Philadelphia is my favorite city. New York is special, DC is beautiful as is Boston, at least in the summer and fall, and I have been to many other cities in the US and around the world, but I feel like Philly is one of my homes. I could talk about it for hours, what to do, where to go, etc. So when Carol's friend asked me what she should do on her weekend getaway to Philly, I got excited and went off about it but was frustrated because she did not have a pen! And how would I find out how it turned out?
This is what I consider the perfect weekend in Philly.
Friday night
Dinner on Walnut Street. After dinner take a walk around Rittenhouse Square, and go into Barnes and Noble. Take a rest in its cafe and pick up magazines or books to read for an hour. Then return to Rittenhouse Square, sit on a bench, and relax, chat or people watch.
Saturday
In the morning head to Kelly Drive for a rollerblade, checking out the Parkway (JFK Parkway) on the way. It should be a relaxing blade. Take in the cool morning - the purpose is not to get an intense workout. Head back into the city, to South Street, and get a Rita's water ice, gelati, or custard (custard is my favorite) for a pre-lunch refreshment. Walk around the historic district, checking out what is playing at the two Ritz movie theaters. Consider choosing a movie for the evening. Around 2 PM, get a cheesesteak from Ishkabibble's Eatery between 3rd and 4th on South Street, or in South Philly, at Pat's or Geno's.
In the afternoon head to one of the beautiful nearby colleges. Swarthmore, Haverford and Bryn Mawr are my favorites. Play tennis, have a catch and/or throw the frisbee around. In the evening return to town and see a play or a movie. If you are not ready for bed, try the smores at Xando's
Sunday
Sleep in, there is not so much to see that you need to get up early. Maybe there is, but if done hectically, it will not be enjoyed. Go for a thorough morning walk just south of Locust Street, between 18th and 25th Street, and between Locust and South. If you want a longer walk, head over the South Street Bridge to UPenn and walk on the campus. Get a fresh fruit salad from one of the street vendors.
In the afternoon take a walk north of the Historic district, in Old City, and if the weather is nice, on the esplanade on Delaware Avenue. You may also want to make another trip to Kelly Drive for a rollerblade or bike ride. Hiking is also a good option. There is a path about 5 miles from the art museum on Kelly Drive, near Manayunk, though the entrance is small and easy to miss. After a long walk, stop for a snack or coffee in Manayunk.
For an upscale, but not over the top dinner, try Chart House on the river, Zanzibar blue if you want some Jazz and wine, or Buddakhan for Asian fusion. For an upscale dinner, go to Susanna Foo's and get whatever fish special they have, or try one of the OK places across the street, such as the world renown Le Bec-Fin or Il Portico, Italian food (I saw Madeline Albright dining there). You can also go low-scale and get amazing Chinese on 20th and Spruce or 20th and Chestnut (Mandarin Palace). There is good Thai food on 23rd Street between Walnut and Sansome Street, or on 37th and Lanchester, called Lemongrass.
If you have time, go to the Ritz movie theatre in Voorhees, NJ, my favorite theater in the world. There is a neat little theater worth seeing between 20th and 21st and Sansom, a throwback to the '50s, which is usually playing an interesting movie, which may or may not be mainstream. If you are driving to New York City, leave on the late side to avoid traffic. If going to the Philly airport, the train from Center City drops you off at the terminal.
On this weekend that will seem too short, listen for a few minutes to the local sports radio, 610 AM.
If you are in the area for another day or two, it is worth checking out America's second smallest state, Delaware, 40 miles from Center City. Newark has an abundance of parks to have picnics in, take walks, play tennis, baseball, bike or jog. New Castle is quaint and a beautiful town for a walk, with a great restaurant on its main street with an Old English flavor, Jessup's.
Other possible day trips are Baltimore, and South Jersey or to the Philly suburbs for some solid shopping malls.
If you are lacking for things to do, here are some other great options:
In South Jersey, eat at Somsak Thai Cuisine and see a movie at the Ritz Twelve.
Reference
Restaurants in Center City that I decided to list, from most to least expensive
Cheesesteak Options
Philly Pretzels
South Jersey