Destination - Philadelphia The place to be.

BOTTOMS UP DESTINATION PHILADELPHIA

By Thom Meintel of TravelSquire. For more travel tips go to travelsquire.com

Fiercely proud of its starring role as the birthplace of the US, Philadelphia, long lauded for its historical significance, is practically a cultural goldmine. Forget that Rocky famously put it on the map years ago running through its gritty Italian market and up the Art Museum steps. Today, the Mummers who march annually on New Year’s Day to the rhythm of banjos, have something new to make noise about. The city’s reputation as an artistic hub is about to achieve milestone status when the new museum for philanthropist Albert Barnes’ sprawling collection of Impressionist paintings opens. Valued at close to a billion dollars, the over 300 works have been installed until now in his last residence when he was alive, allowing few visitors to thrill to the sight of them. These and many more works, along with a vast artistic community in place and a thriving music, dance and culinary culture will shine up Philly’s star even brighter. If the sight of a cracked bell and the first American flag brings you to your knees or if drinking a local craft beer with your “buds” in a circa 1700’s pub floats your boat or even if you just crave a good, soft pretzel and a real cheese steak with fried onions, then Philly’s your place. Strategically classified as a big city of many small neighborhoods, this is no sprawling urban nightmare but a perfectly proportioned metropolis. The Philly Sound was the perhaps the beginning of the city’s stellar reputation as a music hotbed, still going strong today, and the cobblestone streets, colonial townhouses, Federal style architecture and horse drawn carriages are the perfect backdrop for a thriving alternative scene. Check your attitude here, by the way, Philly is down home not a night at the opera. We’ve got William Penn to thank for that!

STAY

THE RITTEnHOUSE – Nothing like sweeping views of Rittenhouse Square and round the clock pampering to make you want to spend a few more days in Philly. The red carpet to royal treatment begins here. rittenhousehotel.com LE MERIDIEn – Originally the YMCA, the intriguing Georgian Revival-style structure adjacent to Love Park will give you endless ideas for when you get back to your chic black, white and red quarters. starwoodhotels.com/lemeridien THE PALOMAR – If you like your hotel hip and eco-friendly, stay here in one of their spa rooms. hotelpalomar-philadelphia.com LOEwS PHILADELPHIA – The Loews properties have character but it helps to have a pedigree. They were smart enough to install this one in the landmarked PSFS building, the first international style skyscraper built in the U.S. loewshotels.com HYATT REgEncY – On the waterfront in Society Hill, history’s stomping ground and the most beautiful part of Center City. pennslandinghyatt.com

FRaNKlIN MoRtgage – You can’t help but love the DNA and wildly creative cocktail menu at this center city barroom tricked out like a former pre-prohibition speakeasy. thefranklinbar.com RuM BaR – When the craving for a daiquiri strikes, look no further. rum-bar.com the FaRMeR’s CaBINet – It’s been a long day of sightseeing and you need liquid libations. This place has your back with awesome creations named from lines from Shakespeare’s plays, like their “Impudent Sauciness”. thefarmerscabinet.com laDDeR 15 – What does this converted fire house have in store after Happy Hour? Great pub food when you’ve had one too many Bluecoat Slings. ladder15philly.com VaRga BaR – There’s something about those pinup girls on the ceiling that makes you wanna just knock back another Miss September, their Asian Pear Margarita. vargabar.com gooD Dog BaR – Trying to brush up on your Philadelphia accent for a part in the revival of The Philadelphia Story? Do it here over endless Pepper Gibsons at $10 bucks a crack. Don’t even try Tracy. gooddogbar.com RaVeN louNge – A neighborhood haunt that’s a Philly favorite hosting a selection of music and comedy performances weekly. ravenlounge.com BuDDaKaN – There’s a reason why people race to Stephen Starr’s restaurants. It’s called “fabulous.” This one set the standard. buddakan.com ela – Progressive American food with a radical groove from off the wall rising, young chef, Jason Cichonski. Remember that name. 627 South Third St. at Bainbridge. 267-687-8512 BaR FeRDINaND – Their pitchers of sangria will bring a smile to your face and the tapas ain’t bad either. barferdinand.com the CoNtINeNtal – You know those places that never let you down and the servers are awfully cute? This, a retrohip Philly institution, is one of them. continentalmartinibar.com PaRC BRasseRIe – Bring the poodle and sit outside with a Kir Royale before Sunday brunch. People watching is an art, remember? parc-restaurant.com hoNey’s sIt’N eat – If you’re nursing a cold (or the worst hangover) Honey’s matzo ball soup should do the trick. Skip breakfast? No way! honeyssitneat.com Pat’s steaKs – you’re in Philly. How long are you gonna wait to have a cheese steak? patskingofsteaks.com

Play

700 CluB – Remember when house was king? Guess what? It’s back. Get it here for free. www.the700club.org FluID - Set the standard for Philly clubbing with nightly underground parties featuring the best d.j’s playing it all. fluidnightclub.com MeDusa louNge – Now you don’t have to look for the nightly basement dance party. It’s here and you’re invited. medusalounge.com RuMoR – A great spot to hit up if it’s your last night in town and you’re looking to go all out with your nightlife experience. rumorphilly.com sIlK CIty – A beer garden that opens every spring makes this the sudsiest party in town. silkcityphilly.com BoB aND BaRBaRa’s – Every town’s got a good dive bar but this one’s got soul with live jazz on the weekends and a Thursday night drag show. Go easy on the Happy Meals, the house’s signature drink, a shot of Jim Beam and a can of Pabst Blue Ribbon Beer. visitphilly.com/nightlife

see & Do

elFReth’s alley – The oldest residential street in the country and you can even drive down it. On Fete Day, June 3 and 4th, you can even peek inside the tiny homes. visitphilly.com Betsy Ross house – legend has it Betsy sewed Old Glory here. She’s buried in the courtyard. visitphilly.com INDePeNDeNCe hall – Don’t miss Philly’s centerpiece, the Liberty Bell’s original home. Then head across the street to see the crack. visitphilly.com easteRN state PeNIteNtIaRy – You know you want to see Al Capone’s cell. Almost as good as Alcatraz. visitphilly.com ReaDINg teRMINal MaRKet – The nation’s oldest farmers’ market. Foodies, this is your temple. visitphilly.com MuseuM oF aRt – Rocky made its ornate exterior world famous but what’s inside put it on the map. Head straight for the Duchamps, Dali and Man Ray collections. philamuseum.org NoRtheRN lIBeRtIes – no trip to Philly is complete without a visit to one of the “hoods.” This one’s still buzzing after dark. atthepiazza.com the aNNual MuMMeR’s PaRaDe – if you’re lucky enough to be here on New Year’s Day, your fate is sealed. Bring the Hangover Kit.