Or why Philly is unseating Austin: war of hipsters
FRIDAY: HISTORY IN THE OLD CITY
the essence of philadelphia It lies mainly in its historical significance, so going directly to the center will put your vision of the city in perspective. Once you soak up its brick buildings, its cobblestone streets and its emblems, you will understand that the brightness of Philadelphia is not in the reflection of the sun on its few skyscrapers, but at street level , on its busy sidewalks.
Two of the many historical treasures that the city houses are in the Independence National Historical Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, not for nothing is it known as “the most historic square mile in the United States”. Here you can see the **Liberty Bell** with its huge crack and, very close, visit the Independence Hall , where the Declaration of Independence was signed in 1776. Just a couple of blocks away is the house Betsy RossHouse, where according to legend the first flag of the United States was made . Next to it, if you are interested in learning more about the US Constitution, is the ** National Constitution Center **.
Liberty Bell
Do not miss the architecture of the 18th century while you walk through the streets of the neighborhood, you are in the heart of the old town, the Old City , here. Imagine the ringing of the huge bell when it rang to call the students of Penn University, or the legislators of the time when they had to pass or modify laws. If you get thirsty or need a snack, you are in an area full of cuisines from multiple countries, as well as bars and pubs for all tastes. Red Owl Tavern , City Tavern , and the Eulogy Belgian Tavern are good choices on the Chestnut Street, there is also the typical English pub, The Victoria Free House, a couple of blocks away.
The American snack you deserve
For dinner, go to the neighborhood of Passyunk Square , (pronounced Pashunk), a neighborhood with Italian roots known for its good and abundant restaurants, It is among the 10 best streets in the entire country for lovers of good food! Among the wide range of options we select two that serve American food: StateSide presents small tapas-style plates with local ingredients along with craft beers, wines and spirits , while Fond bets on a somewhat more innovative menu in terms of flavors and presentation. Both in the latter and in many other establishments, it is common for the customer to bring their own alcohol. So if you see the sign BYOB (Bring your own bottle) and you want to have dinner with wine, stop by a liquor store first.
Near Passyunk Square there is a good place to end the night with a drink and some live music: The Boot & Saddle , a corner with two different areas to have a drink or dinner, and listen to live music. You will find it by the huge boot that hangs from the facade with its name.
Philly's new kitchen
SATURDAY: SOUTH STREET TO FISHTOWN
Last night you left your spurs on Boot & Saddle , and today it is a good idea that you return to the neighboring street of South Street to breathe more of the ethnic and cultural diversity of Philadelphia. Walking through its streets you will notice the abundant presence of mosaic murals here and there If you like it, it's worth a visit to Magic Garden's. The artist Isaiah Zagar presents here a non-profit space conceived as an artistic center of the community, an eclectic open-air museum with installations that use everything from statues, objects from the street, bicycles or pieces of mirror.
Surely the visit has whetted your appetite. To quench it you can opt for a cheesesteak , that beef, onion and cheese sandwich, best known as Philadelphia's signature dish **(it even has a festival!)**. Some favorites are served at Pat's, Geno's, or D'alessandro's. Remember that the key question is in if you want cheese whiz, or not ! Vegetarians can try a sandwich banh mi , a Vietnamese snack that is growing in popularity in Philadelphia and consists of a mixture of vegetables with aioli sauce and a protein, usually tofu. Double Knot or QT Vietnamese Sandwich Co serve it and are in the South Street area.
With the recovered energies you are ready to walk through Delancey Street to Broad Street , in the direction of the Art Museum. Philadelphia has very good museums, among them the Franklin Institute, with fascinating exhibitions on science, biology and other temporary ones. The small Rodin museum is also worth a visit, on the way to the Art Museum, especially famous not for its content, but for the stairs that lead to its entrance, immortalized by Sylvester Stallone in the movie Rocky. At the foot of the steps, you will find the statue of the character, always surrounded by fans taking photos.
Rocky, ever present
Not far from the museum is another character from world literature, in this case an animal, resting practically unnoticed at the end of the Rare Book Gallery, in the Municipal Library. It is one of the best kept secrets of the town, Edgar Allan Poe's stuffed raven, which lived in Philadelphia for part of his life.
After visiting any of these options, you are probably looking for a coffee or a beer... There is a corner that serves two excellent versions of both! La Colombe, in the neighborhood of fishtown , serves one of the best coffees (there's even cortado) as well as freshly baked sweets, bread and and other dishes... a perfect excuse to get to know this neighborhood that is in full swing and where you can see the profound transformation that the city has undergone over the years. The neighborhood is eclectic, between worker and artistic, lonely and warm . Here is also one of the best pubs in the city, Johnny Brenda's, with excellent cocktails, a pool table and live music both day and night on weekends.
You will find the best coffee in the Fishtown neighborhood
To end the night dancing, head to Silk City Diner (hip-hop) or Kung-Fue Nectie . If you prefer a quiet drink, you can seek it out at one of Philadelphia's secret speakeasys, such as Laundromat (proper footwear and passport required to enter) .
SUNDAY: A WALK THROUGH THE JAIL
To end the visit to Philadelphia, especially in the spring, don't forget a walk in fairmount park followed by a powerful brunch. Among the best in the city are the Morning Glory Diner, with a classic American style, and the Green Eggs Café, delicious and a little more modern in presentation. Do not forget to visit the prison, Eastern State Penitentiary, very close to fairmount park, where the legendary Al Capone was once held . You can tour the jail with Joe Buscemi whispering in your ear on the audio guide, or (on Halloween) take one of the special tours 'Terror behind the walls', that transform the prison into a haunted house.
Follow @cristinarojo
Fishtown neighborhood