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!
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
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!!
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!!
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