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

Stroll Down Elfreth’s Alley, America’s Oldest Residential Street

Elfreth’s Alley in Old City is the oldest, continually-inhabited residential street in the U.S. The 32 homes on this quaint lane were built between the 1720s and 1830s, and most are still private residences today. The Elfreth’s Alley Museum is located at house numbers 124 and 126, and it offers a peek at the lives of early American families.

Elfreth’s Alley is named for Jeremiah Elfreth, an 18th-century blacksmith and property owner. His neighbors included tradesmen and their families, including glassblowers, silver and pewter smiths, and furniture builders. The Georgian- and Federal-style houses and cobblestone pavement were common in Philadelphia during this era.

Tours are $5 for adults, $2 for children 6-12, and free for children under 6.

From April to December, the museum is open Tuesdays through Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sundays, 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. From January to March, the museum is open Thursdays through Sundays, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

Elfreth's Alley
Between Front and Second streets, just north of Arch Street
(215) 574-0560
elfrethsalley.org
http://www.yelp.com/biz/elfreths-alley-philadelphia

Shop 60,000 Square Feet of Global Home Decor at Material Culture

At Material Culture, you’ll find 60,000 square feet of unique home decor items from all over the world, with an emphasis on the Middle East, Africa and Asia.  Located in Philadelphia's East Falls neighborhood, this hidden gem is filled floor to ceiling with one-of-a-kind treasures, including hand woven rugs, artwork, furniture, and small tabletop decor.

This isn’t just a store – Material Culture holds auctions on a regular basis, and offers appraisal and interior design services. You can also negotiate on price, especially when purchasing multiple items.

Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., daily.

Material Culture
4700 Wissahickon Avenue
Philadelphia, PA  19144
(215) 849-8030
http://materialculture.com

Society Hill Playhouse: Theater for All

Society Hill Playhouse advertises itself as ‘theatre for people who don’t think they like theatre.’ No angst ridden, hard to decipher dramas hit the stage here, in fact, comedies are the majority of their productions, because after all, few people object to having a good laugh. Their long-running production of Lafferty’s Wake is an interactive play that uses audience involvement to pull off its theatrical hijinks. Upcoming productions include Motherhood, the Musical: the Good, the Bad and the Laundry and Cooking with the Calamari Sisters. The small, intimate theatre is housed in a Victorian building with pressed tin walls and high ceilings, which lends a charming, cabaret-style ambiance. 

507 S. 8th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19147
(215) 923-0210

Elfreth’s Alley: A Hidden Treasure

Philadelphia is rife with history, being one of the oldest cities in the United States. If you really want to take a trip back into the past, make a detour through Elfreth’s Alley. This is one of the oldest continually inhabited residential streets in the country, dating back to the early 1700s. Named after blacksmith Jeremiah Elfreth, the roadway is lined with Georgian-style townhomes that have weathered the test of time. In the 1930s, a preservation association was formed to ensure that the alley would remain intact for future generations to visit. The most interesting thing about Elfreth’s Alley is that it’s still a residential neighborhood – even though the buildings are centuries old, they’re all still inhabited. You can take a phone tour of the street to get some more information on its rich and fascinating history. Volunteer guides also staff the gift shop, which is interesting on its own accord.

Elfreth’s Alley
126 Elfreth's Alley
Philadelphia, PA 19106
(215) 574-0560
http://www.yelp.com/biz/elfreths-alley-museum-philadelphia

Tria Fermentation School: Learn About Wine

Want to learn more about the process of making and tasting beer, wine, and cheese? Tria Fermentation School is the place to do it. It hosts a variety of classes with experts on winemaking, brewing, and cheese-making from around the world. Whether you’re a culinary professional, a brewery wannabe, or simply want to enhance your knowledge and have a good time doing it, these classes are sure to sate your curiosity – plus you get to eat and drink the object of your studies. See the website for a list of classes and enrollment info. 

1601 Walnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19176
(215) 972-7076

Arden Theatre Company: Take The Stage

The City of Brotherly Love has no shortage of world-class theatrical companies, but few have won as much acclaim as the Arden Theatre. This Old City institution has been presenting exceptional dramatic and comedic works since 1988. Since then, they have racked up a truly impressive slate of awards, including 250 Barrymore Award nominations and 53 wins. In 1995, they purchased their current building, which they renovated to house two auditoriums. The 360-seat F. Otto Haas is the main stage, while the smaller Arcadia Stage is used for more intimate productions. Both have exceptional sightlines and excellent acoustics. The Arden presents a very diverse collection of works every year, including all-ages performances and new works commissioned especially for the group. The company also supports the Arden Drama School and the Arden For All program, which provides theatre tickets and books to underserved children. It’s well worth a visit, no matter what is on stage.

Arden Theatre Company
40 N. 2nd Street
Philadelphia, PA 19106
(215) 922-1122
http://www.yelp.com/biz/arden-theatre-company-philadelphia

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