Take the Stairs: Philly is Always a Step Ahead

One of the first things that many visitors do upon their arrival in Philadelphia? They run up the Art Museum steps. It may be the most famous, but it's not the only set of stairs that keep us on an upward climb. Elevators and escalators are nice, but taking the stairs is a Philadelphian's real cardio, so we put together a list of places that make for hot steppin'.

• 12 Steps Down, 831 Christian St

There are exactly 12 (count em) steps down to this underground bar in the Italian Market. This is truly a neighborhood bar, with free pool on Mondays and Sing Your Life Karaoke on Tuesdays, making these the steps that you want to take.

• Anthropologie, 1801 Walnut St

The whimsical women's clothing and housewares boutique in Rittenhouse Square has a series of grand staircases that turn a shopping trip into a tour of flowy dresses, charming trinkets, and thigh-burning exertion. Yes, you will look fantastic in that.

• Philadelphia Magic Gardens, 1020 South St

South Street's mosaic garden from artist Isaiah Zagar has a visually staggering set of shimmering stairs made from ceramic shards, bottles, and other items. The labyrinthine tour is an exercise in inspiration.

• Society Hill Towers, 2nd and Locust Streets

The steps that lead up to Zahav and the Society Hill Towers are known as a shortcut to Headhouse Square and South Street.  The climb doesn't end at the top, however, because there's a steep path leading through Society Hill ahead of you.

• Love Park, 16th and JFK Blvd

Love Park loungers know that the curved granite steps surrounding the fountain are better for sitting and people-watching. Leave the Art Museum steps to those runner types.

• Boyds, 1818 Chestnut St

The swank department store in Rittenhouse Square has a marvelous set to walk up - an old school marble staircase for the store that has been dressing up Philadelphia for over 70 years.