5 things to do on your first trip to Philadelphia beyond the Liberty Bell
Sara M Moniuszko
Never been to Philadelphia? Neither had I — at least until I took a weekend trip there this summer.
Although I knew the biggest thing to see in the city of brotherly love was the Liberty Bell, I was looking for an alternative first visit to the city — and also got advice from Philly frequenters who told me about other gems worth checking out in addition to (or even instead of) the typical tourist stop.
So if you're looking for inspiration for your first trip to Philadelphia or are a return visitor looking for something fresh to see, check out these five suggestions for things to do that aren't the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall or the Rocky Steps (where a "Rocky" statue stands at the bottom of the stairs to the Philadelphia Museum of Art).
Eastern State Penitentiary
By far, the unexpected highlight of the trip was the Eastern State Penitentiary. Although I was looking forward to exploring the former prison, I wasn't expecting to be blown away by the building's sprawling size and rich history. Though most famous for being the temporary home of notorious gangster Al Capone, a detailed (and better-yet, free with your ticket!) audio guide brings other prisoners' stories to life as you move about the lengthy cell blocks.
Adults tickets are $14 in advance online and $16 in person. There are also discounts for seniors and students.
If you're traveling with children, not all sections of the prison are suitable — for example, the audio guide information on the death row cell and other aspects of prison life may be disturbing — but warnings of sensitive material are labeled. The penitentiary's website says it does not recommend a visit for children under 7.
Reading Terminal Market
If you like to eat and shop, the Reading Terminal Market is right for you. From Philly favorites to Amish delights and Italian treats, the market is your one-stop shop for any meal of the day (or, let's be honest, a between-meal snack). The market is also home to several shops offering gifts and, of course, the perfect souvenirs to bring back home.
This one is pretty simple, if you like indoor markets, this is a great place to spend some time on your trip.
Magic Gardens
If you're into art — and looking for the perfect Insta-worthy spot for some Philly photos — try Philadelphia's Magic Gardens. Located just below the city center (about a 20-minute walk from both the Liberty Bell and City Hall), this outdoor art gallery is a maze of mosaics and other fun sculptures and art installations. If you're visiting in the summer, you can also escape the heat in its indoor exhibits.
The gardens are great for budget travelers, too, as adult tickets are only $10. Student, senior and military discounts are also available. You can purchase a time-slotted ticket in person, or to make sure your timed ticket fits in best with your schedule, buy in advance online.
Need to kill some time before your time slot? The Italian Market is a less-than-10-minute walk away. Stroll through the outdoor market, where vendors sell fresh produce and other goods. Along the market, there are also specialty meat and cheese shops, restaurants, book stores and more.
Eat a cheesesteak
Although we tried to avoid the tourist clichés, we couldn't help but include the city's food staple: A Philly cheesesteak. We won't tell you to go to the touristy spots like Pat's King of Steaks or Geno's Steaks (though, feel free if you'd like!), but instead, we recommend a lesser-known spot, Woodrow's Sandwich Shop.
This little shop serves up a flavorful cheesesteak made with its own in-house cheese whiz. Out of all the cheesesteaks I tried during my weekend, the Woodrow’s Whiz Wit — which comes with shaved ribeye, truffle whiz, cherry pepper mayo and caramelized onions — was definitely the best.
Explore interesting neighborhoods
Want to find even more hidden gems? Get out of the touristy neighborhoods into some more off the beaten path. For example, Fishtown, which is located above the Liberty Bell tourist scene, is full of good food and street art. Like craft beer? Check out Evil Genius Beer Company for some fun and fresh brews.
And what's a better food pairing than pizza. Pizza Brain is a fully pizza-themed shop with pizza memorabilia covering every inch of its little location. It even claims its "Museum of Pizza Culture" to be the world’s first pizza museum. Oh, and the pizza (available in full pies or by the slice) is also delicious.
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