Philadelphia, nestled between New York City and Washington, DC, has at times been overlooked or forgotten when noting major US cities. But since it is one of America's oldest cities (1682), Philly has had, I guess you could say, a little head start over other towns. No wonder she has so many notable firsts most people may be unaware of. For example, did you know Philadelphia was home to the first public library, the first public school and the first American bank? The Philadelphia Zoo is the nation's first and oldest zoo, and The Pennsylvania Hospital was our country's first bona fide hospital. In addition, Anthony Morris opened the nation's first brewery on Front Street back in the late 1600s.
Enough of Philly's firsts. We're a humble folk here and we don't like to brag. But did I mention that Fairmount Park is the world's largest landscaped urban park (8000 acres), or that City Hall is the largest municipal building in the US? Most people that don't know us think that our city is home to six million people who greet each other with a cordial "yo" and spend our weekends running up the steps of the art museum. Those people have been watching too many Rocky movies. We're actually a center of culture, sophistication and excellence. Philadelphia has the largest collection of impressionist and Rodin artwork in the world next to Paris. Our city also has more outdoor artwork and sculptures than any other city in the world.
Did I mention that Philly is home to several of the top 50 restaurants in the country? For example, just read what ewine.com has to say about Le Bec-Fin: "Le Bec-Fin has become internationally known as one of the world's great restaurants. It continues to receive all of the industry's top honors and accolades each year. In its 2000 Restaurant Poll, Food & Wine magazine picked Le Bec-Fin as "Best Restaurant" and wrote 'Georges Perrier's haute cuisine classic is still on top after 30 years.' Gourmet magazine chose Le Bec-Fin as Philadelphia's "Best Classic French Restaurant" in its 2000 America's Best Restaurants issue. Wine Spectator also selected Le Bec-Fin as one of "America's Best Restaurants" for 2000. Nationally, Le Bec-Fin consistently leads readers' polls. Zagat Survey continually awards Le Bec-Fin with the highest score of any restaurant in the city. In 1994, Le Bec-Fin was named the #1 restaurant in the nation by readers of Conde Nast Traveler magazine."
Those of us who are fortunate to have been raised here know that there is more to do than simply visit the Liberty Bell or grab a cheese steak. With more than 45 restaurants to choose from and dozens of historical sites to see, Philly has more to offer visitors here for the week than time may permit. So if you have a little spare time, let's get to work.
HISTORICAL SITES
When William Penn landed here back in 1682, he named his colony Pennsylvania, a Greek word meaning City of Brotherly Love. Few people know that Philadelphia was our nation's capitol from 1790-1800.
Independence Hall
This is where both the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were created. Tickets are required to take a tour of the hall. They can be ordered ($1.50) by calling 1-800-967-2283 and picked up at the "will call" window at the hall.
Liberty Bell
Next to the cheese steak, the Liberty Bell has to be one of Philly's most recognizable icons. It cracked the first time it was rung, so they made another. As an April Fool's joke in 1996, Taco Bell ran a full-page ad in The New York Times claiming to have bought the Liberty Bell. People will believe just about anything, I guess. Tours run daily from 9 am to 5 pm, although the Bell is also visible 24 hours a day through glass.
Betsy Ross House
Legend has it that Ms. Ross created the original version of our well known stars and stripes. Even though her flag has changed a bit, her house remains the same. Tours are available by calling 800-255-1954.
Elfreth's Alley
This street will definitely inspire a Kodak moment. This old city alley is the most photographed street in Philly and has the title of the oldest continuously occupied residential street in the country.
RESTAURANTS
Asian
Joseph Poon
1002 Arch Street
215-928-9333
Penang
117 N. 10th Street
215-413-2531
Susanna Foo
1512 Walnut Street
215-545-2666
Taste of Thai
101 N. 11th Street
215-629-9939
Wok
1613 Walnut Street
215-751-9990
Morimoto Restaurant
723 Chestnut Street
215-413-9070
Hikaru Restaurant
108 S. 18th Street
215-496-9950
Billy Wong's
50 S. 2nd Street
215-829-1128
Brew Pubs
Independence Brew Pub
1150 Filbert Street
215-922-4292
Manayunk Brewery & Restaurant
4120 Main Street
215-482-8220
Cheese Steaks
Other cities can try, but there is no substitute for an original Philly cheese steak. Everyone has their favorite place where they claim to slice up the "perfect cheese steak." Here are three of them:
Pat's, King of Steaks
9th and Passyunk Avenue
215-468-1546
Geno's Steaks
9th and Passyunk Avenue
215-389-0659
Jim's Steaks
4th and South Street
215-928-1991
Dining Taverns
City Tavern
138 South Street
215-413-1443
The Plough in the Stars
123 Chestnut Street
215-733-0300
Dark Horse
421 S. 2nd Street
215-928-9307
Moriarty's Restaurant
1116 Walnut Street
215-627-7676
Drinking Taverns
Finnegan's Wake
North 3rd Street
215-574-9240
Fado's
1500 Locust Street
215-893-9700
Black Sheep
247 S. 17th Street
215-545-9473
Boathouse-Row Sports Bar
Rittenhouse Hotel
215-546-9000
French
Brasserie Perrier
1619 Walnut Street
215-568-3000
Caribou Café
1126 Walnut Street
215-625-9535
Le Bec-Fin
1523 Walnut Street
215-567-1000
Italian
Il Portico
1529 Walnut Street
215-587-7000
Saloon
750 S. 7th Street
215-627-1811
Girasole
1305 Locust Street
215-985-4659
Portofino Restaurant
1227 Walnut Street
215-923-8208
Porcini Restaurant
2048 Samson Street
215-751-1175
D'Angelo's Ristorante Italiano
256 South 20th Street
215-546-3935
Panorama Ristorante
14 N. Front Street
215-922-7800
Seafood
Bookbinders Seafood House
215 S. 15th Street
215-545-1137
Striped Bass
1500 Walnut Street
215-732-4444
DiNardo's
312 Race Street
215-925-5115
Philadelphia Fish & Co.
207 Chestnut Street
215-625-8605
Samson Street Oyster House
1516 Samson Street
215-567-7683
Steakhouses
JW's Steakhouse
Marriott Hotel
215-625-2900
Capital Grille
1338 Chestnut Street & Broad
215-545-9588
Prime Rib
17th & Locust
215-772-1701
Morton's of Chicago
1411 Walnut Street
215-557-0724
Prime Rib (Warwick Hotel)
1701 Locust Street
215-772-1701
Palm Restaurant
200 S. Broad Street
215-985-9977
Engine 46
Delaware and Reed Streets
215-462-4646
ENTERTAINMENT
Zanzibar Blue
200 South Broad Street
215-732-4500
Polly Esther's Dance Plex
1201 Race Street
215-851-0776
Egypt Nightclub
520 N. Delaware Avenue
215-922-6500
Tiki Bob's Cantina
461 N. 3rd Street
215-928-9200
Monte Carlo Living Room
2nd & South Streets
215-925-2220
MUSEUMS
Independence Seaport Museum
211 S. Columbus Boulevard
215-925-5439
www.seaport.philly.com
National Liberty Museum
321 Chestnut Street
215-925-2800
www.libertymuseum.org
Mummers Museum
Second Street and Washington Avenue
215-336-3050
Mutter Museum
19 S. 22nd Street
215-563-3737
www.collphyphil.org
Please Touch Museum
210 N. 21st Street
215-963-0666
www.pleasetouchmuseum.org
Transit Museum
1234 Market Street
215-580-7168
www.septa.org
Well, now that you know a little bit more about our fair city, I hope you'll take advantage of all she has to offer.
