3/18/13-3/24/13: Philadelphia, PA

I love this city.  I really do.  It is on my short list of places I could possibly live one day.  There is just such a great feel to it - a sense of real history mixed with exciting new trendiness (but different than NYC).  I've spent 2 vacations in Philly already, seeing the sights and whatnot - and was here once for a full week with another tour, so I know my way around pretty well.

Sadly, we were not able to stay in the city this time, so I didn't have as much access to it as I'd have liked - but we did have one day where the tour bus took us over there in the morning so we could have a full day to explore before the show - which I took full advantage of. 

Let me give you the highlights of my collected times in Philly, though, so if you choose to visit, you'll know what you're in for.  First off, I always tell people that the best way to see Philly (especially if you only have 1 or 2 days to be out and about) is to buy a ticket on one of those touristy On-Off Trolleys.  Its under $30 and they take you around to 21 different sites all over the city and give you great trivia knowledge as you go - you can get off at any stop and hop back on when you are done looking around in that area to continue the tour - and the tickets are good for 24 hours, so if you start mid-day then you can come back in the morning the next day.  Its also cheaper than cabbing all over the place so - even though I've taken it before, I jumped on the trolley this time just to get around lol.

What To See in Philadelphia

• The Liberty Bell - Philly houses this iconic symbol of freedom, crack and all.  Its on display and free to see up close all day - but even when the building closes, you can still go see if through a window just as well a night.
• Independence Hall - You know, the setting of 1776 (or for you nonTheatre buffs, where the Constitution was debated and signed).  It gets VERY busy though and they hand out timestamp tickets (like fast passes) so get yours early or you will miss out.
• Betsy Ross' House - She sewed the first American flag, and her house is right in the middle of Old towne for you to visit.
• The Constitution Center - Museum dedicated to everything about the Constitution - from its development and signing to all the rights it protects.  Features a dramatic performance called We The People (which sounds cheesy but is actually REALLY good), Interactive exhibits where you can be a judge, be sworn in as president, walk around a recreation of the signing room in Independence Hall with life size statues of all the Representatives that signed and other cool stuff.
• Eastern State Penitentiary - Labeled one of the most haunted buildings in the US, it has a self guided tour that is every photographers dream.  Its kept up but remains in a beautiful state of Gothic decay. Very cool.
• The Franklin Institute - A science museum (ala MOSI) dedicated to the cities most acclaimed scientist.  This time through I made it here finally - and saw the traveling Titanic Exhibit.
• Pats vs Ginos Cheesesteaks - You can probably get better cheesesteaks throughout town (locals say to goto John's) but these 2 shops made the Cheesesteak a Philly staple because they are directly across from each other and have both been featured on the Food Network - always a line - always good.  Get a Sandwich Wit'.  (You'll see).
• Philadelphia Museum of Art (aka The Rocky Stairs) - The museum itself is great and HUGE (you could probably spend all day walking around it) - but the big TOURISTY thing to do is run down the stairs where Rocky did and yell "Adrienne!". Then take a photo with the Rocky statue at the bottom of the stairs
• Love Park - Featuring the infamous LOVE statue.

There are a ton of other great museums (a Rodin, a Jewish American one, an African American one, etc), attractions (the Philly Zoo, the site of Ben Franklin's house, The Quaker house, etc), restaurants (a TON at Redding Station and some really trendy ones down by South St.) and other things to see as well. This time around, I ended up walking through Philly's Magic Garden - which was a 4D art installation made up of thrown out or broken items.  It was literally a whole building (floor to ceiling) made of art mosaics.  Very cool. 

Philadelphia has a big theatre scene as well - they house many regional theatres and put on some great works with almost all Philly based actors.  They also have a great touring scene - we played The Academy of Music at the Kimmel Center, which is one of the most gorgeous houses I've ever been in.  The audiences here were great and I feel so happy to have finally played this iconic city.  Its definitely a highlight of the tour for me - PLUS, Mama Who (Tara Tag) from HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS was in town and got to see the show! 

All in all, another wonderful Philly experience.