We’re excited that many of you are coming to Philadelphia from afar for our wedding, so we wanted to make sure you make the most of it. You may have your own plans, so just consider this an example itinerary if you wanted to walk and explore the Rittenhouse neighborhood of Center City Philadelphia, where our wedding venue and hotel are located. For those of you who are from Philadelphia (or who have been here before), just consider this a list of some of our favorite things to do!
And remember to use #mcwink15 while you’re sharing fun things you’re doing during the weekend!
Everything listed below is within walking distance, but if you have plans to see other landmarks, Philly is easy to get around by SEPTA, Uber, Lyft, cab, walking and biking. We recommend the newly launched Indego Bike Share. See here.
Otherwise, see an itinerary below.
Friday July 24
- 3pm: Check in at the hotel (220 South 17th St.)
- 4pm: Get a coffee at La Colombe (130 S 19th St.), one of the outposts of the celebrated Philadelphia-based coffee roaster and sit in Rittenhouse Square Park
- 5pm: Stroll Southwest through the Park and zig-zag along some of the most beautiful streets in the city, like Addison Street.
- 6pm: For those in the wedding party, join us for the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner.
- 7:30pm: Get reservations at one of the best restaurants in the city. Choose a Ritttenhouse option by reviewing Yelp here.
- 9pm: Get a gelato from Capogiro (117 S 20th St,)
- 10pm: Have a nightcap. In a small group, go to Franklin Mortgage & Investment Co. (12 S 18th St,), a fancy speakeasy. Or go to Village Whiskey (118 S. 20th St.) For the most relaxed environment, go to Irish sports bar Oh! Shea’s Pub (1907 Sansom St.)
- Late Night: If you can find Chris, ask him to get you in the Pen and Pencil Club, the country’s oldest surviving private journalism club open daily. Or hit up trendy Good Dog (224 S. 15th Street).
Saturday July 25
- 10am: Get brunch at Parc (227 S 18th St,), a popular Parisian-style cafe on the west side of Rittenhouse Square Park.
- 11am: Walk west down Locust Street (numbered streets should be going up) to the Schuylkill Banks trail, one of the most beautiful urban river walks in the country, at 25th Street. Walk either direction (south toward the new trail over the water or north toward the Art Museum) along the Schuylkill River.
- 1pm: Venture across Broad Street by walking east down Walnut Street (numbered streets should be counting down). Cross Broad Street to 13th Street and turn north (left). Walk past Sansom Street and turn left on tiny alleyway Drury Street (if you cross Chestnut Street, you’ve gone too far). Down Drury is McGillin’s Olde Ale House, which has been continuously open since the 1860s. Have lunch here!
- 3pm: Go back to Broad Street and walk north toward City Hall, the world’s largest free-standing masonry building. Walk around it, looking at the sculptures built into it until you get to the magnificent Dilworth Park on its westside. Enjoy the grass and water and a small cafe there, with coffees and snacks. Northwest of Dilworth Park is LOVE Park, with the iconic LOVE statue.
- 4pm: Go back to the hotel to get ready for the wedding!
- 5:30pm: Go to Stotesbury Mansion for the wedding!
- 6pm: The wedding ceremony will begin promptly, so you should already be in your seats!
- 11:30pm: For a smaller group looking for an after-wedding drink, go to Village Whiskey. Alternately the Radisson has a perfectly serviceable hotel bar to close out the night!
- Late Night: If you want to rally late, hit up Oscar’s Tavern (1524 Sansom St), a celebrated, cheap dive bar or try out the Pen & Pencil Club (if you’re with a member like Chris or Shannon).
- Really Late Night Food: If you need to something to eat late, go to legendary 24/7 diner Little Pete’s (219 S 17th St). It’s due for closure next year, so go to this greasy spoon before it’s replaced by high-end condos.
Sunday July 26
- 10am: For something more casual after a big party night, grab incredible, artisanal donuts and coffee from Federal Donuts (1632 Sansom St) and take them out to tiny, secret pocket green space Chestnut Park (1707 Chestnut St.)
- 11am: Checkout of the hotel and hit the road, hitting any final sights you want!
If it rains… We recommend the Philly History Museum on Seventh Street between Market and Chestnut, and the Mutter Museum (if you like cool, interesting, gross stuff) on 22nd Street between Market and Chestnut.