2019

Daniel Gonzalez, University of Pennsylvania ’20 | @extraordinary_dan

When you visit Old City, there’s so much history to see. Stroll through cobblestone streets and see the historic homes along Elfreth’s Alley, visit the Liberty Bell and the Betsy Ross House, or spend a day exploring the Museum of the American Revolution, where you can get a discount with your student ID!

 

Though you can always check everything out on an Indego Bike, the 2^nd & Market Street SEPTA Station puts you right in the heart of Old City. Try Big Ass Slices for the largest pizza slices you’ve ever eaten, or head to Cuba Libre for the best guacamole. Franklin Fountain is a must for dessert—it’s a really old-timey, popular ice cream parlor in the area.

 

I love checking out places with old books, records, and artwork, so I always visit The Book Trader, one of the neighborhood’s hidden gems. Plus, every Friday is First Friday in Old City, where restaurants, galleries, and shops open their doors to the public, which means it’s a great time to explore!

 

Vicki Mathew, Jefferson ’22 | @vicki.mathew

I love the small-town feel of Manayunk. It’s just outside of Center City, and the suburban feel easily reminds me of home! Tbaar is the best place to get bubble tea along Main Street in Manayunk. Pop into Taqueria Feliz during happy hour for discounted tacos and cheesy nachos (a local favorite!), and try Winnie’s Le Bus for brunch with friends.

Vault + Vine is a great spot to relax or study. I love to come here for the coffee and to do work when I need a change of space. They have beautiful plants and flowers for sale, too!

Hot take: Dalessandro’s in Roxborough is where everyone should go to get the best cheesesteak in Philly. Nothing else compares! Take a spin by The Spiral Bookcase for a great selection of books and gifts for all readers—plus say hi to the owner’s cat!

There’s always something to do or a new place to check out in Northwest Philly, like the annual StrEAT Food Festival in Manayunk. And plus, you can literally walk everywhere, so you’ll never be bored!

Maria Prikhodko, Temple University ’23 | @maria_prikA day in Fishtown always starts with a visit to ReAnimator Coffee, just a short walk off Frankford Avenue. You can pop into one of the many antique stores, like Jinxed, and be sure to stop by Vestige, too—it’s one of my favorites for vintage clothing!

What I love most about this neighborhood is the vibrant variety of food. I am a big food lover, and Fishtown has something to satisfy every craving! Cheu Fishtown is an authentic Japanese restaurant, specializing in flavorful and oh-so-delicious ramen, while their sister restaurant, NUNU, serves an array of colorful sushi next door.

One of the must-do items in this area is North Bowl. It’s a retro-style bowling alley with pool tables and an arcade. Fishtown also participates in First Friday, so a lot of galleries and studios open their doors free of charge the first Friday of every month!

Jacinda Raju, Drexel University, ’21 | @notjustnutella / @jacindaraju

Fairmount has something for everyone! I usually prefer to walk around Fairmount, but there are also Indego bikes all around, which are super easy to use.

Fairmount Park is great for enjoying the outdoors (it’s the biggest urban park in America!), and the Horticulture Center is beautiful all year long, but especially in April during the Cherry Blossom Festival. The Mann Center is great for live music and shows, with its open-air venue and space.

Green Eggs Café is a staple for Instagrammable breakfast foods, especially if you’re on your way to The Philadelphia Museum of Art. Race your friends up the Rocky Steps to get to the entrance, especially on Wednesdays or on First Sunday, when the Museum offers pay-what-you-wish admission to all guests!

Eastern State Penitentiary is an enormous former prison along Fairmount Avenue, and Terror Behind the Walls is their must-attend event for getting into the Halloween spirit. After a long run on the Schuylkill River Trail or along Kelly Drive, it’s hard not to get goosebumps just passing by!

Matthew McGrath, Rowan University ’21 | @SugaMacSuga

South Philly is a big neighborhood that is filled with so much character. There is nothing quite like taking a stroll down East Passyunk Ave. or visiting the Singing Fountain in the heart of Passyunk Square.

Some of my favorite neighborhood traditions are the Festa Della Repubblica (Italian National Day Festival) and Second Saturdays on East Passyunk Ave. As a self-proclaimed foodie, I love nothing more than being surrounded by restaurants and vendors eager to fill me with their delicious creations! This neighborhood is known for its great food, great music, and great people. 

The Italian Market on 9th Street has the best fresh fish, meat, fruit, and cheese, and has authentic eats from every corner of the world.

Stop by Caffe Chico for a mouth-watering roast beef sandwich and Ultimo Coffee for the best espresso around! And of course, grab a classic Philly cheesesteak at Pat’s King of Steaks—a true Philly phenomenon.

You can’t visit South Philly without catching a Phillies game at Citizens Bank Park. The atmosphere is always electric!

Daoud Moon, Rutgers-Camden University ’22 | @daoudmoon

I love how open the Delaware River Waterfront feels. It’s a great place to relax and explore, especially with spots like Race Street Pier, where you can feel a great breeze from the water, or Cherry Street Pier, where you can get fresh produce with their seasonal Farmers Market!

I often walk across the Ben Franklin Bridge or take the PATCO Line to get to the Philly side of the Delaware from campus. Once you’re there, everything is super walkable, like the Blue Cross RiverRink! It’s a must-visit spot for Winterfest or Summerfest, with a skating rink, food vendors, arcade games, and more each season.

Spruce Street Harbor Park, open from summer to fall, is filled with food trucks, live music and events, and hammocks that are great to relax in with friends. FringeArts plays outdoor movies when it’s warm out, and their indoor stage is a great spot to check out for local comedy shows and theater throughout the year!

Rob Focht, Saint Joseph’s University ’19 | @rob.focht

Spring Arts is my favorite place to explore. You can’t go wrong with any of the restaurants, like Pho 20 and Vivi Bubble Tea (a great spot for dessert!).

The new Rail Park is a great place to relax with friends on a warm day. It’s unlike anything else in Philadelphia! Both Union Transfer and Underground Arts are smaller concert venues but hold fantastic shows featuring great artists, too.

Franklin Square has something for everyone, from a carousel and mini golf to fantastic food at Square Burger. The Chinese Lantern Festival in Franklin Square is the annual light show experience that is sure to take your breath away!

Reading Terminal Market is a Philly staple, and your best bet if you’re with a large group. You have to try DiNic’s Roast Pork, a legendary Italian-style pulled pork sandwich, and end your meal with ice cream from Bassett’s Ice Cream—it’s worth the line, I promise. 

Sabrina Ahmadzai, USciences ’20 | @sightswithsabrina

My favorite thing about West Philly is that it has all the excitement of University City, with Drexel, Penn, and University of the Sciences, but also the tranquility of Clark Park, along with so many hidden gems you can find walking along Baltimore Avenue or 38^th Street.

There are so many great restaurants, too! Sabrina’s Café is a must-try for their specialized (and Instagrammable) comfort food, and Renata’s Kitchen has the best cappuccinos! Visit Loco Pez for their famous happy hour nachos or try Landmark Americana for classics like cheeseburgers and wings—bring your student ID for their brunch and late-night discounts! 

Cira Green is the perfect blend of rural and urban in all of Philadelphia, with rooftop skyline views and beautiful green scenery. It’s the perfect spot to study, do yoga, or have a picnic. Keep an eye out for their open-air cinema schedule, Movies for Good. Grab a blanket, some snacks, and a few of your friends and enjoy a movie after class. My personal favorite is when they show Hocus Pocus around Halloween!

Yael Eiben, Bryn Mawr College ’23 | @yaeleiben

I love how walkable Center City is! I take SEPTA Regional Rail to Suburban Station, and it’s so easy to get around. Rittenhouse Square is one of my favorite spots to visit in the city. I love going to the farmer’s market there on Saturday mornings. Stopping for coffee at Shakespeare & Co. is also a must—it’s a gem of a bookstore-slash-coffee-spot on Walnut Street.

Skyline views are the best from Center City, with the South Street Bridge (go at sunset!) and the Schuylkill Banks Boardwalk just a short distance away. One Liberty Observation Deck is another great spot, and is exactly what it sounds like: a space to overlook Philadelphia! It offers a panoramic view of both Center City and University City, and it’s a very cool way to scope out the city.

In the winter, visiting Christmas Village in Love Park and Dilworth Park (also the spot of CollegeFest every year!) was a perfect break from studying for finals.

Jake Varughese, Widener University ’23 | @jjvarughese

I love the history of North Broad, plus there’s so much to do! You can experience talented performers in amazing shows at the Temple Performing Arts Center (a historic church converted into an event venue), or grab some popcorn and see the latest film at AMC Broadstreet 7—flash your student ID every day after 4 p.m. for a discount!).

North Broad is also super walkable—you can stroll down to the huge Common Threads Mural or catch a live show at The Met. For a classic Philly pie, a must-try is Santucci’s Original Square Pizza. Check out one of the local food trucks, like the Honey Truck, for the best chicken & waffles!

At the very start of North Broad, near City Hall, there’s also the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, better known as PAFA. PAFA is the oldest art museum and art school in the United States. Bring your student ID along to snag discounted admission!