Go There, Then Drink This: 20 Craft-Beer-&-Attraction Experiences in Philly

The African American Museum in Philadelphia was the nation’s first major museum solely devoted to African American history, taking a fresh, bold look at the roles of African Americans in the country’s founding. Traveling exhibitions and frequent special programs reveal the history, stories and cultures of those of African descent throughout the African diaspora.

Before or after your trip to the museum, check out the vibrant nearby Callowhill neighborhood to the north, home to several breweries and brewpubs all within walking distance of each other, including Yards Brewing Company, with 20 rotating beers on tap like local faves Philadelphia Pale Ale, Philthy Hazy IPA and Love Stout nitro, and Triple Bottom Brewing, a fair chance “brewery with a mission” offering well-crafted beers alongside a DiBruno Brothers-partnered menu.

No exploration of Philadelphia is complete without a visit to two of the most iconic historic sites in the nation: the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall. And those are just two of the scores of great museums and attractions in Philadelphia’s Historic District. “America’s Most Historic Square Mile” is also home to more than two dozen other sites within Independence National Historical Park, plus the Museum of the American Revolution, the Betsy Ross House and more around Old City.

Pair your historic fun with a pint at Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant Philadelphia (about an 11-minute walk from Independence Hall). The flagship location for Philly’s largest local craft beer chain serves delicious pub fare and over 15 in-house brews like Iron Hill Light Lager and Philly Phavorite IPA.

An iconic building housing iconic artwork, the Philadelphia Museum of Art is the crown jewel of Center City’s Benjamin Franklin Parkway and its vast Museum District. Inside the museum, choose your own adventure in the pleasantly massive institution, showcasing paintings by masters like Renoir, van Gogh, Picasso and more; a collection of suits of armor; a complete 14th-century Buddhist temple; and new galleries designed by architect Frank Gehry. Outside, be sure to take a run up the world-famous Rocky Steps and a selfie with the statue of Philly’s most famous movie boxer.

After a day exploring the museum’s halls (and racing up the steps), visit some other Philly masterpieces at cozy Crime & Punishment Brewing Company, just one mile north of the Rocky Statue in aptly-named Brewerytown, offering some of Philly’s most inventive craft beers alongside tasty Russian bites.

Dating back to 1872, Philadelphia’s Chinatown is one of the oldest and largest Chinese districts in the nation. Fanning out from its iconic Friendship Gate at the corner of Arch and 10th streets, the neighborhood is jam-packed with a slew of shops, markets, bookstores and restaurants serving up the best in Chinese culture and cuisine, including beloved eateries like Dim Sum Garden, Bubblefish and Xi’an Sizzling Woks.

After an umami-filled meal and exploring around Chinatown, grab a drink and spend an evening at one of several well-known craft breweries just a few blocks north in Callowhill. That includes warm and bustling Philly-fave Love City Brewing, with its urban beer garden under the Rail Park, and art gallery-inspired Liquid Art Barrel House (formerly Roy-Pitz), a homey spot for fine American and German beers and upscale pub food.

Once the most famous (and expensive) home for criminals in the world, the massive Eastern State Penitentiary operated from 1829 to 1971. Today, the world’s first penitentiary-style prison is open year-round for fascinating tours that explore its history, as well as modern social justice issues surrounding incarceration.

Afterward, take the quick seven-minute walk east to enjoy some brews at inventive brewery Bar Hygge, named after the Danish word for the contentment one gets when surrounded by friends. The stylish and rustic neighborhood brewpub focuses on beers, wines, seasonal plates and unique Hygge boards: charcuterie-style sharing paddles featuring mix-and-match meats, cheeses and veggies.

An historic museum of medical and curative oddities named by Lonely Planet as one of “20 Unique Museums Around The World You Can’t Miss,” the Mütter Museum guarantees you’ll experience scores of one-of-a-kind treasures you’ve never seen before, including the “Soap Lady,” the Hyrtl Skull Collection, a tumor removed from President Grover Cleveland and tissue slides of Albert Einstein’s brain.

And just a few blocks away is another historic institution, the current home of Dock Street Brewery, which was the first craft brewery to open in the city in the 50 years post-prohibition. Its flagship location has moved from its original West Philly firehouse and now calls Point Breeze home, serving Philly’s original craft brews and brasserie-inspired eats and delectable brews.

Straddling the Schuylkill River, historic Laurel Hill Cemetery broke ground back in 1836, the second oldest of its type in the nation. Over 33,000 gravesites line 74 acres across sections east and west of the river. Not just a gorgeous cemetery, Laurel Hill also features an expansive arboretum, walking tours, exercise paths, movie nights, picnics, concerts and more. You can also visit final resting places of famous figures from David Rittenhouse to Harry Kalas, and even Rocky Balboa’s fictional wife and best friend.

Nearby, find three Manayunk breweries at which to relax your weary bones. Fat Lady Brewing is a circus-themed, inclusion-forward, body-positive spot with a dozen beers on tap. Beer-infused scratchmade pizzas pair with easy-drinking brews at Twisted Gingers Brewing. And enjoy beers from one of Philly’s O.G. craft breweries at Manayunk Main Street staple Manayunk Brewing Company.

Along the two-block 9th Street corridor from Christian to East Passyunk is the Italian Market, the renowned curb market made famous when Rocky Balboa galloped through clad in gray sweats. Nearly forty grocers and eateries span the half mile of awning-lined sidewalks where the freshest food can be found among its produce stands, butcheries, bakeries, fishmongers and cheese shops alongside modern cafés and restaurants. Its south end is capped by Philly’s famous cheesesteak corner, home to iconic steak shops Pat’s King of Steaks and Geno’s Steaks.

But if beer is on the menu along with your barbacoa and whiz wits, pop a few feet south to Cartesian Brewing, a former autobody shop named Philadelphia Magazine’s 2022 “Best New Brewery.” But if you’re seeking a sleeker experience, continue another few blocks down to Separatist Beer Project, a retro-modern brewery with a dozen taps plus a blendery space serving beer refermented in champagne bottles uncorked barside.

There’s no city in the nation like Philadelphia when it comes to sports fandom, and no better place to experience it live than at the massive South Philadelphia Sports Complex, where five Philly pro teams play within 2,000 feet of each other. Experience Red October all summer long with the National League Champion Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. Catch the NFL powerhouse Eagles across the street at Lincoln Financial Field. And some of the best athletes on the planet hit the court, ice and field next door at Xfinity Mobile Arena, home to the Sixers, Flyers and Wings.

After the game, keep the celebration going right in the middle of the action at cavernous XFINITY Live!, the complex’s dining and entertainment hub, featuring five bar restaurants, including Victory Brewing Company’s 5,600 square foot, 600 capacity Beer Hall, serving signature beers like Brotherly Love hazy IPA, Prima Pils pilsner and its Victory Monkey tripel line.

Northwest Philadelphia’s Germantown neighborhood is one of the oldest settlements in the city, offering a relaxed, backyard feel along with some significant historic treasures like Johnson House, an important stop along the Underground Railroad, Revolutionary War battleground Cliveden and Wyck House, a National Historic Landmark mansion, museum, garden and urban farm which also once functioned as one of America’s first breweries, serving regulars like John James Audubon and Charles Lucien Bonaparte.

Today, local beers can still be found just a couple miles away at Attic Brewing Company, the brainchild of husband-and-wife historians who started out home-brewing in — where else — their attic apartment. When the spot opened in 2019, it became the first brewery to operate in historic Germantown in over a century.

Out in the upper reaches of Northwest Philadelphia, as far northwest as you can go in the city, is the beautiful Morris Arboretum, an oasis of classical English landscape buildings and sculpture gardens managed by the University of Pennsylvania. The nearly 100-acre Chestnut Hill facility, the official state arboretum, houses thousands of rare plants and trees, including some of the oldest and rarest in the region.

After you explore the flora, check out the grains and hops that grew to create some of the neighborhood’s best beers. Just a couple of miles down Germantown Avenue are two staple Northwest Philly breweries: one of just two locations of ubiquitous and beloved Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant within the city limits, and Chestnut Hill Brewing Company’s kid- and pet-friendly brewery and taproom serving up excellent beer and distinctive wood-fired pizza.

Immersing yourself in nature is easy in Philadelphia, which is, after all, a city in a park, with over 11,000 acres of parkland within the city limits. One of the city’s best outdoor experiences awaits at Northwest Philly’s sprawling Wissahickon Valley Park, home to 1,800 of those acres, filled with lush meadows, miles of exquisite hiking and biking trails, fruitful fishing holes and tranquil views of the Wissahickon Gorge carved out by the slight but mighty Wissahickon Creek.

As the sun sets on your day outdoors, cap it off with a visit to nearby Wissahickon Brewing Company, where several of the charming craft beers are named after landmarks from the park and its East Falls neighborhood, with a rotating cast of food trucks helping revelers refuel for their next adventure.

Just about an hour north of Center City Philadelphia by car or by train, Bucks County’s charismatic seat of Doylestown offers a full day (or more) of charming restaurants, cafés, boutique shops and historic attractions. Among the borough’s many sites are legacies from some of its most famous residents such as archeologist Henry Chapman Mercer’s Fonthill Castle, Moravian Pottery & Tile Works and Mercer Museum, as well as the James A. Michener Art Museum, named for the famed author.

After a full day of art and history, take a breather at two nearby Doylestown spots for craft beers. Geronimo Brewing, housed inside quaint Lilly’s Jury Room, features small plates, salads, sandwiches and nearly a dozen craft brews on tap, and Mad Princes Brewing, an IPA-free safe space, dishing out small batches of saisons and Bieres de Garde, stouts, English-style porters and brown ales.

With festivals for every season, stunning landscaping and garden fountains, more than 60 charming stores both rustic and chic, a myriad of restaurants (and a murder mystery dinner theater) and just-for-kids Giggleberry Fair with its historic Grand Carousel, 42-acre Bucks County food and shopping haven Peddler’s Village packs activities into an enchanted bucolic, colonial-inspired landscape.

The outdoor countryside shopping retreat also houses the Lahaska taproom of Free Will Brewing Company, a fun between-sprees refreshment stop offering delicious sours, forward-facing IPAs and more left-turn takes on classic styles like the Kaeru pale lager with yuzu and hibiscus.

The term “world renowned” shouldn’t get thrown around lightly, but as a description for Kennett Square’s Longwood Gardens, it’s completely accurate. The 1,100-acre American botanical garden attracts 1.5 million visitors each year to its extensive and jaw-dropping outdoor and indoor gardens featuring thousands of varieties and species of plants and flowers, spectacular fountain performances and picturesque meadows and woodlands.

And just a 10-minute drive away is downtown Kennett Square and two crush-worthy craft breweries to wind down the day with. Kennett Brewing Company is a family-friendly brewpub offering casual fare and surprising twists on classic beer styles, and Braeloch Brewing Company, housed in a former mushroom warehouse, where a beer garden offers views of Red Clay Creek and a laid-back atmosphere to pair with a dozen varied craft beers on tap.

Brandywine Battlefield Park is home to the site of the longest single-day battle of the entire Revolutionary War, and the one that involved the most troops. The 52-acre park features a museum, an orientation presentation, staff-guided house tours and self-guided grounds tours all about the Battle of Brandywine.

After a day of exploring the battlefield, head just seven minutes down Route 202 for post-tour beers at McKenzie Brew House, named for Anna McKenzie, matriarch of the McKenzie family. Through the doorway where Anna’s portrait hangs is a friendly brewpub serving a number of crispy beers and go-to pubgrub perfect to wrap up your day.

Ridley Creek State Park unfolds across 2,606 acres of open space and gently rolling hills calling out to those looking for outdoor adventure. It’s a fantastic suburban getaway for hiking, horseback riding, picnicking, camping, fly fishing and much more. And if that’s not nearly enough, extend your open-air fun to nearby Tyler Arboretum, a carefully curated 650-acre oasis of woodlands, gardens, meadows, historic buildings and flora as far as the eye can see.

When you’re finished exploring the trails and parkland, decamp to one of neighboring Media’s two friendly breweries, each with its own vibe. Small batch brews are on tap at cozy Sterling Pig Brewery, which also offers tasty barbecue and wood-fired pizza to go along with its tapped-on-site beers. Or head just a half-mile east to the Media location of local chain Iron Hill Brewery, offering a slew of beers on tap and an extensive menu in a casual suburban restaurant atmosphere.

In a city known for its grand multi-venue sports complex in South Philadelphia, the case can be made that the most visually appealing sports stadium in the region is Chester’s Subaru Park, home of the Philadelphia Union, the city’s Major League Soccer (MLS) team. Cheering supporters take in the sweeping views of the Delaware River and the Commodore Barry Bridge spanning overhead, complementing the views of the home club which finished 2022 with the league’s best record and a Conference Championship.

Let the celebration continue right across the street, at the Larimer Brewhouse, a literal four-minute walk from pitch to bar, where you can raise a pint to your favorite footie squad with double dry-hopped IPAs, Mexican lagers, fruited sours and other experimental small-batch styles.

It is probably no exaggeration to say that King of Prussia, a Simon Property Mall — the mall with the most stores of any on the East Coast — probably has exactly what you’re looking for, and a ton of surprises you didn’t expect. Be prepared to head home with arms full of bags and a stomach full of deliciousness after perusing more than 450 stores and over 30 eateries.

Celebrate your well-earned haul from the mall with a well-earned brew or two at one of the area’s inviting craft breweries. Make a post-retail therapy stop at nearby Workhorse Brewing Company, offering approachable and well-made brews at its mammoth production brewery and tasting room. Or just steps away is the King of Prussia taproom location of Conshohocken Brewing Company, one of the area’s favorite breweries, a capacious and inviting space to spend your mall after-hours.

One of the most famous historic sites on the continent, Valley Forge National Historical Park is as enchanting as described in your elementary-school textbooks. The site of General George Washington’s 1777-‘78 winter encampment with his Continental Army, the park offers a glimpse into the Revolutionary War with historic structures such as Washington’s Headquarters and commemorative monuments including the National Memorial Arch. But the park isn’t just for tour groups: Its 3,600 acres offer outdoor recreation for bikers, runners, hikers and wildlife-watchers alike.

Nothing beats a day following Washington’s footsteps than a toast with his favorite beverage on a retreat to one of two nearby spots. Bald Birds Brewing Company offers a smart mix of IPAs, lagers, pilsners, stouts and special releases in friendly tavern-style surroundings. Or swing more modern at neighboring La Cabra Brewing Company, offering Latin-inspired food and more than a dozen taps of stalwart styles and seasonal experiments.