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Philadelphia Advice ...

Discussion in 'Mid-Atlantic Region - USA (PA, DE, MD, DC, VA)' started by mikesufka, Nov 27, 2018.

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  1. mikesufka

    mikesufka F1 Veteran
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    Mar 4, 2006
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    Mike Sufka
    I'm flying into Philadelphia on Friday, January 11th, for my niece's birthday. I was going to fly home on Sunday, January 13th, but thought maybe I could stay another day and fly home Monday instead.

    Tentative plan would be to stay downtown on Sunday, walk around, bar hop, and then have a nice dinner. Any must see bars or restaurants ? Recommendations of things to see ??

    MDS
     
  2. tomc

    tomc Two Time F1 World Champ

    Apr 13, 2014
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    When I was last there, friends took me to this place near U of Pennsylvania. I don't go to Philly enough to know if that constitutes "downtown", but this place was really good.

    https://podrestaurant.com/

    T
     
  3. mikesufka

    mikesufka F1 Veteran
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    I heard about McGillin's ( started in 1860 ) which would be neat to see. Would like to hit a good and old steak house or Italian ... If they're within walking distance, even better.

    MDS
     
  4. Viperjoe

    Viperjoe F1 Rookie
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    Dinner: Devon Seafood or Parc, nightcap at Rouge all on Rittenhouse Square. Simeone Foundation Museum is 5 minutes from PHL; I highly recommend it.
    https://www.simeonemuseum.org/
     
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  5. dm_n_stuff

    dm_n_stuff Four Time F1 World Champ
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    If you can do it, Simeone is a once in a lifetime kind of deal. Amazing stuff there, and it is literally 5-10 minutes from the airport as VJ noted.

    Seeing the Liberty Bell may sound hokey, but it's there, you're not going back soon and Independence Hall is right across the plaza/mall.

    There are a ton of good/great restaurants in Philly, it's kind of a secret how many good places are there for eats. But, if you want true Philly flavor, go to Pat's or Geno's on Passyunk Avenue and dine al fresco on a delicious cheese steak. Not an outdoor type? Tony Luc's has a pretty good version as well. If you make it to Pat's or Geno's, try not to do so before 1 or 2 AM, that's when it's most fun.

    Fancy? Meh, I don't really do fancy.

    Not as fancy? http://whitedog.com/location/?University-City-1 White Dog Cafe used to be one of my favorites.

    Cuban? YES, Cuban... This place was great last time I went. http://www.cubalibrerestaurant.com/en/philadelphia

    If you want to walk around, South Street has a ton of bars and restaurants. Including the one listed above. Take a cab, parking sucks.

    D
     
  6. Viperjoe

    Viperjoe F1 Rookie
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    Great recommendations for sure but for the best Philly steak sandwich, Jim’s on 4th and South is tops. “One wit fried onions, provolone cheese and gut the roll”. Pat’s and Jim’s mezzo mezzo. Tony Luc’s, yea quite good.
     
  7. E60 M5

    E60 M5 Moderator
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    Jan 2, 2006
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    Simeone Museum if you can!
     
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  8. dm_n_stuff

    dm_n_stuff Four Time F1 World Champ
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    Have not had a Jim's. Have to admit the ambiance at Pat's/Geno's is hard to beat. Nothing like drunks, cops, hookers and gunshots in the distance to make for a fun final stop on your Philly tour.
     
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  9. srephwed

    srephwed F1 Veteran
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    Apr 29, 2012
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    Pep's bar and grille. Killer hot beef sandwiches. Let me know how it is. I haven't been there in 15 years
     
  10. Cobraownr

    Cobraownr Formula Junior
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    If you are into art, the Barnes Foundation in downtown Philly is a must see. It is one of the world's greatest collections of impressionist, post-impressionist, and early modernist art. It houses the world's largest collection of paintings by Renoir (181) and Cezanne (69) as well as works by Matisse, Picasso, Modigliani, Van Gogh, Monet, on and on. It is mind boggling.

    https://www.barnesfoundation.org
     
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  11. ElastomerGuy

    ElastomerGuy Karting
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    Feb 25, 2007
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    If you want to do something a little different, do an Eastern State Penitentiary tour. It’s not far from Barnes.
     
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  12. mikesufka

    mikesufka F1 Veteran
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    Mar 4, 2006
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    Thanks guys ...

    Any recommendations for a central hotel within walking distance of McGillin's Bar. Also, any recommendations for a steak house ( think Sparks ) or a good old school Italian place ? I have never been downtown, so I really don't even what street or area to stay in.

    MDS
     
  13. dm_n_stuff

    dm_n_stuff Four Time F1 World Champ
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    Ritz-Carlton is a couple blocks away.

    Holiday Inn Express - Downtown a couple blocks the other way.

    AND, Morton Steakhouse and Del Friscos a couple blocks away as well, if you're still looking for a steak joint.

    WAWA for coffee and a breakfast sandwich or hoagie right there too.

    All within a couple blocks of Broad Street.

    D
     
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  14. mikesufka

    mikesufka F1 Veteran
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    Perfect !! Thanks.
     
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  15. dm_n_stuff

    dm_n_stuff Four Time F1 World Champ
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    #15 dm_n_stuff, Nov 28, 2018
    Last edited: Nov 28, 2018
    Last thing.

    Italian Restaurant - Dante and Luigi's in South Philly.

    http://www.danteandluigis.com/

    Has LOTS of local history. Google it. And the food's good, too.

    When I went last, the guy I was with ( a local South Philly guy with some interesting jobs in his past) asked me if I wanted to sit in the, "shooting or non-shooting" section. I kid you not. I suspect now they have something less of a sense of humor about it.

    Found his picture, thought I'd add it for color. He was a well known South Philly guy.

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    D
     
  16. mikesufka

    mikesufka F1 Veteran
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    That sounds perfect - I'll check it out.

    MDS
     
  17. George Vosburgh

    George Vosburgh F1 Rookie
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    This place looks fantastic! I'm going next time I'm in Philly. Thank you!
     
  18. dm_n_stuff

    dm_n_stuff Four Time F1 World Champ
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    It kind of fell on hard times maybe 20 years ago and got new ownership, but it has a lot of history and a five star ZAGAT rating, if that's worth noting.

    D
     
  19. My 1st

    My 1st Karting
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    Steak house - Butcher and Singer on Walnut street.
    Seafood- Estia on Locust Street. Right across from The Academy of Music.
    Fine Italian - Dalio’s.
    There was a major water main break near McGillin’s so you may want to check it has reopened. Alternative - Pastrami and Things on 18th between Market and Chestnut or 4th Street Deli (bring a huge appetite).
    South Philly - Dante and Luigi, The Saloon, Ralphs.
    The Barnes, Academy of Natural Science, Ben Franklin, Philadelphia Museum of Art (my grandfather was one of the architects), and the Rodin are all clustered within walking distance.
    The Westin Hotel - valentine and Winthorpe (Trading Places).
     
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  20. Mondog1

    Mondog1 F1 Rookie
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  21. George Vosburgh

    George Vosburgh F1 Rookie
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  22. Mondog1

    Mondog1 F1 Rookie
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  23. mikesufka

    mikesufka F1 Veteran
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    Wow -

    I might need more than a Sunday to play ... Think Algar Ferrari has a F50 to drool over ( never seen one ) .... ???

    Thanks guys ...

    MDS
     
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  24. Mondog1

    Mondog1 F1 Rookie
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