I'm headed to Philly in late June to attend the US Olympic Trials for gymnastics. It's my first time going there as a "grown up" where I won't be attending a conference or trade show and will actually have time to see the city. Most of the tips I've read are about visiting historical sites, many of which I saw as a kid and frankly am not that interested in (horrible and unpatriotic, I know). I've already identified a couple of museums that I'd like to check out but what else is there to do/see?

You may want to enjoy some lunch at the reading terminal market. I tend to talk up the tour trolley that you can pichk up in several places. You can get off at many different points of interest and then get back on to enjoy so other places. Enjoy.

It would be helpful if you could tell us what you actually like to do. There are tons of things to do and see in Philly, from parks to great restaurants to art galleries to...well, whatever. You can start by looking at all the VT tips on the city!

I agree. Tell us more about your interests.

One definite attraction starting in late June is the Mann Center. The Philadelphia Orchestra gives concerts there in Fairmount Park on summer evenings. The cost is low, the music is beautiful, and on a lovely summer night, it can't be beat.

I did look at some of the tips posted before I asked my question. Most, though not all, are about historical sites. The Museum of Art and the Rodin Museum are on my list, as is the Franklin Institute and maybe the Boat House Row. I'm not interested in the nightclub scene or fine dining as in the evenings I'll be in the Wachovia Center watching the meets. I'm thinking more along the lines of coffee shops, galleries, cool book stores or outdoor markets - more local everyday color. I've been to Reading Market and will probably go again because it's a neat place.

OK, in that case I would send you to a few specific neighborhoods. There is Northern Liberties, which in the last couple of years has really come up as someplace new and hip (as opposed to run-down and crumbling like it was ten years ago). Head to 2nd Street at the intersection of Spring Garden, and walk north along 2nd. Enjoy.

Next: South Street. You can walk around a lot of funky places pretty much along the whole length of it, but a good place to start would be the intersection of South and Front. Walk west along South St.

Finally: Art Museum area. Start yourself at the corner of 24th and Fairmount, and walk east along Fairmount. You will pass a couple of cool little galleries, nice cafes to hang out at, plus Eastern State Penitentiary, a defunct 19th-century prison that is now a museum that you can go through. It's very cool.

Whoops, forgot about the Italian Market, which is a definite must do. This is on S. 9th St. between Wharton and Fitzwater Streets. It is best on a Saturday but open Tuesday-Saturday. Don't drive, parking is a zoo.

For good and interesting art galleries, see http://www.inliquid.com/

You can take tours of the Masonic Temple - you enter through this not descript side door that is right across from the huge, gorgeous and old City Hall.

Here is a link to the tours - they are very interesting
http://www.pagrandlodge.org/tour/onsite.html

Also Liberty Market which is very nearby is fun - huge farmer's market type place