For our next Philadelphia adventure, we’re heading out for a perfect morning at an exciting museum, followed by lunch in one of the best spots in the city. We’ll get to the Penn Museum just in time for its opening and follow it up with mussels and fries (moules frites) along with the best beer selection in town at Monk’s Cafe.
Penn Museum
The Penn Museum is the archaeological and anthropological museum of the University of Pennsylvania. It houses an impressive collection of artifacts from different civilizations. Their Ancient Egyptian gallery is expansive and features a comprehensive collection of mummies.
Of course, during my visit, much of the Egyptian gallery was under renovation. What could be seen was the iconic Sphinx and a few other pieces. What was neat, though, was seeing mummies through a different lens. The mummy collection was housed in cases behind glass, kind of reminiscent of a see-through mausoleum.
Other impressive galleries include Native North America, Ancient Greece, Etruscan Italy, and Meso-America. The Native North American exhibit features over 250 items, with an emphasis on tribes from the Northeast, Southeast, Northwest, and Southwest. The Penn is a winning bet for kids or adults. Certainly, the Ancient Egyptian gallery is a hit with kids, but they’ll also enjoy the other collections, which feature hands-on, interactive exhibits. Adults can spend the day fully diving into each piece and its historical significance.
Monk’s Cafe
For all my many visits to the City of Brotherly Love, the one spot I was unable to get to was Monk’s. Whether due to my visits being in the earlier part of the week when it is closed or not fitting into the schedule, it’s a place that I’ve been wanting to go to for years. Simply put, Monk’s Cafe is one of the ultimate beer bars in the country. Additionally, it boasts one of the best menus in the city.
My visit coincided with a special Russian River Brewing Pliny the Younger release. I knew this would mean Monk’s would be insanely busy. We had to get there early. We arrived at 11:40, ten minutes after it opened. By noon, it was standing room only. The interior is bathed in dark wood; its decor is appealing and looks as if you stepped into a bar in Belgium.
Russian River brews some of the best beer in the world, Pliny the Elder being the most popular. Pliny the Younger is a triple IPA. Typically, a style I try to avoid given its robust nature, but given the exclusivity of this release, I just had to have it. It was smooth and delicious, even at 11:50 in the morning. I followed it up with another Russian River, Supplication, which is a brown ale aged in Pinot Noir barrels and cherries. It’s complex, tart, and excellent.
Eat at Monks
To me, when you’re in Belgium…or Monk’s, mussels and fries, or “moules-frites” is a must. At Monk’s, pick from the broth the mussels are bathed in, from traditional to complex, accompanied by delectable fries with mayonnaise, ready to dip in. The mussels rivaled the best in Belgium, highly recommended! My son opted to avoid the mussels but enjoyed a juicy burger made just to his liking.
A Perfect Philadelphia Morning
The duo of the Pen Museum, followed by lunch and brews, and Monk’s Cafe makes for a perfect Philadelphia morning, with or without kids!
If you’re still hungry, check out the Reading Terminal Market. This landmark is chock-full of tasty options, from soft pretzels to pork sandwiches to Italian cookies. Wanna visit another museum? The Philadelphia Art Museum is always a winner.
