From Wikitravel

Philadelphia's Old City is home to a large number of galleries, restaurants and bars, and so is known for its active nightlife and cultural opportunities.

[edit] Get in

• Driving: you can find parking structures and rates with the PPA Parking Finder. Parking along the streets in Old City is metered, scarce and frequently with a two-hour limit.
• Bus service: Routes are available through the SEPTA website, as well as the PHLASH trolley that operates part of the year.
• Cabs are available throughout the city by hailing, as well.

[edit][add listing] See

• Betsy Ross House 239 Arch Street Philadelphia, PA 19106. The admission for this tour is free. Betsy Ross was the creator the first American flag. She created the thirteen stars and the thirteen red and white stripes. It gives the tour-takers a view of the colonial times in Philadelphia.

• Carpenter’s Hall 320 Chestnut Street Philadelphia, PA 19106. The admission is also free. The delegates from the first Continental Congress gather here to start the revolution and break away from Great Britain. It was also the site of the first bank robbery in America. It was built in 1770 and is still made of the same bricks from that date.

• Christ Church 2nd Street and Market Street Philadelphia, PA 19106. Admission is free. It was built between 1727 and 1754. Many of the founding fathers worshiped here, such as George Washington, and Benjamin Franklin, as well as Francis Hopkinson and Robert Morris.

• Edgar Allan Poe National Historic Site 532 N. 7th Street Philadelphia, PA 19123. Admission is free. Poe was the famous and troubled writer of such stories as “The Pit and the Pendulum”, “The Tell-Tale Heart” , “The Cask of Amontillado” and “Murders in the Rue Morgue”.

• Elfreth’s Alley Located off of 2nd Street, between Arch and Race streets. It is the oldest continually inhabited street in the entire United States. These houses were built before the new nation was born. The earliest dated house was built in 1702. People do still live in these houses today, and there are guided tours 320 days of the year. It has lovely gardens surrounding it and handcrafted gifts at nearby shops.

• Franklin Court316-322 Market Street, between 3rd and 4th Streets. It has the base structure of Benjamin Franklin’s house. It even shows where the privy pits and wells were. Underground is a museum filled with paintings, objects, and inventions associated with Benjamin Franklin. Great for kids.

• Liberty Bell Market Street, between 5th and 6th Streets. [1]. Admission is free. The bell was rung for public announcements. On July 8th 1776 was the first time the Constitution was read to the public.

• Arch Street Meeting House 320 Arch Street Philadelphia, PA 19106. It is the meeting house where the first Quakers (William Penn) would meet and discuss the growth of the nation. People still meet today here and worship. Tours occur every Monday and Wednesday. Parking is free.

• Fire Museum 147 N. 2nd Street Philadelphia PA 19106. The fire house was built during the Benjamin Franklin era. It has helmets and badges and other items. It dates back to 1731. It has the fire equipment used from 1731 to 1901. Open Monday to Saturday from 9:00am to 4:30pm.

• Atwater Kent Museum 15th South Seventh Street Philadelphia PA 19106. It is a hands-on museum that teaches kids about the history of Philadelphia. It also has paintings created by Norman Rockwell.

• Independence National Historical Park This area, covering several blocks of Old City Philadelphia, includes some of the Philadelphia's most famous historic sites. The park also includes more than a dozen historical buildings. You definitely want to start at the Independence Visitor Center, where you can get the ticket you need to get into Independence Hall, as well as information and tickets for other area sites. Costumed interpreters hang out at the Visitor Center and will talk to any and all kids.

• Congress Hall Independence National Historical Park 143 South Third Street Philadelphia PA 19106. From 1790 to 1800 the President, George Washington, and Vice President would meet here with the Congress and Senate to discuss politics. It wasn’t until later that City Hall was developed.

• Declaration (Graff) House Independence National Historical Park 143 South Third Street Philadelphia PA 19106. This is Thomas Jefferson’s house and where he wrote the Declaration of Independence.

• Independence Hall Independence National Historical Park 143 South Third Street Philadelphia, PA 19106. It was the place for meetings for the first and second continental congresses. It is also famous for the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence.

• Independence Hall Museum 9 am - 5 pm. Tickets required Mar - Dec. World Heritage Site.

• National Constitution Center Independence National Historical Park 143 South Third Street Philadelphia, PA 19106. [2]. There are many films, paintings sculptures and interactive activities to help visitors understand the Constitution.

• National Museum of Jewish American History 55 North Fifth Street, Independence Mall East Philadelphia PA 19106. A museum devoted to the history of Jewish Americans. It has artifacts and films and much more that explores the Jewish culture through America.

• United States Mint 151 North Independence Mall East Philadelphia PA 19106. [3] The first and largest US Mint. Tourist can view how the coins and money are made on a self-guided tour. Tourists can also receive the newest coins made.

• Opera Company of Philadelphia 1420 Locust St Philadelphia, PA 19102. Established in 1975 the Philadelphia Opera Company is one of the fastest growing Opera companies in the country.

• Pretzel Museum 211 North Third Street Philadelphia, PA 19106. It is the only museum in the United States dedicated to the pretzel. It has a seven minute video of the history of the pretzel and an onsite bakery to show the special techniques of twisting pretzels.

• Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial - Third and Pine.

• The 'Real World' House - Northeast Corner of Third and Arch. Now an art gallery.

[edit][add listing] Do

• First Friday event which is held on every first Friday of the month and showcases local artists' works. [4]

[edit][add listing] Buy

In addition to myriad art galleries, Old City boasts design studios and very modern furniture stores.

Also, it is the restaurant-supply outlet center of the city

For Music, visit "a.k.a. Music" on 2nd between Market and Arch. Lots of hard-to-find releases in all genres from rock & Indie to jazz & experimental. Good vinyl selection, too.

For book lovers go visit "The Book Trader" on 2nd just north of market. Large selection of used books and a couple friendly cats.

[edit][add listing] Eat

• Amada, 217 Chestnut St., ☎ (215)625-2450, [5]. M-Th 11:30-2:30, 5-11; Fr. 11:30-2:30, 5-1am; Sat. 5-1am; Sun. 5-10pm. Excellent Spanish tapas cuisine. A large Spanish wine selection along with an enormous variety of tapas, some in traditional Spanish style. Also has an excellent cheese plate, great service, and is a good place for people-watching. Reservations are basically mandatory. $20-$30 for entree.  edit

• Buddakan, 325 Chestnut St., ☎ (215)574-9440, [6]. M-Th 11:30-2:30, 5-11; F. 11:30-2:30, 5pm-12:00am; Sa. 5pm-12:00am; Sun. 5pm-11pm. One of the more well known restaurants in Philadelphia, it has a fairly good wine list and a focus on Asian food (many varieties). It is often considered one of the top ten to fifteen restaurants in Philadelphia. $25-$35 for entree.  edit

• Continental, 138 Market St, ☎ +1 215 923-6069, [7].  edit

• Eulogy Belgian Tavern[8], 136 Chestnut Street. A slice of Belgium cuisine: Mussels & Fries, etc. Also a huge variety of beers (Belgian or otherwise) on draft or bottle.

• Franklin Fountain, 116 Market, [9]. An early 1900s-style ice cream saloon with tin ceilings, antique soda dispensers, belt-driven ceiling fans, and servers in period attire. edit

• La Famiglia Ristorante, 8 South Front St, ☎ +1 215 922-7803, [10]. Philadelphia's Best Italian Restaurant serving customers since 1976. Enormous wine cellar. edit

• Karma, 114 Chestnut St., ☎ (215)925-1444, [11]. M-Th 11:30-2:30, 4:30-10; Fri. 11:30-2:30, 4:30-11; Sa. 12:00pm-11pm; Sun. 12:00pm-10pm. Excellent Indian cuisine, with a particularly exquisite lunch buffet; dinner specialties include standard Indian dishes as well as some modernized dishes; the focus is on the classics, however. Reservations are recommended for dinner. $10-$20 for entrees, buffet is around $10.  edit

• Morimoto, 723 Chestnut St, ☎ 215 413-9070, [12]. Reservations are strongly recommended; dress is upscale casual, jackets are not required edit

[edit][add listing] Drink

Old City is packed with Restaurants, Bars and smaller clubs from Front to 3rd Sts. and Race to Chestnut Sts. with the most concentration on 2nd and 3rd sts. between Chestnut and Market Sts. Well-dressed attractive professionals crowd the sidewalks all night on the weekends, with the occasional celebrity too. Most of the venues are upscale, dressy and comparatively expensive with DJs and without; watch out for door policy and sometimes a line. There are too many to name and they're all right there, just look into the front windows to decide... You can also find more laidback drinking holes like Skinner's, Sugarmom's and Rotten Ralph's. Upstairs At Nick's and The Khyber both have bands and special events. For a quieter drink, try Race Cafe or Continental. For dance music connoisseurs, try Fluid on 4th near South St. Perfect dance spot bringing in legions of international DJs spinning Techno, Hard House, etc...Slammin'. Cabs are everywhere at 2:00 a.m. (closing time)

For a great (Strong) cup of coffee try Old City Coffee on Church Street between 2nd and 3rd just north of market.

[edit][add listing] Sleep

• The Thomas Bond Inn 129 South 2nd Street Philadelphia, PA 19106. Phone 215-923-8523. Toll Free 1-800-845-2663. Fax 215-923-8504. Historic guesthouse. $105-$190. [13]. The Thomas Bond Inn has been rate top 25 Best Bistoric Inns by American Historic Inns. It over looks Philadelphia’s Independence National Historic Park and the Delaware River. It has lovely Colonial furnishings and bountiful breakfast. There is wine and cheese and cookies in the evenings.
• Bank St. Hostel 32 S. Bank Street, (215-922-0222).

[edit] Contact

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