Ot visiting philly

@DMW

Check out Readings Terminal Market- DiNic’s roast pork sandwich is amazing. 

Been a few years since I was there but Butcher and Singer was a great steakhouse. 

Have heard it's always sunny there.

How long will you be there? Staying just in the city, or do you want to venture out?

https://www.monkscafe.com/

I hear they’ve got a nice Sheetz

https://www.nps.gov/inde/planyourvisit/independencehall.htm

What's-her-name was flown to Phillie for a week-long negotiation for her first book, and Lippincott Publishing also paid for me to tag along!  
While she was in meetings I got to walk the streets of downtown Phillie during the day, and they wined-n-dined us in the evenings.  Standouts in my memory were The Striped Bass, excellent seafood restaurant where I had the single best aged port I've ever had, and Dos Chiminea (since you're a foodie, ask to meet the chef and go downstairs to see his cookbook collection!)  
Was also cool to walk the old neighborhoods, brick-laid streets and two-story homes with downward-facing mirrors by the upstairs windows, so the owners could see who was knocking on their door.  
Have fun!
 
EDIT:  Forgot, we also spent an evening in an old bar where, supposedly, the Founding Fathers often met in the evenings, and we were served a flight of beers that they had brewed in the old days; cool!     

Lots to see and do.  

Agree.  There are some other interesting vendors in the terminal as well.

I really like Tony Lukes.  John's Roast Pork makes better cheesesteak than roast pork.  Either is better than the Pat’s and Gino’s show.

Its a scene worth seeing once. For a meal, I prefer DiNicks, Tony Lukes, or John's.  There are also other less famous shops scattered around the city. Some are very good and some are ok.  They tend to have loyal local followings and if you are with a local you trust, then their recommendation is worth heeding.

By far the best thing going down on 9th street (Italian Market) is the Rim Cafe. It is a block north of Pat's and Gino's.  Best hot chocolate and coffee drinks around.

Sugar Philly Truck - macaroons normally located on 38th st., between Chestnut and Walnut (west side of Penn near Wharton School of Business on Thurs and Fri).  They now have a storefront in Manayunk.

Big craft show starts this week at the convention center (next to the Reading Terminal).  There are a number of great art museums along the Parkway. Lots of US history to explore concentrated around the Independence Mall .

For restaurants, check out Craig LaBan's new dining guide in the Philly Inquirer; the restaurant scene is fantastic and varied in cuisine and price point. (Striped Bass is long gone.) in the Italian Market, skip Ralph's and hit Villa Del Roma next to DiBruno's for the best old school Italian-American. If you are into Mexican, Blue Corn next door is fantastic. Down 9th St. is Philly Barbacoa, a lamb taco place of national renown. Another block down, Mole Poblano serves sublime tamales. Chinatown has many great places.

Absolutely do not miss the Reading Terminal and DiNic's pork and broccoli rabe sandwiches. And yes to John's for the best cheesesteak.

I'll plug the Constitution Center. Hard to believe they can make the constitution that interesting. Skip the Betsy Ross House; no real evidence exists that she actually made the first flag. Look at the Liberty Bell through the windows but do take the Independence Hall tour. Also do the Todd House/Bishop White House tour to see how the upper and middle classes lived in the 1700s. You get tickets for the tours at the visitors' center on Independence Mall. Check out web info before going. The Revolution Museum is great even if you aren’t that into the history. The tours are free but the museums charge. 

if you have time, head to Rittenhouse Square to see what has been called the most egalitarian public space in the country. Good shopping near there. If you need lunch, Parc on the square is fantastic if not a bit pricey. Walk around the neighborhood a bit to the south; the huge houses, dating to the early 1800s, represent the “Philly rowhouse” at its finest.

Philly is a wonderful, walkable, friendly city. I hope you enjoy it.

(And the craft show another poster mentioned is one of the best in the country. It’s at the convention center, right across from the Reading Terminal.)