Philadelphia!
 

We're here! We're at the Sheraton on 17th with Jake (dog). We go to the Barnes tomorrow at 3. We came a day earlier than planned because I was worried about a big snow and DW got home earlier than expected so we got in the car and here we are. We haven't done much planning but we do have a nice room on the dog floor and we are now waiting for spring rolls at Asia on the Parkway, which does not seem all that interesting but it was close. We might go to Rodin museum tomorrow too. And Redding mkt on Sunday. What else should we do fodorite friends? What cheap but cool restaurant would you recommend for trendy people like us ? I know this is a very cheeky request for suggestions.

The Philadelpha Museum of Art is great. Wonderful modern art and classic there.

Mummers Museum. Nothing like it anywhere else.

And then from Mummer's Museum go to the Italian Market. Buy big thick sticks of pepperoni that will knock your socks off and hunks of Romano and Parmesan, omg, etc at De Brunos. Yum times 1000. their Italian Market store is the best, at 930 S. 9th. A much better use of time than doing the Genos/Pats thing--totally skip that IMO.

Do you like Vietnamese food? If you don't know bc you have not had it, go to Vietnam in Chinatown. Yum again.

For something a bit off the normal tourist route:
http://www.collegeofphysicians.org/mutter-museum/

Be sure to eat at DiNics!

http://www.readingterminalmarket.org/merchants/view/56

Hey, santy, I've answered a bit in your other post and see that great minds think alike in some respects! (Italian Market, Reading Terminal, and DiNic's.) Talula's Garden also gets a lot of raves http://www.talulasgarden.com/main/main.shtml although I haven't been there myself.

Rittenhouse Square area list is here; might be good for your location: http://www.visitphilly.com/find-a-re...nhouse+square/

Wow, what great recommendations! An embarrassment of riches, or something. I apologize for double posting. You all are my enablers.

Hey, you're posting about Philadelphia; you can triple post for me! ((l))

For anyone else looking for some Philadelphia flavor, here's a "street food" type list http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...iladelphia.cfm and a (revenue-free; it's just for love) blog: http://missalg.tumblr.com/

IMO, skip Talulas Garden, I much prefer Garces Trading Co. Have been to both and am going back to Garces on my next trip to Philly two wks from now.

LOL, emd3, Philly will have Fodorites visiting 3 weekends in a row. DH and I are going up next weekend. It's interesting to read your opinion of TG. I have always wanted to try it after reading the good reviews that Amy described. DD and I will be going up for the flower show and staying near Washington Square so I thought I'd try it. I'll have to consider Garces instead. I do love his other restaurants.

Oh my. What a great blog. I want to go to the penitentiary and the penn museum and the terminal mkt and
Garces trading and Rodin and Barnes and I'm beginning to hyperventilate. I want sticky buns for breakfast.

Sticky buns: the Amish ladies at Beiler's Bakery, northwest corner of the Reading Terminal Market. Buy some butter to shmear on them, too. Mmmm hmmmmm.

Hey, if you stay longer, you could eat a whole lot more! :)

Make sure you have some scrapple with those sticky buns, sm.

Birdie, I am also going for the flower show, the first weekend.

> Make sure you have some scrapple with those sticky buns

Yes, but make certain that the scrapple is made WITHOUT snounts :)

We had grilled sticky buns, eggs and sausage at reading terminal market for breakfast, bought valentine gifts and sticky buns to take home with us, got in a taxi and went to the mummer museum (we were the only ones there) and talked to a real live mummer who sold us some cool porcelain and feather masks, stumbled upon the street side Italian market and bought fancy cheese at DeBrunos, walked jake, headed to the Barnes, which was spectacular, and bought some used books across the street ($4/hardback). Back to hotel, walk jake, go to dinner at pizza vetri across from the Barnes, where we just were (very good pizza and calzone), and back to hotel to watch Olympics, sleep, perhaps to dream. Thanks very much fodorites. Tomorrow Rodin and Pompeii and home. Emd and bird, thanks for your suggestions, I hope you have great visits, and Philadelphia and it's fodorites take good care of you too. I can't comment on the scrapple. Yet.

I forgot about Jake! Horrors. Rittenhouse Square at Walnut and 17th is where all the cool Philly doggies walk on Sunday mornnings but there is another very special place a few blocks away that Jake might enjoy:

http://www.bringfido.com/attraction/3453/

I bet he's been a very good dog and deserves a new toy or cookie after hanging out in the room waiting for your return. Doggie Style shops can be found throughout the city.

http://www.doggiestylepets.com/locations/

Sorry, RS is at Walnut and 18th.

Very glad you enjoyed the Mummers Museum and had it to yourselves. It is tres unusual and colorful, non?

And DeBrunos too. Sounds like a nice day! It bet Jake was glad to see you.