Outdoor adventure in and around Philadelphia

Description:

This guide leads you to many of Philadelphia's best outdoor attractions (Fairmount Park, the Philadelphia Zoo, the Italian Market) and also takes you to some nearby parks where you can hike, bike, or perhaps even boat. You'll be staying at the posh Rittenhouse Hotel, so you can unwind from all your activity with some time at the Rittenhouse Spa. You will need a car for this guide, as you'll be traveling quite a bit outside of the city.

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Author: Abby


Day 1 - Philadelphia


Begin your day by touring Bartram's Garden, a horticultural paradise in the city. Follow your tour with a tasting tour of the Italian Market, where you can find a range of options for lunch. Then travel to the waterfront, where you can visit the Independence Seaport Museum to learn about Philadelphia's maritime history. While you're there, take in the view of the Delaware River from Penn's Landing. End your day at Rock Lobster, also on the waterfront, where you can eat seafood and then dance into the night on the outdoor pier (during warm weather).


1

Rittenhouse 1715

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Location:

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1715 Rittenhouse Square
Philadelphia, PA 19103

Phone:

+1 215 546 9000


2

Bartram's Garden

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Location:

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54th St & Lindbergh Blvd
Philadelphia, PA 19143

Phone:

215 729 5281


3

Chef's Tour of the Italian Market

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Location:

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1817 Addison Street
Philadelphia, PA 19146

Phone:

215 772 0739


4

Independence Seaport Museum

Location:

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211 S Columbus Blvd
(Penn's Landing)
Philadelphia, PA 19103

Phone:

215 925 5439


5

Rock Lobster

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Location:

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221 N Columbus Blvd
Philadelphia, PA 19106

Phone:

215 627-7625


Day 2 - Philadelphia


This day will take in the other direction, towards Fairmount Park and the various attractions in the park. Begin at the Philadelphia Zoo, then stop in at Fairmount Park's Horticultural Center. If you have a bike, this is the perfect time to bike in the park or along Kelly Drive and Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive. Make your way over to Boathouse Row (viewed at night from the MLK Drive, but busy during the day on the opposite side of the river, on Kelly Drive). Stop for a lovely drink at the upscale Boathouse Row Bar. For dinner, try Tiffin, a fantastic Indian food place (that you'll have to drive to) that offers seating or - if the weather is just too good to waste any time indoors - take-out options. Finally, make your way back to Society Hill, where you can take a Ghost Tour of Philadelphia.


1

Philadelphia Zoo

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Location:

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3400 W Girard Ave
34th St. and Girard Ave
Philadelphia, PA 19104

Phone:

215 243 1100


2

Horticultural Center - Fairmount Park

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Location:

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Fairmount Park
Belmont Avenue and Horticultural Drive
Philadelphia, PA 19131

Phone:

215 683 0200


3

Fairmount Park

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Location:

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Belmont Ave and Montgomery Dr
Philadelphia, PA 19131

Phone:

215 686 1776


4

Boathouse Row

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Kelly Drive
East Fairmount Park
Philadelphia, PA 19130

Phone:

215 769 9693


5

Boathouse Row Bar

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Location:

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The Rittenhouse
210 W Rittenhouse Square
Philadelphia, PA 19103

Phone:

215 546 9000 / 800 635 1042


6

Tiffin

Location:

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710 West Girard Ave
Philadelphia, PA 19123

Phone:

215-922-1297


7

Ghost Tour of Philadelphia

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Signer's Garden
5th Street & Chestnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103

Phone:

215 413 1997


Day 3 - Philadelphia


Begin this day by renting a bike and spending some time with the Philadelphia Bike Club (or just downloading some trail maps from their website). You can easily bike through much of the city and Fairmount Park. Once you've had your share of exercise, get in the car and head to Chaddsford Winery, about an hour away from Rittenhouse Square. Once you've toured the Winery and been sated by the samples of wines they offer, drive back to the Rittenhouse area to spend some time observing people and animals in Rittenhouse Square. For a delicious dinner and fancy cocktails, try Continental Mid-Town, where you can sip cocktails at the rooftop bar. Then -- if you're ready to unwind to some soft music -- you can walk to Chris' Jazz Cafe and see some of the best local jazz music.


1

Bicycle Club of Philadelphia

Location:

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Various locations
PO Box 30235
Philadelphia, PA 19103

Phone:

215 735 2453


3

Rittenhouse Square

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1801 Walnut St
Philadelphia, PA 19103

Phone:

215 636 1666


4

Continental Mid-Town

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Location:

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1801 Chestnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103

Phone:

215 567-1800


5

Chris' Jazz Café

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Location:

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1421 Sansom Street
Philadelphia, PA 19102

Phone:

215 568 3131


Day 4 - Philadelphia


This day will take you all over the city and beyond. Begin the day by taking a mural tour by car, by foot, or by trolley, and see some artwork and some neighborhoods that you would otherwise never know existed. Then head to the Reading Terminal Market for some lunch or for ingredients for a picnic lunch. Take your car to Valley Forge National Park, which is great for picnicking, walking, riding, jogging, or virtually any other outdoor activity. When you've had your fill of Revolutionary War scenery, head back to the Rittenhouse area and enjoy some cocktails and people-watching at Rouge, where you might be lucky enough to snag an outdoor table. Finally, try the famous Asian cuisine at Morimoto, one of Stephen Starr's finest restaurants.


1

Mural Tours

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Visitor Center, 1700 Market Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103

Phone:

215-685-0754


2

Reading Terminal Market

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Location:

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12th & Arch Sts
12th and Arch sts
Philadelphia, PA 19107

Phone:

1 215 922 2317


3

Valley Forge National Historic Park

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P.O. Box 953
Philadelphia, PA 19482-0953

Phone:

610-783-1000


4

Rouge

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Location:

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208 South 18th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103-5900

Phone:

215 732 6622


5

Morimoto

Location:

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723 Chestnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19102

Phone:

1 215 413-9070


Day 5 - Philadelphia


The final day of your trip is a long day of outdoor activity and indoor pampering. Begin by getting sandwiches to go at the Famous 4th Street Deli, and then drive to Ridley Creek State Park, where you can hike, boat, or mountain bike for hours on end. When you've exhausted yourself, head back into the city and spend some time unwinding at the Rescue Rittenhouse Spa, right in your own hotel. When you're feeling revitalized, make your way by subway or car to Citizens Bank Park to enjoy a Phillies game (and, of course, the usual hot dogs, pizza, cheesesteaks, and other ball-game food). If you're up for just a little more activity after the game, try Silk City, which offers dancing and either live music or a dj every night of the week.


1

Famous 4th Street Delicatessen

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Location:

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700 S 4th St
At Bainbridge St
Philadelphia, PA 19147

Phone:

1 215 922 3274 / 1 215 922 3535


2

Ridley Creek State Park

Location:

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Sycamore Mills Road
Philadelphia, PA 19037

Phone:

610-892-3900


3

Rescue Rittenhouse Spa Lounge

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Location:

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255 South 17th Street
Mezzanine Level
Philadelphia, PA 19103

Phone:

+1 215 772 2766


4

Citizens Bank Park

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Citizens Bank Park
One Citizens Bank Way
Philadelphia, PA 19148

Phone:

215 463 6000 / 215 463 1000


5

Silk City

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Location:

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435 Spring Garden Street
Philadelphia, PA 19123

Phone:

215 592 8838


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