April 28, 2004

Curious George: Philly attractions We're going to be spending some time in Philadelphia early next year (me, husband and kidlet) and although I spent a weekend in South Jersey a couple of years ago I don't know the area at all. Any suggestions of places to go/eat/take photos/watch the locals? It'll be midwinter, unfortunately, and we'll have an almost-two year old with us.

Maybe we can have a Monkey Meetup, too. :) Are there any monkeys in that area?

posted by tracicle 20 years ago
  • Ah, Philly, I miss it so. Especially South Street. It's the most eccentric part of town, where you can watch punks, Krishnas, street performers, every imaginable subgroup mingle in harmony. It's a street with great bookstores, galleries, rare music shops and the famous Zipperhead from the Dead Milkmen song. Although now a vegetarian, I still crave a genuine Philly cheesesteak, and the best of these is to be found on South Street at Jim's Steaks. If you're there at just the right time, you might be lucky to catch a Mummers parade. What's a Mummer? Imagine hundreds of tipsy steelworkers festooned with feathers, glitter, and playing banjos. There's also a Wench Brigade. Philly is definately my favorite city... Good luck!
  • 1. Independence Hall State Park. Amazing Complex of Historical Buildings-- like Boston's Fanueil Hall but restored to Historic Glory. Downtown in Olde City. Not to be missed. Tours hourly. 2. Philadelphia Museum Of Art. One of the best collections of 19th and 20th century American art anywhere. Great Asian collections, too. After, stand on the "Rocky" steps out front and howl. Then head over to Bridgid's Belgian Bar for the finest Duck Confit I've EVER tasted. Order a Chimay, sit and relax.. 3. Reading Terminal Market. To eat. To people-watch. To eat more. Parking is a bitch---pay for it or you'll spend the whole day going in circles... 4. Manyunk-- a little townlet about 7 miles outside of town; great restaurants and upscale-hipster type anteek shoppes. 5. New Jersey State Aquarium. Across the Ben Franklin bridge in Jersey. Kid friendly. 6. Art Galleries in Olde City. Like SOHO, but waaay smaller-- good stuff, bad stuff, all pretty darn well priced. This area is bordered by 2nd. Street to 4th Street, and by Market to Vine. A 5 minute walk from Independence Hall. 7. A play at The Wilma Theatre. Cutting Edge but smooth as silk. Brecht to Becket. Always challenging. Some extra tips: PAY FOR PARKING. Just get it outta the way. DRESS WARMLY because the wind comes off the river and it hurts. GET A GOOD MAP but don't be afraid of the locals-- they're in a hurry, but helpful. PLEASE SKIP THE "HARD ROCK" TOURISTY CRAPOLA and have a real Philly soft pretzel, available from any vender on any streetcorner. Prepare, and you'll have a blast! God I Miss That Town...
  • The only thing I've had to add to Dizzy's excellent list is the Ben Franklin Museum. Awesome place. I loved it as a kid. It has a strong science focus with lots and lots of hands on activities. The omniverse movies are usually pretty cool too. My favorite has always been the opening where they zoom around philly. Dizzy is dead on when it comes to the cheese steaks too. Don't listen to anyone else. Jim's on South street is the place to go. Be careful who you mention this too though, some people have very strong opinions =)
  • Dizzy's list is where it's at. Independence Hall and the art museum stick with me even though I haven't lived there in years. Pretzels and cheesesteaks are a must -- be wary of people who offer you actual cheese in the cheesesteaks. Tastykakes, loose hamburger sandwiches, the kosher delis, the... uh... * checks prices to fly into Philly * But, yikes, what brings you to Philadelphia in the middle of winter? Bring a muffler, scarf or face mask or face terrible consequences.
  • I know it's in bad form to reply to my own post, but I'll trade any east coaster a half-dozen good -- no, a full dozen -- good mexican restaurants for one frikken' hole-in-the-wall kosher deli.
  • boo-- where are you located? we can solve this deli thing asap!
  • How about a visit to the excellent Please Touch Museum? It's designed for the 7-and-under set, and gets rave reviews from the little ones. I always enjoyed going to the University of Pennsylvania's Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, followed by a visit to the (relatively) nearby Koch's Deli, a true Philadelphia experience. Moonbird, I join you in exile from the Land of the Drexel Special...
  • If you like spooky-ooky things, also be sure to check out the Mutter Museum, a place like no other. See The President's Gall Bladder! THe World's Biggest Tumor! etc..., but all in a serious medical/historical context; nothing Sideshow Bob about it. Not for a 2 year old, however...
  • My brother-in-law is getting married to a nice Pennsylvania girl, and for their own reasons they chose January 15th. It's also a good excuse for us to fly into San Francisco and catch up with Bay Area friends, and I can pop over to South Joisey to see friends there, so snow and ice aside I'm looking forward to it. (Already looking for snowsuits for the smallest in our party.) So, boo, what the heck is a "loose" hamburger?
  • Sandwich from a broken home.
  • oww. Stop!