Look beyond Philadelphia’s “Cradle of Liberty”
historic sites to discover a wealth of other world-class venues. One
city treasure hiding in plain sight is the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the only U.S. stop (June 24 to September 13, 2015) for the "Discovering the Impressionists" exhibition showcasing more than 80 works by Monet, Renoir, Degas, Manet, and others.
There's also Opera Philadelphia, closing its 40th anniversary season with Charlie Parker’s Yardbird (June 5 to 14). And, across the street from Independence Mall is the state-of-the-art National Museum of American Jewish History (NMAJH), sole U.S. host of the “Richard Avedon: Family Affairs” photography exhibition from Jerusalem’s Israel Museum (through August 2).
How to Get Around:
The 25-block Center City (Philadelphia’s downtown) is easy to navigate
thanks to William Penn’s grid street design and the helpful “Walk!
Philadelphia” directional signs. Walk, and use taxis or public
transportation. The One-Day Independence Pass provides unlimited, single-day travel on all SEPTA
(Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority) buses, trolleys,
subways, and trains for only $12. Another option for short trips is Indego, Philadelphia’s new bike share program.
Where to Stay: Stay on campus at the Inn at Penn,
the 243-room, luxury Hilton property at the University of Pennsylvania.
The slower pace of Penn’s summer session makes campus life a welcome
respite after a busy day of museum hopping. Located in University City
across the Schuylkill River from Center City. Best views are from top
(sixth) floor corner guestrooms.
What to Eat or Drink: Food trucks are out in full force in summer. Use Food Truck Philly to get a fix of what you’re hungry for or to locate the nearest mobile kitchen. Local favorites to look for include the Dapper Dog (try the Mack, a hot dog topped with mac and cheese) and Pitruco wood-fired pizza, owned and operated by two northwest Philly natives.
What to Buy: Sign up for the guided Taste of Philly Tour (Wednesdays and Saturdays at 10 a.m.) to get an insider look at the Reading Terminal Market.
Opened in 1982, Reading Terminal is the nation’s oldest continuously
operating farmers market. Shop for homegrown and locally made items,
including Lancaster County Amish quilts and breads.
What to Read or Watch Before You Go: Rocky Stories: Tales of Love, Hope, and Happiness at America’s Most Famous Steps by
Pulitzer Prize-winning photojournalist Tom Gralish and journalist
Michael Vitez includes 52 profiles and 100 photos of “Rocky
runners”—people who visit the Philadelphia Art Museum to conquer the
museum’s steps a la Rocky Balboa (played by actor Sylvester Stallone) in
the 1976 Oscar-winning film Rocky.
Helpful Links: Visit Philadelphia
Fun Fact: The “Richard Avedon: Family Affairs” exhibit at the NMAJH includes The Family, the iconic Rolling Stone magazine
collection of 69 black-and-white portraits of 1970s political, media,
and corporate power players. Published a couple of weeks before the 1976
U.S. presidential election, The Family is missing one key member:
former President Richard Nixon. His secretary, Rose Mary Woods, is
pictured instead.
Staff Tip: South Philly's Italian Market
celebrates its Cent’anni, or hundred-year anniversary, in 2015 but
strolling along Ninth Street never gets old for me. Inhale deeply inside
the Spice Corner or find rare culinary gadgets at Fante's Kitchen Store to work up an appetite before shopping for the perfect picnic provisions: homemade mozzarella from Claudio's, salami from Di Bruno Bros., fresh ravioli from Talluto's, and, of course, cannoli for dessert from Termini Brothers Bakery to get a taste of the neighborhood's history. —Chistine Blau, researcher, National Geographic Traveler