Much of Philly is still at a human scale. Part even feels (a bit) like Bloomsbury in London - tree lined, georgian terraces. My favourite US city, so far.

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It's what's left of the famous old historic Bucks County. Most of the county has been paved now, but there still is this chunk north of New Hope and Doylestown and east of Quakertown. The best towns in the area are actually across the Delaware River in New Jersey - Frenchtown and Milford, where the best restaurants are (almost anything in those towns).

It's a really nice area, not all sprawl and subdivisions and traffic, like the rest of the county has become. Lots of great historic parks, areas and villages, also wild places like Haycock Mountain, the Nockamixon state game lands with Lake Warren, Lake Towhee and the Tohickon Creek (which has whitewater rafting sometimes). And don't miss Ralph Stover park High Rocks, near Point Pleasant, for the grand canyon type view.

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However, even if you're not a literary scholar it proves to be a great way to spend a couple of hours. They have thousands of original drawings and manuscripts from Maurice Sendak - Where the Wild Things Are. They also have lots of things you might not have a chance to see anywhere else. Journals of poetry written by slaves, Nathaniel Hawthorne's personal copy of Moby Dick. All in a very gracious (and eclectic) townhouse filled with interesting antiques. See how the other half lived.

OK, writing this, it doesn't really sound like the destination of choice for a young hipster. But, ponder this. It's Sunday morning in Philadelphia and you were out enjoying the nightlife until the wee hours.

Clean yourself up (please) and wander a couple blocks from your hotel to this very conveniently located and manageable museum for a tour of the house. The museum docents are learned and funny and helpful. You can learn without even trying, you lucky dog. And emerge a little more erudite than you went in. All before you could probably decide on where to have brunch. You clever clogs. The museum is free on Tuesdays and $8USD for adults other days. Closed Mondays.

2008-2010 DeLancey Place Philadelphia, PA 19103;
tel: (215) 732-1600;
Tuesday, Thursday, & Friday 10am-5pm Wednesday 10am-8pm Saturday & Sunday 10am-5pm Closed Mondays and national holidays;
www.rosenbach.org

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