Things to do in Philadelphia

The Liberty Bell ... the cream cheese.

I was there last month for work. We ate at a very cool place called Butcher and Singer. You should also check out Franklin Institute, Museum of Art. A couple of us also went to U Bar, which was a lot of fun.

The Barnes Collection. It's superb.

It's Center City, OP. Do NOT call it "City Center," you will be laughed at.

Re: places to avoid, you're not going to see the areas that Fox News call a warzone unless you are specifically seeking them out. Kensington and the worst areas of North Philly are pretty far from Center City. Don't believe the hysteria. All of Center City and the ring of neighborhoods surrounding it are as safe as any other American city. It's doubtful you would venture outside that area for any reason so you have nothing to worry about. Have fun.

Irvin’s on top of BOK

Eastern State Penitentiary - amazing and unique

Philadelphia Museum of Arts - as good as the Metropolitan

Hers Supper Club

Philadelphia Orchestra it’s easy to get tickets and it’s one of the top five orchestras in the world ,Yannick the gay conductor is a hoot.

Go see a Phillies game. We have one of the best ballparks in the country and, currently, one of the best teams.

Reading Terminal Market

Spend an evening enjoying the popper-scented air of Philadelphia's finest "gentlemen's club", Club Philly

What R3 said. The Barnes is unlike any other museum in the world. Go see that, then walk to Reading Terminal for food.

The Barnes is on the Parkway along with the Art Museum (what locals call the PMA), and the walk to Reading Terminal will take you right by City Hall, which is an architectural marvel up close. Push the button at the cross walk (it's surrounded on all sides by a constant loop of heavy traffic) and trek through the courtyard to the other side. The Parkway itself is also a beautiful walk.

From RTM you're less than a mile from the Liberty Bell/Indy Hall so you might as well head to 6th and Chestnut Sts to gawk at the real touristy stuff.

Fuhgetabout the Liberty Bell - not worth it.

Hang around Rittenhouse Square, the Curtis Institute and the Equinox Gym. Some fine male specimen to behold. also on Penn Campus. The Penn Museum actually very interesting and under appreciated.

K&A!

The Mutter Museum The Fabric Workshop and Museum Federal Donuts South Street-Adjacent (Cute shops right off South Street) Tallulah's Garden Restaurant

You guys never fail me. Thank you for the great suggestions. Do you know of any great Thai or Japanese restaurants?

r15 Yelp

See the body of Saint John Neumam the first American Saint in his glass coffin under the altar at his shrine. They waxed his bones over so he looks like a wax dummy. Also at the bathhouse you might see a lot of young black hustlers like I did. I didn't know the body language and lingo when I was there so it took me a while to figure out they were prostitutes. The Betsy Ross house is a lot more interesting than you would think. Despite what the non binary park ranger says she was not a lesbian.

The restaurants around rittenhouse square are always good.

r15, Chinatown is in Center City. You can walk from the Barnes Museum to City Hall to Chinatown to Reading Terminal. I don't think there's a lot of Japanese food there - more Chinese and other southeast Asian places.

Morimoto isn't in Chinatown, but it's not terribly far, if you're going to the Liberty Bell and all those places. It's good (not great) Japanese.

I go most often to places near - and south of - Washington Avenue. It's not Thai or Japanese, but Le Viet on 11th has the best Asian dish in all of Philly: a baby clam and ground beef mix served in a rice bowl that you break apart to scoop up the clams and beef. There's also great Asian restaurants in Fishtown.

You can do all of the above while singing the theme to Angie.

Leave. ASAP.

Yeah, the best part of my interview and overnight stay in central Philadelphia was stress-eating a cheeseburger at the airport on the way home.

Philadelphia Museum of Arts - as good as the Metropolitan

Tee hee hee 🤓

We have the Rocky steps and a lot less colonial looted art than the Met.

“We have one of the best ballparks in the country.”

There are only 30 and your park is perennially ranked at the lower end. You’re lucky the A’s are playing in Sacto right now. Pirates fans are laughing hysterically… and then there’s LA, SF, Boston and so many more.

my nephew, yeah, go ahead and laugh, just visited with his friend and they had a great time in under 48 hours. first night, I took them out to dinner in the Italian market region and we played pool at a dive bar. they wandered my area late at night looking for spots where "always sunny " has been filmed. Next day they got breakfast at Morning Glory diner, and watched a FIFA cup game at the Lincoln, very straight but they loved it. they got sandwiches from RIcci's. they also went to McGilin's tavern (one of the oldest in the US) and I met them after that at franklin mortgage speak-easy for cocktails, which they loved and called, "very chill". we topped off the night at Dirty Frank's bar where my nephew got in a bro-fest argument with a patron about soccer, of course. I finally dragged them back home around midnight and they just drove off home to chicago just now

When I think about Philadelphia pro sports venues it’s always snowballs with rocks in them and D batteries flying around.

^Santa?^

And riots! Don’t forget the victory riots.

And Camac is going back to wood!

Progress! Philly-style.

thank GOD

Eat cream cheese.

[quote] Areas to avoid?

Avoid Philadelphia.

Philly is insanely dangerous now. For some reason people are willing to spend half a mil on a row home. Go figure.

The Lord Estate

Go to the Rosenbach and ask to see the Ulysses manuscript.

Where is the best cheesesteak in town?

John’s roast pork but everybody has a favorite place

R37 or go to Dublin and see it all?

Which is better🤔

Head over to Kensington Avenue to watch the free live show reenactment of The Walking Dead

You’re too cheap F off

No response from Phillywhore?

Is the Adonis on Sansom street still open?

R43 philyshore is a cipher who b-s’s his way here.

The only proper S Street is ye old gay SansomE street

Adonis is closed. Pretty sure there are still some DISGUSTING places on Samson where you can watch porn in the “privacy”‘of a closed booth.

Zzzz it’s always sleepy in Philadelphia

danny's is still open, I think. so is the baths on chancellor

Danny’s doesn’t have a theater though. Or play space.

Philly is not insanely dangerous. I used to visit and hate it but it's gotten amazing over the years. Great neighborhoods and restaurants. The "bad" neighborhoods will never be seen by an average visitor. No wonder people are spending more and more money to live there. It's a great alternative to NYC....lots of culture but not nicer and less frenetic.

oop I meant ...nicer and less frenetic. Great museums that rival NYC as well. And beautiful cobblestoned streets that put you back in time 200 years. I really like it.

I love Philly. It still has a scruffy working class vibe. It hasn't been gentrified to death yet. You have to appreciate it for that.

This thread is full of New York Queens who live in a 250 square feet studio in Hells Kitchen, step on water bugs every night, need to subside on Ramen and McDonals and somehow think they are the center of the world.

a friend from slovakia, don't laugh, is in town today. he and his niece went to the Barnes, then the Mütter museums. they are now at pat or geno's to get a "steak" and I will meet them at the triangle tavern for a libation in this heat

Nothing like the Mutter to give you an appetite for steak?

Right? I joked with them about it

I know we are not supposed to, but I love both pats and Gino’s.

They taste exactly this same with the cheesesteaks. But Gino’s has better fries.

Pretty fucking hot day, though to be sitting outside shoveling that food down your throat in this heat

Evacuating to your basement because of tornadoes?

Child#1 and #2 just left their wine cellars in Chester County.

They sent me their LOVE!!

The Snoopywhore Travel Promotion Bureau workin’ up a sweat today.

Work harder 😎

I just drove from Chester County through Delco. That was a nutso storm!

They told me the same thing, plus the dogs wouldn't come into the thunder started.

Storm is bad in New York too. The rich old heavily made up ladies with their frou frou dogs are freaking out.

r62, it just hit philly like a derecho. geez!

What’s the Fabric Workshop , R14?

they send their love, r63, you send your money (i hope - let them retire early!)

I’m in Bucks County, I swear I just saw a cow fly by.

Kid hit by lightning in Central Park.

And just like that, Miranda was free of the burdens of motherhood.

Did Carmen, who owned Carmen’s Cuntry Kitchen (correct spelling) ever open a new place? I always liked going there for at least one meal when I visited Philadelphia.

I second the Barnes Collection. A friend always liked going to Longwood Gardens in Chester County. If you’re into flowers and plants, it’s a must. But you’ll need a car.

Foodwise, any of the Vetri restaurants are good, even though Marc Vetri sold all of them except the one that bears his name, Vetri (very expensive). The pizzerias are quite good and obviously less expensive.

Is this now a weather thread because we ran out of things to do in Philly?

The pizzeria in the Divine Lorraine is good.

I misread OP’s title as Reasons to Avoid Philadelphia

I'm planning a trip to Philadelphia in November. However I'm finding airline tickets into New York are insanely cheaper to Philadelphia not to mention easier to find a direct flight. I'm thinking of just flying into New York so I can visit a friend there and then taking a bus or train down to Philadelphia. Is that practical? But it sure seems like it looking at it but sometimes in practice these things I concoct in my head turn out to be really stupid ideas later.

Years ago I used to take a bus from Chinatown

R75, you don't mention which airport, but from Penn Station to 30th St. Station is ~60-90 minutes, depending on if you catch the Acela. I'm not sure what the commute from airport to Penn is like but I imagine it's doable.

RR75 it is very practical. Also, insane. You are better off wandering Manhattan with a bright rolling bag….

R79 no need to take the Acela, NE Regional much cheaper and not more than 90 min.

New York is a suburb of Philly.

R77 yes, of course. Fly to EWR. Take the train to Penn Station. Then take Acela to Phila. 🤣

80 is pretty bad at trolling…

So they finally towed that big death-ship away?

R81? I was replying to R75. No one mentioned EWR, but R75 asked if flying to New York and taking the train to Philly was doable, so I'm not really sure what your point is.

You’ll get it, eventually.

One hopes.

This is hokey but I get all excited when I see Amish people in Philadelphia. Something about seeing them in a city. I get scared for them.

Hokey? There’s a few other choice words

The Amish are increasingly in construction trades in the burbs. They have those dorky haircuts, but they look like they have big arms and legs.

The Amish are all over Philly and I wouldn't worry about them. They look out for each other and they seem pretty street smart. They're not yokels, and they do business in the city regularly. Saw one at a Phillies game once.

And big dicks. Are they are uncut?

The woman who was hired to oversee the Mutter museum was trying to shut it down due to colonialism and racism. They finally booted her last year.

A few months ago a kid on a bike was jumped and shot 40 times in the face in the middle of the street. There’s a video. They still haven’t solved it.

Philly is as steamy and boiling hot in the summer as Mama's mussy. Stay indoors.

And unless you're into the smell of stale piss, stay out of the subways during those same boiling, steamy hot summer months.

Philly Mussy— stay away!

Glad to help, OP.

There are many great places to eat in NYC and you can take a ride on the Staten Island Ferry to see the sites.

It's all only a short trip from the hideous Philadelphia!

you can take a ride on the Staten Island Ferry and instantly return to Manhattan, without a step.

FIFY

The Philly subway is scary. Don’t use it.

When I was there for work last year I was really surprised to find that Woody’s seems to have been taken over by straight people.

Woody’s on Sepúlveda in El Segundo was legendary

Woody's morphed into a gay-themed straight bar about 10 years ago. It's been over for a long while.

The New York queens in this thread are so insecure. It's hilarious.

R71, nope, she hung up her apron and called it quits. No place has ever equaled hers

Nah, they just have a decent sense of humor.

R102, NYC queens find Philly depressing. Although what is depressing is that they can’t afford NYC and their lives are going nowhere there.

The one bright spot: they’re not in Pennsylvania!

22 out of 106 posts are from one fixated New Yorker. It's hilarious. What a loser.

We shit on Philly gays too!

They do. Philly don’t care

R97, nothing is fixed when the basic rules of English are ignored.

Oh, dear.

R97 is our fixated New Yorker. She's a bit "touched."

I find Philly and New York City depressing. So there’s that.

Good. We don’t want you in Philly anyway.

Enjoy Wilkes Barre!

R97, blocked her long ago

For the haters. You fools will never understand us, and clearly you will never get how much your hatred of us powers us, gives us life, and keep us going. Every insult gives us a boost. Every slur makes us double down. KEEP IT COMING!! NO ONE LIKES US AND WE DON'T CARE!!

Even YouTube doesn’t like you, r115

Kelce is our spirit animal for sure

Try and catch the concrete cowboys in action

They are great, but not today, it’s hotter than a little red wagon today

Things to do: KEEP YO TRASH INDOORS NOW!!!!

YOOOOOHHHH: Sprint up a bunch of stairs!

NO POOLS, NO TRASH PICK UP!! BUT THE FUCKING MAYOR IS A TURD!

Fuck the stupid MAYOR

R101 What makes a straight bar gay themed? Lol.

reputation

Made a brief stop in Philly last week on the way home from Cape May, NJ and had an amazing dinner at Vedge, the fancy vegan restaurant. Better than the comparable ABCV in New York.

Also had some very tasty Georgian food for lunch at Reading Terminal Market, some rare Belgian and New England-style beers at Monk’s, and really good ice cream at Weckerly’s. Philly is always tasty!

You can help us drop off our garbage at the local landfills, since the city workers are on strike.

what if I don't hav e a car, like a third of the city doesn't?

[quote] Fuck the stupid MAYOR

In fairness, this statement is true of every city, town and conurbation on Earth.

R126, Charlie was a Sinner is also a good vegetarian place.

Piles of trash in front of it now

It’s a Vegan place, so at least no rotten fish smell - the worst!

No garbage pickup in Philly? How can you tell the difference?

you can tell

Just in time for the long hot summer 🥵🥵

Go jogging along the Schuylkill. Lots of hotties there.

Vegan and vegetarian food --gross.

there is plenty of food for carnivores, you imbecile

At least my IQ is higher than 138.

Trash and fireworks tomorrow

One of my favourite TikTokkers is Bran Flakezz from Philadelphia. He’s a cheerful, rotund gay who reviews a lot of restaurants.

big old poser queen but he does some good reviews. I've seen him twice at little gay pub recently

R137/R139 is an example of the type of troll who stinks up a thread with idiotic post after post that is of zero value to the thread and zero relevance to the OP. Blocked.

Lots of trash

They settled the strike last night.

unsatisfactorily

I had a nightmare about my Philadelphia life last night.

2 years ago I moved to a different, friendlier state, after 32 years in the city or around Philadelphia.

It is the meanest, nastiest, most careless, selfish place I've ever been. The negativity pours forth like molten lava from every crevice. It's like a John Waters movie, but nobody's laughing, they're crying from the tragedy of it all.

Hit and runs all the time on the busy, congested streets. I'm surprised I was never a victim.

The drug problem affects every single resident, even the 1% of residents who've never shot up or snorted anything. There is no hope for their drug problem.

The crime is beyond measure. I was fed up with reading about 5 year olds shot by stray bullets on their front porch or on a playground because the stupid murderers have such poor aim.

I have been mugged at gun point.

I lost two friends to overdoses from drugs from Camden and K&A

I was attacked by a homeless junkie on Easter morning, walking to work, in front of the house where Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence.

SEPTA is the worst transit system for a city of this size in America. Our subway goes up, down, left and right. Boston is a fraction smaller than Philly and has a subway that goes more places.

The commie hipster grunge punks that permeate the city are all clueless liberals who do nothing to fix the problems.

Almost every neighbor I've had has been evil.

The traffic is outrageous. It can take a half hour to drive less than a mile in Center City, and the Skuchyukill (sp) is worse at any hour any day than any traffic in LA. And you may get shot at in an act of road rage.

Nobody wants to fix the problems. All the democrat leaders want to "be kind to criminals and drug addicts." It's disgusting what people get away with.

Every Mayor (I liked Mayor Nutter a lot) is a piece of shit who hates the city and does nothing. People attacked Mayor Kenney when he said the following: "I’ll be happy when I’m not here," after 2 cops were shot at the 4th of July celebration on the Parkway (I quickly learned never to go to free events where thousands of Philadelphians gather, especially on a hot summer day). But you know what? I don't blame him for hating his job.

My apartment was robbed multiple times.

Cheesesteaks suck and it's about time people admit it. No matter how nice an are you live in (ha!), there will be a murder in front of your home eventually.

The thing that pisses me off the most about the city is about how much it has to offer. I was a hotel concierge my time there, so I had to sell the good parts of the city to tourists. And there are WAY more amenities in a city this size than others. I also LOVE Revolutionary American history, and was a tour guide in the historic district for 15 years. I loved doing it, I loved sharing our incomparable history. But ask any random Philadelphian on the street where the Liberty Bell or Independence Hall are located and you'll get a blank look from them.

I hate tossing around the term PTSD, but I think I have it from my time there.

The restaurants are top notch, thought the more newer and modern ones are douche magnets. Dante & Luigi's, in South Philly, is the best Italian Restaurant in America, I've been going there my whole life.

The Barnes Foundation is one of the greatest hidden jewels of an art museum on Earth.

And, then there's my hero, Benjamin Franklin.

I have to go back the first week of August to take care of some family business. Not looking forward to it. However, I'm going to my favorite restaurant, Talula's Garden, then a Phillies game. I'm passionate about the Phils so I'm excited (my dad and I went to game 3 of the World Series in 2022 and it was the most thrilling night at the ballpark in my life).

The Neil Young lyric "City of Brotherly Love, don't turn your back on me," would flow through my mind constantly.

Sorry for the long post, but that's what this city has done to me.

I love cheesesteaks. Fat whores should avoid Pat’s and Geno’s. Mom and Pop delis do it better.

R147 isn’t speaking from experience. I’ve lived in Philly for over 25 years and no tons of people form here, none have shot up drugs or have a murder on their doorstep. There have been issues and crime, and we just went through a few weeks of no trash pickup at all. But these “nightmares” are likely just that, the dreams of a feverish mind

R147 so where do you live now? Come to Scranton. We dont know what a conceeairge is though.

Philly Snoop, I’m not making any of that up. Why would you think that?

Philadelphia is far from perfect but I can’t see myself living anywhere else. Better the devil you know, I guess.

True, r152. I do miss my independence, and spending my golden 20's there in the early 2000's, fuck, I bopped around that city like I owned it. It was the greatest moment of my life.

But in my mid 40's, the comedown was pretty epic.

Here is the sight for "The Fabric Workshop". The first time I went, they had a walk through exhibit called "John Jarboe:The Rose Garden"." It was John's story about making peace with the twin his family said he ate in vitro, name "Rose". It was one of the most amazing exhibits I've seen. Really, the highlight of my trip.

The new exhibit is on fashion called "Soft Cover".

I know John Jarboe. He seems like the kind of person who'd eat his twin. Don't like him, never have.

Hot bubble ass tho.

Hideous.

[quote]I’ve lived in Philly for over 25 years and no tons of people form here

Oh, dear.

John was the Emcee in the Arden's Cabaret about 10 or so years ago. Before act 2, he started bitching to the audience about Mike Pence, and Trump, and trans issues. Way to take us out of the 1920's dickhead. Pretty sure the show speaks for itself.

I live in what is considered a good part of Philadelphia and in the past 5 years there has been two murder-suicides, and a body found in a freezer. People get shot in the face 40 times in broad daylight in Philly.

Miss John Jarboe needs to grow up. The trans cosplay crap is not a good look at 25.

A goddamn nightmare.

Sad.

Septa is a nightmare. Bus drivers are incredibly rude and don’t stop at their designated stops unless you wave them down. The subway stinks like urine and meth and is eerily empty.

"Bus drivers are incredibly rude and don’t stop at their designated stops unless you wave them down."

Only when your bus shows up.

Many times I'd watch on the SEPTA app for my bus. Then, it would just vanish off the map into the SEPTA Bermuda Triangle.

Yesterday I had a SEPTA bus stopping one block before the designated stop, let someone out, and then just whizz by. classic Philadelphia. They don’t care.

And now it’s a federal crime to harm a SEPTA driver. I hate SEPTA.

R151, because I’ve never witnessed anything like this - not once - since I’ve moved here in 2000. That’s why.

And r163, they stop when I stop. Maybe they just aren’t that into you

Philly Snoop, you are full of shit.

There's no way you've lived there for 25 years and never witnessed anything I listed.

It's not humanly possible.

Nope, “rats the size of trucks!” “Fires set by monsters in the middle of Broad street!!” “The mayor just sold me intravenous drugs!!!”

You trolls are all so obvious.

Philly Snoop, people like you are why I skeedaddled.

[quote] “rats the size of trucks!” “Fires set by monsters in the middle of Broad street!!” “The mayor just sold me intravenous drugs!!!”

I never said any of that shit.

And it's the cockroaches that are the size of trucks.

Don't believe me? Google 1207 Federal St 19147. Those are my Halloween decorations in the windows from a few years ago.

I've been in Philly and the surrounding areas longer than you've been alive.

I worked as a Concierge at Sofitel (17th and Chestnut), the Rittenhouse and Hotel Monaco (4th and Chestnut).

I gave tours for Constitutional Walking Tour for 15 Years. I've been in Independence Hall more times than you.

Don't turn this into a pissing match, Philly Snoop. I am not lying about my experience there.

They you’re a pissant, misfortunate mess.

I live blocks from you on federal and have NEVER seen any of what you describe. I certainly have heard of things, likely rumors from the internet, and people I knew who lived in Philly in the 1970s described things, but that sort of crime is far more localized now, and the stats prove it.

The fact that you can’t even spell the name of the river Schuylkill shows that you’re nothing but a troll.

To R179, when did you work at The Rittenhouse Hotel& at what position. What years!!

It’s always the same pattern in Philly People congregate People drink/do drugs Someone gets disrespected BAM BAM BAM

Ladies and Gentlemen, PhillySnoop has proven why nobody likes Philly. Nobody can spell Skyuchill. Or Susquhehana.

Philly has been in my life since before it had skyscrapers.

Why am I even doxxing myself to prove to you who I am? Probably to make you look like a the crum bum you are.

See this link, shithead.

R172, I was only a Concierge at the Rittenhouse briefly. It's a lovely hotel, but I didn't enjoy my time there, and went back to another hotel. It was during the Covid years.

My favorite part of Rittenhouse was getting the MLB teams. They'd go straight from the bus to their rooms and we'd deliver their luggage. Many times, they'd open the door in various states of undress.

Every time you think Philly is turning a corner something shitty happens:

2025 Lemon Hill shooting

2025 Gray’s Ferry Shooting

2025 Art Alliance Building

R176, there are no "safe" neighborhoods in Philly.

Where do you think the criminals go to get their $$$?

Having worked in Rittenhouse area many years, you'd be astounded how much shit happens there.

Of course, PhillySnoop will say "Rittenhouse is fine! It sends its love!"

Face it: any city where the mayor and chief of police decide to drop incendiary bombs on a civilian neighborhood, then have the same mayor and fire chief decide to let resultant fires burn out of control for hours, killing 11 people in the process and destroying 61 homes, and no one is found guilty of jack shit, has to be fucked up majorly.

A lot of what r147 feels true. I never saw anyone murdered. But definitely a lot of scary people - especially when I’d walk home late at night. And addicts everywhere.

^^^Honestly, I wasn't that concerned by MOVE, they should have BOMBED them long ago.^^^

Mayor Wilson Goode was quoted as saying he gave the final permission to BOMB MOVE on his authority. Down the road, he tried to throw the White Police commissioner& The Fire Commissioner under the bus( blame them for it).

I once asked Wilson Goode, did "your religion make you blame the others & ditch responsibility".

What makes it so depressing is they Philly has so much potential. Great location, great universities and colleges, tons of world class art, music, interesting architecture, history. With money and will it could be a great city.

To R175-when I was living in the old Four Seasons Hotel on BF Parkway for work in Philly, I would have calls with co-workers in Japan-Taiwan. I would call clients from the back lobby or the small conference room beside the Fountain Room.

More than a few times, the overnight MOD would ask to help out on luggage pulls for the sports teams that were saying at the Four Seasons Hotel. The athletes would answer the door in underwear-nothing at all. If they didn't answer, you open the door, put the luggage on the luggage tray-or bed. Of Course, I had fun doing that!!

^gay Bill Cosby^

^^^You can do better than Bill Cosby-predator asshole. I never drugged anyone; they might fall asleep after they NUTT in my mouth^^^

So how did your interview go, OP?

Well this thread pretty much ruined my dream of moving to Philadelphia.

Y'all know Philadelphia cream cheese is from Philadelphia, New York, right?

I haven't been to a gay bar in Philadelphia since I stopped drinking in 2009. What are the popular bars now?

Philadelphia ain’t that bad R187. Your money will go much further than in NYC or SF and there are parts of the city that are as safe as, say, SoHo or the West Village.. And you have be to be really unlucky to experience what R147 has. The bad stuff is concentrated in some neighborhoods that are easy to avoid.

I like living in South Philadelphia for the most part. It’s close to my job. I’m glad I bought my house when I did because it’s almost tripled in value. And the mortgage rates were a ridiculously low 3.25%. Those were the days. They just sold a house a block away for half a million. Brings up property values, but also taxes. I was lucky enough to get a homestead tax waiver. I’m told that I can get another tax waiver for being a veteran. Will definitely look into that. My neighborhood has a good mix of black , Latino and white. I’m on the other side of Broad Street, so I don’t get the Italian American side eye when I go through my neighborhood. When I walk home from work, however I do get the occasional stare. I remember when I was house hunting and I looked at a house close to the Italian market. I swear, when some of the neighbors saw me, several doors opened up, with nonnas giving me a suspicious glance. I was thisclose to buying it, but the realtor turned out to be an inept ass. I used my aunt and uncle’s realtor and that’s how I ended up getting my current home. The backyard is smaller than my balcony on my last Princess cruise and the basement’s ceiling is stupidly low, but I love it. I wish there were trees on my block though. My neighbors mind their business and are always cordial. Three supermarkets are within walking distance as well as so,e great takeout places. I’m blessed.

So you’re a veteran, homeowner and gay? Then you must be a top with a big dick, r191.

Thank you for your 🍆ervice.

Something like that r192. But I can’t top guys who are my size. I like them smaller.

[quote]But ask any random Philadelphian on the street where the Liberty Bell or Independence Hall are located and you'll get a blank look from them.

This is laughably false. You sound like a complete idiot.

Confirmed, r194. Everyone knows where they are.

The Philly bus ”terminal” under the I-95 is pathetic. Don’t city leaders realize how poorly this reflects on the city?

Sometimes I call SEPTA INEPTA or SEPTIC.

Can people start fighting again Philly style? That was getting pretty entertaining. That's the kind of thing I like about Philadelphia.

R196, this is ridiculous. Many people ride the bus, especially to NYC and this is simply ridiculous

R199 it is an embarrassment and does nothing to improve the reputation of Philly. The buses used to run from close to Independence Hall - now you get dumped in a (seemingly) scary neighborhood in the middle of the night at an I-95 underpass. You freeze your ass off or simmer in the heat and there are no restrooms. The buses are convenient otherwise as they are clean and cheap and you end in midtown Manhattan.

Hasn't the bus station always been in Center City? It used to be near Reading Terminal and now it's at 6th and Market? Whereas I95 runs along the Delaware River?

I've been in Philly, and I've never taken a bus anywhere from here.

When I've taken buses (non-Greyhound), they've stopped at 30th Street Station--the part that's called Suburban Station.

I love Philly; I wouldn't necessarily want to live there, but I love the old colonial sections, Rittenhouse Square (where pre-COVID there was the absolute best Cuban restaurant) and it's got some great museums. Their homeless problem is pretty bad, but I suppose that's true for any large city these days. Anyone ever been to Zahav? Supposedly it's a great restaurant.

R201 that has been closed since years.

[quote] they've stopped at 30th Street Station--the part that's called Suburban Station.

Nope, suburban and 30th street stations are two different stations

^^^Thank you for doing that, I was about to correct them^^^

When I lived at 18th and Pine, I loved weekends in Rittenhouse Park. Until the homeless people came and bugged people for food, cigarettes or money. And then the rats came out at night. I sat in the park with my boyfriend at the time. We were talking on a bench. Then a big rat jumped out. We both fled like the queens we were. 🤭 The city refused to put out poison or traps because of the squirrels and people’s dogs. So the rats came from the alleyway behind Restaurant Row and made nests in the park too.

I was there in the 80s and all I remember were the rats. Where I stayed, they were burning rats with gasoline in big metal garbage cans. I don't have fond memories.

Ask any average Philadelphian walking down the street how to get to the Liberty Bell and they'll give you a blank look. I guarantee you.

A lot of morons think it's Ben Franklin atop City Hall too.

It's John Facenda.

Then they are stupid

“ Ask any average Philadelphian walking down the street how to get to the Liberty Bell and they'll give you a blank look.”

We just give that blank look to you. Because you’re a fucking moron.

212 the truth hurts.

When is the last time you visited the Liberty Bell? If you ever have.

Dear, the truth never hurts. But I'm not 212. Nor 214 even.

I'm 215. The OG area code.

And you know where you can find the Liberty Bell? Right up your fucking ass. Can you reach that far?

I meant r212 dummy.

So you admit you know nothing about the Liberty Bell, or it’s location?

SEPTA seems like the most unfortunately named transit system ever.

R213. You don’t have to visit a place to know where it is located, cunt

This thread is listing crimes like it’s two seasons of Cold Case.

Go to the Mutter and see the Kermit Gosnell exhibit.

Philly realness

I love soft pretzels. So carry but so delicious. There’s a pretzel shop on my way to work and there’s always a line. They sell them right out of the oven. Divine.

Soft Pretzels are the absolutely worst Philly has to offer. Tasteless and unhealthy. Nothing but salt and calories. I’d rather eat a bag of Frit-O-Lays. At least that’s tasty.

I’d rather eat a bag of ass from the Vinnies South of Washington

That's hilarious R221

Lexapro.

Killjoys like r223 and r224 are so sickening. Who asked either of them?

R227 is not familiar with the Italians of South Philly.

I am though

R228 I am familiar enough, since I am in South Philly

Soft pretzels in Philly tend to be those amish-style soft pretzels; soft, tasteless bread just swimming in grease & salt (not that it's entirely a bad thing...). I think Philly's best food (aside from cheese steak, but who could eat that regularly) are their various ethnic foods. That's one of things I love about Philly - for a big city, it's such a melting pot of cultures.

I eat great Vietnamese food every week

Philly does have great food but soft pretzels don’t qualify. Cheese stakes are toxic but at least they are delicious. Pho is awesome in Philly. The vegetarian and Mediterranean restaurants are very good. There are lots of tired old Italian restaurants but also a few great ones. Greek food is surprisingly good.

But what about the hordes of rats, addicts, reanimated Amish corpses and violent Eagles fans? How can you enjoy your Pho when you're surrounded by people who don't know how to get to local tourist destinations? Don't the mountains of trash and used addict needles kill your appetite? What about the rancid smell of urine soaked cheesesteaks everywhere? Or the drooling masses shuffling aimlessly, in constant search of human brains for their only sustenance? My friend went to Philly once and he was shot to death 4 times before he made it home. Unbelievable. I know what I'm talking about because I lived in Philly so that makes me unbiased and 100% right constantly. I've seen the 10 foot radioactive pigeons with shotguns that terrorize Rittenhouse square nightly. Don't you argue with me. I was there.

R233, Dante and Luigi's is my favorite restaurant in Philly, most likely my favorite place I've ever eaten. It was the first place I dined when I moved to Philly, and the last place I dined when I left. In between, I ate there about 7-8 times a year. I love old white tablecloth Italian restaurants with waiters in ties. Plus, there was a mob shooting there in the 90's. I sent many guests there as a Concierge.

Don't eat at Ralph's, Philly's worst tourist trap.

R234, ha!

I love soft pretzels. Sorry, not sorry.

r234, pretty much. I can't imagine living in this hell hole where I get raped every single day and druggies slap my face randomly every time I walk out onto my stoop.

Almost all the restaurants on East Passyunk, especially Le Virtù

Man, this thread is reminding me how awful Philadelphians are.

Philly Snoop, I've spent decades building up that city and selling it and defending it.

It's tiresome, like you, and I'm fed up with it.

Just out of curiosity, Philly Snoop, since you so vociferously repudiate all my experiences...

What have you done to make the city a better, safer place? What have you done to market the city and bring in money?

Or are you just a typical DL armchair warrior?

I assume the latter.

Every time I get raped in Philly I ask my rapist for directions to the Liberty Bell and they just look at me blankly. I hate this place!

Not Philly Snoop but Abitofftherails, the fucking liberty bell is at 6th and chestnut across the street from Independence Hall which inhabits the entire block between Chestnut, 6th, Walnut and 5th. Across Independance Mall is the Constitution Center, the Jefferson House (a recreation) is at 700 Market St., the Betsy Ross House is on Arch between 2nd and 3rd, Franklin Court is between Chestnut, 3rd, Market and 4th, William Penn is the founder of Pennsylvania and his statue is atop city hall, and no one is fucking impressed that you were a front desk queen at the Rodeway Inn for a decade. We know, you love the tourists who paid your salary but hated the people you had to live side-by-side with because you look down your nose at everyone you see as inferior, aka everyone else in Philly.

Get the fuck over yourself you hysterical moron. WTF did you ever do for this city except suck up its amenities, act condescending to its residents and spit its face? I'm glad you left and I hope you never come back because assholes like you will never belong here. NO ONE LIKES US AND WE DON'T CARE, LOSER!

Some choice lines from your posts that tell me all I need to know about the type of person you are:

[quote]The crime is beyond measure.

Like every other city, crime has been down for years in Philly and is currently at a low not seen in decades. This is a right wing talking point, of course.

[quote]The commie hipster grunge punks that permeate the city are all clueless liberals who do nothing to fix the problems.

Once more showing your true political stripes. No wonder you hated it here, when you belong somewhere like Dallas or St. Louis.

[quote]Cheesesteaks suck and it's about time people admit it.

You're entitled to your opinions but that's all that this is: an opinion. If it was a valid one I don't think locals and tourists would be lining up at multiple locations daily for cheesesteaks. Just shows how hysterical you are that you give one-sided opinions repeatedly in your screeds as if they are universal facts. You do this because your arguments are weak and your emotions are out of control. Get a fucking GRIP.

[quote]When is the last time you visited the Liberty Bell? If you ever have.

Everyone raised in Philly goes to the Liberty Bell at least once for a school trip. You truly are off the rails with your bizarre claims. Yes, you lived here but it doesn't mean you're remotely believable in anything you're saying here.

The Neil Young lyric "City of Brotherly Love, don't turn your back on me," would flow through my mind constantly.

^Ironic, considering your shitposting.

P.S. Neil wrote that song without even going to, or watching, Philadelphia.

One of the nice things about living in Manhattan: no one ever talks about Philly; it never even comes up in conversation outside of a sports reference.

R232 Philly couldn’t hold a candle to a single borough: Queens.

I love the New York queens who show up like clockwork in every Philly thread to loudly proclaim their indifference while reflexively blurting out their superiority.

No one is talking about New York but you, dearies.

A lot of people in a lot of places could blurt out their superiority in this case. It’s not about New York LOL

Yes, you look so superior repeatedly shitposting on a topic you claim not to "think about."

Makes sense. You sound very smart. We're all in complete awe of you.

May I touch your hem?

R245, this may hurt your fragile Manhattan feewings, but Philadelphia doesn't give a shit about your city either.

"No one in Manhattan ever talks about Philadelphia, which is why I account for over 10% of the posts on a lengthy Philadelphia thread on Datalounge. We're just so superior! That's why I spent more than a month bumping a Philadelphia thread with my constant stream of shit posts."

Fill in the times.

R251 has gone cuckoo

R252, taking the Acela from NYC to PHL costs you three times as much asa makes you 10 minutes faster.

"We don't CARE about Philadelphia! Philadelphia is BENEATH US. That is why we can't stop posting in a thread about Philadelphia! WE ARE SUPERIOR! YOU NEED TO KNOW THAT!!"

Camden!

"I call other people cuckoo to deflect from my own mental fragility."

Projection is his forte^

Positively Trumpian in that regard.

Yah, taking Acela short distances is dumb. Tickets from PHL-NYC on Amtrak have become far more reasonable over the years. I once booked 2 tickets 2 or 3 months in advance, and they came out to something like $9 rt per person. I couldn't believe it.

I'm too old to bus to NYC from Philly anymore. Train all the way, literally door-to-door.

Soon Manhattan will be underwater anyway. The floods worsen yearly. And the rats…🤢

r241, peter cried wolf. sorry, you're a troll. go back to suburban jersey

And R262 gives another Trumpian deflection insult instead of answering the question.

peter cried wolf. you say " philly is on fire" so many times, you're going to get ignored and you're a troll. the end

NOYOURETRUMPIANDEFLECTION

R264, you speak of being ignored by you as if it's some sort of punishment.

Have at it, jabroni.

Atlas Obscura is so fun.

Everyone keeps saying dont go into the bad areas. There's nothing there to see. In some of my travels Ive seen great things in "bad areas." I had to do more planning and be careful but it was usually worth it. Is there not a single good thing in the bad areas?

There is drugs

The “bad” parts of Germantown are architecturally fascinating. And depressing because everything falls apart.

Germantown is gentrified and it’s getting more so every day.

Indeed, i can’t even live there

To R271, parts of Germantown are getting gentrified (above Wissahickon Ave beside East Falls) all the way up to Germantown Ave. With new people moving into the large single home with land or single homes turning into stunning condos. There is still lots of "DE LA GHETTO DRUGGIE TRASH" still in Germantown( Chew Ave is horrible) while Ogontz Ave is stopping LaSalle University from expanding their school. with all the trash that lives in the area.

R191, why were they looking at you?

[quote]Soft pretzels in Philly tend to be those amish-style soft pretzels; soft, tasteless bread just swimming in grease & salt

TF are you talking about? Go over to Center City Pretzel and STFU.

[quote]Soft Pretzels are the absolutely worst Philly has to offer. Tasteless and unhealthy. Nothing but salt and calories.

What do you think pretzels are, retard? You just admitted to eating crap.

[quote]I love soft pretzels. So carry but so delicious.

So what?

Thank god they finally fired that progressive yenta who demanded that the Mutter Museum be shut down because of colonialism.

Go to Philly Soft Pretzel Co. around 16th& Samson St, all their pretzels are great!!

Hot black guy works there too!!

Go tot Philly Soft Pretzel and then Go to the MUTTER

No the other way round. First Mutter then lunch.

R268 "bad areas" is not a scientific term. Some people would call any majority black area like West Philly a "bad area," which it definitely is not. Many parts of West Philly are gorgeous and as safe as any part of South Philly.

Philly is also notorious for pocket neighborhoods that change character within a block. These are in residential zones, not the city core that most tourists never leave, usually where there's a concentration of drug activity. You'll most often find these in neighborhoods that gentrified in the last 25-50 years but one little pocket never did. So you might have a "nice area" but there's one spot the locals know to avoid. An outsider sees that and proclaims the whole neighborhood "a bad area."

The only true no-go zones are in deep North Philly where there is literally nothing to see but blocks upon blocks of crumbling houses and vacant lots, and the worst parts of drug-addled Kensington.

ChatGPT sez:

“Here’s a refined summary of the **DataLounge** thread “Things to do in Philadelphia” (posted July 24, 2025) with highlights and community feedback:

---

## 📍 Key Recommendations from the Thread

* **Butcher and Singer**

> “We ate at a very cool place called Butcher and Singer.” > A highly regarded upscale steakhouse in Center City ([the DataLounge][1], [Wikipedia][2]).

* **Franklin Institute** & **Philadelphia Museum of Art** Excellent picks for science and fine art—core cultural stops ([the DataLounge][1]).

* **The Barnes Collection** Noted as “superb”—a must-visit for serious art lovers ([the DataLounge][1]).

* **U Bar** “A couple of us … went to U Bar, which was a lot of fun.” A lively cocktail lounge in Center City ([the DataLounge][1]).

---

## 🧭 Neighborhood Advice & Safety

* Stay in **Center City (not “City Center”)**—the name correction was strongly emphasized ([the DataLounge][1]). * Center City and its surroundings are considered **safe**; more troubled zones like Kensington or North Philly are far removed ([the DataLounge][1]).

---

## 🎭 Additional Local Favorites

* **Eastern State Penitentiary** – A unique and atmospheric historic prison, ideal for day visits ([the DataLounge][3]). * **Irvin’s at the BOK** – A refined choice for upscale dinner or drinks ([the DataLounge][1]). * **Philadelphia Orchestra** – One poster hailed it as a top-five global orchestra, led by the charismatic Yannick ([the DataLounge][1]). * **Phillies Game** – Citizens Bank Park offers top-tier baseball with a great atmosphere ([the DataLounge][1], [the DataLounge][3]).

---

## 🏙️ Broader City Highlights (beyond thread)

To round out your visit, consider:

* **Independence National Historical Park**: Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, Carpenters’ Hall, Elfreth’s Alley, Christ Church—many free attractions ([DiscoverPHL][4]). * **South Street & Headhouse District**: A bohemian corridor packed with eclectic nightlife, shopping, and entertainment ([Wikipedia][2]). * **Trocadero Theatre** & **Theatre of Living Arts** (TLA): Historic music venues with a rich legacy of punk, rock, and avant-garde performances ([Wikipedia][5]). * **Unique Museums**:

* The **Mütter Museum** (medical oddities) – “fascinating but not everyone’s cup of tea” ([Reddit][6]). * The **Philadelphia Zoo** and **Penn Museum** – other fun, educational options ([Reddit][

### ✅ Bottom Line

The thread leans toward **Center City gems**—upscale dining, cultural highlights, and safe, vibrant urban experiences. Expanding beyond, consider historic tours, alternative neighborhoods like Fishtown and South Street, and quirky museums if time allows.”

I prefer Auntie Anne's, always. I was pissed when they took the stands out of 30th Street Station and replaced them with Philly Pretzel Factory.

There is a big difference between Lancaster/Amish pretzels and Philly pretzels.

Soft pretzels are fine. I have childhood nostalgia for them, and they're best eaten very fresh and still warm, but they're pretty bland and I never recommend them to visitors. Cheesesteaks and hoagies are way more iconic Philly foods. Pork sandwiches a la John's Roast Pork are well known here too.

The best food in Philly is simply the restaurant scene. Not just the hot and trendy places either, some of the best is just mom and pop neighborhood Italian restaurants. As mentioned above we also have a vibrant selection of quality ethnic food everywhere. The Mexican/ latin fusion places in my neighborhood are amazing, from hole in the wall takeout places to higher end sit down restaurants. Great Vietnamese near me too.

What about the Philadelphia Burrito?

A cheese steak wrapped in a pizza.

Sounds gross r286.

How about phô?? It’s like the best thing in Philly!! What’s your favorite ?

R288 Cafe Nhạn

Where is that?

My kid is moving to the Pennsport area this weekend, where in that area/East Passyunk area would be a good place to go for a $$-$$$ dinner? Any cuisine is ok! Not Barcelona, we have one of those in our area. thanks philly folk

Parking is terrible in that area, but hopefully you know that.

My fat daughter ate all the cream cheese.

Most of the Belgian restaurants in Philly have disappeared, except for Monk's which is dismal.

But we have Phô

R294, I liked ZOT, but that was years and years ago it closed.

According to a previous poster, the must eat cuisine isn't Philly is bland vegetarian.

Pho is best.

^In Philly

I hear Phô is good in Philly. Is that true?

To R294, the food sucked at Monk's, but the beer was still good when I was there in January 2025.

Phriend or phô?

Check out BOK. Both the bar and the restaurant on top are spectacular and the bakery is good.

the restaurant is amazing, I try to go on my birthday

I'll be at TOC Tuesday night after the Phillies game. Looking forward to singing with Max!

What ought I sing?

the new restaurant at TOC is DI-VINE

[quote]That area changed alot over the years-Phillywhore

For the better? For the worst?