Philadelphia???

[rtchorn]

I am going to be there Wed-Sun in early November, but I will have some stuff to do on Thursday afternoon and my gf will be tied up on Friday. So I am going to cram the Liberty Bell, Betsy Ross house, Rocky pose stuff all in on Saturday. I have booked a reservation at Morimoto (the silver Iron Chef has a restaurant there). I am going to try to save room for a cheesesteak from Pat's and Gino's on one of the days (probably Sunday). Are there any other must do's in Philly? Also, what's the parking situation like in the historical areas and near Pat's adn Gino's?

 

[C-Man]

Not sure on parking but the historical stuff in Philly is cool as ****. If you stay in those areas, Philly is a great town. Don't forget Independence Hall. Fabulous.

 

[MirrOlure]

I'm not a big Art Museum guy......but the Philladelphia Museum of Art is one of the most incredible buildings I have ever been in.

It would be a crime to be in town, and not slate at least a couple of hours to spend there, if only to see the "Period Rooms and Architectural Settings."

This is way more than the "painting on the wall" stuff, they have entire elements of 1000 year old buildings and structures reconstructed in huge galleries, and in some instances into the building itself.

I'm talking about about an entire cloister from French Abbey built in the 1220's; A Japanese Tea Garden/Hous circa 1900; an entire reception hall from a 17th Century Chinese palace....and numerous archways and doorways from Midieval castles actually built into the museum building.

Absolutely incredible stuff.

For cheesesteak, I'm partial to Jim's on 4th and South.

As for Parking....Downtown and the Historic District are very compact, and unless the weather is unbearable, I would plan on walking. The walk from Independence Hall to South and 4th will take you right through some fantastic Colonial era townhouses.

Finally, they have a pretty good Chinatown. Great dim sum at Ocean Harbor on Race Street.

Philly is a great place. You'll have a blast.

 

[Rockinghorse]

I agree on picking up a Jim's Steak instead of Pat's/Geno's. Jim's is in a great part of South Street and just as good. You may have to wait in line at any of those. Don't be afraid just walk into a random pizza or sandwich place and get a cheesesteak...sometimes those are best of all.

I would definitely add Reading Terminal Market during the daytime on a weekday. It's at 12th & Arch Streets, great for quick lunch and general shopping.

 

[tx 3 putt]

Highly reccomend Jim's. That whole area of South St is full of little dive bars too.

 

[C-Man]

In reply to:

---

---

 

[SizzleChest]

As someone who works and lives in the burbs (Main Line), you're all making me realize how little I've been getting into the city lately.

All these suggestions are very good. Jim's is solid, but there's something about the roll (texture, flavor, etc.) at Geno's that hypnotizes my taste senses.