The 2005 fellows have weighed in on the city’s must-see attractions, activities, and eateries. Here are their recommendations:
Naturally, the fellows highly recommend the city’s many historic sites. Trips to Independence Hall, Liberty Bell Center, the National Constitution Center, Christ Church, Elfreth’s Alley, and Franklin Court are just a few of the attractions that generated enthusiastic responses from the fellows. All are easily accessible and within walking distance of each other in Philly’s historic Old City district.
Additionally, fellows recommend visiting Mother Bethel AME Church ( 419 South 6 th Street), the home of the nation’s oldest African-American religious denomination, founded in 1797. One fellow was lucky enough to meet a direct descendent of the Rev. Richard Allen, co-founder and spiritual leader of the church, during her visit.
The Arch Street Quaker Meeting House ( 320 Arch Street) is also highly recommended. One fellow attended meetings there, and reports having felt a profound sense of continuity with the past.
Lots of artistic and cultural attractions kept the fellows entertained. Look into the “delightfully cheap” student rush tickets available to those spontaneous folks willing to wait until the last minute. Schedules of events at the Kimmel Center, the Academy of Music, and the Merriam Theater, as well as smaller venues in Philly’s intimate theater district, are available on line.
Don’t miss the extraordinary Philadelphia Museum of Art (at 26 th Street and the Benjamin Franklin Parkway) and the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts (at 118-128 North Broad Street), as well as smaller museums such as the Rodin Museum (22 nd and the Benjamin Franklin Parkway), and the Institute of Contemporary Art (118 South 36 th Street).
Many fellows recommend exploring the fun to be found on South Street, where funky shops, cutting edge art galleries, and live music venues promise endless possibilities for entertainment.
In Philly, you’re guaranteed to be well fed. Here are some restaurants that fellows especially enjoyed:
Koch’s Deli, at 4309 Locust Street, was a special favorite. Said one fellow, “They make the best sandwiches known to humanity. Ever since I left Philadelphia, I wake up every morning salivating over the images of Koch’s sandwiches. Simply amazing.”
Like all true Philadelphians, the fellows formed strong opinions about where to find the best cheesesteaks. Both Pat’s ( 9 th St., between Wharton and Passayunk Avenues) and Gino’s ( 1219 South 9 th Street) claim to be the original. Try both and decide which you prefer.
The Reading Terminal Market, at 12 th and Filbert Streets in Center City, proved to be a fellows’ favorite. This amazing indoor farmer’s market was established in 1892 and features all the produce vendors, butchers, and cheese purveyors you would expect. But additional surprises await the visitor: amazing coffee at Old City Coffee, delectable apple dumplings at the Dutch Eating Place, legendary soul food (and the best mac and cheese in the country) at Delilah’s, tasty vegetarian fare at the Basic 4 Vegetarian snack bar, and much, much more.
A trip to the Italian Market, the historic outdoor market in South Philly, is an event as much as a quest for amazing food. In addition to the produce vendors lined up along 9 th Street, shoppers can browse in the many cheese shops, bakeries, and coffee houses around the neighborhood. Fellows particularly recommend partaking of authentic gelato and Philly’s famed Italian water ice while you’re there.
Izzy and Zoe’s, a deli/café at the edge of the Penn campus ( 224 South 40 th Street) became a favored hang-out of the 2005 fellows.
The tasty and inexpensive lunch and dinner buffets at West Indian eatery Fatou and Fama ( 4002 Chestnut Street) comes highly recommended. Try the jerk chicken and find out why.
West Philly boasts two terrific Ethiopian restaurants within walking distance of the fellows’ residence that became favorites. Dahlak at 4708 Baltimore Avenue and Abyssinia at 229 South 45 th Street are both good bets.
Saad’s Halal Restaurant at 4500 Walnut Street has a terrific and affordable menu that includes the best lamb shawarma in the city.
Fellows often stopped into the food court at the Bellevue (at Broad and Walnut Streets) for a bite to eat when they worked in Center City archives. Another archive-accessible favorite is the Taco House, located at 1218 Pine Street. Fellows also stopped into Capogiro Gelateria ( 119 South 13 th Street) for a sweet treat during breaks from the archives.
Of course, all historians must pay a visit to the City Tavern ( 138 South 2 nd Street), a re-creation of the tavern established in 1773 where members of the Continental Congress found refreshment. The staff dress in period costume and serve dishes such as mallard duck sausage and “Martha Washington style” turkey pot pie so you’ll feel as if you’ve traveled back in time.
