5 tourist traps to avoid in Philadelphia and where to go instead, according to someone who was born and raised there

As someone who was born so close to Philadelphia, I've explored the city a lot in my life.

Before I moved to the Midwest, I lived just outside Philadelphia for my entire life. Although I'm from Montgomery County right next to Philadelphia, I considered the city my own. As I grew up within the confines of its culture, I learned a lot about the best places to go and the ones to avoid.

If you're visiting the City of Brotherly Love for the first time, there are probably some spots you can skip if you want to experience Philly like a local.

Although Pat's King of Steaks and Geno's Steaks are well-known in Philadelphia, locals will probably tell you they're not the top spots for cheesesteaks.

According to a 2008 oral history of the cheesesteak by Philadelphia Magazine, the city's most famous sandwich was invented by Pat Olivieri in 1930, the same year he opened Pat's King of Steaks. Pat's biggest rival is Geno's Steaks, which was founded in 1966.

Although there's lots of history between the two cheesesteak shops in South Philly, many people who live in the city will tell you to avoid Pat's and Geno's. From my experience, the lines are often long and there are other cheesesteak restaurants that offer great value and taste in the city. Still, there are some people that are loyal to these two cheesesteak restaurants.

Jim's Steaks on South Street is my favorite place to eat the iconic sandwich.

Philadelphia is filled with cheesesteak spots, but I'm partial to Jim's South Street. In my experience, the lines are much more manageable (especially on weekdays) and the cheesesteaks never leave me feeling heavy or too greasy. Dalessandro's in the Roxborough neighborhood is another great alternative.

With delicious, authentic sandwiches and other yummy options on the menus, these restaurants are worth the wait of any line, in my opinion.

The Constitution Center and Liberty Bell are good spots for American history lovers and schoolchildren, but I've discovered other interesting historical locations to visit in the area.

I previously wrote that a visit to the Constitution Center and the Liberty Bell are rites of passage for Philadelphia-area children, but as an adult, I'm more interested in other attractions that aren't as well-known.

On weekdays, you'll probably run into busloads of kids on field trips visiting the Constitution Center. As someone who grew up near Philadelphia, I figured out very early that you can view the Liberty Bell from the outside through the window. However, visiting the exhibit can be important for first-time travelers or American history buffs.

The African American Museum in Philadelphia and the National Museum of Jewish History are two worthwhile museums in the area.

I recommend visiting the African American Museum in Philadelphia or the Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History, which reopened on May 13. Both are within walking distance of the Constitution Center and provide perspectives on American history from marginalized groups.

One of the current exhibits at the African American Museum is "Derrick Adams: Sanctuary." The installation designed by the artist "reimagines safe destinations for the Black American traveler during the mid-twentieth century," according to the website. The exhibit runs through August 28.

The National Museum of American Jewish History hosts many events and programs that you can attend. A "Community Conversation" on May 19 aims to "celebrate Jewish American and Asian American Pacific Islanders Heritage Months." 

The Rocky Statue and "Rocky Steps" outside the Philadelphia Museum of Art can sometimes overshadow what's inside.

Philly's famous statue of the fictional boxer is worth driving by, but this is another spot where lines can get long. If you're planning on running up the "Rocky Steps" that lead to the Philadelphia Museum of Art, do yourself a favor and go inside once you make it to the top.

The Philadelphia Museum of Art still attracts tourists, but in my opinion it appeals to both locals and visitors.

Philly's signature art museum is so large that it rarely feels busy inside. Renovations on the museum started in 2017 and were completed in 2021, revealing beautiful new entrances and terraces. The museum also features collections from around the world, like the ongoing exhibits on contemporary Korean craft and Dutch tiles.

If the weather's nice, you can go outside the main museum building to the Anne d'Harnoncourt Sculpture Garden.

In my opinion, there are better ways to spend your time and money in the City of Brotherly Love than in the Rivers Casino.

The Philadelphia Business Journal reported that the Rivers Casino, formerly known as SugarHouse Casino, was the second most popular tourist attraction in 2017 with 4 million visitors. While the casino attracts large crowds of tourists, I've found entertainment options that better suit me in close proximity.

Fishtown is one of my favorite spots in the city for lively night life.

In my opinion, the entertainment destination overshadows the nearby neighborhood of Fishtown for those who don't know about it. Instead of visiting the casino, try going to The Fillmore down the street for a concert.

If you're in the mood for shopping, you can check out the funky antique and vintage store Jinxed. German beer garden Frankford Hall is a great place to grab a bite and a pint if you get hungry. I highly recommend trying out their warm Bavarian pretzel with cheese dip or the schnitzel sandwich.

After visiting the Betsy Ross House as a teenager, I later discovered it may be based on a myth.

According to National Geographic, historians now doubt that Betsy Ross made the nation's first flag or lived in the house named after her in Philadelphia. History.com reports that no one knows who designed the flag to this day. Although there's no evidence to disprove the story that Ross made the flag, I found that the tiny home didn't present much that was worth my time.

Elfreth's Alley and the Cherry Street Pier are close to the Betsy Ross House and offer a variety of cool experiences, especially in the summer.

One of the good things about the Betsy Ross House is how close it is to Elfreth's Alley, the nation's oldest continuously inhabited residential street. There's a little museum on the street and plenty of events hosted there throughout the year. Make sure you check out Elfreth's Alley on June 4, also known as "Fete Day," when residents open their doors and "allow visitors a glimpse of 21st-century life in these 18th- and 19th-century houses," the alley's official website says.

If you're not into history at all, hop over to the nearby Cherry Street Pier, an old municipal pier that's used year-round to host events like artisan markets and beer gardens.