Romantic weekend

Our Local Expert Says:

This is an excellent way to view the historic sites of old Philadelphia. Tour guides will lead you through the distinctive sites and beautiful cobblestone streets of Philadelphia's most historic neighborhood.

Description:

There's no better way to see historic Philadelphia than to see it from a horse-drawn carriage, operated by 76 Carriage Company. Drivers wait for passengers at 5th and Chestnut Streets, right by Independence National Historic Park, and offer tours of varying lengths. Carriage drivers are well versed in Philadelphia history. They'll take you down the cobblestone streets, of Society Hill, pointing out and explaining important historical sites as they go. The carriages operate year-round, with blankets to keep you warm in the winter.

Description:

The Old Pine Street Presbyterian Church is the only remaining Colonial Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia, and has an interesting history. Old Pine's first Pastor, George Duffield, served as chaplain to the First Continental Congress in 1774 and, with many of his parishioners, joined General Washington at Valley Forge in the winter of 1776-77. Old Pine soon became known as the "Church of the Patriots." Early members included John Adams and Dr. Benjamin Rush. William Hurry, who was the first to read the Declaration of Independence, is buried in the churchyard.

Our Local Expert Says:

If you're not going to a show here, the site is at least worth a walk-by. Philadelphia artist Isaiah Zagar, whose mosaics can be found on walls throughout the city (particularly around South Street), made the exterior of this building as noteworthy as the events that go on within.

Description:

The outside of the building indicates that patrons are in for a unique experience - and (thankfully) the inside lives up to the expectation. This visual art and live performance gallery has long been a revered institution for those looking to avoid the mainstream, and hosts the city's longest continually running Jazz series. Free admission to the gallery is available Tuesday through Saturday. Live performances inside the center's 250 seat theatre take place at various times.

Description:

The smell of incense hits you as you walk through the door of this one-of-a-kind shop in Old City. With jewelry, textiles, antiques, soaps, and pottery from various parts of the world, Indigo has captured the feeling of shopping in a local store in Mexico or Africa. An art gallery featuring paintings and sculptures from around the globe is located on the second floor. Founded in 1986, the owners wanted to share their enthusiasm for world culture with the public and pride themselves on purchasing work directly from artists, cooperatives, and arts organizations. - Dawn Harvey

Description:

Come for Lunch, Dinner, Happy Hour or Late Night! Featuring famous Margaritas in six popular flavors! In the Cantina only. Great Mexican Munchies make happy hour a fiesta! Enjoy fine Mexican Cuisine cooked with all fresh ingredients. They only use 100% vegetable oil and they don't use preservatives (MSG) for any of the food. Ask about Private and Corporate party planning!

Description:

Ralph's is a Philadelphia Italian landmark, having been in the same location since 1915. The fourth generation of the Dispigno family now runs the place, which has drawn famous patrons for decades. Ralph's serves traditional Italian food, including plenty of pasta dishes, at least ten veal specialties, and such Italian classics as sweetbread and Eggplant Parmigiana. The restaurant offers a complete wine list to complement their food.

Description:

Silk City is actually two places joined together. The diner was built by the Silk City company in the 1930s. On the other side of the entrance is the lounge. It opens around 5pm for happy hour, and after 7pm there are DJ parties and the occasional live performance. Latin, hip-hop, 80s, disco; call for schedule. The diner stays open all night on Fridays and Saturdays. Try the grilled cheese, the catfish fingers, the meatloaf, or the pie. Or stay up for an early breakfast of huevos rancheros or eggs and scrapple.

Description:

This 150-year-old Greek Revival Building provides a peaceful getaway in the heart of the city. It is located on a quiet street, but is only a 10 minute walk to the Convention Center, Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell or the Business District. The accommodations are not suitable for children, but are great for a romantic escape or for business travel. Each room has a private entrance and its own bathroom. A minimum stay of two nights is required on weekends.

Our Local Expert Says:

While Poe only inhabited this house for a short period of time, any fans or literary types will appreciate a visit to the unfurnished house and imagine the surroundings that spurred Poe’s imagination.

Description:

Though Edgar Allan Poe only lived in this house for a year or two, his six years in Philadelphia were quite productive, and it might have been here that he wrote "The Tell-Tale Heart" or first thought of the raven about which he would later write. The small house was made a historic landmark in 1980 and has been left unfurnished, as any furniture belonging to Poe and his family has been lost. The house is just a few blocks north and west of the heart of Old City, and a quick trip here will satisfy any tourist with a literary bent.

Description:

This is a powerhouse gallery for paintings, sculptures, and mixed-media works, set in a Washington Square Beaux Arts building known for its serenity and elegance. You'll find works by artists such as Willem de Kooning, Warren Rohrer, David Hockney, and Robert Rauschenberg. Stylish owner Sueyun Locks aims "to help collectors get savvy," and there's more for the beginner than you might think. Closed Sunday and Monday.

Description:

Scrub, peel and exfoliate those blues away at the radical Rescue Rittenhouse Spa Lounge. Set aside some alone-time, and allow the expert staff to bring out a new, glowing you from beneath that dry skin and those brittle nails. You can choose from a whole host of services-sugar scrubs, a subdermal massage for cellulite, and detoxifying wraps. And after you're done, visit the tea-bar for an Elixir Tonic. Here at Rescue Rittenhouse they go all the way-you can be assured that no half-way measures are taken!

Our Local Expert Says:

This square is one of the best places in the city for people-watching. Grab an outdoor table at one of the upscale bar/restaurants lining the Square, and you'll be set for hours. Jane Jacobs even cited this Square as one of the most successful urban green areas in her classic book, The Death of Life of Great American Cities.

Description:

Rittenhouse Square was one of five squares (only four of which exist) in William Penn's original plan for the city, and it has always been the busiest and most happening square. Jane Jacobs wrote about it in The Death and Life of Great American Cities as an example of a truly successful urban green space. There is hardly a time of day or night when Rittenhouse Square isn't packed with nine-to-fivers taking a lunch break, loungers reading a book or newspaper, people watchers, children, dogs, squirrels, and sometimes a juggler or acrobat. Fashionable restaurants, coffee shops, bookstores, and high-end hotels surround the Square; a visitor to Philadelphia will have much to look at and explore in and around the Square.

Description:

"Best tiny romantic restaurant" - Philadelphia Magazine "at F.F.S. the focus is on intimate conversation & splendid food" - Philadelphia Weekly "still satisfying after all these years" - Craig Laban, Philadelphia Inquirer Wine lovers: Every bottle of wine just a notch over cost.

Our Local Expert Says:

A romantic and cozy wine and cheese bar. The menu offers a page each of well-described wines, cheeses, and beers. Menu selection changes periodically. The menu also includes light sandwiches and snacks, which shouldn't be overlooked.

Description:

Tria offers its guests a relaxing and intimate environment. It is a mixture between a small bar and a café. On Philadelphia's warm nights, they open the candle-lined bay windows. There are numerous, inexpensive items on the menu ranging from salads to sandwiches. The dessert selections nicely accompany Tria's wine list. This bar-café sets itself apart from other noisy venues in Philadelphia by offering a cozy setup that would be ideal for a date or a relaxing night.

Description:

This 150-year-old Greek Revival Building provides a peaceful getaway in the heart of the city. It is located on a quiet street, but is only a 10 minute walk to the Convention Center, Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell or the Business District. The accommodations are not suitable for children, but are great for a romantic escape or for business travel. Each room has a private entrance and its own bathroom. A minimum stay of two nights is required on weekends.