Philadelphia has one of the most passionate sports cultures in North America, and a chip on its shoulder about being overlooked next to New York. The food is better than its reputation, the history is genuinely worth your time, and the fan atmosphere at Lincoln Financial Field — known locally as The Linc — will surprise you.
Getting to Lincoln Financial Field
Lincoln Financial Field is in South Philadelphia, about 5 miles from Center City. It seats 69,000 and hosts the Philadelphia Eagles NFL team.
By SEPTA Broad Street Line: The subway runs directly to AT&T Station (NRG Center) at Pattison Avenue, adjacent to the stadium. Clean, fast, and $2.50 each way. The obvious choice.
By car: Significant parking around the South Philly sports complex. Expect post-match congestion — the Broad Street Line avoids this entirely.
By rideshare: Fine pre-match. Post-match, walk several blocks north before requesting pickup to avoid the stadium scrum.
From Philadelphia International Airport: 15 minutes by car or SEPTA Regional Rail to Center City, then Broad Street Line south. Easy.
Best Fan Bars in Philadelphia
Misconduct Tavern (Center City): Widely regarded as the best football bar in Philadelphia. Multiple screens, strong beer list, knowledgeable regulars. Fills quickly for Premier League and international fixtures.
Fado Irish Pub (Center City): Reliable Irish pub atmosphere with good screen coverage of all major matches. Large space that handles big crowds well.
Xfinity Live! (South Philly): The mega sports complex adjacent to the stadium. Multiple venues under one roof. Not intimate, but convenient and well-equipped for match days.
Bottle Bar East (Fishtown): Neighbourhood bar in Fishtown with a strong local crowd and good beer selection. Shows big matches.
Where to Stay in Philadelphia
Center City: The logical base. Close to transit, walkable to most attractions, easy access to the Broad Street Line for stadium trips.
Rittenhouse Square: The upscale residential neighbourhood. Great restaurants and a beautiful park. Premium hotel options.
Old City: Colonial-era architecture and proximity to Independence Hall. Good for history-minded visitors and well-connected to transit.
Fishtown: The neighbourhood that has changed fastest in the past decade. Independent restaurants, craft bars, younger crowd. Slightly further from the stadium but interesting.
Neighbourhoods Worth Your Time
Old City: Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, and Elfreth's Alley — the oldest residential street in the US. Worth a morning even if history isn't your primary interest.
Fishtown: The most exciting neighbourhood in Philadelphia right now. The stretch along Frankford Avenue has some of the best restaurants in the city.
Reading Terminal Market: The best public market on the East Coast. Pennsylvania Dutch vendors, fresh produce, and the best cheesesteak debate you'll ever witness.
South Street: Bohemian strip with independent shops, cheesesteak joints, and the famous Magic Gardens mosaic installation.
Food Philadelphia Is Famous For — and What's Actually Good
Pat's King of Steaks vs Geno's Steakhouse: The cheesesteak rivalry is tourist theatre, but the sandwiches are genuinely good. Pat's uses Cheez Whiz (the correct choice). Geno's uses provolone. Both are open 24 hours.
John's Roast Pork (South Philly): The best cheesesteak in the city, according to the people who actually live there. Shorter lines, better bread.
Zahav (Society Hill): Michael Solomonov's Israeli restaurant. The hummus, the lamb shoulder, the salatim. One of the best meals in the country. Book well ahead.
Reading Terminal Market: Go for breakfast or lunch. The Dutch Eating Place has scrapple and pancakes. Dinic's has roast pork with broccoli rabe. Both are unmissable.
Vernick Food & Drink (Rittenhouse): Greg Vernick's modern American restaurant. Excellent tasting menu, exceptional wine list. One of the most reliable dinner options in the city.