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Photos by B. Krist for GPTMC
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Philadelphia is famous for many things-among them, the mighty cheesesteak, the Rocky Balboa movies, as the original 'hood of Will Smith, and oh, it's also the birthplace of the nation. Like most other large metropolitan cities, however, Philadelphia's food scene extends far beyond cheesesteaks, and the Fresh Prince isn't the only idol this town has managed to produce. A beautiful seven-hour drive through the Catskill Mountains from Montreal, Philly offers the ideal weekend getaway for history buffs, foodies, and shop-a-holics alike.
Philly's reputation as the "City of Brotherly Love" is obvious in the family atmosphere at Twenty-Two Gallery Café in the Rittenhouse area. This neighborhood spot opened in 2003 as an exhibition space for famous photojournalist Bruce Murray's images of Babe Ruth and other American baseball legends. After checking out the monthly art installation, grab a cup of locally produced La Columbe coffee and a sweet treat before heading north on 22nd Street toward the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
Any time, day or night, the steps leading up to the famed museum are packed with tourists (and locals, I'm sure) imitating boxing legend Rocky Balboa, running the steps and throwing their hands in the air at the summit in (fake) victory. If you find brushstrokes more fascinating than boxing gloves, head in to check out the "Pop Art and its Affinities" exhibition, highlighting the works of Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein from the 60s and 70s.
Meandering through LOVE Park back to Rittenhouse makes for a great trail of people watching. We walk across the street to check out the duds at Anthropologie. Situated in the midst of Philly's main shopping district on Walnut Street, this Renaissance style mansion was built in 1896 and given to a young couple in the Victorian era as a wedding gift. Much of the original architecture remains, and even if you're not in the market for a cute sundress, head in for some relief from the heat and a fascinating look around this historical building.
If you're hungry (and you should be!), you have to stop into Di Bruno Brothers at 1730 Chestnut Street for a delicious gourmet sandwich or some imported cheese. A true Philadelphia immigrant success story, the Di Bruno family opened their first gourmet superstore in 1939, and today it's the ultimate destination for food enthusiasts.
The waiters at the café -- all aspiring opera singers -- take turns performing arias every 20 minutes as you savor your delectable meal.
Since you're in Philly, you should probably head over to the historic district for a look at the Liberty Bell on Market Street. If you happen to visit on a Saturday, look into the "City of Murals" tour-a unique way to see the Philadelphia's sights through unique hand-painted murals. If you'd rather check out the local shopping scene, head to Vagabond Boutique in Old City. This quaint shop features high-end indie and local designers, so you can pick up just enough unique pieces to make your friends back home jealous!
No visit to Philadelphia would be complete without a trip to Geno's Steaks in South Philly. En route from Old City, stop by the hundreds of tattoo parlors, bars, restaurants and vintage clothing shops that line South Street, Philly's most eclectic avenue. The debate continues as to whether Geno's or Pat's offers the more authentic Philly delicacy. Geno's does have the advantage, however, of being open 24 hours, and the likes of Mariah Carey, Joan Rivers, Richard Simmons, Britney Spears and Nancy Kerrigan have savored the cheesesteaks at this joint.
If indoor dining is more your style, you have to try Victor Café at 1303 Dickinson Street. Still typically South Philly, this is an Italian restaurant unlike any that you've seen. What began as a gramophone shop in 1918 soon became "The Music Lover's Rendezvous" after the owner obtained a beer and wine license post-prohibition. Today, the menu features all of your Italian favorites along with daily specials. To top it all off, the waiters at the café are aspiring opera singers. These multi-talented servers take turns performing arias every 20 minutes as you savor your delectable meal, providing that one-of-a-kind Philly feeling.
If you're like me, you know that you can never really get a feel for any city without checking out its nightlife. At the end of a hard day, head to The Raven Lounge, a homegrown bar that sits at 1718 Sansom Street. Sit back with a drink and challenge someone to a game of connect four or UNO, as you look forward to watching Philly get its party on.
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