When visitors come for the weekend, it's easy to send them off to the Liberty Bell or take a trip to Pat's for Philly cheesesteaks.
But even University connoisseurs can struggle to find on-campus activities that will entertain out-of-town guests.
When the idea of another tour of College Green or night hopping fraternity houses seems unappealing, try these activities that are less obvious but sure to please:
- Just around the corner from Cosi lies Penn's own Institute of Contemporary Art, at 118 S. 36th St. A current exhibition features a life-size, two-headed snake by artist Brian Tolle.
"It was one of Ben Franklin's favorite political cartoon images," art institute spokeswoman Jill Katz said. "It is an electric snake with a brilliant sunburst on one of the walls, and Franklin's portrait fits the size of the wall."
A combination of mural, printing and sculpture, the piece is one of many original works at the institute.
- Penn hosts performers weekly at the Annenberg Center, located at 3680 Walnut St.
"They are world-class performances, and your guest can come and see legends in their genres, or [groups who] will soon be legends," Annenberg spokeswoman Stephanie Grant said.
On March 15, the Russian National Ballet will perform Giselle, which Grant called "hauntingly beautiful."
- Day or night, the Penn experience can continue at White Dog Cafe, located at 3420 Sansom St.
White Dog Cafe serves only locally produced organic food. But according to manager Tom Kurland, the restaurant's most enticing assets are its drinks.
"We have our famous bloody Marys with a lot of fun things in them, including a whole carrot," Kurland said.
The White Dog holds happy hour Sundays through Thursdays from 10 p.m. to 12 a.m.
College senior Jason Oberman said the atmosphere is ideal for guests because "there's an eclectic mix of people there, but they all go there to support that mission and have good time."
- Strikes Bowling Lounge, located at 4040 Locust St., is one of the few places on campus where an entire evening of entertainment -- including drinks -- won't cost over $10.
With couches, Scoop deVille ice cream parlor on the second floor and drink specials in addition to the lanes, Strikes tends to be a safe bet.
"Students can come in bowl and hang out in a nightclub atmosphere," general manager Matt Ellis said. "We have a sound system that plays hip-hop to classic rock, and on Thursdays there's a DJ."
