Your guide to Philadelphia:
Recommend a hotel/motel in your town/city:
History buffs should make a beeline for the charming colonial Morris House or the Guild House, a women’s rights headquarters-turned-modern boutique hotel full of nods to its former feminist members. Though not as interesting, the Alexander Inn and the Cambria Downtown are also well-located and have elevators and better availability/affordability.
Recommend a restaurant in your town/city:
Parc, Buddakan, Dandelion, The Love or almost any other one of local food czar Stephen Starr’s themed restaurants for grown-ups. Villa di Roma, Marra’s or Victor Café for authentic, old-fashioned Italian (the latter, served by opera-singing waiters!). Jim’s, Cosmi’s, Middle Child or John’s Roast Pork for one of Philly’s signature cheesesteak, roast pork or hoagie sandwiches. Also, check out the always great Zahav and Vietnam, and trendy Asian Mawn, Royal Izakaya and Kalaya.
Recommend a must-see in your town/city:
Besides the obvious, the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall, pay a visit to the vibrant, chain-free Reading Terminal (year-round, historic, indoor) and Southeast Asian (weekend, seasonal, outdoor) markets for their cuisine and scene. Also, visit the world-class Philadelphia Museum of Art and its Rocky movie steps and statue. Get there from downtown by walking or biking the Schuylkill River recreational trail for a look at contemporary "Rockys" in training (on land and water).
What makes your town/city fun:
This blue-collar-tough, diverse city is all about its pro sports teams. Feel the love at an Eagles, Phillies, Sixers or Flyers game or at a sports bar near the stadiums like Chickie’s and Pete’s or Stateside Live!
Also, take a ride on the ancient elevator to the top of City Hall and also visit the eccentric, historic Mutter Museum of anatomic specimens that helped train 19th-century doctors.
What you should avoid when visiting your town/city:
Driving. Park your car and lock it, or come without. Most places you’d want to go are more easily accessible by foot, bike share or bus (the latter free if you have the time to pick up a senior pass). Skip South Street, the Delaware River waterfront and the Italian Market (unless you want to cook on your vacation).
Carolyn Wyman is the Philadelphia-based author of eight food books, including The Great Philly Cheesesteak Book. Learn more at carolynwyman.com.
Reading Terminal Market in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (Getty Images)
