Third Street Habit: One of Philly’s Favorite Women’s Boutiques

This independent Old City women's boutique is known for carrying sought-after designers such as J Brand, Free People, Joie, and Etoile by Isabel Marant. Since opening in 2004, it has landed on “best of” lists in publications from the New York Times to People thanks to a large selection of ready-to-wear, denim, accessories, and retooled vintage items.

Owner January Bartle selects items that straddle the line of trendy and timeless, with the goal of offering a selection of well-made that will last for years. Expect to pay more at this shop, but it offers a healthy selection of sale items, too.

Hours are Mondays through Saturdays, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.; noon to 6 p.m. on Sundays.

Third Street Habit
153 N. 3rd Street
Philadelphia, PA 19106
http://www.thirdstreethabit.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/third-street-habit-philadelphia

Expect Limited-Edition Sneakers and Street Fashion at Ubiq

If you’re looking for limited-edition or just-released kicks, Ubiq is the place. This sleek, modern Center City store carries popular footwear and apparel brands (Reebok, Nike, New Balance, Vans, and Puma), as well as lesser-known brands (The Hundreds, Herschel Supply Co.).

Ubiq’s reputation for kicks goes beyond Philly; the store was named one of 2013’s ten best sneaker shops by Conde Nast’s Footwear News. You'll also find a wide selection of bags, belts, streetwear, hats, and iPhone cases. Be sure to check out the museum-like display of Vans on the third floor.

Located on Walnut Street, Ubiq is open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and noon to 6 p.m. Sundays. Ubiq has an additional location in The Gallery at Market East.

Ubiq
1509 Walnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19102
(215) 988-0194
www.ubiqlife.com
www.yelp.com/biz/ubiq-life-philadelphia-2

The Mutter Museum: A Healthy Dose of Medical History

While normally brains in jars and disfigured skeletons seem a bit eerie, within the confines of Philadelphia’s Mutter Museum, these things are fairly commonplace. The museum, which is one of the finest museums of medical history in the country, features impeccable specimens used for learning about the human body.

From anatomical specimens to antique medical instruments, visitors can view some of the most important advancements in medicine throughout the last two centuries. The Mutter’s collection includes such priceless medical artifacts as a jaw tumor from president Grover Cleveland, the liver from a pair of conjoined twins, and even Einstein’s brain. If you’re interested in the fascinating, wondrous inner workings of the human body, the Mutter Museum is a truly once in a lifetime experience.

The Mutter Museum is fairly small, and it takes only around an hour to tour the whole thing. It’s open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.daily, and general admission is $15. Tickets for students aged 6 through 17 are $10, and senior and military discounts are $13.

The Mutter Museum
19 S. 22nd Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 563-3737
www.muttermuseum.org
www.yelp.com/biz/mütter-museum-philadelphia-2

Rodin Museum: Explore the World’s Most Famous Sculptures

Since 1929, the Rodin Museum has been a fixture in Philadelphia’s impressive art scene. Though it’s neither as large as the Philadelphia Museum of Art nor as hip as some of the more modern galleries, the Rodin holds its own.

The entire museum is dedicated to the breathtaking sculptures of Auguste Rodin, including the famous The Thinker. It includes a main gallery in the style of Beaux-Arts architecture, and a traditional French garden created by famous French landscape designer Jacques Gréber is attached to the building. Though it may seem unassuming, the Rodin houses one of the world’s most comprehensive collections of art by one of the history’s most famous sculptors.

The Rodin Museum is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, though it is always closed on Tuesdays. Admission is $8 for adults, $7 for seniors, and $6 for students and kids. Children under the age of 12 are admitted free.

Rodin Museum
Benjamin Franklin Parkway and 22nd Street
Philadelphia, PA 19130
(215) 763-8100
www.rodinmuseum.org
www.yelp.com/biz/rodin-museum-philadelphia

The Random Tea Room and Curiosity Shop: Tea in Northern Liberties

Steep yourself in the aromatic world of international teas at The Random Tea Room and Curiosity Shop in Philadelphia's Northern Liberties neighborhood.

Beautifully decorated in calming honeyed hues, it’s the perfect spot to erase the woes of the world with a steaming cup of oolong or a healing herbal infusion. They offer more than 40 artisanal teas and house-blended herbal infusions. The curiosity shop portion of the store features fragrant tea blends packaged in pretty tin boxes, plus other tea accessories.

Blends include Chai Masala, 4th Street Breakfast Blend, Earl Grey Royale, Simmer Down Herbal Blend, Respiratory Rescue Blend, and a Moroccan Mint Tea Kit.

Want to visit? The Random Tea Room and Curiosity Shop is open Tuesdays through Sundays.

The Random Tea Room and Curiosity Shop
713 N. 4th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19123
(267) 639-2442
http://therandomtearoom.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-random-tea-room-and-curiosity-shop-philadelphia

Public Domain/Public Domain

Become Lost in Ancient History at The Penn Museum

Located on the campus of the University of Pennsylvania, the Penn Museum of Anthropology and Archaeology tells the stories of the ancient world. Some of the artifacts in the long-term collection, such items in the ancient Egypt exhibit, have never before been on display, including statues of gods, goddesses, and royalty; monumental reliefs; golden jewelry and personal items from the royal family.

Other long-term exhibitions include galleries on ancient Africa, Iraq, China, Japan, and an interactive display, “Human Evolution: The First 200 Million Years.” Visitors can touch more than 100 casts of fossil bones from primate and human evolutionary records as well as explore a variety of multimedia programs.

Admission is $15 for adults, $13 for seniors, and $10 for children aged 6 to 17 and full-time students with ID. Children 5 and under, museum members, and active U.S. military personnel are admitted free.

Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesdays through Sundays; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on the first Wednesday of each month; and closed Mondays.

University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology
3260 South Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104
(215) 898-4000
penn.museum
http://www.yelp.com/biz/penn-museum-philadelphia-4

Public Domain/Public Domain

The Forrest Theatre: Broadway on Walnut Street

You don’t have to go to the Big Apple to experience the thrill of a Broadway production. Philadelphia's premier venue for Broadway plays, the Forrest Theatre has hosted touring productions of The Phantom of the Opera, Mamma Mia!, Les Miserables and Rock of Ages in recent years. The classically designed theatre opened in 1927 and was one of the more opulent of the venues built by famous theatrical impresarios the Shubert brothers. Over the years a myriad of performers have taken the stage in a variety of productions, including Yiddish theatre, Gilbert & Sullivan, and the Philadelphia orchestra. Currently on the calendar of performances are West Side Story and Beauty and the Beast. Visit their website for ticket information.

1114 Walnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 923-1515

Frankford Hall: A Biergarten with a Twist

Frankford Hall, a Stephen Starr restaurant in Fishtown, offers a communal experience that makes it easy to mix and mingle. The outdoor patio is open during both warm and cool months (there are gas heaters and fire pits, the latter of which are perfect for roasting s’mores) and seating at picnic tables, each equipped with Jenga. The eatery also offers ping pong and board games, making it feel like a house party.

There are nine beers on tap and 10 more in bottles, but the must-have is the giant soft pretzel. The menu also offers brats and burgers, vegetarian included, as well as shakes (alcoholic or non-alcoholic). For dessert, try the large German chocolate cupcake.

Hours are 4 p.m. to 2 a.m., Mondays to Fridays, and noon to 2 a.m., Saturdays and Sundays.

Frankford Hall
1210 Frankford Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19125
(215) 634-3338
http://www.frankfordhall.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/frankford-hall-philadelphia

Public Domain/Public Domain

Capogiro: Philly Gelato

Philadelphia's Capogiro serves some of the finest gelato you'll find anywhere. They create it expertly in small batches, with fresh, premium quality ingredients like local, handpicked produce, milk from hormone-free, grass-fed dairy cows, Sicilian pistachios, and hazelnut paste from the Piedmont region of Italy. Even better, it has only half the fat and calories of ice cream!

Choose from flavors like Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla, Thai Coconut Milk, Rosemary Honey Goat’s Milk, Mexican Coffee, Cappuccino, Cream Cheese, Nocciola – hazelnut, Stracciatella – Italian chocolate chip, and Strawberries & Cream. Sorbetti flavors include Champagne Mango, Pomegranate, Strawberry Tequila, and Lime Cilantro.

Capogiro
117 S. 20th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 636-9250
http://www.capogirogelato.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/capogiro-gelato-philadelphia

CC-BY-SA-2.0/Flickr/stu_spivack

Reading Terminal Market: A Philadelphia Classic

A must-visit destination for tourists and residents alike, Philadelphia's Reading Terminal Market is a bustling bazaar that features a colorful array of shops and vendors. You’ll find everything from fresh fish to ice cream to pretzels at this great local community landmark that’s been in business since 1893.

Bakeries, farm stands, dairy products, house wares, books, crafts, meat and poultry, and flowers and plants are all arrayed at this vibrant marketplace. Pennsylvania Dutch vendors are also strongly represented.

Restaurants at Reading Terminal include Kamal’s Middle Eastern Specialties, the Grill at Smuckers, Tootsie’s Salad Express, Tokyo Sushi, Amy’s Place, 12th Street Cantina, and Dutch Eating Place. Reading Terminal also hosts events like book signings, music performances and food tours.

Reading Terminal Market is open every day.

Reading Terminal Market
51 N. 12th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 922-2317
http://www.readingterminalmarket.org/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/reading-terminal-market-philadelphia

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