A city break is more of a fun long weekend vibe, and I actually go to Philadelphia a week at a time for work, but this seemed like a good title. Since I first went to Philly in September 2023, I've been back in November 2024, March 2025 and May 2025. Hence an updated post of what you can get up to in the City of Brotherly Love.
What to do:My favourite thing still is
Philadelphia's Magic Gardens, even though I've only been there that one time. And I've shared about other touristy things in my
original post, which included taking an audio tour of the Eastern State Penitentiary, seeing the Liberty Bell, and running up the Rocky Steps (more of a walk for me). All fab things to do.
Since then I've explored a bit more of colonial Philadelphia, and finally got to mooch around Elfreth's Alley where the houses date from between 1703 to 1836. It's a super cute alley, where people still live, and you'll also find a museum there. Just round the corner you'll find Betty Ross's House - she made the first US flag - and I also got the chance to pop into Carpenter's Hall, where Pennsylvania declared its independence from the British Empire (amongst other things).
Sport is also big in the city - it's the Eagles if you're into American football, the Sixers for basketball, the Flyers for ice hockey and the Phillies for baseball. We headed to the Wells Fargo Center to see the Philadelphia 76ers take on the Cleveland Cavaliers... they lost 106 to 114. Next time!
Where to eat and drink:In my
original food post I shared where to eat and drink. I have returned to Reading Terminal Market and tried some new places, but also went back to Down Home Diner for breakfast - picked a much better dish than I did the previous time! We went back to El Rey again - and also ate at their sister Mexican restaurant, El Vez. Much preferred it to El Rey, so we ate at El Vez on a return trip! (Need to go back to Anejo to see if their Mexican food is still up to scratch.)
IHOP was another repeat breakfast place we went to - I do feel like you do have to tick off some more of the classic American diners, though there's sadly no Denny's in central Philly - and I've also hit up Grandma's twice now for their yum Thai food (excellent value, too). I've also returned to Urban Farmer (not as good as the first time I ate there) and Mac's Tavern (one for the
It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia fans, though had the "Wrexham" fish and chips so could be one for the
Welcome to Wrexham fans as well!), plus had drinks again at SkyHigh, the Four Seasons' bar.
My favourite new places to eat in Philadelphia are Talula's Garden, Kalaya and Spice Finch. The food in Talula's Garden was incredible, including the best cornbread I've eaten (often it can be a bit dry, but this was scrumptious, as was all the food I had there) - it is on the pricier side for Philly though. Kalaya is another fab Thai restaurant, this one is over in a cool space in Fishtown, and they're known for their hot curries and massive desserts of shaved ice. Highly recommend trying to get a table there, if you can. And Spice Finch has great Mediterranean food, plus they cater for larger group sizes.
At Reading Terminal Market I had a fab chicken pot pie at Molly Malloy's (above), tried a corn dog from Fox & Son (had it coated in sweet potato and it was really claggy), plus breakfast at Beck's Cajun Cafe (average). Had other breakfasts at Coco Grille (fine) and Sabrina's Cafe (chicken and waffles FTW). Had an okay lunch at The Continental Mid-town, and average dinners at Ruth's Chris Steak House, Glory Beer Bar & Kitchen and Wilder (though the bread at Wilder was incredible, I will give them that!). (Plus a hotel Shake Shack, which I'm not sure should count!) Drinks-wise, have now ticked off Good Dog Bar, El Techo (rooftop view and a fab frozen rose - pictured above) and Cavanaugh's Rittenhouse (typical sports bar).
Anything else? I've stayed at the Sofitel twice, most recently in May 2025 but also on my first visit - whilst the rooms are the same, the lobby has had a glow up and is looking swish! Good breakfast there, too, plus it's in Rittenhouse Square which is a great location for shops and restaurants. My least favourite hotel is The Logan, though I am a big fan of their rooftop bar which has an amazing view down Benjamin Franklin Parkway towards the Philadelphia Art Museum/Rocky Steps. And my favourite hotel to stay in is the W, which has an outdoor heated pool - much needed if you decide to go for a swim in November! Cracking view as well of the town hall, if you have a room on the right side.
Finally, Philadelphia airport is about 25 minutes in a cab to Center City. (There is a train but I've never taken it!) And if you're combining Philly with a visit to
New York City, the Amtrak runs from Penn Station to Philly's William H. Gray III 30th Street Station. It'll have you there in around 75 minutes. As for how to get around the city, a lot of it's walkable, but we used Uber when we did need to go a bit further afield as the subway is not the nicest. x
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