Fun things to do after a Phillies game
 

My sons and I try to visit a different ballpark each summer. This year we are excited to be attending a game at Citizens Bank Park for the first time. There are 6 of us all together: my sons, who are 19 and 20, and three of their college buddies who are the same ages as my sons. We are going on a Friday night, and I was wondering what would be something fun to do after the game. Also, we are staying at a hotel downtown. Would you suggest driving to the game or taking the subway? Thanks for any suggestions.

> Would you suggest driving to the game or taking the subway?

Taking the Broad Street Line (aka the "Orange Line")
http://www.septa.org/maps/transit/bsl.html
south to Pattison (a stop now known as "AT&T") will save you time, aggravation, and probably even money.

> what would be something fun to do after the game.

Head for South Street, east of 10th Street.
http://www.southstreet.com/
Or the area around City Hall, and east on Chestnut to Old City.

Note that most places are NOT going to risk losing their liquor licenses to serve alcohol to out-of-towners under 21, so I wouldn't bother trying. If that fact will make it impossible for your group to enjoy themselves, then I have no suggestions.

No. Wasn't even considering alcohol. Just thought there might be some place fun to see or eat after the game. We want to experience as much of Philly as we can, and 10:00 is kind of early to head back to the hotel on a Friday night. I have heard of South Street. Are there any god places to eat there or near the stadium after the game?

The classic, of course, is to do a cheesesteak showdown between Pat's and Geno's at 9th and Passyunk; if your college troupe is like most 19-20 year olds I know, they will have no problem with large amounts of greasy steak, onions, and cheese. You can get there via the subway (Broad Street Line) from the stadium (see www.septa.org) Odds are pretty good that it will be crowded, but that's part of the atmosphere.

Depending on where your hotel is, it might be easiest to get a 47 bus back, or you could get back on the train.

Check out this website. It's filled with info on activities, etc. for Phila.
http://www.visitphilly.com/

Amy, it may be true that "the classic, of course, is to do a cheesesteak showdown between Pat's and Geno's at 9th and Passyunk", but I've tried cheesesteaks at nine places in the city and would rank these two places at the utter bottom of the list. My choice would be to skip both and head to Jim's over on South Street.

For the record, I'd rank the ones I've had as follows: Jim's, Cosmi's Deli, Rick's, Tony Luke's at Citizen's Bank Ballpark, Dolce Carini, Campo's, Sonny's, Pat's, Geno's. Have not tried them at Tony Luke's at its original location, John's Roast Pork (both places that reportedly do them well), at Lazaro's, or at two Manayunk-based spots, Chubby's or D'Alessandro's.

Our hotel is the Hampton Inn Center-City Convention Center on Race Street.

Hi ohioteacher,

Just as an F.Y.I., you could walk from the Broad Street Line (subway) to South St (areas of interest) or to Genos/Pats. I'll preface it by stating that it'll be at least a half mile walk. To get to South St, take the Broad Street Line (northbound from AT&T Station) to Lombard-South Station. Walk out through the South St exit and walk east from Broad St (which is essentially 14th St) down. It's more interesiting with each lower numbered street. To get to Genos/Pats, take the Broad Street Line northbound to Ellsworth-Federal Station. Walk out the Federal St exit and walk east on Federal to 9th St, then turn right. It's about a block down. NOTE: You'll be walking basically through a residential area.

For travel and fare information using public transportation, feel free to contact SEPTA Customer Service at 215-580-7800, or online at http://www.septa.org and use the online form or chat feature (http://www.septa.org/cs/chat/).

Enjoy your trip!

I think I would do Jim's for cheese steaks since it is right on South Street and you can walk around a bit. After walking that area, walk up 2nd or 3rd Street towards Old City, another hopping place on a Friday night. I think you have to walk across the parking lot of Society Hill Towers but fear not, you will arrive eventually at 2nd & Walnut and then over to Chestnut which is the heart of the action.

So would the best bet be to take the subway from our hotel to the ballpark, then take the subway after the game to either South Street or Pat's/Geno's, then take it back to our hotel?

OhioT -- your best bet would be to take the Broad Street Line down to the ballpark, take it back to the South Street Exit, walk east on South Street*. I recommend you go quickly for the first few blocks, as it's entirely residential. It won't be till you get about Ninth Street that the fun part of South Street begins.

You'll probably find that, when done enjoying South Street, you'll be almost at the river. At that point you may decide to just hail a cab (on a Friday night, they'll be ubiquitous) and ride back to City Hall and then walk the two blocks to the Hampton Inn. With six of you, you'll have to get two cabs, but finding a second won't be a problem.

Or you may decide to walk north on 3rd or 4th Street (walk towards the skyscrapers, which will ALL be north of you) until you get to Market Street, and then take the Market Frankford Line (aka the "Blue" Line) west to 13th Street Exit, and from then walk to the Hampton.

I can't recommend walking back from lower South Street to Broad to catch the Broad Street Line. When you get to Fifth Street, you're as close to Market Street as you are to Broad, at which point you may as well as walk north. This is particularly true as the night progresses, and walking through a residential area gets more un-nerving.


* If compass directions confuse you, look for the Suzanne Roberts Theater at Broad and Lombard. This theater is on the WEST side of Broad Street, so you want to start your walk on the side of Broad across from the Suzanne Roberts Theater. Turn you back on that landmark and start walking.

Second PaulRabe's advice.

Note well that if you decide to go to Pat's/Geno's after getting off the Broad Street Line, they're located a number of blocks south of South Street. You may well be okay walking down 9th Street from South Street heading towards Passayunk after dark, but taking a cab there and away likely wouldn't be the worst idea. And especially well after dark, it's likely a good idea not to try walking down any other streets south of South Street towards Pat's/Geno's other than 9th.

Oh, absolutely there are far better cheesesteaks than Pat's or Geno's, but the experience is unique.

Jim's is featured here if you'd like a sneak preview, ohioteacher:
http://missalg.tumblr.com/phood

I've been reading about a couple of sports bars within walking distance of the ballpark: McFadden's and Chickies and Pete's. Do any of you recommend either of these places for munchies after the game? Or would South Street or Pat's/Geno's be a better Philadelphia experience?

Chickie and Pete's is like 10,000 other sports bars in the country; with little difference in the food, prices, or ambiance. The crab fries are a unique twist but that's about it.

DURING a Philly sports event, it's a pretty good place to catch the enthusiasm of the fans. Afterwards, after the fans are no longer watching the game, C&P generally ends up no different than the chain place you could go to in your own town.
South Street would give a much more "authentic" (whatever that means) Philly experience.

If we head to South Street after the game and walk toward the river, will we be able to get a good view of the Ben Franklin Bridge lit up?

Yes, and the walk along Penns Landing is nice.

Down at the stadium is the new Xfinity Center - a restaurant/sports bar complex. We've been there before games and it's festive - there's a Chickie and Pete's there, too. (There's another Chickie & Pete's a few blocks away). I'm not sure the policy on kids that late at night - before a 76ers game, I was with my son and he was allowed in only with me (he's 19 and they card for 21).

My favorite cheesesteak places are: Jims, Jims, Jims, Jims, Jims, Jims, Jims, Dalesandros. I was turned off by Pat's - you eat outside, there are no bathrooms (so no place to wash your hands) and there was litter and pigeons around. Plus, they made some of the steaks beforehand and wrapped them up - Jims is all made to order. My son likes Pats/Genos and thinks I'm overboard on my dislike.

I lived in the city for several years, and I'd echo bachslunch's advice about walking around certain areas. It will be pretty late at night.

You've received great advice and I can't add anything except to say that I welcome Septa_Social_Media's participation here and hope that he/she returns to offer Septa information on future threads.

I didn't notice that name, Birdie, so thanks for pointing it out. Yes, welcome, Septa_Social_Media.

This is a bit off-topic, but that area south of South St. has been improving every year. A little further south, south of Pat's, the neighborhood known as East Passyunk is downright vibrant. We've spent several weekend evenings there having drinks and dinner and gelato (there's a Capogiro there.)

Suki, shhhhhh...don't let out our secret! ;) I've been living in that area for over a year now, and I love it.

Oh, could you share some good dinner places in East Passyunk? My husband and I have Phillies tix in a few weeks. That area is so convenient to heading down to the stadium after an early dinner.

Absolutely. I can personally recommend the following on Passyunk:

Salt and Pepper (about a half block south of Tasker) - American cuisine
Stateside (just north of Tasker near the fountain) - small plates with a great beer selection and top shelf liquors (mostly whiskey)
Izumi - sushi on the corner of Passyunk and Tasker
Marras - this is my go to place for pizza
Paradiso - decent Italian, but the service can be hit or miss
El Cantina - Passyunk and Morris - good Mexican, but the crowd's a bit hipstery and I think the bathrooms are a little too "bar-like" for a restaurant

I also hear great things about Fond, but I haven't eaten there yet.

I hope this helps.

Yes, HG, that's terrific - thank you. We will check these out.

(BTW, did you see there's some planning going on for Philadelphia GTG?)

No, I hadn't heard that. Can you post a link? Or details?

HG, it's a thread in the Lounge; see if this works:

http://www.fodors.com/community/fodo...elphia-gtg.cfm

Thanks to everyone for all of your suggestions. We had a great weekend in Philly! Citizens Bank Park is BEAUTIFUL!! Lots of fun shopping on South Street! Also spent time at the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, Independence Visitor Center gift shop, and Reading Terminal Market. We took a tour of Lincoln Financial Field, played miniature golf at Franklin Square, and had cheesesteaks at Tony Luke's at the game, Jim's, and Pat's and/or Geno's. Jim's was the unanimous favorite! Thanks again to all of you!

Great, ohioteacher! I just saw that miniature golf setup yesterday. It looked fun.

HarlotsGhost, we are empty nesters now, and I always toy with the idea of moving into the city. Your neighborhood is on my list now. We usually have drinks at Stateside and then walk down to Le Verdu for wonderful outdoor dining and great pasta (kind of expensive though.) Then we stop at Capogiro for gelato and call that a great night!

Glad to hear it, ohioteacher, glad you all had fun (and good cheesesteaks).

We love CBP - who did you see pitch?

Suki,

Have you tried Birra yet? I've been meaning to come back to this thread to add it to the list of places I'd recommend in the area.

I haven't been to Le Virtu yet, and as I mentioned before, Fond is on my list of places I need to try. There's also a new restaurant, Noir, which is further south on Passyunk that looks interesting. If you're familiar with the area, it's in the same space where the short-lived bar, Sticks and Stones used to be.

Hi Karens,

We saw Hendricks pitch for the Phillies and Hudson for the Braves. It was a scoreless game until the 8'th inning when the Braves scored 5 runs off the Phillies' bullpen. I can see why you love CBP. There can't be a bad seat anywhere! We got there early to walk around the stadium and take pictures. Beautiful!! Even got ushers to take group pictures of us after the game, and got some pictures of the Philly skyline as we were walking out. Great experience!! Of course, the cheesesteaks at Tony Lukes in the outfield didn't hurt either!! Also got there early enough to walk through the Xfinity center. Wow!! What a great place to watch a game if you don't have tickets!!

Ooh, I just saw this. I came back looking for HGs recommendations - we have Phils tix this weel. So glad you had a nice time at the game ,Ohio! I think the Xfinity Center is so cool.

HarlotsGhost - we enjoyed walking around your neck of the woods yesterday. We had some very good pizza at Birra and then some gelato at Capogiro. Thanks for the recommendation.

It is a great location for us prior to a Phillies game, as we can head right down to where we usually park near the 3rd base Gate.

karens - I'm happy to hear that! What did you have at Birra? I've been there several times, and I've tried most of the pizza they offer.

We had the garlic red pizza. It was very good!