philly’s most hipster neighborhood.
Set in a massive warehouse space, the coffee shop features a full bakery and cafe, lots and lots of big wooden tables, roasting facilities, and even a tasting room. We stopped here for coffee in the early afternoon but this location also serves La Colombe’s signature Drum Rum if you’re in the mood for something stronger. They don’t have wifi so if you want to connect you’ll have to bring a hotspot.
#4: Walk Through Rail Park
Photo by Mike Smith via TimeOut
Similar to NYC’s High Line, Rail Park is a long stretch of walkways and grassy areas built on unused railway line in the northern part of the City Center neighborhood. It’s a great place for a mid-day walk!
I loved the design of the swing section, which has an incredible view of a Shepard Fairey mural, The Stamp of Incarceration: James Anderson.” In the summer a beer garden opens up in the parking lot below.
#5: Picnic & People Watch in Rittenhouse Square
Home to some of the best fine dining experiences in the city (including my cousin’s restaurant, Vernick Food & Drink!), Rittenhouse Square is a tree-lined, one-square block-park perfect for picnicking and people watching.
Head to Di Bruno Brothers for some snacks — we picked up a baguette, an assortment of olives, and some prosciutto — then grab a bench and relax. It’s a great way to end the day!
What are your favorite Philly spots? I’d love to hear any recommendations you have for the next time I’m there!
P.S. If you’re coming from New York, you can take a bus or a train from Port Authority in Manhattan. The trip takes about an hour and a half and the bus is only $10 – $12. Definitely worth it!