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City & County of Philadelphia
Rating Details »
Category: Local Flavor [Edit]
Neighborhoods: Logan Square, Penn Center, Art Museum District1600 Arch St
Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 686-1776
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
5 reviews for City & County of Philadelphia
FUBLE Diaries : Episode 2
Time to meet the Alaskans (names changed to protect the innocent).
Dean is a native Alaskan Aleut. A reformed bad-ass, Tatted up, ripped and outgoing. Hes also a family man and was raring to go for this boys weekend.
Mike is also a big dude but not ripped like Dean. A real estate broker by profession, but has also been an amateur ultimate fighter and has thought of giving it all up to be a professional poker player. Hes the only single guy in the bunch and from living in Alaska where there is 1 girl for every 5 guys, has pretty good game.
Jason worked with both Mike and Dean and is originally from Alaska. He currently lives in San Antonio Texas. Another Perk of this trip was that he was reunited with his Alaskan buddies. He is engaged with 2 children. He also has a bad arthritic condition which forces him to walk with crutches, a fact which is forgotten almost immediately after meeting him.
The plan for this rainy Saturday was to see some of the sights of Philly. Based on their hard partying the night previous, I wasn't sure if they would make it. After the Triple H morning of Hurling, Hot Coffee, and Hair-of-the-Dog, and much apologizing they were somewhat ready to go. Once Jason christened my front steps, we got on our way.
Its funny to hear what outsiders want to do when they come to Philly. It basically comes down to 2 things...cheesesteaks and Rocky steps. What was the big draw before that movie came out?
The weather wasn't great and that combined with Jason's inability to walk long distances made alot of the sight seeing a driving tour. We did get out near Independence Hall and I have to say that I love the new parking kiosks, that replaced meters. No more trying to get change, you can even use a credit card, and buy exactly the time you need. Id love to find out if you can move your car and still keep your time or if the kiosk is street specific.
We saw the Liberty Bell and I Hall, and I was surprised that Dean had come here on a class trip from Alaska. That's a hell of a hike for a class trip! On the way to the Rocky Steps (really the only thing they cared about) I pointed out City Hall, and Eastern State, which they loved, but time constraints kept us from going.
We were able to park for free near the Art Museum ( I love Fairmount!) and we busted out the FUBLE ( our Fantasy Football Trophy as explained in Episode 1) for some photo ops.
They loved it, and it was funny to watch a couple of hung over guys, trying to traverse the steep climb. They were gung ho when it began but soon started feeling the burn. Possibly, they needed Mickey behind them pushing them on.
The Highlight of this excursion (and possibly for the day) was when we waited in line to get our picture taken with the Rocky Statue. This is not an official function of the Art Museum. There was a man who took your camera to snap some pics, but it was soon clear that he wasn't affiliated with the Museum and actually had a pretty good racket going. He takes a few pics with everyones camera and gets a little tip afterwards...win-win. We waited in line with our spray painted toilet seat, ready for our close up. When it was our turn, we posed and held the trophy with pride. Feeling a little self conscious and not wanting to give the impression that we were insulting Mr Stallone, we announced that it was our Fantasy Football Trophy, to which everyone in the queue clapped and laughed (mostly the guys). I still think our photographer didn't get it because after snapping a few pics, he uttered the line that will stay with most of us for a long time..." OK guys! now a few more...without the toilet!"
" A few more without the toilet" indeed. It was a fitting epitaph for or Philly sight seeing.
Philadelphia, you swallowed up my keys. You smell awful. You're actually kind of lame.
But, I just can't seem to quit you.
This is a banner day for me: the review you're reading is #200 for yours truly. Hurrah for me!
But enough about moi - this one goes out to our fair city. Because without you, Philadelphia, I wouldn't have much to Yelp about. And, in turn, I wouldn't have a job. So thanks a million.
How do I love, thee, oh City of Brotherly Love? Let me count the ways:
I love the amazing diversity of the citizens. I adore the fact that people from all over the world call our city home, and for the most part, we make them feel welcome. (Or we shoot them, but I don't love that, so moving on...)
I love the strange vocabulary that exists within the 215...until I moved here I had never heard the words "jawn," "jeff cap," "scrapple," or, my personal favorite "youse guys." And don't even get me started on the pronunciation of "warter." You wacky dudes crack me up.
I love that people are so into their sports teams. I have yet to meet anyone who actually plays for the Eagles, Phillies or Flyers (although I'm pretty sure I've gotten a lapdance from a former Eagles cheerleader, but that's a story for another time), yet at least once a day I see people wearing the jerseys. Oh, wait...maybe that really WAS Donovan McNabb in line behind me at Trader Joe's the other day...
But most of all, I love defying people's expectations of what this city is really about. We get a bad rap and it's just not fair. Philadelphia is filled with good people, good food and good cultural experiences. Our museums are first class, the universities are excellent and our parks and open spaces are a gift. Sure, there's plenty to bitch about. In fact, that's one of the things we Philadelphians do best! But today, I put my arms around our city in a loving embrace and whisper sweet nothings in your ear, because other than the time I was carjacked (and that time my wallet got stolen. Oh yeah, there were those 3 times my car got broken into, too...anyway...) Philly has always been good to me. So hold me close, oh Philadelphia. Feel the love I have for you. Just don't shank me, please.
Review #500! To boldly go where only Dave H. And Cherie C. have gone before (at least as far as designated Philly Yelpers go). When you reach such a milestone you have to go with something fairly significant. So what could be better than the city that made it all possible?
For the good, the bad, and the ugly Philly has been my city for the long haul. I've been the little kid scrapping along The Philadelphia Zoo and Please Touch Museum, the teenager picking up glass pieces down on South Street when he looked significantly older than he really was, and the elder following around the music scene with a passion and sharing many a ridrunkulous night a McGlinchey's and several other spots. And after living in Rittenhouse Square, The Italian Market, and West Philly, I can honestly say that the 215 has been good to me overall.
There have definitely been things that I have hated. Septa could be a lot better, there's not too much to do after 2am, and don't get me started on the ridiculous alcohol laws. But I love the extraordinary people that I have met (a fire-breathing sword swallowing clown, a one man band punk rocker named Toothless George, and all kinds of exciting writers, artists, show promoters, and musicians to name just a few), the incredible art and music scene, the ample amount of indie coffeehouses, and the many adventures that I've been on. I also enjoy silly words like jawn, and the fact that Philly has one degree of separation (talk with someone from here long enough and you'll eventually find out that both of you have at least 3 mutual friends).
So with a place like the City Of Brotherly Love I should (probably) be able to get 500 more reviews in no time. Here's to you Philly, here's to you!
Philly, I have mad love for you. You stand our on your own, don't try to be anywhere else, you have your own unique style. Being a native NYer, where I know nothing compares, I can appreciate the treasures of this city. It's not spread out... there's a very happening culinary and arts scene... diverse people... a laid back attitude (city w a lil bit country in the mix sounds more apropro)... beautiful views... clean streets... I will say though, the cops in Philly need sensitivity training and a minimum of a high school education. And this is not going on personal experience alone. Here's how my day trip went down... drove through old town, went to Franklin Inst and parked at an all day lot for 8 buckaroonis. Loved FI cuz i'm a science nut: planetarium show, Galileo exhibit from Rome, human heart tour (loved it even tho it's mainly for kids!), Race exhibit - so clever!. Then walked to Mutter, they closed at 5 so I headed over there at 3ish. Absolutely loved it!!!! Saw it all in an hr bc had company waiting, but would've loved to have stayed there longer. It looks and feels like a traditional museum, smells and all! Then walked down Market St towards Reading Term Market, where I ate til it closed down! pierogies, cookies, Bassetts, cheeses.... yummm. Headed over to South St. and went to Jim's for cheesesteaks. The line going out the door had us waiting a good while, but in the end it was worth it. Still want to try Dalessandro's though. Walked down the street, toward's Penn's landing. Walked back, headed into a bar for a Phillies game and $2 Yveling pints. Drove by the boat houses at night, Museum of Art... was truly beautiful. Left at mid night for Allentown to visit a cousin. Nothing to do there really. All in all day in Philly, a huge success and am planning for the next trip. Will def catch the Museum of Art then. Thanks to all fellow yelpers of Philly for the great suggests! If ya ever come thru NYC, holla :)