Queen Village

Though it’s home to some of the oldest residences in Philadelphia, Queen Village simmers with modern energy, making it an ideal neighborhood for visitors who love to keep their fashion, food and fun low-key and local.

A homey, welcoming tangle of narrow blocks, attractive architecture and mature trees, the area began as a working-class suburb. It eventually folded into the city proper in the mid-1800s. This unique history, coupled with its prime waterfront location and the old-time aesthetic charm, helps Queen Village stand out as one of Philly’s most stable and stirring pockets of city life.

Queen Village is extremely accessible and navigable by foot and bicycle, a perk not lost on residents particular about dining, drinking and shopping close to home.

Fabric Row, a stretch of 4th Street, takes its name from the many fabric shops and stores that line it. Though it also features some of the area’s top shopping and dining.

Ever so slightly removed from Fabric Row, Queen Village’s chunk of 2nd Street features public green space and well-loved pubs and cafes to the south. To the north, it empties into Headhouse Square, a beautiful historic open space hosting popular bars and restaurants and Philly’s premier weekend farmers market.

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Bryant and Wilde's top restaurant picks

Cochon
Designed as a tin-roofed French bistro, Cochon leads the way in Philadelphia’s authentic, new French cuisine. The menu is small, but is a well-curated mixture of both elegant that doesn’t bore. The chef here creates heavenly wonders like the Berkshire pork chop with sautéed asparagus, bacon vinaigrette AND bacon mashed potatoes. Patrons should do themselves a favor and order the poor man’s bread pudding or anything bacon-infused. Entrees range from $27-$29. For this dinner-only BYOB, reservations are necessary on the weekends. It’s also cash only.
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Catahoula
Featuring great Cajun and Creole flavors, Catahoula is a casual restaurant. The menu comes full of Creole favorites like jambalaya and po’ boy sandwiches. They also serve classic burgers with fried green tomatoes, bacon and BBQ aioli. A favorite dessert of patrons is the brioche bread pudding with bananas foster that melts in your mouth with creamy ice cream. This place is perfect for sitting on the outdoor patio during warm months while the spicy flavors and homestyle grub transports patrons to the South.
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Bistrot La Minette
Chef Peter Woolsey has created a traditional and authentic French dining experience. Sharing his love for hearty French cuisine, this place is a mix of chic heirlooms and classic design. The dinner menu has dishes from different regions of France including the divine mustard-braised rabbit and classics like escargots. Vegetarian dishes are available and the venue only uses the most fresh, seasonal ingredients with humanely raised meats and poultry. Guests will really feel like they’re in France.
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Society Hill

Society Hill is one of Philadelphia’s most sought-after neighborhoods. While mostly residential, the community also includes a comfortable combination of restaurants, historic attractions and shops that meet the needs of residents and visitors alike.

During the post-Revolutionary era the neighborhood was home to a number of luminaries — Samuel Powel, the first mayor of the city after independence was declared, former first lady Dolley Todd Madison and Revolutionary War hero Thaddeus Kosciuszko, to name a few.

By the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the diverse neighborhood slipped into a state of decline. Despite its slump, many of the historic buildings remained, which inspired city planners — chief among them, famed Philadelphia architect Edmund Bacon — to revive Society Hill and help residents rediscover the advantages of city living.

And that it did.

Society Hill, which lies between the Delaware River on the east, 8th Street on the west, Walnut Street on the north and Lombard Street on the south, is part of Historic Philadelphia.

The Organization of World Heritage Cities (OWHC) designated Historic Philadelphia — the birthplace of the nation — as the first U.S. World Heritage City. It’s also home to buzzed-about restaurants and beer gardens, owner-operated boutiques, pushing-the-boundaries art galleries and more.

Washington Square, one of Philadelphia’s five public squares laid out in William Penn’s original city plan, remains the scenic park Penn envisioned more than 350 years ago. Its proximity to Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell and the Independence Visitor Center makes it possible for visitors and locals to walk the same streets the nation’s founders once strolled. Walk the same streets the nation’s founders once strolled in Society Hill.

The beautiful park setting and lovely homes and buildings surrounding it complete the experience.

With 18th- and 19th-century buildings lining cobblestone streets, Headhouse Square remains as picture-perfect today as it was hundreds of years ago. It’s also home to Headhouse Farmers Market, the oldest farmers market in Philadelphia, which is held every Sunday, weather permitting.

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Bryant and Wilde top restaurant picks

Amada
The gorgeous rustic-chic restaurant and bar has embraced the rich traditions of Spanish gastronomy while incorporating avant-garde cooking techniques.
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Morimoto
The restaurant’s namesake and head chef, Morimoto (of Food Network’s Iron Chef fame), has created a menu offering the very best in contemporary Japanese cusine. While regulars flock here for the exquisitely prepared sushi, Morimoto offers diners a broad spectrum of flavors that delve beyond nigiri and sashimi.
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Buddhakan 
The fare is top notch — appetizers include seared kobe beef carpaccio, endamme ravioli, miso tuna tartare and tea smoked spareribs. For the main course, delve into delicious dishes like Japanese black cod, wasabi crusted filet mignon, roasted ponzu chicken and colossal tempura shrimp. For dessert, the chocolate bento box will please just about anyone.
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Graduate Hospital

Though the large medical institution that gave this south-of–Center City swath its name is no longer in operation, Graduate Hospital has solidified a reputation independent of its common moniker.

South Street West is the neighborhood’s main thoroughfare. It’s clean, well-lit and extremely pedestrian-friendly thanks to a vibrant entrepreneurial energy coming from the neighborhood’s restaurants, bars, cafes, shops and more.

The stretch of South Street east of Broad has long been considered a draw for out-of-towners, but Graduate Hospital’s western half is on the serious come-up thanks to ambitious restaurateurs and shop owners.

Characterized by a mix of single-family homes, new and old, and thriving places of worship, Graduate Hospital is a remarkably kid-friendly place (hence the stroller-filled sidewalks). It also distinctively possesses some of the best neighborhood bars in the area, from long-established institutions to gastropubby newcomers. An under-the-radar aspect of Graduate Hospital’s personality is its handmade-arts scene, which draws wide acclaim.

The Odunde Festival celebrates African culture each year, continuing a more-than-40-year tradition. Area streets shut down to automobile traffic for this massive outdoor party, which features food, dancing and vendors. Each October, Bloktoberfest offers food, drink and outdoor music along South Street West. Lining the streets, food trucks, craft tents and local businesses show off their wares amid the revelry.

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Bryant and Wilde's top restaurant picks

Lazaro's Pizza House 
Lazaros Pizza House serves up some of the best pizza in the entire city of Philadelphia. This South Street eatery’s strength lies in its pepperoni and cheese pizzas, but offers a variety of other menu items such as chicken wings and hoagies. Pizza is sold by the slice and in whole pies with daily deals that are hard to beat.
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Govinda's Gourmet Vegetarian
Govinda's has established itself as a haven for all vegan and vegetarian guests by offering substitutes for all meat or animals products. The soy chicken cheesesteak is their bestselling item and is extremely popular among regulars. Govinda’s also offers gluten free products, and the dessert menu is 100 per cent vegan.
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The Sidecar Bar & Grill
The Sidecar Bar & Grill is one of the main catalysts for the revitalization of the Graduate Hospital section of Philadelphia. Sidecar is consistently busy, and has the perfect mix of locals and tourists, plus, they appeal to a wide array of customers by offering vegetarian options of each dish. This gastropub offers outdoor seating in the warmer months, and creative dishes such as Pretzel-Crusted Chicken Fingers and Beer Can Chicken.
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Washington Square

Three neighborhoods in one: That’s the perfect way to describe Washington Square West, a thriving enclave that includes Midtown Village and the Gayborhood.

Midtown Village maintains its own personality thanks to a small-business boom concentrated on the 13th Street corridor, where power couple Marcie Turney and Valerie Safran preside over a handful of popular restaurants and shops. The Gayborhood sets itself apart with dozens of rainbow street signs throughout the area, along with many LGBTQ-focused restaurants and bars. Washington Square itself — one of five original public squares in Philadelphia — ties the whole area together. Here, picnickers, families and residents gather to enjoy the open space.

Jewelers’ Row and Historic Antique Row remain long-established commerce hubs for their respective wares. But today all types of businesses compete for shoppers’ dollars with a range of price points. Visitors can check out designer-fashion boutiques as well as stationery stores and high-end furniture outlets, all in one area.

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Bryant and Wilde top restaurant picks

Talula's Garden
Nestled right by Washington Square Park, Talula's is a rustic and chic fine dining restaurant that highlights the organic, local farm and garden style menu. Featuring creative plates that pay tribute to the humanely-raised, locavore garden movement. Patrons can choose from pastas such as the smoked corn ravioli or dishes like Barnegat scallops with pan-roasted local orchard apples, Five Spice apple butter and pickled radish. Vegetables range from sweet and spicy sugar beets with honey cardamom vinaigrette to buttery Georgia grits with ‘caramel sea salt’ compound butter. After you’re done, make sure to order the ricotta doughnuts with fresh apple slices to top it off.
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M Restaurant
The Morris House Hotel restaurant's make you feel as if you’re eating in a chic Parisian bistro. If you’re wanting to sample a few items on the menu you can order the four course tasting menu. However, if you’re going with just an entree, choose from the New American dishes of spaghetti squash with bell peppers and spinach pesto or pan seared salmon with peanut potatoes and leeks. On Wednesday evenings, join your friends at the copper bar that wraps around a 30 foot holly tree in their garden for jazz night. You can also catch happy hour every night with bar specials in designated areas. Try their garden to glass cocktails created with home grown herbs and infused liquors, like their mushroom martini.
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CheU Noodle Bar
CheU Noodle Bar takes a spin on classic ramen bowls to a creative, elevated level. The large window makes good use of their relaxing, warm-toned wooden design. The menu is small, but favorites include the black garlic wings and the brisket ramen bowl with matzo ball, kimchi and red chili broth. They also have a cold sesame noodle dish with cucumber, crispy yuba and seaweed, and other ramen dishes with meats like lamb and raita. CHeU’s menu may not be authentic, but it is all comforting and tasty in an inviting and cozy atmosphere.
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Logan Square

Logan Square’s personality defies a single definition. It combines corporate and municipal office buildings and luxury high-rises with modern and historic houses along tree-lined side streets. Museums bordering the wide Benjamin Franklin Parkway add yet another dimension. Green spaces — including the area’s namesake — provide spots for relaxation, reflection and fun.

Logan Square, which sits between Broad Street on the east, the Schuylkill River on the west, Market Street on the south and Spring Garden Street on the north, is home to many iconic Philadelphia attractions.

City Hall, the hub of city government, is a natural focal point. Its elaborate architecture and ornamentation often catch the gaze of passersby and photo takers. The architectural equivalent of a wedding cake, the sprawling building is adorned with carvings of allegorical figures and capped off with a prominent statue of William Penn, all designed by Alexander Milne Calder.

A main cultural center of Philadelphia, the Benjamin Franklin Parkway captures minds and eyes with its museums and galleries, including The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University, The Franklin Institute, Barnes Foundation, Free Library of Philadelphia, Rodin Museum and the Philadelphia Museum of Art. This leafy stretch also hosts large-scale parties, such as the annual Made in America concerts, a local Fourth of July celebration and Thanksgiving Day Parade.

The neighborhood’s namesake landmark offers city residents and visitors a welcome outdoor respite along Benjamin Franklin Parkway.

Inside Logan Circle, a large traffic circle at 19th and Benjamin Franklin Parkway, the majestic Swann Memorial Fountain attracts visitors. Designed by Philadelphia-born sculptor Alexander Calder, the massive fountain represents the region’s major waterways: the Delaware, Schuylkill and Wissahickon.

Some of the city’s top attractions including Moore College of Art & Design, The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University, Free Library of Philadelphia, Sister Cities Park and The Franklin Institute surround the circle.

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Bryant and Wilde's top restaurant picks

Assembly
Located on the Ben Franklin Parkway, and overlooking the city from nine stories on top of the Logan Hotel, Assembly is the newest rooftop worth a visit. Stop by after work during the week when the bar opens at 5pm and snag one of the nap pods to hear the night’s DJ of choice, or head over a little earlier on the weekend (3pm) for an afternoon drink. The drink menu is heavy on the bubbly and wine, plus seasonal bites like oysters, baked brie, and tuna tartare.
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Art Museum

Home to Philly’s truly world-class museums, Fairmount is synonymous with fine art — but art is far from the only draw for this northern neighbor to Center City. Often referred to as the “Art Museum Area” because of its walking-distance access to Philadelphia Museum of Art, Franklin Institute, Rodin Museum and Barnes Foundation, Fairmount possesses a distinct personality that thrives independent of those many hallowed halls.

Just outside the hustle and bustle, young families who move here enjoy its proximity to beautiful green spaces and a thriving food scene. Getting acquainted with Fairmount is now easier than ever for new residents and visitors, as surrounding neighborhoods grow commercially and residentially.

A French-inspired festival gets a Philly twist each July when Eastern State Penitentiary hosts the Bastille Day Festival. The giant block party features entertainment, games and cries of “Let them eat Tastykake!” as thousands of the Philadelphia-made treats are thrown from the prison’s towers.

In the fall, the same venue embraces its spooky side with Terror Behind the Walls, a haunted attraction featuring several different areas within Eastern State’s cell blocks.

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Bryant and Wilde's top restaurant picks

A Mono
Chef Michael Millon serves seasonal, handcrafted (a mano means “by hand”) Italian dishes at this charming bring-your-own-bottle (BYOB) spot. Best part? A Mano now takes reservations. Cash only.
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Buena Onda
A member of chef Jose Garces’ family of restaurants, this Baja Peninsula-inspired, do-good eatery is known for mahi mahi tacos and tofu chorizo quesadillas — served on house-made tortillas. Pair your delicious eats with a K38 beer, made just for Buena Onda by Yards Brewing Company.
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Pizzeria Vertri
Award-winning chef Marc Vetri’s pizzeria serves traditional, Neapolitan-style pizzas with just the right amount of char and an array of premium toppings. Save room for dessert, as soft-serve ice cream — or, if you dare, Nutella pizza — awaits. Patrons can also choose from a variety of beverages on tap, including four rotating beers and red and white wine.
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Old City

Next to Independence Hall, where the country’s Founding Fathers declared liberty, Old City still boasts charming cobblestone streets and plenty of 18th-century charm — along with an independent streak evident in everything from its owner-operated shops to its edgy art scene.

Its proximity to the Liberty Bell, Penn’s Landing and Benjamin Franklin Bridge makes Old City a favorite for out-of-towners and its residents who call it home. People love the neighborhood for its fashionable boutiques, great restaurants, eclectic galleries and theaters, and vibrant nightlife. Especially popular on first Fridays of each month, art lovers fill the streets for year-round art walks and hop from gallery to gallery.

Old City is part of Philadelphia’s Historic District, and it spans from Vine Street to Walnut Street, north to south, and from 7th Street to the Delaware River, west to east. Historic Philadelphia is the birthplace of the nation and the first World Heritage City in the U.S., as designated by the Organization of World Heritage Cities (OWHC). It’s also home to buzzed-about restaurants and beer gardens, owner-operated boutiques, boundary-pushing art galleries and more.

The historic heart of Philadelphia resides along Independence Mall. Home to Independence Hall and The Liberty Bell Center, the Mall also boasts a number of cultural institutions including the National Museum of American Jewish Historyand National Constitution Center. Be sure to stop by the Independence Visitor Center for tickets to city attractions and helpful information.

The Delaware River waterfront hosts family-friendly events year-round. Penn’s Landing provides scenic views of the Benjamin Franklin Bridge and makes a popular seasonal destination with attractions like Spruce Street Harbor Park and the Blue Cross RiverRink.

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Bryant and Wilde's top restaurant picks

High Street on Market
Fork’s sister restaurant High Street on Market serves three meals a day. Morning means egg sandwiches on famous house-baked breads, sweet and savory pastries and Rival Bros. small-batch coffee. Lunch brings sandwiches on awesome artisanal bread and market salads. And dinner is a sophisticated but casual affair complete with handmade pastas, sumptuous entrees and an eclectic list of wines, cocktails, beers and ciders.
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Zahav
Michael Solomonov, the 2017 James Beard Award winner for Outstanding Chef, cooks food from his native Israel in his adopted home of Philadelphia at Zahav, a local favorite. Diners can choose from a selection of raved-about hummus options, share a few small plates or order from the tasting menu.
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La Peg
Diners at this brasserie, located inside the FringeArts building, enjoy elevated versions of classic dishes like yankee pot roast and roasted chicken. If you care for a cocktail, they deliver those with finesse, too. The industrial-chic design of the restaurant’s interiors pays homage to the building’s original purpose as a pumping station.
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Avenue of the Arts

Although technically South Broad Street, the center of Philadelphia’s performing arts district—stretching from City Hall to Lombard Street—has earned the moniker Avenue of the Arts. And for good reason. The energy is contagious as theatergoers, orchestra fans, opera lovers, dance aficionados and the artists and performers themselves spill onto the street to mix with the locals who live, work and dine on the storied thoroughfare.

The Avenue of the Arts is home to the striking Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, the legendary Academy of Music, The Wilma Theater, Merriam Theater, University of the Arts, Arts Bank and other cultural landmarks. Music fans can look down and trace Philadelphia’s musical legacy along the sidewalk’s Walk of Fame. And everyone stands in awe of City Hall, the architectural exclamation point on a street lined with elaborate buildings.

While The Philadelphia Orchestra, Pennsylvania Ballet, Opera Philadelphia and other internationally acclaimed artists perform inside the buildings along the Avenue of the Arts, activities that take place outside have also endeared the avenue to the masses, site of both the yearly Mummers Parade, the nation’s oldest folk parade, and, when the city is especially lucky, pro sports championship parades.

Restaurants & Bars:

• Aqimero – Inside the grand lobby of the Ritz-Carlton Philadelphia, chef Richard Sandoval works his signature modern, Latin-American fusion on seafood, steaks, ribs and poultry prepared on a wood-fired grill. The restaurant also has a sushi and ceviche bar, a raw bar and an extensive cocktail menu starring a selection of mezcals. 10 Avenue of the Arts, (215) 523-8200, aqimero.com
• Capital Grille – Diners enjoy dry-aged steaks, fresh seafood, signature cocktails and wines chosen from the award-winning list of 350 bottles. 1338-46 Chestnut Street, (215) 545-9588, thecapitalgrille.com
• Estia – This authentically Greek restaurant specializes in whole, fresh seafood flown in from the islands. The rustic yet elegant ambiance provides a Mediterranean backdrop for diners to enjoy their meal paired with their choice of wines. 1405-07 Locust Street, (215) 735-7700, estiarestaurant.com
• HipCityVeg – This specialist in fast vegan fare starts with breakfasts and continues with green smoothies and popular lunches, mostly salads and sandwiches, including an entirely cheese- and meatless version of a Philly cheesesteak. 121 S. Broad Street, (267) 296-9001, hipcityveg.com
• McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood Restaurant – Menus change daily at this steak and seafood spot, committed to serving the freshest fish, oysters and mussels, along with Northwestern wines, single malts and martinis. 1 S. Broad Street, (215) 568-6888, mccormickandschmicks.com
• Tavern on Broad – This belowground pub serves classic American fare—burgers, wings, house-smoked pulled pork, big salads. An impressive schedule of weekly events and over 40 HD televisions attract out-of-towners and locals alike. 200 S. Broad Street, (215) 546-2290, tavernonbroad.com
• XIX (Nineteen) – The pearl-bedecked, view-rich restaurant on the 19th floor of the Hyatt at The Bellevue Philadelphia wows guests with sweeping skyline views and a central raw bar of clams, shrimp, crabs and oysters. Also on tap: an afternoon tea and weekday happy hour specials. 200 S. Broad Street, 19thFloor, (215) 790-1919, nineteenrestaurant.com

Theaters:

• Academy of Music – The grand, 150-plus-year-old home to Opera Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Ballet concerts and Broadway Philadelphia performances, this gilded, crystal-chandeliered, velvet-curtained theater is always worth the price of admission. Broad & Locust Streets, (215) 893-1999, academyofmusic.org
• Arts Bank – The University of the Arts’ 230-seat main stage and fully renovated Laurie Beechman Cabaret Theater occupy the first floor of this historic building. 601 S. Broad Street, (215) 717-6000, uarts.edu
• Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts – Architect Rafael Viñoly designed the Avenue of the Art’s modern centerpiece, home to the Philadelphia Orchestra and more regional and international masters of world, pop, jazz, classical, theater and dance. The Kimmel is also the center of an arts campus that includes the nearby Merriam Theater and Academy of Music, and offers free building and theater tours throughout the week. 300 S. Broad Street, (215) 893-1999, kimmelcenter.org
• Merriam Theater – Part of the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts campus, the 1,870-seat, 1918 Merriam hosts stand-up comedians, celebrity chefs and dance and theater acts. Intimate and enthusiastic crowds add to the performance. 250 S. Broad Street, (215) 893-1999, kimmelcenter.org
• Suzanne Roberts Theatre – The home of the Philadelphia Theatre Company is a hotspot for theater and dance. 480 S. Broad Street, (215) 985-0420, philadelphiatheatrecompany.org
• The Wilma Theater – Productions, including world premieres, at this stalwart venue are reliably thought provoking and daring. Under its Wilma WynTix initiative, all tickets for the main stage runs are available at the subsidized rate of $25 for the first week of performances in each run or $10 for students and theater artists with valid ID for select performances. 265 S. Broad Street, (215) 546-7824, wilmatheater.org

Art Galleries:

• Gershman Gallery – This portion of the Gershman Y hosts rotating exhibitions from a cast of visiting artists throughout the year. Gershman Y, 401 S. Broad Street, (215) 446-3027, gershmany.org
• The University of the Arts – The only private university in the nation dedicated solely to educating students in the visual and performing arts, design and writing, UArts features several professional gallery spaces that showcase the work of visiting artists, as well as students, faculty, staff and alumni. uarts.edu
  • Arronson Gallery, Hamilton Gallery and Solmssen Court hold rotating exhibits throughout the year. 320 S. Broad Street, (215) 717-6001
  • Gallery 1401 features work from the Photography department, as well as noted international photographers. Terra Hall, 211 S. Broad Street, 14th Floor, (215) 717-6300
  • Gallery 817 is the Fine Arts program’s exhibit space and also exhibits works by faculty, alumni and visiting artists. Anderson Hall, 333 S. Broad Street, 8th Floor, (215) 717-6495
  • Gallery One is the only Philadelphia gallery run exclusively by students—and only one of a few galleries of its kind in the country. Hamilton Hall, 320 S. Broad Street
  • Richard C. von Hess Illustration Gallery is the Illustration department’s primary exhibit space. Anderson Hall, 333 S. Broad Street, 7th Floor, (215) 717-6240
  • The Rosenwald-Wolf Gallery, the university’s main gallery, hosts works from various artists throughout the year. Anderson Hall, 333 S. Broad Street, (215) 717-6480
  • The Sol Mednick Gallery, named in honor of the famed photographer and UArts alumnus, is the university’s primary photography gallery and the only endowed gallery in Philadelphia dedicated solely to photography. Terra Hall, 211 S. Broad Street, 15th Floor, (215) 717-6300

Shops & Spas:

• Richel D’Ambra Spa & Salon – Guests at this comfort zone escape stress with body, hair and skin treatments. Special services include four-handed massages, reflexology and an array of facials. 10 Avenue of the Arts, (215) 523-8035, richeldambra.com
• Salon Royale Court – Clients get the royal treatment through this modern, second-story salon’s comprehensive menu of services, including precision cuts, artistic color, elegant up-dos, pristine mani-pedis and eyebrow waxing. 215 S. Broad Street, 2nd Floor, (215) 893-3800, salonroyalecourt.com
• Shops at The Bellevue – The ground floors of The Bellevue house Nicole Miller, The Walking Company, Tiffany & Co., Tuescher Chocolates of Switzerland and Williams-Sonoma, as well as a food court. Broad & Walnut Streets, (215) 875-8350, bellevuephiladelphia.com

Other Attractions:

• Gershman Y – This center for Jewish arts and culture hosts a wide range of programs and activities from film festivals to discussion groups to the rollicking Latkepalooza. The Gershman Y is also the site of the Philadelphia Jewish Sports Hall of Fame and sports museum honoring local Jewish teams and athletes, many who played in the building. 401 S. Broad Street, (215) 545-4400, gershmany.org
• Philadelphia City Hall – Covering 14.5 acres, festooned with sculptures representing the seasons, continents and allegorical figures by Alexander Milne Calder and capped off with a 37-foot, 27-ton statue of William Penn, the nation’s largest municipal building is an architectural treasure inside and out. For an elevated view of Center City, visitors can take a 15-minute Tower Tour of the Observation Deck or join in the two-hour guided building tours, which also include the Observation Deck. The guided tour is available on weekdays only, and the Tower Tour is available on weekdays and select Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., weather and capacity permitting. Broad & Market Streets, Room 121, (215) 686-2840, phlvisitorcenter.com/cityhall
• The Union League of Philadelphia – Founded in 1862 to support the policies of then-President Abraham Lincoln, this esteemed, elite club has hosted U.S. presidents, heads of state, industrialists, entertainers and dignitaries from around the globe. The League continues to be driven by its motto, “Amor Patriae Ducit” or, “Love of Country Leads.” Its building occupies an entire city block and contains The Heritage Center, a manifestation of the work of the three onsite charities—Youth Work, Scholarship and Abraham Lincoln Foundations—designed to allow greater public access to charitable resources. Union League, 140 S. Broad Street, (215) 563-6500, unionleague.org; Heritage Center, (215) 587-6455, ulheritagecenter.org

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Bryant and Wilde's top restaurant picks

Aqimero
Inside the grand lobby of the Ritz-Carlton Philadelphia, chef Richard Sandoval works his signature modern, Latin-American fusion on seafood, steaks, ribs and poultry prepared on a wood-fired grill. The restaurant also has a sushi and ceviche bar, a raw bar and an extensive cocktail menu starring a selection of mezcals. 
Read more here

Capital Grille
 Diners enjoy dry-aged steaks, fresh seafood, signature cocktails and wines chosen from the award-winning list of 350 bottles.
Read more here

Estia
This authentically Greek restaurant specializes in whole, fresh seafood flown in from the islands. The rustic yet elegant ambiance provides a Mediterranean backdrop for diners to enjoy their meal paired with their choice of wines. 
Read more here

Rittenhouse Square

Long-considered one of the toniest neighborhoods in the city, Rittenhouse Square isn’t just an enviable address. It’s a lifestyle.

And since it’s home to a number of hotels, the neighborhood, which spans Market to South streets from the north to south and runs east to west from Broad Street to the Schuylkill River Banks, remains an out-of-towner favorite.

Along the Rittenhouse sidewalks — many of which boast seating for alfresco dining and drinking in the warm months — residents and visitors find high-end stores; locally owned boutiques; small galleries; theaters and entertainment; cafes; beer, wine and cocktail bars; and restaurants of all kinds. With all this, the neighborhood buzzes with activity all year long.

Rittenhouse Square, the one-square-block park that gives the neighborhood its name, is more popular with sunbathers, readers, families, artists and even dogs than city founder William Penn ever could have imagined. Festivals, farmers’ markets, fairs and general merriment make it the city’s best-known — and perhaps, most enjoyed — park.

Shoppers can give their wallets a workout on Walnut Street (between Broad and 18th Streets) in the popular Rittenhouse Row shopping district. Featuring high-end boutiques and trend-setting stores, including the first location of Anthropologie, the district offers bountiful shopping and fantastic neighborhood dining.

Another popular park, Fitler Square, has been a community gathering place in Rittenhouse Square for more than a century. The small, half-acre park (located near the Schuylkill River) hosts a variety of seasonal events and offers a relaxing urban retreat to visitors and residents alike.

Rittenhouse Square presents a relaxing spot where visitors and locals gather for picnics, sun-bathing, or just to take a stroll amid the trees, manicured lawns and sculptures.

Named for astronomer and clockmaker David Rittenhouse, the family-friendly park remains one of the most lovely and peaceful spots in which to paint, read, relax on a park bench or catch-up with friends. The main walkways are diagonal, beginning at the corners and meeting at a central oval.

The plaza, which contains a large planter bed and a reflecting pool, is surrounded by a balustrade and ringed by a circular walk. Classical urns, many bearing relief figures of ancient Greeks, rest on pedestals at the entrances and elsewhere throughout the square. Ornamental lamp posts contribute to an air of old-fashioned gentility.

Rittenhouse Square hosts dozens of events throughout the year, including some of the city’s most popular happenings. Typically held in beginning of May, the blockbuster Rittenhouse Square Spring Festival attracts tens of thousands for a celebration of the season complete with food, shopping, and a showcase of live entertainment. In the fall, hundreds of artists from around the country “Circle the Square” during the traditional Rittenhouse Square Fine Art Show. During the holidays, hundreds of celebrants pack the park for the official start of the season during the Rittenhouse Square Christmas Tree Lighting, featuring more than 5,000 brilliant holiday lights.

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Bryant and Wilde's top restaurant picks

Vernick Food and Grill
Occasionally (and rightly) called the best restaurant in Philadelphia, Greg Vernick’s original Philly restaurant was a wonder when it opened and has only gotten better. A focus on simplicity, comfort, and exquisite technique have kept it honest, and (miraculously) it’s never let praise and money distract it from its primary mission: making dinner for the neighbors. 2031 Walnut Street
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Parc 
If Rittenhouse had to choose a single restaurant to represent its collective soul, Parc would have to be it. Fancy but approachable, expensive but not murderously so. Tables at brunch are the most sought after square feet of real estate in the entire city, and the dining room at dinner is a place where being seen matters nearly as much as what’s on the plate. 227 South 18th Street
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Zama
Philly has never had a great reputation for sushi. But chef Hiroyuki “Zama” Tanaka has never let that slow him down. Zama does a particularly modern version of sushi and Japanese cuisine, churning out all sorts of locally-inspired rolls and giant catering platters for wherever sushi is required. 128 South 19th Street
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