I was born and raised in Philadelphia. Here are 8 things I wish tourists knew before they visited.

• I was born and raised in Philadelphia, and I’ve encountered so many tourists who visit my city.
• There are so many great restaurants and cheesesteak shops beyond Pat’s and Geno’s.
• Visitors should make time to see the art museum near the Rocky steps and the city’s green spaces.

Philadelphia is famous for its passionate sports fans, historic landmarks, vibrant culinary scene, and much more.

It also happens to be the part of Pennsylvania where I’ve lived my entire life. Over the years, I’ve watched many tourists come and go while falling for common misconceptions and making the same mistakes.

Here are some of the things I wish everyone knew before visiting my East Coast city.

Pack your walking shoes.

Philly is one of the largest cities in the country, but it’s also incredibly walkable.

I think walking is the best way to explore Philly’s neighborhoods, each of which has something unique to offer.

The walk from my home in West Philly to the Delaware River on the east side is only about an hour and a half. Along that walk, I cross the Schuylkill River, mosey through the famed Rittenhouse Square, pass Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell, and explore the charming streets of Old City.

Philly’s thriving restaurant scene goes beyond Fishtown.

Don’t get me wrong — there are incredible restaurants in Fishtown, one of Philly’s busiest culinary neighborhoods.

However, Fishtown has just one small (and very new) slice of what the Philly dining scene has to offer.

Some of the best places to eat in Philadelphia that may not be on the “best new restaurant” list you skimmed before coming into town.

There’s an incredible array of food at all different price points across the city — fine-dining tasting menus in Rittenhouse, late-night tacos in the Italian market, steaming pots of pho on Washington Ave, and platters of Ethiopian food in West Philly.

Don’t be afraid to ask a few locals where they like to eat and step outside your comfort zone.

Be prepared for BYOB restaurants.

Due to the high cost of liquor licenses in Philadelphia, many restaurants are “bring your own beverage,” or BYOB.

This is great for your wallet, as you don’t have to pay marked-up restaurant prices for alcohol. However, it can be frustrating if you wanted a beer with dinner and didn’t realize it wouldn’t be an option.

Just check online or call ahead to see if a restaurant is BYOB before heading out for a meal — there are sure to be plenty of places to grab a six-pack or a bottle of wine on your way.

Pat’s and Geno’s aren’t the only places to get a good cheesesteak.

I don’t necessarily want to wade into the ever-controversial debate about where to get the best cheesesteak in Philly.

However, I will say that the famous Pat’s and Geno’s aren’t the only options — and, in my opinion, they’re not even the best.

Cheesesteaks can be found all over the city, but a few places I’d recommend are Angelo’s (the pizza is great here, too), John’s Roast Pork, and Sonny’s.

Pro tip: Many cheesesteak spots only take cash.

The city has more green space than you might expect.

When people think of Philadelphia, they often don’t picture lush gardens or tree-lined hiking trails. However, we’ve got some great green spaces.

Visitors can stroll along the Schuylkill River Trail, which leads to the Philadelphia Museum of Art, or feed the koi fish at the Japanese Tea House in Fairmount Park.

In West Philly, check out Bartram’s Gardens, a nearly 50-acre green space with lush gardens and a fully functioning farm. Wissahickon in Northwest Philly also offers scenic hiking trails, and the John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge near the airport is a birdwatcher’s paradise.

Many of these spaces can be accessed by public transit.

Locals tend to be much nicer than our reputation implies.

Philadelphians can sometimes have a reputation for being gruff, but more often than not, we’re incredibly welcoming.

Many of us love our city and want to share our passionate feelings with everyone who visits.

Typically, I’m more delighted to point visitors to my favorite spots and welcome new residents into our community. For me, there’s no gatekeeping in Philly.

Don’t just take a picture on the Rocky steps — go inside the art museum, too.

The Philadelphia Museum of Art is one of the best institutions in the country, with a vast collection to explore. Unfortunately, some tourists only know the museum as the place where Rocky Balboa famously ran up the museum’s 72 stone steps.

I won’t discourage anyone from taking pictures with the Rocky statue or reenacting the scene, but I highly encourage everyone to check out what’s inside the museum as well.

Visitors who want to see even more art should stop by the Barnes Foundation, which houses a collection of impressionist, post-impressionist, and modern art.

Philly is much more than just New York’s little brother.

Philly is only about two hours south of New York City, and, given our proximity, we’re often compared to our much larger neighbor. Some people even go so far as to call Philly New York’s “sixth borough.”

That said, Philly is so much more than a smaller (and usually cheaper) version of New York. It’s a bustling city in its own right with incredible food, music, culture, and personality to explore.

This story was originally published on October 28, 2023, and most recently updated on October 15, 2025.

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