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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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

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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

National Liberty Museum

Explore the history of our nation at the National Liberty Museum, where a series of interactive exhibits tells the story of the people and events that led the U.S. to freedom and democracy. The museum’s mission is to highlight the strength and fragility of our fair land. Exhibits explore the life and work of outstanding leaders, including 19 Nobel Prize winners and the honorees of the Philadelphia Liberty Medal, including former President Jimmy Carter, Vaclav Havel, and Lech Walesa. A gallery highlights the story of our nation’s immigrants, exploring the various reasons they left their homeland to immigrate to America. A highpoint is the Flame of Liberty, a 20 foot glass sculpture by renowned artist Dale Chihuly. More than 100 glass art sculptures are exhibited throughout the museum. Open every day.

National Liberty Museum
321 Chestnut St
Philadelphia, PA 19195
(215) 925-2800
http://www.yelp.com/biz/national-liberty-museum-philadelphia

Fante’s Kitchen Shop: A Landmark Philadelphia Shop

A Philadelphia fixture since 1906, Fante’s Kitchen Shop was started by Italian immigrants Luigi Fante and his father Domenico. The business is still in the family, proving it’s truly a labor of love. It’s the place to find those elusive kitchen gadgets you’ve always wanted, as well as ones you never knew existed. Professional chefs and novice cooks alike congregate at this landmark shop in the heart of Philly’s historic Italian Market. Cookware, cutlery, candy molds, canning supplies, cutting boards, sushi mats, can openers, oil pourers, espresso makers and more are all laid out for your perusal and purchase. The friendly staff is on hand to help you find what you’re looking for and teach you how to use it, so you can whip up a gourmet masterpiece right in your own kitchen.

Fante's Kitchen Shop
1006 S. 9th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19147
(215) 922-5557
http://www.yelp.com/biz/fantes-kitchen-shop-philadelphia

Catch the Top Music Acts in Philly at The Electric Factory

The Electric Factory is one of America’s most well regarded indoor music venues and a center for Philadelphia’s own music scene. Opened in 1968, the venue moved from its original converted tire warehouse to a more appropriate converted electric factory in the mid-90s, where it remains a beacon for lovers of widespread musical genres. With a standing capacity of nearly 3,000 people (including a second-floor area overlooking the stage), this is one venue where you’ll want to be on your feet—whether that means dancing, head-banging, or scuffing along to the beat. The space is available for private functions and corporate events, but mostly it’s just a great place to go catch a live performance by local, national, or global acts.

The Electric Factory
421 N. 7th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19123
(215) 627-1332 (tickets)
www.electricfactory.info

Lincoln Financial Field: Go Eagles!

Home to Philadelphia’s Eagles football team, Lincoln Financial Field can hold almost 70,000 visitors. Built to replace the Veterans Stadium—which served as Philadelphia’s sports center for more than three decades—the field is also used for college football games, soccer matches, and the occasional knock-out music concert (Bruce Springsteen had three sold-out shows there in 2003). With two exclusive lounges, several rentable suites, and concessions stands that include pizza, grilled meats, deli specialties, and plenty of beer outlets, there’s something for everyone.

Lincoln Financial Field
1020 Pattison Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19148
(267) 570-4000
www.lincolnfinancialfield.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

Reading Terminal Market: A Philly Landmark for Food and More

Head to historic Reading Terminal Market where a melting pot of over 100 merchants offers a colorful array of products. It’s located in the Reading Railroad terminal building next to the Philadelphia Convention Center, with entrances on Filbert Street, Twelfth Street and Arch Street. Vendors sell fresh fruits, veggies, seafood, poultry, meat, candies, ice cream, herbs, spices, ethnic foods, flowers, dairy products, and more. Housewares, books, crafts and gifts are also available at the market. If you need a bite to eat, it’s a primo place to grab something tasty from the wide array of fresh, flavorful fare prepared by the vendors. Reading Terminal Market is open every day!

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

Rosenbach Museum and Library: An Amazing Collection

Located in two beautiful townhouses on Delancey Place, the Rosenbach Museum and Library is one of Philadelphia’s most impressive storehouses of knowledge. Chartered to bring the collections of Philip and A.S.W. Rosenbach to the public eye, the Museum opened its doors in 1954. The Rosenbach brothers were Philadelphia institutions, becoming one of the most respected rare book dealers in America during the early part of the 20th century. They sold a huge variety of pricey manuscripts, but the materials they held back for their private collection are far more interesting. The townhouses are primarily furnished in the decorative arts style of the time, with gorgeous 18th century English pieces. The library, of course, is the crown jewel of the Museum, with a staggering collection of rare books. Sign up for a guided tour to have the opportunity to learn more about those volumes and even read from some – it’s a connection with history that you won’t soon forget.

Rosenbach Museum and Library
2008-2010 Delancey Place
Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 732-1600
http://www.yelp.com/biz/rosenbach-museum-and-library-philadelphia

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