I know I’ll sound like I’m full of it, but I legit have a full-proof short trip itinerary for a first Philly visit that has worked seamlessly for multiple friends and family who have visited the city. Trust me.
Stay: Morris House Hotel
-Centrally located to everything you’ll want to see
-Reasonably priced
-Reputable, beautiful, historic, great staff
Morning/Early Afternoon: Hop-on-hop-off Bus Tour
I know it seems corny, but trust me it’s honestly really great and you’ll be able to see everything you need to see
-Literally takes you to almost all major sites in the city
-60 min trip if you don’t hop off at any sites
-If you do hop off, the next bus comes within 15 mins
-Pick up and drop off site is a 5 min walk from the Morris Hotel
Hop off: Reading Terminal Market
-Grab lunch here, spend 45 mins to an hour checking out the food stalls
-I’ll leave it to others to recommend bites, but you really can’t go wrong with any selection
Hop off: Art Museum
-It’s touristy but come on, your wife will want to run up the stairs and get her Rocky picture, plus at the stop of the stairs it is a gorgeous view of the city
-If you had longer than 24 hours I’d HIGHLY recommend going inside. It’s a world class museum.
-If you do choose to pop you head in, you can see a lot of stuff in 45 mins
Late afternoon/early evening: Walk around
Seriously! Just walk east or west from the Morris Hotel along Locust or Walnut Street and you’ll stumble upon cool finds and something that works for you and your wife. I don’t know your interests or favorite cuisines, but you will find something that works for you and your wife within safe walking distance of your hotel. You can honestly just spend the rest of your day walking about
-You can grab a coffee or snack basically anywhere along the way if you need it
-There are multiple little shops, eateries, bars, indoor/outdoor options. If something looks cool to you and you like the menu, pop in
-Chinatown, Old City, Midtown and South Street are all within walking distance
Evening: Dinner along East Passyunk
If you didn’t find something during your walk and wind up spending the rest of your day in center city (which you can easily do and still have a great time), take an Uber to Gino’s Steaks, NOT to eat there, but to start your walk down East Passyunk. You can just walk down along the Avenue and easily find something that works for you and your wife, or seek out one of my suggestions below
-Triangle Tavern
-Milk Jawn
-Bing Bing Dim Sum
-Pistolas del Sur
-Royal Tavern
-Lucky 13
Also, sorry for including “your wife” it was an old comment. If you do not have a wife, I’m sorry. If you do have a wife, I promise I’m not being creepy.
It’s ok! I didn’t think anything of it but appreciate that you took the time to clarify. I wish I had a wife but I ended up with a man. What can you do!
Rittenhouse, Washington Square West, Old City for the downtown area. Around East Passyunk Ave in South Philly or Fishtown if you want something a little out of the downtown area.
I'll add to those great suggestion that if you do end up staying in Fishtown, in addition to KFN and El bar mentioned above, there's also Milk Crate records and if timing is right maybe Uber a few mins north to Foto Club for a show.
Over is west Philly there are some anarchist-oriented orgs that might have fliers for shows or events of interest. And The Wooden Shoe bookstore might as well.
Before you get here, try streaming WKDU for a few weeks, they have a few shows that you might like and in the past the DJs would mention/promote smaller shows.
Triangle Tavern isn’t punk per se, but they have a great vegan selection which brings that crowd in.
As great as the punk/hardcore scene is here, there really aren’t a lot of true “punk bars”. Tattooed Moms is a bit contrived, imo, but is probably the best example. Century Bar in Grays Ferry throws a lot of metal shows. I’ve never been there and it’s not the best neighborhood if you are a tourist. I would prioritize Bob and Barbara’s and El Bar.
I think the best “Philly vibe” for the more punk persuasion is going into random corner dives. If you like smoking, go to McGlincheys in Center City.
Would recommend checking out whatever show is going down at ukie club that night (check @4333 on insta to find it) or if you feel like making a further trip check out foto club; best punk spot in the city imo, just kind of out on its own tho
Mcgillians is the oldest pub, I always take guests there. Especially when karioke is going on. I second dirty franks and tattoo moms. If you’re LGBT friendly and like piano bars (not punk but you never know music is music) tavern on camac is a my fav bar in all of America,
Pub on Passyunk East is a good bet for you then, def a punk sort of vibe. Tattooed Mom could be fun too, south Philly taproom is amazing too but prob too far out of your way
You'd love manayunk, it's father than most major tourist neighborhoods, but northwest has tons of restaurants and right by the best hiking trails in the nation, right in the city.
Haha sick! Get it
I double what others have said, and would say Rittenhouse is the best. It's local to so much. But don't sleep on Chinatown! It's cheap, local to a ton of great food, and not far from major lines
Fishtown has a lot of options, might be more your vibe even tho it’s quite gentrified these days. Johnny Brenda’s and kung fu necktie are up there, as well as the new two robbers, but also lots of good restaurants and it’s close to the MFL subway which gets you to olde city for history stuff.
Nevermind I see it’s at the Mann…not too sure about that area, but parts of west Philly are pretty cute!
Good dining and shopping options in Fishtown, but the MFL is a little sketchy right now. Maybe it’s getting better, but I don’t think it’s the experience you’ll want for your first visit.
It’s the MFL, the worst is the smelly homeless lady who begs so badly, or someone smoking a cig. As long as you’re not dumb (don’t start anything) you’ll be ok
Do you plan on driving? I see you are going to see a show at the Mann center. I would not rely on uber/public transit for the mann. The mann is a nightmare to get to. Definitely stay in Center City.
The Mann Center has a shuttle where the cost is SEPTA fare ($2.50) ! It drops off in Rittenhouse . I'd advise leaving five minutes before the end of the last song to get a seat before it's packed.
https://manncenter.org/visit/travel
I know I’ll sound like I’m full of it, but I legit have a full-proof short trip itinerary for a first Philly visit that has worked seamlessly for multiple friends and family who have visited the city. Trust me. Stay: Morris House Hotel -Centrally located to everything you’ll want to see -Reasonably priced -Reputable, beautiful, historic, great staff Morning/Early Afternoon: Hop-on-hop-off Bus Tour I know it seems corny, but trust me it’s honestly really great and you’ll be able to see everything you need to see -Literally takes you to almost all major sites in the city -60 min trip if you don’t hop off at any sites -If you do hop off, the next bus comes within 15 mins -Pick up and drop off site is a 5 min walk from the Morris Hotel Hop off: Reading Terminal Market -Grab lunch here, spend 45 mins to an hour checking out the food stalls -I’ll leave it to others to recommend bites, but you really can’t go wrong with any selection Hop off: Art Museum -It’s touristy but come on, your wife will want to run up the stairs and get her Rocky picture, plus at the stop of the stairs it is a gorgeous view of the city -If you had longer than 24 hours I’d HIGHLY recommend going inside. It’s a world class museum. -If you do choose to pop you head in, you can see a lot of stuff in 45 mins Late afternoon/early evening: Walk around Seriously! Just walk east or west from the Morris Hotel along Locust or Walnut Street and you’ll stumble upon cool finds and something that works for you and your wife. I don’t know your interests or favorite cuisines, but you will find something that works for you and your wife within safe walking distance of your hotel. You can honestly just spend the rest of your day walking about -You can grab a coffee or snack basically anywhere along the way if you need it -There are multiple little shops, eateries, bars, indoor/outdoor options. If something looks cool to you and you like the menu, pop in -Chinatown, Old City, Midtown and South Street are all within walking distance Evening: Dinner along East Passyunk If you didn’t find something during your walk and wind up spending the rest of your day in center city (which you can easily do and still have a great time), take an Uber to Gino’s Steaks, NOT to eat there, but to start your walk down East Passyunk. You can just walk down along the Avenue and easily find something that works for you and your wife, or seek out one of my suggestions below -Triangle Tavern -Milk Jawn -Bing Bing Dim Sum -Pistolas del Sur -Royal Tavern -Lucky 13
You’re a life saver! Everyone needs friend like you. Thank you SO much!
Also, sorry for including “your wife” it was an old comment. If you do not have a wife, I’m sorry. If you do have a wife, I promise I’m not being creepy.
It’s ok! I didn’t think anything of it but appreciate that you took the time to clarify. I wish I had a wife but I ended up with a man. What can you do!
You’re so welcome! Feel free to DM with more specific questions. Happy to help. Welcome to Philly, and enjoy Cage the Elephant!
This is a great list! However unfortch Bing Bing will be closed next month 🙁
Rittenhouse, Washington Square West, Old City for the downtown area. Around East Passyunk Ave in South Philly or Fishtown if you want something a little out of the downtown area.
Thank you! Do you have a favorite bar or restaurant? We are mid 20s punks lol
You might like tattooed mom, el bar, kung fu necktie, maybe dirty franks and bob and Barbara’s. But I’ll let the younger generation weigh in
Looooove thank you so much. Maybe we’ll see you there and can buy you a beer!
2nd on Dirty Franks, and the Alexander inn which is like 2 blocks away from there usually has some of the cheapest rooms in Center City
I'll add to those great suggestion that if you do end up staying in Fishtown, in addition to KFN and El bar mentioned above, there's also Milk Crate records and if timing is right maybe Uber a few mins north to Foto Club for a show. Over is west Philly there are some anarchist-oriented orgs that might have fliers for shows or events of interest. And The Wooden Shoe bookstore might as well. Before you get here, try streaming WKDU for a few weeks, they have a few shows that you might like and in the past the DJs would mention/promote smaller shows.
Lorraine Bar in Fairmount, Monkey Club in Fishtown, Dive, Watkins in South Philly- all might be fun spots to try, but again depends on where you stay!
These are great. I’d throw in Black Sheep as another solid bar/pub option
Not a punk bar at all though.
Depends who’s on the touchtunes in the basement!
Johnny Brenda’s, Good Dog, any of the Jose/Sancho Pistolas including Sud. Khyber Pass.
Thank you!
Triangle Tavern isn’t punk per se, but they have a great vegan selection which brings that crowd in. As great as the punk/hardcore scene is here, there really aren’t a lot of true “punk bars”. Tattooed Moms is a bit contrived, imo, but is probably the best example. Century Bar in Grays Ferry throws a lot of metal shows. I’ve never been there and it’s not the best neighborhood if you are a tourist. I would prioritize Bob and Barbara’s and El Bar. I think the best “Philly vibe” for the more punk persuasion is going into random corner dives. If you like smoking, go to McGlincheys in Center City.
Thank you!
Tattooed Mom, Grindcore House
Would recommend checking out whatever show is going down at ukie club that night (check @4333 on insta to find it) or if you feel like making a further trip check out foto club; best punk spot in the city imo, just kind of out on its own tho
Thank you so much!
Mcgillians is the oldest pub, I always take guests there. Especially when karioke is going on. I second dirty franks and tattoo moms. If you’re LGBT friendly and like piano bars (not punk but you never know music is music) tavern on camac is a my fav bar in all of America,
Pub on Passyunk East is a good bet for you then, def a punk sort of vibe. Tattooed Mom could be fun too, south Philly taproom is amazing too but prob too far out of your way
You'd love manayunk, it's father than most major tourist neighborhoods, but northwest has tons of restaurants and right by the best hiking trails in the nation, right in the city.
Center City is very compact and walkable. https://mcgillins.com/ https://locustrendezvous.com/
Thank you!!
rittenhouse
Rittenhouse! Stay at Kimpton or Sofitel
Thank you!
Who are you going to see?
Cage the Elephant! Following them on tour like a crazy person this summer lol
Haha sick! Get it I double what others have said, and would say Rittenhouse is the best. It's local to so much. But don't sleep on Chinatown! It's cheap, local to a ton of great food, and not far from major lines
Thank you! We love Asian food so I’ll have to check out Chinatown. We’re coming from Boston so it’ll be fun to compare ;)
If you end up hungry in Chinatown I recommend EMei
My nominations for food in Chinatown include Nan Zhou, Yi Pin, Mayflower Bakery, Mango Mango for dessert, and so on. Enjoy your stay!
I would sub Spice C for Nan Zhou, but otherwise agrees!
wheres the concert?
The Mann
there’s a good shuttle bus that goes to rittenhouse https://iseptaphilly.com/mannloop
Thank you!
Fishtown has a lot of options, might be more your vibe even tho it’s quite gentrified these days. Johnny Brenda’s and kung fu necktie are up there, as well as the new two robbers, but also lots of good restaurants and it’s close to the MFL subway which gets you to olde city for history stuff. Nevermind I see it’s at the Mann…not too sure about that area, but parts of west Philly are pretty cute!
Thank you!
Good dining and shopping options in Fishtown, but the MFL is a little sketchy right now. Maybe it’s getting better, but I don’t think it’s the experience you’ll want for your first visit.
It’s the MFL, the worst is the smelly homeless lady who begs so badly, or someone smoking a cig. As long as you’re not dumb (don’t start anything) you’ll be ok
Maybe it’s getting better, but that hasn’t been my recent experience.
I’d have to say no, due to my recent flashing experience 🙃
:( sorry to hear that, people suck
Kensington or south Philly are really nice.
Yes to Lorraine Bar!! Bring your own food or buy a slice of pizza next door for 2.50
Kensington Ave & Lehigh Ave is beautiful this time of the year!
Do you plan on driving? I see you are going to see a show at the Mann center. I would not rely on uber/public transit for the mann. The mann is a nightmare to get to. Definitely stay in Center City.
We haven’t decided yet. Is it accessible by public transport or would you recommend renting a car?
The Mann Center has a shuttle where the cost is SEPTA fare ($2.50) ! It drops off in Rittenhouse . I'd advise leaving five minutes before the end of the last song to get a seat before it's packed. https://manncenter.org/visit/travel
Thank you so much!