In Two Days

If you've already made your way through Day 1, you may be glad to hear that Day 2 involves a little less walking. You'll still want to fuel up, though, so head to a coffeehouse, or the Reading Terminal Market for breakfast. Start: Your hotel or the Independence Visitor Center.

1. City Trolley Tour

The green-and-burgundy Victorian-style trolleys roaming the city are the quickest and easiest way to get to and learn about a wealth of Philadelphia sights. The trolleys make regular pickups at most hotels, but you can also catch one at the Independence Visitor Center. Full tours are 90 minutes, and take in many of the sites described on Day 1of the itinerary, plus harder-to-access spots like the Eastern State Penitentiary and the Rodin Museum. You can purchase a ticket onboard, in advance at www.phillytour.com, or in person at the Independence Visitor Center. I recommend using the trolleys' on-and-off privileges (good for a whole day) for stopping at the following attractions.

Hop off the trolley at 26th and the Ben Franklin Parkway.

2. Philadelphia Museum of Art

Sure, Rocky trained by running up and down its steps, but what's truly great about Philadelphia's biggest art museum is its manageability. Spend a couple of quiet morning hours exploring the collections and you'll have ample time to take in masterpieces such as Cézanne's Bathers, Marcel Duchamp's Nude Descending a Staircase, and Shad Fishing at Gloucester on the Delaware River by Philadelphia's own Thomas Eakins. A few more minutes of exploring will lead you to rooms of Amish crafts and jousting gear, a sanctuary-like medieval cloister, and masterful, changing exhibits of modern artists. Sunday mornings are pay-what-you-wish.

Lunch Break

If you're not ready to leave the museum, tucked beyond the gift shop is an above-average cafeteria and sit-down restaurant offering gourmet fare with an exhibit-influenced theme. Otherwise, you may choose to head to the Water Works Restaurant behind the museum. This fine dining restaurant is housed in a historic building and has an amazing outdoor balcony overlooking the Schuylkill River.

Head a few blocks down the Parkway on the north side.

3. Rodin Museum

This treasure is relatively unknown even to Philadelphians. The Rodin Museum houses the largest collection of Auguste Rodin's work outside of Paris's Musée Rodin. Bronze casts of The Gates of Hell, The Thinker, and The Burghers of Calais are among the extraordinary works housed in this cool building (ca. 1929). A self-guided tour will take less than an hour, not including the time you'll want to spend in the leafy confines of the museum's gardens.

4. Franklin Institute Science Museum

Ben Franklin's scientific legacy lives on in this Logan Circle museum. Pay homage to the man -- or rather a 20-foot-high marble statue of him -- as you enter. Once in, you may want to head straight to the latest world-class exhibit (in 2007, King Tut), but do save time for Philadelphians' favorite hands-on exhibits.

These include walking through the 5,000-square-foot, thumping "Giant Heart," riding three stories above the Bartol Atrium on a 1-inch cable while pedaling the "SkyBike," and placing hands on "Ben's Curiosity Show's" static generator to make your hair stand on end.

From here, you're well positioned to head back to the ritzy, commercial fun of Rittenhouse Square, with its bars, restaurants, and shops.

Eating near Rittenhouse Square -- You've got a wealth of choices here. Continental Mid-Town, on the corner of 18th and Chestnut streets, is a fun, boisterous spot for a midday meal. A block away at 1907 Chestnut St., Devil's Alley serves great burgers, platters, and fries. If weather allows, Di Bruno Brothers at 1703 Chestnut is a great spot to buy a picnic and take it to grassy Rittenhouse Square, between 18th and 20th and Walnut and Spruce streets.