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Real Young, Real Fun, Real Philly Itinerary
The fresh and fun way to visit Philadelphia
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Vintage shopping at Sugarcube
Photo by J. Smith for GPTMC
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Location:
Center City Philadelphia: Rittenhouse Square, Old City, Bella Vista and beyond
Transportation:
On foot or in a taxi
Duration:
Approximately 36 hours (Friday evening to Sunday afternoon)
Get ready to embark on a Philadelphia adventure with the “Real Fun, Real Young, Real Philly" itinerary — a whirlwind tour of the city’s most happening restaurants, nightclub, shops and breweries.
The weekend-long getaway features stops at the city’s most happening spots for the “twenty- and thirty-something” set: extreme history, funky neighborhoods, modern art galleries, a ballpark, superb restaurants and trendy nightspots, all topped off with the obligatory late-night cheesesteak run.
Get plenty of rest before you come to Philly. Once you’re here, you’ll need energy to cram in everything on your party plate.
Friday
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12 P.M.
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Staying fueled will be critical to making it through the weekend. Luckily for you, Philadelphia is a foodie’s kind of town.
So when you hit the city, your first stop should be one of Philadelphia’s outstanding restaurants — but one that’s cozy and relaxed.
Our suggestion? Check out Tria, a wine-and-cheese-and-beer specialist with some outstanding sandwiches and salads, to boot. Weather permitting, grab sidewalk seating and soak in the neighborhood’s laid-back vibe.
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1:30 P.M.
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2) Independence Starts Here
The nearby National Constitution Center, a modern marvel designed by Ralph Appelbaum, features impressive exhibits on the U.S. Constitution, a wonderful interactive production called “Freedom Rising,” and always excellent — and inspiring — exhibitions.
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4 P.M.
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3) Where Philadelphia Shops
The shops and boutiques along 2nd and 3rd Streets join together to make one of the best retail areas on the East Coast — you can find vintage wares, handmade jewelry, cigars, designer hoodies, you name it, inside the independently owned stores lining these streets. Even The New York Times and Travel + Leisure have gone shopping here.
It’s best to walk around and fine what tickles your fancy, but some of our favorite shops are Sugarcube, Smak Parlour and Host Interiors.
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5:00 P.M.
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The position of the sun indicates that something magical is happening: Happy Hour! Good thing you’re in Old City, Philly’s most popular neighborhood for a night on the town. Walk around the neighborhood and find your favorite outdoor spot to sip a cool drink – some good bets are Patou, Continental and The Plough and the Stars.
If it’s the first Friday of the month, it’s, well, First Friday, a monthly art crawl where the area’s galleries (mostly located around 2nd and 3rd Streets above Market Street) open their doors to cruising crowds, often serving aperitifs and hors d’oeuvres (or if that fails, wine and cheese). On non-first Fridays, galleries in this neck of town normally remain open until 7 P.M.
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8 P.M.
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5) Eating Good in the Neighborhood
Red Sky is another nearby way to go for fun cocktails (think chocolate peanut butter martini) and refined world fusion-y plates. And just down the street from Amada is Buddakan, a Stephen Starr venture that’s as fun as it is upscale — try to score a table beside the glistening Buddha figure.
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10 P.M.
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6) Where the City Never Sleeps
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Saturday
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10 A.M.
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After a much-needed night’s rest, you’re ready for morning nosh at Sabrina’s Café. This beloved little nook boasts cream cheese- and banana-stuffed challah French toast, humongous frittatas and delicious huevos rancheros. Be warned, though — Sabrina’s is immensely popular, so you won’t be the only ones waiting for a table. It’s best to call ahead.
But no matter the wait, it’ll be worth it. Trust us.
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1 P.M.
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8) Take Me Out to the Ballgame
If there’s no baseball game on tap, head to Philadelphia Brewing Company in Port Richmond for some delicious microbrew tasting. After touring the historic facility, beer connoisseurs can stop in the tasting room and sample the full PBC line. Tours are available 12 – 3 P.M. most Saturdays, but you should call (215) 427-BREW beforehand to book your tour.
Like what you tried at PBC? You can get a lot more of it at Standard Tap, a pub much acclaimed for its local beer selection, excellent bar food and for anchoring the developing artists’ neighborhood of Northern Liberties. Don’t miss the chicken pot pie or double Standard burger, among more ambitious fare like mussels, short ribs and thoroughly excellent vegetarian sandwiches.
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4:30 P.M.
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After your time at either Citizens Bank Park or PBC and Standard Tap, why not indulge in … some more shopping, this time in Rittenhouse Square?
From Chestnut to Locust and Broad to 21st Streets, you’ll find big names like Diesel, Burberry, Lucky Brand Jeans and Lacoste, along with elite indie boutiques such as Petulia’s Folly, EchoChic and Ubiq (which specializes in classic Nikes — very cool).
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8 P.M.
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And before you know it, it’s dinnertime. This time, you’re doing the town again — but from the other side of Broad Street.
Dress is chic at Twenty Manning, the sleek and worldly sister of simpler Mediterranean bring-your-own-bottle (BYOB) establishment Audrey Claire. The menu at Twenty Manning is new American with Asian influences, and the must-have drink is the poma-tina.
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10 P.M.
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After your meal, head on over to Denim, another upstairs bottle-service club. Here, the theme is (you guessed it) denim; the atmosphere, laid back; the crowd, stylish. Look for city scenesters, club types and DJs — the perfect inspiration to get your hips down on the dance floor.
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1 A.M.
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12) When in Rome Philadelphia...
Once there, order quickly and correctly. A cheesesteak “wit” (that’s slang for “with”) comes with sautéed onions. A cheesesteak “witout” is onion free. At 1 A.M. — or any time of the day, really — nothing tastes better.
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Sunday
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10:30 A.M.
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By day three, emerging from your cozy bed might be slightly difficult. But the rewards are well worth the effort. Just think: Cuban French toast, hearty chorizo and egg platters, cinnamon-spiked coffee and suddenly, you’re up, showered and heading to a lazy brunch at Cuba Libre.
The island menu will soothe all remnants of over-partying Saturday night. And if all else fails, there’s always a minty mojito to kick-start your day.
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12:30 P.M.
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We told you that Philadelphia is a foodie’s kind of town. So it’s only fitting that your weekend getaway ends at Headhouse Square, where a centuries-old farmers’ market has just been revived.
Here, you’ll find heaps of gorgeous, locally grown tomatoes, squashes and strawberries ready for the picking — and taking home.
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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 our 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, there’s nothing you can’t reach on foot. Parking regulations are enforced in the historic area, and you may find yourself getting towed with un-municipal efficiency.
Accommodations
You can’t get much more young and fun than the aloft Philadelphia Airport, which combines modern design, interactive resources and lots of cool extras to make your Philly stay fresh and affordable.
The Independent, meanwhile, is a new boutique hotel right in Center City. Each guest room features its own unique design, while the building — an example of Georgian-Revival architecture — is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The Hyatt Regency is one of the historic area’s newest hotels, a tower right on the Delaware River. You can sit at the outdoor bar and listen to the creak-creak of moored boats.
The Philly Overnight® Hotel Package is a popular getaway — and a terrific deal. It’s available throughout the year and gives you free parking (worth $50 or more) and special offers and discounts - in addition to deluxe accommodations in Center City Philadelphia. Check out the package, then pick your favorite hotel.
More food and drink, please!
Of course, what we've recommended is just a sample of the amazing range of food and drink in Philadelphia. Take a closer look at the city's Dining and Nightlife offerings and pick your favorites.
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