Skip to Content

Philadelphia Hipster City Guide for Travelers

One of America’s original cities and the birthplace of American democracy, Philadelphia is so much more than its’ past. Discover Philadelphia’s coolest hotspots with this guide to some of the best things to see and do in one of the country’s most surprising cities.

Hipster Philadelphia

They call it the “City of Brotherly Love,” and as the birthplace for so much of American democracy, there’s little dispute of Philadelphia’s place in history. It’s the city’s place in history which has kept Philadelphia thriving for centuries, but the city is so much more than its’ past.

Hipster Philadelphia Travel Guide

Today, with a burgeoning arts scene and thousands of young residents, the city has doubled down on its efforts to be a cool hotspot.

Award-winning restaurants pop up regularly and big-name music festivals such as Jay Z’s Made in America fest call the city home. An international airport connects the city to the world and Philadelphia’s proximity to NYC makes it easily accessible.

But it’s the old-fashioned charm of historic alleyways (like at Elfreth’s Alley) and colonial architecture, mixed with a resurgence in new ideas, creative companies, and a vibrant street life which make Philly just so cool.

Philadelphia often makes the top of lists for 20-somethings looking for somewhere beyond the overpriced big cities of America. And it’s no wonder why. There’s a lot going on here and more coming every year!

Know Where to Go: Philadelphia Neighborhoods

philadelphia

Philadelphia isn’t a complicated city to get around. The downtown is a simple grid system, so as long as you can orient yourself, you can find your way around. The city center and old town are also very walkable with plenty of pedestrian spaces. And the Philadelphia subway system (SEPTA) is made up of four separate lines, with the BSL and MFL connecting most neighborhoods worth visiting as a tourist.

Discover Philadelphia’s neighborhoods in this neighborhood guide. Besides the downtown and historic city center, Fishtown and Kensington in the north, and South Philly (in the south) each have their own unique flair and character. Near Rittenhouse Square you’ll find lots of cool restaurants, plus be close to the museums.

The self-proclaimed Philadelphia Design District in the city center is one of the best places for shopping (plus its proximity to the historic old town). And the Northern Liberties district between the city center and Fishtown is a great neighborhood with lots of local shops, restaurants, and cafés (just take a stroll down North 2nd Ave to discover them all).

Where to Stay in Philadelphia

hotels in philadelphia

Most Philadelphia hotels are located in the city center—it’s where most of the business takes place and the bulk of the tourist attractions. But you’ll find smaller hotels and boutiques in the outlying neighborhoods.

These can be a great way to explore outside the city center (and you pretty much only need a day to cover the most important historical sights, anyways). On the VisitPhilly.com website, you can even book a Visit Philly Overnight Hotel Package which includes free hotel parking and other additional perks such as free tickets to various Philadelphia museums, gift cards for trendy restaurants, ride-sharing credit & more!

  • boutique apartment hotel philadelphia fishtownWm. Mulherin’s Sons Located in a former whiskey office and distillery in Fishtown, this boutique hotel only has four rooms so it fills up quick. On the ground level, you’ll find one of Philadelphia’s hottest restaurants (by the same name). They serve Italian (with a focus on wood-fired pizza) in a rustic but luxurious setting. That unique design flair shows in the layout and design of the hotel rooms which are spacious with large windows and beautifully curated furniture to create a rustic-but-cosy style. From the hotel, it’s easy to walk to all the best places in Fishtown, and the subway easily connects you direct to the main tourist sites in the city center in under 20 minutes. Rooms in the hotel come fully equipped as full-service apartments with all the kitchen appliances you could need, and the 24-hour entry via door code provides comfort and privacy. Room rates from $280/night.
  • Philadelphia - LGBTQ-friendly hotel (gay hotel)Cambria Downtown — Centrally located (and walking distance to the Philadelphia gayborhood), the brand new Cambria Hotels Downtown offers a luxurious (but affordable!) place to rest. Directly on the busy Broad Street, Cambria only opened up in March 2018 but its rooftop bar and restaurant have already become a social hangout. Rooms are spacious and feature colorfully designed wallpapers.
  • A spacious lobby doubles as the breakfast room as well as a lounge and chill-out space (complete with a small 24-hour shop selling microwavable foods, drinks and other snacks). While the hotel’s amenities seem set up for business travelers, its location and convenience (and cool, hip design) make it great for a weekend leisure trip—especially if you’re planning to visit the Philadelphia gayborhood. Room rates from $100/night.

Activities & Tourist Things to Do in Philadelphia

Philadelphia skyline

There’s just no getting around it. Philadelphia’s biggest tourism draw is its place in U.S. history. It was here where Franklin, Jefferson, Washington and the other founding fathers declared independence from Great Britain and eventually wrote the U.S. Constitution.

Philadelphia was even briefly the capital of the country where Congress met to create and define the country’s laws.

While some might opt for a half-day tour of the historical sites in Philadelphia’s Old City, there’s so much more to see and do—especially for those looking for alternative things to do. It’s still important to hit up the main sites, though! Don’t miss these top tourist traps in Philadelphia—they’re the ones worth seeing!

  • Independence Hall Philadelphia - Hipster Travel Guide - Travels of AdamLiberty Bell & Independence Hall — Part of the U.S. National Park, this is one of the most popular tourist things to do in Philly. So much so, that you absolutely need to show up early to be able to get in (it’s free), or schedule your timed ticket in advance (just don’t be late!). While you can access the Independence Hall without a ticket, the free tour from one of the docents is a great way to experience the site. This is the birthplace of American democracy. Make sure you take it all in because the democratic ideals set forth in Independence Hall are truly inspiring—and still relevant today. The Liberty Bell in the building across the street includes a small exhibition about freedom, justice, and human rights from around the world.
  • eastern state prison museumEastern State Penitentiary The ESP as it’s locally called is a former prison most famous for briefly housing the notorious Al Capone, but today it’s an incredibly interesting museum. The audio guide makes it easy to wander throughout the grounds and cells where you’ll stumble on contemporary art exhibitions (largely focused on the justice system), historical details, and an incredible exhibition on the justice system in the USA today. The curators of the museum have gone to great lengths to include historical facts and information on social topics and specific groups such as POC, women, and LGBTQ inmates.
  • rocky stepsRocky Steps at the Philadelphia Museum of Art — The art museum itself is an impressive site to see (see below), but the big star here is the memorial to Rocky—a totally fictional character but somehow immortalized in real-life. There’s probably going to be a queue to snap a selfie in front of the memorial sculpture, so skip that and just get your selfie doing the Rocky pose running up and down the steps!
  • japanese garden in fairmount park philadelphiaFairmount Park One of the world’s largest park systems (and the largest in America), the Fairmount Park is home to a number of worthwhile sights, including countless trails (for horses, even!) colonial mansions and a Japanese house and garden. There are picnic spots along the river and plenty of rolling hills and forests to explore—great for a Sunday afternoon outdoors.
  • Spruce Street Harbor Park — The summertime pop-up along the Delaware Riverside at Penn’s Landing is a favorite for locals. Decked out with rainbow hammocks, regularly scheduled events (check their calendar online), and food trucks & a beer garden, it’s a cool and casual hangout on summer afternoons.
  • one liberty observation deck philly sunsetOne Liberty Observation Deck — Sure, climbing up to the top of the city skyline (57 floors; 883 feet up) for a selfie is pretty much 100% touristic, but hey—how else are you going to get an impressive view of the city skyline?! From the One Liberty Observation Dock, you get a 360-degree view of Philadelphia’s downtown and for miles and miles into the distance, too! Plus it’s a great view of the William Penn sculpture on the top of Philadelphia City Hall.

Food & Best Restaurants in Philadelphia

cheu fishtown philadelphia restaurant

Food in Philly goes wayyyyyy beyond the cheesesteak! (Thankfully!) Thanks to some local celebrity chefs, Top Chef stars, James Beard winners, and really just a thriving community of restaurateurs, chefs, and eaters interested in top quality, the food scene here is booming. Philadelphia cuisine is all-encompassing and increasingly diverse.

The city has long been home to many different immigrant populations, and it’s that diversity which has helped to popularize many different cuisines. If you’re looking for a taste of Philly’s most famous foods (which even takes in some of the sites here such as the Reading Terminal Market), check out the Taste of Philly Food Tour.

  • Reading Terminal MarketReading Terminal Market On the top of most tourist “things to do” lists (and for good reason!), the Reading Terminal Market is located in the city center and has been operating since the 19th century. A seemingly endless number of merchants serving everything from American specialities to German bratwurst, and plenty of sweet shops. It’s open during business hours so it’s more of a lunch hotspot than anything else. Everyone has their favorite recommendation for what to order here, so it’s best to just visit for yourself and see what looks good.
  • Italian Market In South Philly on the popular 9th Street, the Italian Market is an outdoor market for fresh food, vegetables, and random bric-a-brac and cheap household goods. It’s been called America’s longest-running outdoor market and it definitely looks it! The small cheesemonger shops, delis, and butchers are the real draw here—not to mention all the family-run Italian restaurants.
  • cheu fishtownCHeU Noodle Bar — With two locations (but really: check out the one in Fishtown), CHeU is a fun and funky restaurant serving ramen dishes. But they’ve got their own unique flair with unique recipes like a brisket ramen (with a matzoh ball) and goat cheese rangoons with jalapeños. Pro tip: visit during their incredibly generous happy hour every weekday from 5-7pm and weekends from 3-5pm for $5 appetizers and cheaper drinks.
  • Tela's Market - Philadelphia Restaurants - Hipster Travel GuideTela’s Market & Kitchen Just a few blocks from the Eastern State Penitentiary, Tela’s Market & Kitchen has all the appeal of a neighborhood grocer and local bodega, but with its own special style. Besides a beautiful interior design, all the ingredients for their top-quality sandwiches, smoothies, and other groceries are locally sourced.
  • serpico restaurant philadelphiaSerpico — On South Street, the dark and minimalistic Serpico restaurant from James Beard award-winning chef Stephen Starr offers contemporary takes on classic American dishes with Asian influences. Don’t miss the beef short rib or the roasted beet salad!
  • Jim's Steaks - Philadelphia Hipster Guide - Travels of AdamJim’s Steaks Okay, so no list of Philly food could be complete without mentioning the infamous cheesesteak. Everyone in Philadelphia will tell you their favorite (and it’s not always the one you have at 3 a.m.), but Jim’s Steaks on South Street will make it near the top of most everyone’s lists. But be warned: day or night, there’s a long queue to get one and the upstairs seating is small and cramped. If it’s too crowded for you, you can always try Ishkabibble across the street.
  • blackbird vegan pizzaBlackbird Pizzeria One of the many vegan restaurants in Philadelphia, Blackbird Pizzeria is in the super-hip Blackbird Pizzeria. Besides their extensive vegan pizza styles (each available as slices or pies, they also serve sandwiches—including a vegan cheesesteak.
  • Pizza Brain Okay, this is one of Fishtown’s quirkiest restaurants and maybe one of Philadelphia’s most famous pizzas. Serving artisanal slices and pies (including one with foie gras, what?!), Pizza Brain is located right on the trendy Franklin Ave. And like every other eatery in Philadelphia, yes they serve a Philly cheesesteak-style slice.
  • Maison 208 Philadelphia RestaurantMaison 208 In the heart of Philly’s Gayborhood, Maison 208 by Chef Sylva Senat incorporates French-Haitian influences with traditional American cuisine to create unique fine dining options. Heavy dishes like a roast chicken or spiced lamb shank accentuate lighter dishes like scallops and oysters. The second floor keeps in tact a mural that was once painted alongside the building in an intricate, beautiful interior design—a cool and casual hangout with regular musical performers.
  • vegan scrapple @ front street cafeFront Street Café This hipster eatery is renowned for their vegan dishes, though they serve everything. Go for brunch and try the vegan scrapple—so good! On days with good weather, the backyard is a cool spot to hangout.

Best Coffee & Philadelphia Cafés

With a big student population (including the University of Pennsylvania, Temple, and Drexel Universities to name just a few), it’s not surprising Philadelphia is home to more than a few cool cafés and workspaces.

And the city’s relatively low cost of living mixed with a growing creative class of entrepreneurs, musicians, and artists has made the Philly coffee and café scene percolate.

  • la colombe philly fishtownLa Colombe Coffee Roasters One of Philadelphia’s most hipster exports, La Colombe is famous for their cold brew bottled coffees available across the country. There are even coffee shops in New York, Washington, Boston, Chicago, and Los Angeles, but La Colombe’s homebase is in Philadelphia’s own Fishtown. Their flagship café is spacious with a rustic interior design and you’ll find plenty of people hanging out there for brunch and fresh coffee, but take note that they don’t offer wifi.
  • Lil Pop Shop Famous for their funky-flavored lollipops, this small shop also sells ice creams, baked goods and other sweets (and coffee from local Rival Bros.!). Make sure to check out their seasonal changes—almost always sourced from local providers.
  • Federal Donuts Don’t be mistaken by their name, because while their donuts are great (especially the fancy ones), it’s all about the fried chicken here at this local chain. An order of fried chicken comes with a maple donut, so you’re well taken care of here.
  • Random Tea Room & Curiosity Shop In the trendy Northern Liberties neighborhood, the specialty here is tea, but it’s all about the charm of the café space with mismatched furniture, a chess-board as a table, and a backyard full of found objects. Bonus: they serve Argentinian mate teas (including a cold brew).
  • philly style bagelPhilly Style Bagels Show up early at this Fishtown bagel shop! There’s no seating and on weekends, you might end up waiting in a line that wraps around the block for up to 20 minutes. These small-batch bagels get their local charm from a unique process that includes boiling them in beer. IN BEER! It makes them slightly malty while remaining crunchy on the outside and soft inside.
  • milkcrate cafe philly fishtownMilkcrate Cafe Album records line the walls and tabletops at this Fishtown café. Small bites (and breakfasts) round out the menu, but you can also buy albums and show up for live music and DJs just about every day. It’s a great little café that feels a lot more authentic than other cafés thanks to a neighborhood vibe.
  • win win bar coffeeW/n W/n Coffee Bar This café and bar is popular for its coffees as much for its cocktails. But currently their menu includes PizzaGutt—the newest pizza favorite in Philly—and clearly the star of this bar. Bonus: this place is open-late and feels more like a bar than a café.

Philadelphia’s Coolest Bars & Best Nightlife

philly bars & clubs

Nightlife in Philadelphia is scattered across the city. Each neighborhood has their own bit of flair, but you’ll find most live music and late-night clubs in the north—especially in and around Fishtown. There are also a surprising amount of bars and clubs in the city center, and of course all the gay bars are located in a small section of the city called the Gayborhood—just about all of them within walking distance of one another.

And…don’t forget a late-night stop at Wawa on your way home from wherever you are! Philadelphians are obsessed with Wawa—the 24-hour convenience store. It’s not about the coffee or the food, but the experience, and the one-stop shopping. (Okay, it’s a little bit about the food—especially when/if you’re a lil drunk.)

  • philadelphia distillery absinthePhiladelphia Distilling There’s been a surge in new craft distilleries, but Philadelphia Distilling has been operating since 2005. Besides gin and vodka, they even distill their own absinthe! There’s a really cool bar on site with all their signature cocktails, or you can arrange a tour (and tasting) of the distillery on weekends.
  • gay bar philadelphiaGayborhood bars Philly’s Gayborhood is in the city center and there are at least 10 different bars attracting a mix of people. The most famous of the bars is Woody’s—one of the longest-running gay bars in Philadelphia, however, many locals find it’s less gay these days. Still, it’s a popular starting point for the Gayborhood. Look below for better gay nightlife tips, though!
  • kung fu nightclubKung Fu Necktie This dive bar in Fishtown attracts a wild crowd for their parties, and you can expect live music every night of the week (hence the usual cover charge).
  • the saint philadelphiaSaint Lazarus Just referred to as “the Saint,” this Fishtown bar and club is probably the coolest spot in the area. The style is pretty eclectic and you can expect club nights to range from techno to indie rock, but it’s always a fun and young crowd.
  • Ruba Club - PhiladelphiaRuba Club An underground club and event space with two floors. You’ll find ping pong and a pool table on the ground floor and an upstairs with a a space that frequently turns into a nightclub and dance floor. Oftentimes a late-night venue with a variety of events—including occasional LGBTQ club nights.
  • The Barbary — A live music venue in Fishtown, besides local and traveling bands, the Barbary also hosts occasional parties and regular club nights including a regular indie music club night.
  • bob barbara lounge phillyBob and Barbara’s Lounge It’s a true dive bar. So much so that the entire bar is plastered floor-to-ceiling with PBR paraphernalia. Drink specials (PBR + a shot!) keep things cheap inside, and weekly parties such as the Thursday night drag show and karaoke on weekends make sure there’s always a crowd here. The drag isn’t amazing, but the atmosphere is ace.

LGBTQ – Philadelphia Gay Travel Guide

Philadelphia Gayborhood

Philadelphia is home to a significant gay and lesbian population and it’s incredibly visible. The gayborhood is located in the heart of the city, adorned with rainbow street signs and even a rainbow crosswalk (since 2017). There are event at least 10 gay bars open just about every night of the week, and plenty of other queer and queer-friendly spaces scattered across the city.

Besides the gay nightlife, Philly hosts a number of LGBTQ-specific events. Besides the annual summertime pride festival (and Philadelphia Black Pride), Philadelphia also hosts a block party called OutFest each October during National Coming Out Day.

Many of the city’s LGBT events are planned and organized by the Philly Gay Pride organization. For other LGBTQ news and events in Philly, the local newspaper Philly Gay News and a local blog, Philly Gay Events, each post regular listings. The Visit Philadelphia official tourism website also features a number of useful guides for LGBTQ travelers at visitphilly.com/lgbt.

LGBTQ Culture, & Events in Philly

  • giovanni's room thrift vintagePhilly AIDS Thrift @ Giovanni’s Room The oldest gay bookstore in America, Giovanni’s Room has been operating since 1973 and is well-regarded for its LGBTQ literature, events, and even feminist books. The shop serves as a focal point for the LGBTQ community and a useful resource for LGBTQ visitors.
  • Gay Rights Demonstrations - US History Philadelphia Historical MarkerGay Pioneers Historical Marker — All around Philly you’ll find historical markers. There are a handful of ones that point out important parts of the city’s LGBTQ history, including a marker in front of Giovanni’s Room. But there’s also one acknowledging the city’s gay pioneers just steps away from Independence Hall. It’s on the corner of South 6th Street & Chestnut—just opposite the Liberty Bell.
  • Big Gay Ice Cream – The iconic (and Instagrammable) NYC brand has a shop open on South Street. And it’s open late on weekends, too! If you need a big gay ice cream, there’s nowhere else, really.

Philadelphia Gay Bars & Queer Nightlife

  • Voyeur Nightclub Philadelphia - Gay Club - Travels of AdamVoyeur Nightclub Philly’s only late-night gay club, Voyeur is *the* place to be on weekends after all the bars close. A three-level dance club, it’s open until just after 3am. A runway and stage sit at the center of the club, complete with disco balls hanging from the ceiling. Drag shows and themed parties make up the club’s calendar.
  • U Bar The cozy U Bar offers an unpretentious, casual hangout—great for dates, even if it’s got the worst-designed layout in the history of bars.
  • Tavern on CarmacA popping gay bar with a piano on the ground floor and an upstairs dance club. There’s pretty much a constant singalong downstairs and the upstairs level fills up quickly on weekend. Be prepared to wait in a queue to get upstairs! (**Probably my favorite bar/club in Philly!**)
  • The Bike Shop With three floors, this is a surprisingly large space but most of the action takes place in the dark and dingy basement. It’s essentially a leather bar but attracts a pretty diverse crowd of almost exclusively men. Pop music videos play on the top floor and there are beanbags to chill out on. It’s kind of an eclectic bar and a lot of fun on weekends!
  • Stir — A little further from the Gayborhood, near the Rittenhouse Square, the queer Stir Lounge has a mixed crowd of young gays and lesbians (especially during their happy hour).
  • woody's philly gay bar?Woody’s For over 30 years, the gay bar Woody’s has stood at the corner of the gayborhood and anchored much of the nightlife with its two dance floors and large outdoor patio. The bar and club is popular with men, women, gays, and straights. It attracts as many tourists as it does bachelorette parties, but the mixed atmosphere makes it a fun place to start a night out in the gayborhood.

Art & Museums in Philadelphia

barnes foundation

Philadelphia’s art scene comprises of both established art institutions like the iconic Philadelphia Museum of Art, but also supports emerging artists and small galleries. The city is also home to countless street art murals (especially in the Fishtown and Kensington neighborhoods). Keep your eyes out for the art!

  • Magic Gardens - Philadelphia Art GalleryPhiladelphia’s Magic Gardens — In South Philly, the Magic Gardens gallery space features floor-to-ceiling mosaics by local artist Isaiah Zagar. It’s a funky space with a weird collection of found objects, carefully laid out to create a thousand different reflective surfaces. The perfect place for a selfie. The mosaics cover both indoor and outdoor spaces, and an additional gallery features rotating temporary exhibitions.
  • mural phillyMural Arts Philadelphia The country’s largest mural arts program, this organization supports local and visiting artists in creating murals for Philadelphia’s streets in an attempt to create an expansive outdoor art gallery. Many murals focus on social justice issues. A self-guided tour features the bulk of the murals in the city center, but it’s also worthwhile exploring the many murals in Fishtown—where the bulk of Philly’s street art is created.
  • ica museum philadelphiaInstitute of Contemporary Arts Near the university district, the ICA exhibits contemporary art and photography with works by Andy Warhol and Robert Mapplethorpe. Their temporary exhibitions are wide-ranging but several have featured queer and LGBTQ-themed art. And bonus: the museum is FREE!
  • Philadelphia Museum of Art Founded nearly 150 years ago, the Philadelphia Museum of Art is far and away the city’s largest cultural institution with multiple properties in the museum district. Their collection spans the history of art and even includes a separate museum (included with the general admission ticket) with the largest collection of Rodin sculptures outside of Paris. Look out for the Philadelphia Museum of Art’s temporary exhibitions and special events.
  • barnes foundationBarnes Foundation Philadelphia’s largest collection of impressionist and post-impressionist paintings, the Barnes Foundation boasts an impressive space with works by Renoir, Matisse, and Modigliani. Live concerts take place in the museum’s outdoor café and the architecture of the building is impressive in its own right. Definitely a highlight of the Philly art scene!
  • Mutter Museum An admittedly weird museum, the Mutter Museum is part of the College of Physicians of Philadelphia. Knowing that, it’s no surprise that this museum’s collection features human bodies and body parts displayed as part of informative exhibits on diseases and medicine. One of their highlights is a part of Einstein’s brain as well as a wall of human skulls throughout history. Some of the exhibits are a bit squeamish.

Shopping & Souvenirs in Philadelphia

  • Circle Thrift
  • R.E. Load
  • The Foodery
  • Ritual Ritual
  • Ruckus Gallery
  • Book Trader

Philadelphia Travel Tips & Other Things To Do

Philadelphia

Philadelphia is the perfect size city that makes it approachable for tourists, but also quite comfortable for those that live there. Knowing your way around goes a long way, and some of these travel tips will help you experience the local life in the city.

  • Always look at the historical markers. There are hundreds if not thousands of historical markers around Philadelphia. While your instinct might be to ignore the vast majority of these, they’re well worth a quick glance. There are some really unique and interesting historical tidbits of knowledge scattered across the city, from facts related to Girl Scout Cookies, Hershey chocolate, America’s first lager, and more! This guide is a useful tool for finding some of the more fun ones.
  • eastern state penitentiaryVisit the ESP for its special events. The Eastern State Penitentiary is one of Philadelphia’s most interesting museums, but besides the historical information, it’s also just a really cool venue. It’s a prison, after all! So much so, that the ESP hosts a number of unusual events, including a secret cinema. Look out for their bigger events such as the Terror Behind the Walls haunted house during Halloween!
  • Eat a Philly Taco if you love ridiculous foods. Anyone looking for authentic Philly foods is going to stumble across the “Philly taco” but don’t be fooled; it’s not a taco in the traditional sense. The food was “invented” nearly 15 years ago and is, in it’s simplest form, just a cheesesteak wrapped in a slice of pizza. Also called “South Street Sushi” or the “Lorenzo’s-Jim’s Challenge,” it’s a food that isn’t eaten so regularly—but still shows up often enough on lists of most bizarre (and artery-clogging) foods. Try it if you dare!
  • tastykake phillyTastykake for life! You want a real local tip? Philadelphians eat and obsess over Tastykake snack foods. They’re pumped full of sugar and available at every convenience store (but truthfully the only convenience store you should be shopping at is a Wawa). Personally I find them too sugary but sometimes that’s what you need!
  • Visit the Rail Yard—a new park elevated in the sky. There’s an organization currently converting an abandoned rail track which runs through the city center (elevated) into a public park—complete with gardens, benches, and public art. It’s still pretty short at the moment but is only going to expand.
  • philly pretzelGet a pretzel from Philly Pretzel Factory. The Philly-style pretzel is pretty delicious and you’ll find Philly Pretzel Factories all over the city. The shape of the pretzels are a bit smaller than you might expect from a German-style one, but they’re not any less delicious! Also: a single pretzel is less than $1!
  • Have another tip for Philadelphia? Send me a message!

Local Philadelphia Blogs & Travel Resources

Philadelphia

A lot of homegrown Philadelphians have a deep-rooted love and passion for their city. Understandably so, because it’s only becoming more and more cool. In fact, many New Yorkers are flocking to Philadelphia for the cheaper cost of living and higher quality of life!

And plenty of those Philadelphians are sharing their love of the city in some of these useful sites and guides. Check out some of these local blogs and websites for helpful travel tips and local news & events.

  • VisitPhilly.com The official tourism portal for the city of Philadelphia, the website is a comprehensive guide to the city. You can learn about tours, hotels, special offers and find great deals through their articles and neighborhood guides. Through the Visit Philadelphia website, you can also book a Visit Philly Overnight Hotel Package which includes bonus offers such as free hotel parking and additional perks including attraction tickets and restaurant gift cards.
  • Uwishunu.com (You Wish You Knew – get it?) This long-running website by the Visit Philadelphia team and independent journalists covers anything and EVERYTHING in Philadelphia. Their weekly events listings and calendar make it really useful to explore the city and find cool things happening around town.
  • BillyPenn.com One of the best digital magazine online covering Philadelphia, Billy Penn mixes funny and interesting news stories with well-researched topics. It’s aimed at locals but it’s a great way to discover alternative events and pop-ups taking place.
  • Phillymag.com The online portal for the Philadelphia Magazine, it’s a one-stop publication on everything cultural in Philly. In addition to news topics and in-depth reporting, there are plenty of lifestyle articles on their website including guides to new restaurants and venues across the city.
  • HiddenCityPhila.com An independent blog and news site that covers cultural topics and aims to delve deep into Philadelphia’s cultural institutions with background and research. They also offer unique tours covering a wide variety of topics from the Jewish history of Philadelphia to untold secrets.
  • PhillyBite.com This online magazine has a comprehensive directory of restaurants and bars in Philly, plus a full listing of the food trucks you’ll find across the city and at special events.