CENTER CITY DISTRICT/CHINATOWN Anchored by the Pennsylvania Convention Center, this bustling district is where culture, collaboration, and commerce converge. DO: Take the City Hall Tower Tour and get a panoramic view of Philadelphia from 548 feet above ground. Tour the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts , the oldest art museum and art school in the nation. Walk under the Friendship Gate , a gift from Philadelphia’s sister city of Tianjin, which welcomes visitors to Chinatown . Visit the free Fabric Workshop and Museum , a modern art-exhibition space with a unique artist-in-residence program that showcases one-of-a-kind collaborations with internationally renowned artists. DINE: Satisfy just about any craving at the historic Reading Terminal Market , home to more than 80 independent vendors and 30 eateries. Grab a drink at McGillin’s Olde Ale House — the city’s oldest continuously operating tavern — or settle in at a speakeasy and have a nightcap at Hop Sing Laundromat . Savor the best duck in the city in Chinatown’s local favorite, Sang Kee Peking Duck House . READING TERMINAL MARKET © H. Daluisio RITTENHOUSE SQUARE A European-like park in the middle of Philadelphia, Rittenhouse Square is known for its picturesque plaza, upscale shopping, and alfresco dining. RITTENHOUSE SQUARE © M. Edlow DO: Home to a collection of more than 25,000 medical specimens and instruments, the iconic Mütter Museum is dedicated to displaying fascinating discoveries about the human body. The Rosenbach Museum holds a private collection of noted rare books, including the only surviving copy of Benjamin Franklin’s first “Poor Richard’s Almanack” and Bram Stoker’s notes for “Dracula.” For late-night fun, reserve a ping-pong table at SPIN Philadelphia , a ping-pong social club. DINE: Enjoy a Parisian-brasserie experience at Parc , complete with outdoor seating along the square. Gran Caffè L’Aquila serves authentic Italian delicacies from a building moved to Philadelphia from Italy. Indulge in a holistic journey at Ancient Spirits and Grille , where your dinner is built based on your dosha — personality traits. 30
Philadelphia Official Visitors Guide Spring/Summer 2024: Page 30
