Now that you're back at campus and stuck at Penn, here are some ways to explore both University City and Greater Philadelphia.
Museum of the American Revolution
We live in one of the most historically rich cities in the world, and we should take advantage of that. Pop the Penn bubble by venturing across the Schuylkill to experience this newly built museum, which chronicles the start of our country. History buffs will rejoice when they see George Washington’s war tent. Even if you're not a history major, it's hard not to be impressed by the sheer amount of artifacts and wealth of information this museum has.
If you haven’t been to this Philadelphia establishment, now is the perfect time to go. Reading Terminal is home to nearly every type of food, from baked goods of the Pennsylvania Dutch to Philly mainstays like hoagies and cheesesteaks. My personal favorites include the Down Home Diner and Bassetts Ice Cream.
Step into the shoes of an artist, as you get an inside look at some of Philadelphia artists’ workspaces and studios. In addition, you can get access to tours, demonstrations, and talks with the artists, all free of charge. Both artists and community partners participate in this event, hosted by The Center for Emerging Visual Artists, that covers 20 different neighborhoods within Philadelphia. On Oct. 7 and 8, the event will be focused in South and Northeast Philadelphia. The open studios will include the works of artists with an array of focuses, including hot glass blowing and oil painting.
Rosenbach of the Free Library of Philadelphia
This hidden gem lies tucked away in a residential area near Rittenhouse. The Rosenbach stores and displays book manuscripts of some of the most influential authors in history. This includes handwritten pages of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein and 15th-century manuscripts of Geoffrey Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales. The library is visually and architecturally stunning, and will provide great inspiration for your next English paper.
If you want to stay closer to Penn, head over to the Clark Park Farmers' Market this Thursday and Saturday at 43rd and Baltimore streets. You'll feel like you're one with the community as you pick from a vast variety of items which includes fresh fruits, vegetables, and baked goods. Since most, if not all, of the vendors are local, you actually buy from the farmers who grow and make the food, and they often have recommendations on which products are the best.
