Philadelphia offers many activities for the fall season, including various pastimes for Penn students to pursue.
The Reading Terminal Market
Known as one of the oldest public markets in America, the Reading Terminal Market has been in business since February 22, 1893. Since then, it has become home to 70 family-owned businesses and is open Monday through Sunday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. — although individual hours of vendors may vary. According to the Reading Terminal Market website, it boasted over 5,000,000 visitors in 2022, successfully becoming “the most visited destination in the Greater Philadelphia Area.”
The market’s location at 1136 Arch St. in Center City is both convenient and accessible for Philadelphia residents and students alike, and perfect for a lunch break or shopping exploration.
College sophomore Una Liu said that the Reading Terminal Market is a great spot in the city, and it is well known as a popular place for both residents and tourists.
“I think it’s pretty nice because you do get a blend of different cultures and different food. And most of the food there is pretty good and well known, so it definitely gives Philadelphia a better food scene.” Liu said.
College sophomore Megan Xie said that the market is constantly “packed,” and that it changes often.
“Every single time I come, there is always something new,” Xie said.
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Talula’s Garden and Talula’s Daily
These two eateries, products of a collaboration between Stephen Starr and Aimee Olexy, are located adjacent to Washington Square. Together, they cover just about every kind of cuisine imaginable, and emphasize a “farm-to-table” mentality that capitalizes on locally sourced, seasonal food.
Talula’s Garden is open seven days a week for dinner and provides brunch on Sundays, with their specific dinner hours varying slightly throughout the week. The restaurant is both indoor and outdoor, decorated with robust greenery, and perfect for special occasions.
On the other hand, Talula’s Daily is a more casual scene, open 6 days a week from Monday through Saturday. There, you can expect to find an “all-day cafe, local market and intimate dinner destination,” as stated on the Talula’s Daily website.
“[Talula’s Daily] is much more like daytime, breakfast, lunch, or if you want to pick up something to go. Talula’s Garden is more dinner, and they have a really good brunch,” Danielle Milbourne, a Philadelphia resident, said. “Both are really fun because it’s tucked away, kind of like a secret garden, and inside and outside are both really pretty.”
Schuylkill River Trail
The Schuylkill River Trail is 82.4 miles long and perfect for activities ranging from an intense run to a leisurely stroll. The trail was founded in 1974 to preserve wildlife and nature in the area, and has become a popular destination for both city visitors and residents alike.
This season, the path is surrounded by fall foliage. The piece of the path that runs along Kelly Drive connects to Boathouse Row, another popular attraction in the city. The area is home to collegiate, high school, and master-level rowing teams and their equipment, which can be seen along the river for much of the year.
Xie said the trail exhibits a lot of beauty and noted how many Penn students use the trail for runs, while others on the Penn rowing team practice there.
2013 College graduate Anna Safford said that the path is very accessible to students and a convenient way to get outdoors.
“It’s a great walking trail, and there are a couple really easy access points from Penn. In theory, you can now run or bike or walk from Center City all the way out to Valley Forge on the path. [The trail] is so cool,” Safford said.
Eastern State Penitentiary
Located on Fairmount Avenue, Eastern State Penitentiary is a former prison that opened in 1829 and closed in 1971. Today, it operates as a historical and educational museum that provides tours and hosts events. Their hours are subject to change, but currently the penitentiary is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Milbourne, a frequenter of the penitentiary in the fall, stated that she has been “many times” and that it is “amazing that we have a famous haunted house right in the city.” Furthermore, she commented on how it successfully combines the city’s history with amusement for all, providing a unique spin on educating the area.
Similarly, Safford said that the entire Fairmount area is a “hidden gem,” and that while the penitentiary has “spooky haunted house” elements, it is also an extremely important historical site relevant to the entire country’s history.
Philadelphia Museum of Art
According to their website, the Philadelphia Museum of Art is widely regarded as “the cultural heart of a great city.” Whether visiting for an art history lesson or simply to immerse yourself in various cultures, the museum is a great place to visit. They are open five days a week and are closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. On the days they are open, their hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., except for Fridays, when they are open from 10 a.m. to 8:45 p.m.
The museum is one of America’s oldest public museums, and it offers tours that are free with admission. Additionally, Penn art majors receive free admission to the museum with a valid ID, and Penn students in general with an ID have access to discounted prices. To those who are under the age of 18, admission is completely free of charge.
Safford noted how important art is to the city of Philadelphia overall, stating that not only is there “great art to be seen everywhere,” but Philadelphia is also just an “art city” full of opportunities that extend from the Museum of Art to other museums and public art. She encouraged Penn students to explore all of the art Philadelphia has to offer.
Liu said that the museum was one of the main attractions in Philadelphia, whether for tourists or in general.
“The building is amazing. It’s a great place for pictures … I would definitely recommend going there. It is definitely one of the main places in Philadelphia,” Liu said.
Clark Park Farmer’s Market
Clark Park Farmer’s Market is a hub for an array of different food and specialty products, including meat, pastries, fruits, vegetables, and more. The market was established in 1998 and operates year-round. It is open on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Visit their website to stay updated on the specific vendors who will be having booths, as they are subject to change.
“Clark Park is great, for Penn kids especially. It's very walkable from campus, and I think it's a great thing to do if you want to get a little more familiar with West Philadelphia,” Safford said. “It is definitely an important green space for that area.”
Xie also shared similar sentiments, noting that the market provides a great platform for “a lot of small businesses to come,” and that she had a great experience with both the bakery and different fruits sold at the venue.
“I really want to go again,” Xie said.
