South Philly, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

A Phillies game at Citizens Bank Park remains one of the most reliably agreeable ways to spend a Philadelphia evening, the crowd sufficiently loud, the cheesesteaks sufficiently indulgent, and the Phanatic sufficiently unhinged to keep even the most reluctant spectator entertained. For visitors mapping out things to do in South Philly during baseball season, a ticket to the Bank ought to sit near the top of the list.

The South Philadelphia Sports Complex operates on its own calendar of devotion, and a proper visit demands more than a single game. It demands tailgating in the Eagles' parking lot beforehand, where grills and green jerseys establish a society entirely their own. Between innings and pregame rituals, it is easily among the most spirited things to do in South Philly for sports enthusiasts.

A wandering day through South Philly's rowhouse-lined blocks and onward into Old City's cobblestones is, I maintain, one of the best ways to understand Philadelphia's peculiar charm, a city equally devoted to its revolutionary history and its exceptional corner delis. It is precisely the sort of unplanned, on-foot itinerary I would recommend to anyone searching for the best walking tour of Philadelphia neighborhoods.

South Street possesses a bohemian energy that Bond Street's tidy squares and Newport's manicured lawns cannot match, and I gave myself fully over to it, a slice from Lorenzo & Sons eaten standing up being one of the more correct ways to experience Philadelphia pizza, a browse through Marsha's eclectic shelves, and a restorative coffee at Green Life Cafe to conclude. For a casual, food-forward day, South Street ranks among the best things to do in South Philly.