100 Things to Do in Philadelphia Before You Die, 2nd Edition

by Irene Levy Baker

Overview

100 Things To Do In Philadelphia Before You Die provides the inside scoop on the city’s well-known attractions and hidden gems plus tips on snagging reservations at trendy restaurants, scoring discounts, spotting celebrities, and getting the most out of each experience. This fully updated second edition includes more things to do, see, taste, and experience, new itineraries, and updates to every page.

First-time visitors and transplants will discover the city’s must-see attractions, including the Reading Terminal Market and the new Museum of the American Revolution along with Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens, Mural Arts tours and Spruce Street Harbor Park, and other only-in-Philadelphia sights. Born and raised on cheesesteaks? This book takes long-time Philadelphians to under-the-radar spots, from an old fashioned rodeo to a former opera house turned modern venue for A-list performers, up 60 floors to indulge in cocktails and then down a tiny alley to visit the city’s oldest tavern.

Author Irene Levy Baker shares secrets she’s learned while working in Philadelphia’s hospitality industry for nearly three decades. Find out why Philadelphia was the only city in the United States to make National Geographic’s list of best places to visit. And don’t miss out on the fun!

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781681062723
Publisher:	Reedy press, LLC.
Publication date:	10/01/2020
Series:	100 Things to Do Before You Die
Edition description:	2nd ed.
Pages:	160
Sales rank:	1,014,241
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.50(h) x (d)

About the Author

Irene Levy Baker is author of two Philly-centric books, 100 Things To Do In Philadelphia Before You Die (first and second editions) and Unique Eats and Eateries of Philadelphia, and owner of Spotlight Public Relations, a firm specializing in restaurants and hospitality. Prior to that she spent many years working at the Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau. Irene is always hungry for adventures that will surprise and delight her readers. For the latest news about Philadelphia follow: @100ThingsToDoInPhiladelphia on Facebook and Instagram. @100Philly on Twitter.

Table of Contents

Preface xi

Food and Drink

1 Soar to the Top at the Four Seasons Philadelphia 2

2 Don't Get Kicked Out of Hop Sing Laundromat 4

3 Get Cooking at Cook 6

4 Get the Scoop on Franklin Fountain 7

5 Go for the Gold at Zahav 8

6 Drink In Liquid History at McGillin's Olde Ale House 10

7 Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth with These Seasonal Treats 12

8 Sample Philadelphia's Restaurant Scene 14

9 Visit Cheese Heaven at Di Bruno Bros 16

10 Eat and Shop at Reading Terminal Market 17

11 Meet Top Chefs Who Chopped Their Way to Fame 20

12 Explore Chinatown 22

13 Awaken Your Senses at the Italian Market 23

14 Grow to Love Vegetables at Vedge 24

15 Toast Philadelphia's Beer Gardens 26

16 Eat Like a Philadelphian-Pretzels and Water Ice 27

17 Bring Your Own Bottle to a Restaurant 28

18 Order Your Philadelphia Cheesesteak Whiz Wit 30

19 Taste What's Brewing in Philadelphia 32

Music and Entertainment

20 You'll Be Hearing about The Met 36

21 Tune In to The Victor Cafe 37

22 Jazz It Up in Philadelphia 38

23 Watch It at Comcast 40

24 Travel to the Top of City Hall 41

25 Take In the View at One Liberty Observation Deck 42

26 Strut with the Mummers 43

27 Follow Your Animal Instincts to the Philadelphia Zoo 44

28 Feel the Energy Along the Avenue of the Arts 46

29 Pipe Into Free Organ Concerts at Macy's 47

30 Play Around at a Theatrical Production 48

31 Be on the Cutting Edge at FringeArts 49

32 Raise the Barre on Dance Performances 50

33 Make Note of Live Music 52

Sports and Recreation

34 Putter Around at Franklin Square 56

35 Lace Up Your Skates at Outdoor Rinks 57

36 Run Up the Rocky Steps 58

37 Keep Score at These Sporty Venues 59

38 Fall in Love with LOVE Park 60

39 Stroll Past Public Art 62

40 Reimagine Philadelphia's Industrial Past 64

41 Take Off for the American Helicopter Museum 65

42 Exercise with Locals on the Schuylkill Banks 66

43 Get Pumped about Big Red Pedal Tours 67

44 Have a Ball on a Stadium Tour 68

45 Build in Time for Legoland Discovery Center 70

46 Learn the Ropes at the Cowtown Rodeo 72

47 Get Up and Go with Indego 74

48 Brake for the Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum 75

49 Hike at Wissahickon Valley Park 76

50 Visit the Bucket List Place for Buckets, the Palestra 77

51 Explore Fairmount Park 78

52 Tweet about the John James Audubon Center 80

53 Have a Sweet Time at Valley Forge 81

Culture and History

54 See Nation's Birthplace at Independence National Historical Park 84

55 Be Shocked at the Mutter Museum 85

56 Walk Back in Time at Elfreth's Alley 86

57 Book a Tour of the Rosenbach Museum 87

58 Pursue Life, Liberty, and Happiness at the Museum of the American Revolution 88

59 Witness History at Mother Bethel AME Church 90

60 Take Selfies at Philadelphia's Magic Gardens 91

61 Tell Me How to Get to Sesame Place 92

62 Watch Little Ones Grow Up at the Please Touch Museum 93

63 Plant Yourself at Longwood Gardens 94

64 Get to the Heart of the Franklin Institute 95

65 Invent a Reason to Visit the Ben Franklin Museum 96

66 Sign On to Visit the National Constitution Center 97

67 Explore the Perm Museum 98

68 Be Impressed with the Impressionists at the Barnes Foundation 99

69 Picture Yourself at the Philadelphia Museum of Art 100

70 Think about the Rodin Museum 101

71 Book a Tour of the Free Library of Philadelphia 102

72 Tour the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts 103

73 Have a Ball (and Chain) at Eastern State Penitentiary 104

74 See the Nation's Largest Outdoor Art Gallery 106

75 Bone Up on the Academy of Natural Sciences 107

76 Don't Miss the African American Museum in Philadelphia 108

77 Dig Laurel Hill Cemetery 110

78 Get Aboard at the Delaware River Waterfront 111

79 Design Your Day Around Architecture 112

80 Spend Free Time at the National Liberty Museum 113

81 Meet the Star of the Betsy Ross House 114

82 Use Common "Cents" at the United States Mint 115

83 Discover Philadelphia All Under One Roof 116

84 Carve Out Time for the Wharton Esherick Museum 117

Shopping and Fashion

85 Spend Time (and Money) on Rittenhouse Row 120

86 Spend Less at These Outlets 121

87 Immerse Yourself at Terrain 122

88 Explore Midtown Village 124

89 Walk Along Germantown Avenue in Chestnut Hill 125

90 Strut Your Stuff at the Fashion District 126

91 Shop 'til You Drop at King of Prussia Mall 127

92 Be Part of the Show at QVC 128

93 Find Unique Gifts at the Fabric Workshop and Museum 129

94 Be Hip at the South Street Headhouse District 130

95 Drink, Eat, and Shop in Manayunk 131

96 See If the Shoe Fits at the Shoe Museum 132

97 Stock Up at Fante's 133

98 Break Bread at Metropolitan Bakery 134

99 Stroll the Cobblestone Streets in the Old City District 136

100 Bolt to Fabric Row 137

Suggested Itineraries 138

Activities by Season 142

Index 144