During filming last summer, the hosts and the show’s crew lived in Philadelphia’s Old City neighborhood, just around the corner from where Brown got his start on Real World in 2004. “This was very full circle for me,” Brown says. “When I came to Philadelphia the first time, I was 22 years old, fresh out of college, full of angst—still trying to figure myself out. To flash forward 15 years later and to live one block from where I was, but this time as a father, as a social worker, on a television show helping people deal with all the issues that I was dealing with in there… It was one of those weird moments where you think, ‘Oh, I’ve grown.'”
We checked in with Brown, France, Berk, and Porowski to see how they spent their time off set in Philly—Brown, of course, suggests stopping by the Real World house at Third and Arch—and where they think you should go on your next trip to one of the U.S.’s most historic cities. (Note: Many of the restaurants suggested remain open for local pick-up and/or delivery, so be sure to support if you live in the area or buy a gift card and bank it for your next trip.)