City Birthday on a Budget!

Well, my birthday is [ohmygod] tomorrow! and I'm going to share my awesome birthday plans with you, faithful readers [aka Amanda]. So the problem with being poor is that I feel really limited in my options when I want to do something fun. Or celebrate a special day... like my birthday. Of course, the old standards come to mind: Independence Hall, Liberty Bell, Free Quaker Meeting House, Franklin's Grave, US Mint etc. And while I highly recommend all of those things, I want my birthday adventure to be a little more ... special.

Birthday morning: Wake up late, eta 10/11am. Shower and do my nails. I'm thinking these adorable cupcake nails. But with my orange instead of pink, and pink glitter instead of multi color.
Drive to dad's, take train to center city. {$4.75 I think}
Noon/noon-thirty: Have lunch with Dad, I'm going to try to convince him to go to the Reading Terminal Market but we'll see how that goes. Last time he was like a lost little kid in RTM so we may just stay in. I just know that I'll be up for a mini-baguette from Market Bakery and I usually go to Beck's Cajun Cafe (on twitter @BecksCajunCafe) but I'm thinking about trying Smucker's Quality Meats for a sandwich. Outfit plans: no idea. {$10ish}
2pm- 5ish: *Still up for debate* Maybe this would be a good time to go up City Hall's tower to the observation deck? I'd LOVE to see that. I bet I could even convince Dad to go. He is the one who told me of it's existence. There is also this Art in City Hall Library of Life exhibit. [Thank you, uwishunu!]  {$6 for observation deck, art exhibit is free}
5-7pm: Grab a drink at Sassafras! [twitter @Sassafrasbar] It's my favorite bar on the eastern half of the city. It's got a fair beer selection, not very many taps but always something good for everyone. I think for my birthday, however, I'm going to splurge and go for a mixed drink. They make a decent Moscow Mule, but they default to vanilla vodka for some unknown reason, so just be sure to ask for unflavored. Also, just as a side note, I've yet to find a place in this entire damn city that serves a decent Mule in a Copper Mug. Why is that so hard? {$11+tip}
Dinnertime/whenever Dolly says: Dinner at Jones, a Stephen Starr restaurant. I went there once with Renée this past Christmas and I really really enjoyed it. Everything there is good and they have a lot of vegetarian options. Hopefully Dolly Mama approves of my plan. {Dolly's treat}
Afterwards: I'm going to Septa it to Brooke's and we're going to watch West Wing!! until we pass out and the next day........ {$2}

Friday: Brooken and I wake up at a decent hour and get to the statue of Religious Liberty to start our adventure. {$2 septa ride}
10:30 or 11: Tour of Independence Hall: {Free}
12-1pm: Pizza at one of our fav spots, Pete's Pizza Joint on Chestnut between 2nd and 3rd. Pete's good people. And  he makes a damn fine pizza. {$4}
1pm: ohmahgad. I got us a tour appointment at The Independence Archeology Laboratory. They only do groups of 4 or less, minimum age is 16. They're not advertised and you have to call to get in. You can watch archeologists as they actually work on artifacts from local sites. I'm SUPER excited.
After: Brooke Natalie and I walk down to the Philly Cupcake and get me a birthday cupcake! Best day ever! If you don't click any of the links I've put forth today, PLEASE click the Philly Cupcake one. Be careful not to drool on your computer!

There it is. My birthday on a budget.
You may have noticed that there aren't any pictures on this post, I will take all of them tomorrow and Friday and post them after!

March is fast approaching!!!

Independence Hall
Starting March 1, 2013, Independence Hall will no longer be come-as-you-like. Don't worry- it's still free. FREE! But you will first need to go to the Visitor's Center the morning of your visit across the street and get a timed tour ticket from the National Parks counter. This will last March through December.

Edgar Allen Poe National Historical Site
The Poe House at 7th and Spring Garden is where Edgar Allen Poe lived when in Philadelphia for a brief period. While living here he wrote The Black Cat, The Raven, and The Tell-tale Heart. The Poe House will be closed for renovations from March 1st to June 30th. See you in July! And with a new roof!

The Franklin Court
The underground museum on Franklin Court (on Market between 3rd and 4th) closed June 2011 for an 18 month project to build the new Franklin Museum. Presumably still underground. It should be open now but I haven't been since construction began. Can't wait to see the new digs!! Side note- this is where a woman asked Brooke and I if we worked at the museum because of our discussion of the historical inaccuracies of the Constitutional Convention diorama. 

The Declaration House
I STILL haven't been to the Declaration house! It is open Wednesday-Friday, noon to 4. It is located at 7th and Market and it's the house where Thomas Jefferson rented the second floor rooms to write the Declaration of Independence. He chose this house, owned by Bricklayer Jacob Graff because, as Jefferson said, it was to "escape the oppressive heat of the city" and as you may know, it is now pretty much in the heart of the city. Imagine staying there in the summer with no air conditioning!!

And if all of that doesn't interest you, at least check out the Free Quaker Meeting House at 4th and Arch Sts. It is a small, unassuming building open year round, although the hours vary by season. There is always a period dress actor there to answer any questions you may have about, well, pretty much anything about the era or Quakers or Society of Friends. Ask about Ben Franklin if you're stuck. He's always awesome. Oh! Then go find Ben!!

The In-Betweens...

I compiled this photo to be my FB Cover photo and I just LOVES it so much! I hope you like it too!

Some Pretty City Architecture

This post will be many photos, few words. I have included some short blurbs about some of the buildings, these were all sourced from Wikipedia, and you can click the link at the end of each segment if you're really excited about it and want to learn more or simply re-read what I wrote but with some of the words in blue.

As always, please click on a photo to see it larger, but please don't steal my photos or use without permission!

There is NOTHING I dislike about the clothespin. It's also a fantastic spot to meet someone in Center City not only because of it's great central location, situated conveniently on top of Suburban Station/15th St. Station and directly across the street from City Hall,  but it's also a super recognizable sculpture. Honestly, what's more clear? "Hey let's meet at the Northeast corner of the Southwest side of the 15th and Market intersection." or "Yo, meet me at the Clothespin." No brainer.

Also, it's pretty.

The Clothespin, Claes Oldenburg

Now, some wider angle skyline or skyline-esque shots.

The Masonic Temple, built in 1873, located directly across from City Hall, serves as the headquarters of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, Free and Accepted Masons. The temple receives thousands of visitors every year who visit the ornate structure including its seven ornate lodge rooms, where today a number of Philadelphia lodges and the Grand Lodge conduct their meetings. The massive granite cornerstone, weighing ten tons, was leveled on St. John the Baptist's Day, June 24, 1868. The ceremonial gavel used on that day was the same gavel used by President George Washington in leveling the cornerstone of the nation's Capitol building in 1793. The bold and elaborate elevations of Norman architecture on Broad and Filbert Streets, especially the beautiful Norman portico of Quincy granite, make it one of the great architectural wonders of the City of Philadelphia. (via Wiki)

This was taken from the NW corner of city hall, facing NE towards the Masonic Temple and Thomas Paine Plaza. 

Masonic Temple

I have a thing for individual buildings from their bases or nearby. So... without further ado- The Residences at The Ritz-Carlton is a luxury residential skyscraper in Center City in Philadelphia. It is currently the tenth-tallest building in Philadelphia, and the tallest residential tower in the city. The building was erected on the former site of One Meridian Plaza which was seriously damaged by a deadly fire in 1991. (via Wiki)

The Residences at the Ritz-Carlton, Philadelphia

The Union League of Philadelphia is the largest gentlemen's club in Philly, and a center for Republican Party politics. It was the first of the Loyalty Leagues to promote loyalty to the Union cause during the American Civil War. This building, designed by architect John Fraser, opened in 1865. (via Wiki)

The Union League

When City Hall was completed its construction in 1901, it was the tallest habitable building in the world until 1908 and the tallest in Pennsylvania until 1932. It remained the tallest building in Philadelphia until the construction of One Liberty Place (1984–1987) ended the informal gentlemen's agreement that limited the height of tall buildings in the city; it is currently the 16th-tallest building in Pennsylvania.

City Hall

City Hall is topped by an 11.3 m (37 ft), 27-ton bronze statue of city founder William Penn, one of 250 sculptures created by Alexander Milne Calder that adorn the building inside and out. The statue is the tallest atop any building in the world. Calder wished the statue to face south so that its face would be lit by the sun most of the day, all the better to reveal the details that he had included in the work. The statue actually faces northeast, towards Penn Treaty Park in Fishtown, which commemorates the site where William Penn signed a treaty with the local Native American tribe. (via Wiki)

City Hall (I really love it) from the south

Martine přijde navštívit Philadelphii

I was going through some pictures from 8 months ago when a Czech friend came to visit me in Philly. So I brought him to all of the things I thought a Czech should know and see in Philadelphia. Here is a nice selection of some fun memories!
The night started out with Martin deciphering the SEPTA schedule. We did end up making it downtown okay. 

According to this, there are lots of numbers.

We got to Suburban and were IMMEDIATELY and forcefully welcomed to Philly by my bank. Martin said "HELLO!" back.

Thank you, Wells Fargo!

We met Brooke Natalie at McGillin's Old Ale House, they opened the year Lincoln was elected President, according to their website, "that's shortly after the Liberty Bell cracked and long before ground was broken for Philadelphia City Hall. The beer taps have been flowing since 1860- making it the oldest continuously operating tavern in Philadelphia. It has outlasted Strawbridge’s, the Civil War and even Prohibition."

He looks so American, doesn't he?

Drinking at some bar I don't remember. It was very nice though.

Smooth transition to the next day.....
This was outside of Reading Terminal Market. I freaking LOVE Reading Terminal. I'm not messing around. If you want a real Philly experience, head there for some eats. Here's my professional recommendation: I always go in the same entrance, on 12th just above Filbert. It's seriously set up like an outdoor market but indoors. there are "streets" labeled I think with letters and crossed by numbers with little street signs hanging at each "intersection." I don't ever look at them.

This is just the kind of thing that happens in Philly.

Go in the second entrance above Filbert, from there grab a mini baguette from the Market Bakery for $1.50 (if they're out, you can have them cut a full baguette in half, same price.) and a coffee because, duh, coffee. Then you continue down that market street/aisle until you hit Hershel's Deli on your right, make a left then a right in front of the Smucker Family meats. You'll recognize them, they'll be wearing heat coverings and looking very Amish. Beck's Cajun Cafe is right next to the Amish place. I like to get a chicken corn chowder and I request some rice on the bottom, then I forgo the utensils and eat it with my mini baguette. SO Good. 

Don't worry, if you get lost or confused, find some old guy sitting at a counter who looks like he lives there. I'm not referencing one specific guy, that is just the exact stereotype you will see. Ask him where the Cajun place is, and you will get exact directions. That's just how Philly Rolls. 

Not this type of Philly Roll.

OH! Absolute necessity for tourists: skip the cheesesteaks, skip DiNick's pulled pork (no one's got time for that line), get a Train Wreck from Beck's Cajun Cafe in Reading Terminal. Just ask this Czech guy- you'll thank me later.

You're Welcome.

The next day we saw some of the non-drinking sights. You know, just to be different. We were walking through Old City when Mercy spotted this fun store!

We really do love Rocky for no apparent reason.

Brooke and Mercy and I were very excited about the "Love" Sculpture at JFK Plaza. I need to preface this- Europeans, at least all of the ones that I know, have this weird obsession with New York. It's weird, especially because I can't stand New York City so I really have no comprehension as to why everyone gets their panties in a twist about it. Martin tried to go to Philly one day in the summer before this, they had GPS issues and ended up driving in circles and having an awful time and never actually parked the car and got out, and then they got lost in Camden. Happens to the best of us.

How lovely

So, when we giddily brought him to JFK Plaza he just kind of shrugged and said they have that in New York, too, right? We all simply glared at him. It doesn't take long to see why OUR Love Sculpture is better than New York's. Philadelphia's Love sits high up on stilts so you can do pictures underneath! Also, it looks straight down the Benjamin Franklin Parkway (we really do love him) and you can see the Art Museum in the back. It's quite lovely.

We have a fountain.

Because Martin is Czech we HAD to visit his First President's Historical Marker! (Brooke and I may have a thing for Historical Markers) Tomas Masaryk. It reads: 

Tomas Garrigue Masaryk

(1850-1937)

1st President of Czechoslovakia (1918-1935). On October 26, 1918, he led a gathering of 25 delegates from 12 Central & East European nations at Independence Hall, and delivered the Declaration of Common Aims, a Declaration of Independence for these nations.

Obligatory visit to the Czech Historical Marker.

Typically when we are in Center City, or anywhere for that matter, and we see a historical marker, one of reads it out loud for the rest of the group and/or passersby. Whether you want us to or not. 

The Moon Tree!!!

Because we were already at 6th and Chestnut to see the Czechoslovakian President Marker, we meandered down to 6th and Walnut to see one of my favorite unknown sights, the Bicentennial Moon Tree! 

The moon tree is a beautiful sycamore that was planted in Washington Square Park in May 1975 from seeds that went to (surprise) the Moon on the Apollo XIV mission. This was the first official Moon Tree planted to celebrate the nation's bicentennial. The marker for the Moon Tree reads "Honoring Earth's Green World of Trees" at the bottom. Sadly, and kind of hilariously, the tree died a few years back, around 2008. So it's just a dead tree spindling as high in the air as its dead, branchless trunk can go, and awaits its removal, a definitive admittance of defeat for the Moon.

Who do you Love?

Who do you love? Or should I say, What do you love? Because I love my city. I mean, come on, it's literally the "City of Brotherly Love." 

Love Sculpture, in JFK Plaza aka Love Park, Phila, PA.

Nothing better than catching a game at the more than bearable Citizens Bank Park on a sunny summer day or evening.

Phillies Game at Citizens Bank Park, Phila, PA

 If you look up and see the Ben Franklin Bridge, you've gone to far!

The Benjamin Franklin Bridge, that's right, Phila PA

And of course, our founder, William Penn

William Penn sculpture atop city hall, Phila PA

Look how beautiful my city is. MAN, I could live there. ... Oh wait, I do! 

City Hall from Love Park

Evening sights around town...

This little girl was so tired, she was totally passed out on this suitcase, and Dad really didn't care. It was great!