There are more things to do in Philly when it's nice out, if only because all of the rainy-day options are still available. But Philly is what's known as a walkable city, and there are few things as nice as just spending some time walking around.
Starting at Amada, there are a ton of options within 3-4 blocks. You can walk around some of the older blocks of Old City, including Elfreth's Alley and the old church at 3rd and Market. The area around Independence Hall includes a whole series of parks that are worth sitting down in, including one of our favorites, Washington Square, at 6th and Walnut. There is even a way to take a sort of guide-less guided tour, via a cell phone automated system that you can call (there are signs explaining this spread throughout the parks).
Society Hill, the neighborhood just south of Old City, is also well worth a leisurely stroll. It's more residential, but some of the smaller streets are among the nicest in the city.
Just to the south of that is South Street, which has its own set of fans. It's more commercial, and at times has a lot of energy (although the same could be said for much of Old City).
For all of this, my suggestion is just to spend some time walking around, enjoying the area, rather than focusing on any destination. Check out the little alleys and side streets. Linger in the parks, both the big ones and the small ones. Sit in a cafe for a bit. Yes, there are some neighborhoods to avoid in Philly, but as long as you don't walk too far south of South, too far north of Vine, or cross the Delaware, you'll be fine. And walking too far south of South would mean walking very far; walking north of Vine would mean walking under the bridge, very avoidable; and crossing the Delaware isn't the sort of thing you wind up doing inadvertently.
For more focused activities, and for some good clean kid-style fun, the city recently turned Franklin Square into something of an urban amusement park. For years, this was the 'forgotten park' of Philly, mostly filled with winos, but thanks to a complete face-lift, it's now got a mini-golf, a carousel, and a burger shack run by frequent Top Chef guest judge Stephen Starr.
Center City is also a quick subway ride away from a Phillies game! They Atlanta Braves will be in town, playing the Phils on Friday night at 7, and Sunday at 1. Going down to the new park is a great experience. Even when the Phils weren't as good, it was a great experience – a super fun park, with enthusiastic fans. Last year, out of 81 home games, the Phils sold out 73, so you should get your tickets in advance.
If you're heading up to the Art Museum anyway and would like to take a long walk along the Schuylkill River, the Dad Vail Regatta, the largest collegiate regatta (rowing races) in the US, will be going on that day. If it's a nice day, you can rent a bike from Trophy Bikes and bike along the river and in Fairmount Park.
Out by our neck of the woods, there's a whole 'nuther set of options.
For one thing, our neck of the woods includes actual woods.
The Wissahickon is one of our favorite parts of the city. It's also as un-city a part of a city as you'll find anywere, a 5-mile stretch of woods that follows the Wissahickon Creek. For those of you coming to the Thursday night trail run, this is where it takes place. Some of the highlights include Valley Green, an Inn at the half-way point of the park; Forbidden Drive, a 5-mile car-free gravel road that runs along the creek; and the 30-40 miles of trails that wander through the woods.
For those staying at the Chestnut Hill Hotel, wandering up Germantown Avenue gets you to the heart of Chestnut Hill, a quaint (excessively quaint, perhaps) neighborhood with a nice commercial strip full of small shops.
And, as always, this is just a small sampling; if you have other suggestions, or questions, put them in the comments.
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