Melissa and Ed's Philadelphia Recommendations
Drinks
We love to cut loose and enjoy a drink occasionally. These are our favorite spots in the city.
The Sardine Bar is a very short walk away and is a great place to grab a drink or a bite, especially later at night. They've got a rotating cast of craft beers and some really creative sandwiches. When the weather is nice, we like to sit in their backyard for happy hour. The Sardine Ale and Kenzinger are our go-to for beers.
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American Sardine Bar
1800 Federal StThe Sardine Bar is a very short walk away and is a great place to grab a drink or a bite, especially later at night. They've got a rotating cast of craft beers and some really creative sandwiches. When the weather is nice, we like to sit in their backyard for happy hour. The Sardine Ale and Kenzinger are our go-to for beers.
McGillan's is the oldest bar in Philadelphia and is one of our favorites. It's hidden away on Drury Street, but it's worth seeking it out. It's always packed between Thursday and Saturday night, so plan to stand for a bit until a table or a spot at the bar opens up. A bonus: McGillan's has karaoke on Wednesday and Sunday nights!
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McGillin's Olde Ale House
1310 Drury StMcGillan's is the oldest bar in Philadelphia and is one of our favorites. It's hidden away on Drury Street, but it's worth seeking it out. It's always packed between Thursday and Saturday night, so plan to stand for a bit until a table or a spot at the bar opens up. A bonus: McGillan's has karaoke on Wednesday and Sunday nights!
The layout of Cavanaugh's might strike you as odd at first. The entire building is partitioned into small rooms, each with its own bar. This fosters a more intimate atmosphere and lets you choose a room based on your mood. Do you want a sit-down meal or do you prefer a quiet game of darts?
Cavanaugh's has NFL Sunday Ticket, so if you want to watch your out-of-town NFL game this is your place.
11 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Cavanaugh’s Headhouse
421 S 2nd StThe layout of Cavanaugh's might strike you as odd at first. The entire building is partitioned into small rooms, each with its own bar. This fosters a more intimate atmosphere and lets you choose a room based on your mood. Do you want a sit-down meal or do you prefer a quiet game of darts?
Cavanaugh's has NFL Sunday Ticket, so if you want to watch your out-of-town NFL game this is your place.
Casual Restaurants
Casual options that are a wonderful choice for dinner any night or weekend brunch.
On Point is a BYOB that's two blocks from the house. They have some great dinner options, but we like to go there for brunch on the weekends. The cheese board and the cheesesteak eggrolls are a must-get, and the Clucker is a brunch favorite.
53 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
On Point Bistro
1200 Point Breeze AveOn Point is a BYOB that's two blocks from the house. They have some great dinner options, but we like to go there for brunch on the weekends. The cheese board and the cheesesteak eggrolls are a must-get, and the Clucker is a brunch favorite.
El Vez is a Mexican restaurant with some truly over-the-top, tacky decor. The food is excellent, but getting a table is difficult without a reservation. Getting a spot at the bar may be your best bet. The margarita options are all wonderful, but the frozen blood orange margaritas are worth the wait. El Vez is about a 10-minute cab ride away.
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El Vez
121 S 13th StEl Vez is a Mexican restaurant with some truly over-the-top, tacky decor. The food is excellent, but getting a table is difficult without a reservation. Getting a spot at the bar may be your best bet. The margarita options are all wonderful, but the frozen blood orange margaritas are worth the wait. El Vez is about a 10-minute cab ride away.
Hawthornes is a 5-minute cab ride away and is a great brunch/dinner spot. The food is great, but what really makes Hawthornes stand out is the huge selection of beers. Nearly a dozen refrigerated cases are available to choose from. It's a great way to try something new or to enjoy an old favorite.
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Hawthornes
738 S 11th StHawthornes is a 5-minute cab ride away and is a great brunch/dinner spot. The food is great, but what really makes Hawthornes stand out is the huge selection of beers. Nearly a dozen refrigerated cases are available to choose from. It's a great way to try something new or to enjoy an old favorite.
The Cambridge is a British-style pub that's a short 10-minute walk from the house. They feature many comfort food favorites and an ample beer list. On Monday nights, show off your smarts with bar trivia. When the weather is nice, their quaint backyard patio is a hidden gem for brunch.
30 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
The Cambridge
1508 South StThe Cambridge is a British-style pub that's a short 10-minute walk from the house. They feature many comfort food favorites and an ample beer list. On Monday nights, show off your smarts with bar trivia. When the weather is nice, their quaint backyard patio is a hidden gem for brunch.
Coffee
Local spots and nearby chain locations to help get your caffeine fix.
OCF is a local coffee house that's about a two-block walk away. It's great for grabbing a coffee to go or to hang out and relax for a bit.
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OCF Coffee House
2100 Fairmount AveOCF is a local coffee house that's about a two-block walk away. It's great for grabbing a coffee to go or to hang out and relax for a bit.
Dunkin'
1551 Washington AveThis Dunkin' is only a 5-minute walk away!
If Starbucks is your choice, there's one within walking distance. It's less than 10 minutes away next to the Target on Broad.
27 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Starbucks
1002 S Broad StIf Starbucks is your choice, there's one within walking distance. It's less than 10 minutes away next to the Target on Broad.
Sightseeing
Philadelphia's full of history and culture. Here are the key places to visit to experience it yourself.
This is one of the most iconic symbols of Philadelphia. Any trip to the historical sites would be incomplete without stopping to see the bell and hear a bit about its history.
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I-Liberty Bell
526 Market StThis is one of the most iconic symbols of Philadelphia. Any trip to the historical sites would be incomplete without stopping to see the bell and hear a bit about its history.
Independence Hall is history come to life. Many of the most important steps toward forming this country happened right here.
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I-Independence Hall
520 Chestnut StIndependence Hall is history come to life. Many of the most important steps toward forming this country happened right here.
Maybe it's a bit trite, but no visit to Philadelphia would be complete without a run up the Art Museum steps. As a bonus, those steps are connected to a world-renowned collection of paintings, sculptures, and photographs.
After you've conquered the iconic climb, make sure to get a picture with the Rocky statue off to the right of the steps at street level.
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Philadelphia Museum of Art
2600 Benjamin Franklin PkwyMaybe it's a bit trite, but no visit to Philadelphia would be complete without a run up the Art Museum steps. As a bonus, those steps are connected to a world-renowned collection of paintings, sculptures, and photographs.
After you've conquered the iconic climb, make sure to get a picture with the Rocky statue off to the right of the steps at street level.
Cheesesteaks
Everyone that comes to Philadelphia wants to know where to find the best cheesesteak. We'll provide our recommendations and try to steer you from the tourist traps.
Pat's and Geno's are the two most recognizable spots to grab a cheesesteak for people outside of the city. People who live in the city, however, think of them as a bit of a tourist trap.
If you must make the trip over and see for yourself, it's about a 10-minute walk. We'd recommend Pat's, as it's less of a spectacle than the neon monstrosity of Geno's
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Pat's King of Steaks
1237 E Passyunk AvePat's and Geno's are the two most recognizable spots to grab a cheesesteak for people outside of the city. People who live in the city, however, think of them as a bit of a tourist trap.
If you must make the trip over and see for yourself, it's about a 10-minute walk. We'd recommend Pat's, as it's less of a spectacle than the neon monstrosity of Geno's
Far away from the gaudy spectacle of Pat's and Geno's, Jim's offers a much more subdued experience. The cheesesteaks themselves stand out as the star here. Melissa recommends getting the fried onions and provolone, while Ed gets his with Cheese Whiz.
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Jim's Steaks
400 N 62nd StFar away from the gaudy spectacle of Pat's and Geno's, Jim's offers a much more subdued experience. The cheesesteaks themselves stand out as the star here. Melissa recommends getting the fried onions and provolone, while Ed gets his with Cheese Whiz.
Winter Fun
You don't have to sit inside when the temperature drops. Here's some recommendations for fun when it's chilly in Philly.
The RiverRink hosts the annual Winterfest celebration, which centers around the outdoor ice skating rink on the waterfront. There's plenty of seating around the fire or in one of the open air cabins. If you need to warm up, the lodge provides all manner of hot drinks.
53 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Blue Cross RiverRink
101 S Christopher Columbus BlvdThe RiverRink hosts the annual Winterfest celebration, which centers around the outdoor ice skating rink on the waterfront. There's plenty of seating around the fire or in one of the open air cabins. If you need to warm up, the lodge provides all manner of hot drinks.
Head over to Dilworth Park when the temperature drops for outdoor ice skating in the shadow of City Hall.
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Dilworth Park
1 S 15th StHead over to Dilworth Park when the temperature drops for outdoor ice skating in the shadow of City Hall.
Between Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve, Love Park is transformed into a European-style Christmas Village. There are plenty of booths to check out, offering food and gift options. We recommend getting an order of spaetzle for fans of savory and a Liege waffle to satisfy your sweet tooth.
8 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Love Park
Arch StreetBetween Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve, Love Park is transformed into a European-style Christmas Village. There are plenty of booths to check out, offering food and gift options. We recommend getting an order of spaetzle for fans of savory and a Liege waffle to satisfy your sweet tooth.