Getting there: Take the Market–Frankford Line eastbound and get off at the 2nd Street stop (about 10 mins).
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First, make your way toward Old City Coffee (221 Church Street). Start your morning off right with a coffee of the day ($1.90, and they roast on premises) or have it iced. With a rotating menu of baked goods, breakfast options, milkshakes and prepared foods, bring your laptop for a quiet work atmosphere in the café section. Or take your coffee on the road and go across 2nd to lose an hour—or three—in the bookstores, galleries and record shops that line the street.
Just down the street and around the corner lies Tartes (212 Arch Street). It’s fluorescent pink façade is pretty hard to miss, so just walk up to the window and check out the whiteboard of specials, ranging from cookies, bars and you guessed it—tarts ($5-6 for a small). The lemon squares ($2) are great, but the real stand out is the coconut macaroons ($.50). Light and airy on the inside and caramelized to a satisfyingly crunchy golden brown on the outside, they have the perfect hint of coconut flavor that will convert any skeptic.
If you haven’t managed to satisfy your sweet tooth, swing by The Franklin Fountain (116 Market Street) for a scoop. With flavors ranging from hydrox cookie (a glorified cookies and cream) to teaberry gum and tons of toppings, a cone ($5) will set you back a few dollars, but with ice cream this smooth it’s well worth it. The peach ice cream is not too sweet and perfect for spring, but if you’re feeling brave you can tackle one of their massive sundaes. Take your ice cream to go in one of their signature ice cream boxes and explore Old City, heading towards Center City to check out quirky shops, beautiful parks and classic Philadelphia. Or you can check out Penn’s Landing and look across the Delaware at scenic—Camden. Ok, never mind.
