Reading Terminal Market + a Glimpse of Chinatown

Welcome!  It’s Thursday Eve!  Yay!  I’ve been telling you all about my quick but fun-filled trip to Philadelphia. Today I want to tell you about our trip to Reading Terminal Market.  I’ve seen Reading Terminal on the Food Network and other documentaries many times, but I have never had an opportunity to go. 

Until now. 

I have one piece of advice for you if you are planning a visit to Reading Terminal.  Do. Not. Eat. Before. You. Go.  Actually, I have two pieces of advice.  Don’t go when you have a big lunch planned for right afterwards!  My problem was the latter.  Even though I knew we couldn’t eat a meal at RT, I still wanted to go an explore and see it for myself.

Think… Food Court meets The Fresh Market meets Whole Foods meets Earth Fare meets bakery meets pastry shop meets florist.  Times 100.

Here’s a picture of Reading terminal in 1952. 

You can find ANY type of cuisine here at Reading terminal, plus you can do your grocery shopping.  There is fresh produce and fresh meat, all sorts of seafood… and desserts galore. 

Of course I couldn’t leave empty-handed, so I decided on an assorted box of cookies from the Famous 4th Street Cookie Company, redf grapes (for Sadie) and dried Kiwi slices.

 

Then we decided to head into Chinatown, just to explore a bit.  I’ve been to Chinatown in San Francisco and it is HUGE and amazing.  Philadelphia’s Chinatown is a little smaller, but it’s fun to explore a bit. 

Sadie got this pretty fan in a little gift shop.  It might be her favorite souvenir from the trip!

There’s one last Philadelphia post coming up—great meals with family and friends!