That should be a lovely time of year to visit, I was there for work last September for a couple of days and it was gorgeous.

Toucan, thanks for directing me here and for such a terrific report! I am biased since we lived in Philly + 'burbs for many years but I really think it's one of the most underrated US cities.

You highlighted so many of the things I love about the city: architecture / art, neighborhoods, history, food, and people. We're lucky to get back every couple of months to visit friends. When you return, you'd probably enjoy this byob resto: modomiorestaurant.com. BYO restos are another great aspect of the city.

When my husband was at Penn for undergrad he took pics for Termini's and they always sent him home with a huge platter of cookies. Needless to say he was a popular boy.

FWIW, I think the Rodin could benefit from some landscaping/signage to make it more welcoming. I used to work at the Free Library next door and often ate my lunch in their gardens which usually included directing tourists to the entranceway. It just doesn't have the wide open gardens like the museum in Paris but the collection is still great.

Hopefully on your next visit the Barnes Foundation will be open on the Parkway.

http://www.barnesfoundation.org/

Maureen

Thanks Maureen, yes, we were bummed that the Barnes closed for the shortly before we got there. That's funny you should say that you had to direct people to the entrance, we walked all the way around looking for it! You are probably right about the landscaping as well. I did love the gardens in Paris.

That link for the restaurant didn't work, but I'll google. Many years ago Mike and Jamie took me to a great BYOB where the wait staff sang opera. It was a wonderful experience.

Here are some pics if you are interested. I hope the link works.

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?...03faf69&type=1

Toucan, thanks for posting your pics - they're great, especially the mosaics. One of your friends (cooking in kitchen) looks a LOT like our friend Greg - I had to do double take.

I think your friends took you to the Victor Cafe (byo w/opeara-singing waiters). We haven't been there in years but now I really want to go. Definitely a fun experience.

LOL so Mike has a doppelganger (sp?) Yes, that restaurant was very fun, a great memory for me.

I also enjoyed the pictures. A friend took us to the Magic Gardens last year. She just announced the destination, and I was a little annoyed because I wanted to do one of the historic buildings, but we had a great time.

Thank you vttraveler.

I missed this TR - glad I saw it now.

Toucan2 - you really saw a lot, sounds like a great trip. I enjoyed reading your report.

water ice (wooder ice?) i tried to pronounce it properly.

That's PERFECT!!!!

Thanks! I had a return trip this past June (and got to meet PhillyFan!) and had a wonderful time again. I got to visit the Barnes Foundation collection this time, have lunch with some Fodorites, foray into Delaware to Wintherthur, and saw another show at the Wilma.

We ate at The Perch again (hey, it's handy!) and it was another good burger. Saturday night we ate at The Rose and Thistle and it was fabulous. All in one weekend. I'm gathering some wonderful memories to pack into my Philadelphia portfolio.

I'm glad this trip report resurfaced. I enjoyed reading it and got a lot of tips for a future trip to Philly. Thanks for taking the time to write it.

Robyn :)>-