Good Morning, Everyone. I returned from my trip to Philadelphia late on Monday night (7/28), and it is time to let the cat out of the bag! Thanks to all the locals who gave me some great advice, which I will list and try to do justice to!
I arrived early on Saturday morning, took the SEPTA from the airport to downtown ($7.00 CASH ONLY on the train), and %26#39;toured%26#39; to get my bearings by getting on the Philly Phlash. At $5.00 for an all day ticket or $2.00 for an unlimited loop, this was a great deal. It runs about every 10 minutes, so just stand under the sign. The drivers are very knowledgeable (I heard them answer other folks%26#39; questions) and friendly.
Philly is working hard to bring tourism there, so go and have a good time.
I love the architecture of the city. Historical intermixed with new glass and steel. I walked most of the time. The city was very easy to get acquainted with and oriented. I had printed several sections of the map on www.gophila.com before I left so I would have a good idea of where I was before I got there.
I stayed at the Westin Downtown on 17th between Market and Chestnut. It was fabulous. A federal style building that used to be the Ritz-Carlton, worth every penny. I had room service one morning for breakfast as a treat. The food and coffee were delicious! The Philly Phlash stop is just about right in front of the hotel, it is two blocks from Rittenhouse Square, and LOADS of shopping and food right there.
I walked through the outside of City Hall, there are lots of sculptures and statues. Also, part of the Convention Center used to be Reading Terminal, which has awesome architecture. I went to the Reading Terminal Market and bought the sweetest cherries for $1 and grapes, along with locally grown tomatoes, Amish Cheddar cheese, and some salad greens. I also bought some tea biscuits from Termini Brothers, and had coffee from Old City Coffee. Everything was tasty and delicious!
My next stop was Old Navy. There is no tax on clothing in Philly, so I bought a few things for the weekend.
After all the touring, I was getting a little hungry, but wanted to see where Chris%26#39; Jazz Club was so I wouldn%26#39;t get lost that night. On my way I saw a sign -- Lunch Special: Cheesesteak and a Pint for $6.00 -- so I knew I had to go in! It was Oscar%26#39;s Tavern on Samsun between 15th and 16th. OH MY GOSH. The best cheesesteak I ever ate....they are made to order, and the meat was so fresh and delicious, and the bun was crisp on the outside and soft on the inside. I found out a lot about cheesesteak hoagies -- if you have a cheesesteak in South Philly that you will get it with Cheez Whiz, and Oscars will make it for you that way if you like (which I didn%26#39;t). The sandwich is large enough to share with someone, but I had to force myself to eat the whole thing, as I was alone. I also asked them to try a beer actually brewed locally, so I had a Yuengling Lager. It is full bodied and darker than regular beer, but not dark like Guiness. It was delicious and I had two pints!
When I left Oscar%26#39;s I went to the Phillies game. I had such a great time. This must have been the best game in baseball this season. It was a beautiful, sunny day, a great game, and the Phillies won. I loved taking the subway with all the fans. Here in south Florida when you go to a game you drive, so you are by yourself. When you take the train it is fun to be with all the people who you know are going to the same place. I loved it. Also, when you are walking from the train to the ball park, the views of the City are incredible.
Sunday I went and toured Rittenhouse Square. A very pretty (and much smaller) park than I thought it would be, but I enjoyed people watching. There is lots of shopping and tons of places to eat everywhere in Philly. Then, I walked through the %26#39;arts%26#39; section. I checked out some places to live. Prices are pretty reasonable in my estimation, and very varied.
Sunday afternoon there was a huge lightning storm so I headed into the Fox and Hound to watch all of the baseball games. I tried their brew, the Red Fox. It had great body, but it finished a little bitter, which I didn%26#39;t like. I watched 4 baseball games at one time (they even put on the Marlins for me). The Phillies and the Marlins both lost that day, darn it!
I ended Sunday with dinner at La Viola (thanks Mikepa322) - on 16th, South of Chestnut. It is an Italian BYOB. I have to say with all the bars in Philly, I couldn%26#39;t find a liquor store to buy some wine, but I didn%26#39;t need it anyway. The place is a tiny neighborhood place, very elegant, and the menu was incredible. I had the Cream of Asparagus soup (the special of the day - don%26#39;t miss it if you happen to get this choice) and the Gnocci. I have to say that the Gnocci was the best I ever had. Tender and airy. Better than what I had in Italy, even. Dinner for one was $16.00. Undeniably a great place.
Monday was my historical America day. I had pre-booked my Independence Hall ticket online because I knew I didn%26#39;t want to be at the Visitor Center at 8:30am. I had breakfast at the Down Home Diner in the Reading Terminal Market. The corned beef hash is home made there, and it was delicious -- the place has a whole farm theme -- very cute, and nothing like a NYC diner. Then jumped on the Philly Phlash down to Old City. Standing in the same room where all of the signers of the Declaration of Independence pledged their life, their money, and their honor to start our great country was truly an amazing feeling. I was overwhelmed with pride and love for my country. I toured the buildings at Independence Hall, and tried to imagine being back in that time.
I walked Old City and went to Bookbinders for lunch. It is just down the street (2nd and Walnut) from the City Tavern. The place had lots of memorabilia from the golden age of Hollywood, and reminded me a little bit of Sardi%26#39;s in NYC. The music was all Frank Sinatra, Perry Como, Rosemary Clooney. Linens at lunch, very elegant. Old-World elegance in the President%26#39;s Room. The walls were lined with pictures of all of the presidents of the United States and a little %26#39;blurb%26#39; of their presidency. I had the Tomato Bisque and the Crabcake. The Bisque was to die for, I didn%26#39;t really like the crabcake all that well, but it was good. I also had the President%26#39;s Room Salad. A chopped salad with crumbled Bleu Cheese and a light vinaigrette.
I got back on the Philly Phlash and stayed on it for two loops. I realized that I was going to be sad to leave this city, and I was going home with a whole long list of things to do when I return (I hope it is soon). I finally got off the Phlash at the East Market Terminal to catch the SEPTA to the airport and home.
Thanks to:
mikepa322
yoletsgo
Lynn3
Rocknroll52
DelphianV
For all the great advice.
I hope to see you all again soon!
Lisa
Coral Springs, Florida
Trip Report - Thanks Philly for a Wonderful Time!
Great report Lisa! I was in Philadelphia last Friday and did a few of the same things that you did. It%26#39;s a great city to visit!
My one disappointment was the Philly Phlash bus. The bus driver not only didn%26#39;t talk, he also didn%26#39;t announce the stops so you kind of had to guess where you were. We were his last round of the day though, and it was a Friday so he was probably just ready to go home. :(
Trip Report - Thanks Philly for a Wonderful Time!
Thanks for the terrific report. I love that you%26#39;re willing to travel alone and obviously have a good time doing it. Maybe your report will encourage others to do the same.
You are most welcome. I hope your next visit is as enjoyable.
Lynn
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