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

28.10.2023 - 16:09 / insider.com / Liberty Bell

I've lived in Philadelphia my whole life, so I've watched plenty of tourists come and go. 

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

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 many 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.

Don't get me wrong, there are some incredible restaurants in Fishtown. But more often than not, when I ask someone visiting where they're going to dinner, they name one of the neighborhood's new, trendy spots.

Fishtown is one very small (and very new) slice of what the Philly dining scene has to offer. There's an incredible array of food (at all different price points) across the city, from fine-dining tasting menus in Rittenhouse and late-night tacos in the Italian market to steaming pots of pho on Washington Ave and platters of Ethiopian food in West Philly.

There are so many places to eat that may not have been included on the "best new restaurant" list you skimmed before coming into town. Don't be afraid to ask a few locals where they like to eat and step outside your comfort zone. 

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, but it can be frustrating if you wanted a beer with dinner and didn't realize it wasn't an option.

Just check to see if the 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. 

I don't necessarily want to wade into the ever-controversial debate about where to get the best cheesesteak in Philly. But I will say that the famous Pat's and Geno's aren't all there is — 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. 

When people think of Philly, they don't often think of lush green spaces, nature hikes, and bird watching.

Visitors can stroll the Schuylkill River Trail leading 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