Old City is an exciting and youthful Philadelphia neighborhood. The area is packed with restaurants, bars, cafes, businesses and attractions. It is a great place to eat, party, relax and live! Check out some of our favorite Old City spots and then tell us some of yours on Facebook or in the comments below.
See The Sights!
Old City is packed full of historical sites! You can stroll through historically preserved Elfreth’s Alley and view the Elfreth’s Alley Museum, dedicated to the history of “everyday Americans.” You can also visit the home of Betsy Ross to see where the American Flag was created. Old City is home to the National Constitution Center where you can view historical documents and take part in interactive and educational exhibits. Don’t forget to stop by The Liberty Bell Center to see one of Philly’s most famous attractions. Old City has so many museums and historical sights that you could spend days taking it all in. Make sure you take notice of all of the cool public art, dedicated to America’s founders and prominent figures, scattered throughout the area. Our personal suggestion is to stop by one of the Ritz movie theatre locations to catch a movie and relax in their extremely comfortable seats. These classy and cozy theatres are always playing an excellent assortment of blockbusters and indie films. The Ritz is a great way to unwind after a busy day of sightseeing!
First Fridays!
First Fridays in Old City are one of the best events that Philly has to offer. All of the Art galleries open their doors to the public in the evening and the streets are flooded with independent artists peddling unique works of art. You can grab a bite, tour the galleries, mingle with fellow Philadelphians and maybe even find something to take home. First Fridays are one of the coolest things that Philly has to offer.
Grab a Coffee!
It goes without saying, the Mike McCann Team loves coffee. Fortunately, Old City meets our high expectations. Old City Coffee gets really fancy with their brews, serving up a variety of different blends with diverse and well-defined flavors. As long as it packs a serious punch, we are cool with that. Happily Ever After is a dessert cafe with tons of cake, cookies and ice cream options to accompany their coffees. Coffee is always our first priority but we definitely won’t say no to some sweets as well. Menagerie Coffee specializes in espresso, which we love. Their menu is very exciting, featuring some out of the ordinary pastries and sandwiches that will make you go, “hmmm” and then make you go, “yum!”
Shop around!
It is safe to say that you can have a pretty sweet shopping expedition in Old City. Whether you are looking for antiques, art, clothes or gifts, you can find it in Old City. If you are an art enthusiast, this is the best neighborhood for you because there are art galleries galore just about anywhere you look. If you are a creator of art, you are in luck as well because Artist and Craftsman Supply has an endless selection of art supplies. You will have no problem finding a favorite new outfit in Old City. Charlie’s Jeans offers perfectly fitted jeans and a sales staff that will help you perfect your style. Sugarcube blends classic and contemporary looks while featuring work from new and established designers. Art in the Age of Reproduction is a hip boutique shop with fashion and accessories for men and women. They also sell some very unique beverages. Music lovers can get their fill at a.k.a music by browsing vinyl and CDs in a comfortable, relaxed atmosphere. Scout Salvage and Vintage Rescue is fun for everyone, featuring all sorts of wacky and unique crafts and antiques. If you love comics or collectables, head over to Brave New Worlds for some fun filled browsing. Here at The Mike McCann Team, we are big fans of retail therapy and Old City is one of our favorite spots because, as you can see, they have something for everyone’s tastes.
Eat up!
Old City has so much food! Seriously, tons of restaurants, anything you could ever want, they have it! Wedge and Fig is a fantastic restaurant specializing in high quality cheeses. They take their cheese very seriously and will be happy to help you find the perfect one to pair with any wine that you bring in. Also, they have a grilled cheese bar which we think is completely amazing! Amada serves unique Spanish Tapas made by expert chefs in a classy atmosphere. Buddakan is one of the swankiest, Asian fusion restaurants around. They offer an intimate dining experience in a chic modern dining room with fantastic entrees and desserts that will blow you away. Gianfranco Pizza Rustica is THE pizza spot in Old City. They feature authentic Italian pizza pies that will keep you coming back for more and more and more. If you have a hankering for Indian food, head over to Karma for delightful lamb, chicken and fish dishes. Listen, we could go on and on about all of the great food in Old City, but you have to try it for yourself, so get out there and eat up!
Bonus! Make sure you save room for dessert because Old City’s Franklin Fountain and Shane Confectionery serve up some of the best ice cream and candy in Philly. Do not miss out!
Party!
Old City is bar central! They have such a happening nightlife that you can bar hop ’til you drop, literally. Tin Angel is a cool music venue that has a steady supply of excellent artists and serves up tons of great food. Stratus Rooftop Lounge is a great place to drink cocktails, dine or hang out while enjoying a beautiful view. Khyber Pass Pub has an excellent beer menu and yummy bar food, some of which is even vegan. Eulogy Belgian Tavern is an Old City favorite because of their craft beers, friendly staff and heavy, hearty bar food. Now, we definitely can’t tell you about all of the bars in Old City but if you explore the scene for an evening we are sure you will discover some great hidden gems and will surely come back for more.
As you can see, there are tons of reasons to come down to Old City! Don’t miss out on all of the amazing upcoming festivals including Old City Fest, The First Person Arts Festival and The Philadelphia Film Festival. Also, don’t forget on the always amazing First Friday events. C’mon Philly, get down to Old City and find out just what makes this neighborhood so amazing, an then tell us all about it on Facebook or in the comments below.
