Anyone have any Philly tips for me?

[Crescent]

I'm heading to Philadelphia just for one day on Thursday (back late friday). Anyone that's from there or that's been there with some ideas on a fun place to get drinks or food or anything?

[Hendo]

Don't divorce Cary Grant. He will EFF UP YOUR WEDDING!

[Captain Bob]

The Extraordinaires live there.
Maybe they're rehearsing or performing...
that would be delightful.

[Mike McKeown]

I'm from Philly. Where will you be staying?

[smaher78]

Oh man, I thought I'd open this thread and see some sweet pics of steak tips in Philadelphia.

[sigh]

Sarah

[schaefe]

You and me both, Sarah.

You and me both...

[Crescent]

Sarah I was sort of rooting for that too, but such is life.

BOB! I will track them done and kiss them for you. I love them so!!!!

MIKE! We will be staying...please hold.

At The Sofitel Philadelphia, 120 South 17th street

[Captain Bob]

Do it.
Jay Purdy is a nice guy.
http://static.rateyourmusic.com/album_images/s521925.jpg

[Mike McKeown]

You are only a few blocks from Rittenhouse Square (around 18th & Walnut St.). If the weather is decent that's a nice area to walk around, because there's a park, and you can probably find a few bars or restaurants.

You are also a short cab ride from South Street, which is one of those strips with a diverse variety of shops, bars, etc. You can be a high school punk kid or an adult and still find something to do on South street. I'd suggest taking a cab and get dropped off around 3rd & South, then walk north and you're bound to find something that peaks your interest. If you want some good pizza or cheesesteaks check out Jim's Steaks on 4th & South St. or Lorenzo's pizza down the street on 3rd & South.

Damn. I just had a moment of hunger and homesickness.

[Crescent]

Awesome! that is just the kind of info I was hoping for! thank you mike!

[bill binkley]

I'm from there, too--make sure you have a pint of Yuengling Lager (at least have one for me). If you want to sound local, just ask for a lager.

If you want some dive or dive-y bars, Fergies (12th and Sansom) is great. Tavern on Green (21st & Green) is great, too, though it's kind of out of the way from Rittenhouse; you'd have to take a cab, but it's in a cool neighborhood. Also, the Back Sheep (17th, just below Locust, right near the square) has great food, and a just-above-divey atmosphere. You can get a burger, or roast duck ... variety.

The Continental Midtown (18th and Chestnut) is nice and swanky--there's another one in the Old City neighborhood, but that section of town can be kind of sceney.

Good sushi: Moshi Moshi (18th and Chestnut); super-dive-bar: Doobies (22nd and South); oldest pub in Philly: McGillin's Ale House (13th and Drury--take a cab; they'll know).

Dirty Frank's is, well, dirty, and cheap (13th and Pine), and finally--McGlinchey's on 15th between Locust and Spruce is cheap, dive-y, and last I remember, had a great juke box. Most of these bars serve good food, cheap, except Dirty Frank's, and you wouldn't want it if they did.

[Crescent]

Thank you!!! I just cut and pasted all that info into my little itinerary file I'm making. Sad, but I can change who I am.

[stonelake]

Yuengling is pronounced "Ying-Ling".

Pat's is the place to get a cheesesteak. People (like Boyz II Men) will try to tell you Geno's. They are not to be trusted.

South Street and Manayunk are very fun- Manayunk is more Lincoln-Park-y, South Street is like Wicker Park crossed with the Viagra Triangle.

I am also a big fan of guests to our fair city running up the steps of the art museum and doing the Rocky at the top.

I actually know very little about Philly. Tell me if you find a good place to go.

[Crescent]

Oh I plan to do the Rocky for sure. That's already on my itinerary. I will take lots of pics! And Stonelake you used up all your mind space wishing you were in Wisconsin, that's why you don't know nothin about Philly.

snap-o-rama.

[Annie Z]

Definitely have a Yuengling. Also get some Rita's Water Ice:

http://www.ritasice.com/

The Italian neighborhood is cool and also has water ice.

Water ice.

[Crescent]

Definitely have a Yuengling. Also get some Rita's Water Ice:

http://www.ritasice.com/

The Italian neighborhood is cool and also has water ice.

Water ice.

WHOA! Rita's has me hooked via jingle alone! "Be cool...go to Rit...azzzz!"

[Annie Z]

The jingle is AWESOME. I had it burned into my brain when I was in school outside Philly. We would drive to Rita's in the summer and get custardy treats.

Oooh ooh also take the Septa Regional Rail. It's called Septa, which sounds gross, but they have real ticket takers in full-on ticket taker outfits, complete with hats, and they announce the next station. Like, "Ardmore, next stop, Ardmore!" It's very outdated and therefore cool.

I am in flashback city!

[bill binkley]

The subways (all two of them) take tokens, too, which is pretty cool. Wow, a lot of Philly Pholks here ... From where you'll be, you'd take the Broad Street Line (or Orange Line, as some call it) southbound from the Walnut/Locust at Broad Street stop if you want to get to the Italian Market 'hood, or to Pats or Gino's steaks. It's a ride, though, if you're only going to be there for one day.

[jose]

Stock up on Tastykake (http://www.tastykake.com/)s!

[Crescent]

Stock up on Tastykake (http://www.tastykake.com/)s!

AH! This tip might have just saved our asses on something. We forgot to order our chocolate for the booth (we hand out chocolate as part of this shopping event thing we are doing hence the trip to PhillY) Anyway this place might be a great back up if our local choclate guy doesn't come through today! Thank you!

Plus, yeah, I should probably eat some of it too!

[stonelake]

Butterscotch Krimpets (http://www.tastykake.com/ProductLanding.aspx?PostingID=52&ChannelID=73#100336) are such a key component of my childhood that I cannot conceive of my life without them.

[Mike McKeown]

MMMMMM...Tastykakes were a staple of my brown bag lunches in grade school. FYI...you can buy Tastykakes at Philly's Best on Belmont.

I really need to stop reading this thread...I'm so hungry!

[bill binkley]

Oh, man ... my high school lunches used to consist of Tastykake Chocolate Eclair pies and cheese fries. How I'm not a blimp is beyond me.

I used to love driving on the Schuylkill, right past the South Street exit, where you could smell the factory ...

Thanks for the tip, stonelake. Anywhere I can get some Rosenberger's Iced Tea? Maybe that's more of a Bucks/Montgomery thing.

[Edison]

I used to live at 21st and Walnut, a couple of blocks from Rittenhouse Square. It was one of my favorite places to spend time outside. Apparently it's become even more ritzy over the last decade.


Once again, Cres;

-Reading Terminal Years ago the city restored the inside. It's an indoor open market, and has tons of places to get fresh food and good eats of all kinds. The Amish come there and make fresh hot pretzels from scratch, too. Freshly baked, with a little yellow mustard, ..it's a slice of Philly heaven.

-South Street A nice stretch from about 8th to front street, it's the 'soho' of Philly. Cool stores and boutiques, excellent eating. Mural Artist, Isaiah Zagar's work is all over the place down there. It's where the 'Magic Garden' is located, and all of his murals are something to see.

-The Astral Plane One of my favorite restaurants, located near 17th and Lombard. Not expensive, but big on flavor and ambience. You'll like it, I promise.

If you're hanging with friends, I'd recommend a horse-drawn handsome carriage tour.
Split 3 or 4 ways it's pretty cheap, and more satisfying than the ones in Chicago.
I used to drive a carriage and give tours when I first moved there. They take you through the old historic district (mainly Independence Mall, Society Hill, Front St., etc.), which covers the classic history.

Leslie and I will be in Philly this May. We'll be doing all of the above and a lot more, and staying at the Alexander Inn at 12th and Spruce.
I can't wait to be there.

[Crescent]

Awesome Edison! I didn't know you lived there! thank you so much!

[Edison]

Have a ball while you're there!

Take pictures!

[Crescent]

I will take lots of pics for sure and thanks! I'm a little nervous because I haven't traveled for awhile but I'm mostly excited.