Philly Dopers....

[danceswithcats]

@Jdeforrest

What doesn’t Philly have?

Sadly, the answer to that question is, a bank of it’s own. PNB (later Corestates) was the last to pull out of town, having been preceded by PSFS, once the oldest savings bank in the nation.

When PSFS was in it’s infancy, four similar branches were built. The branch offices are located at Broad & Ruscomb Streets, Broad & McKean Streets, 11th and Lehigh Avenue, and 15 South 52nd Street. The Broad Street offices had single vaults used for cash and safe deposit, while the east and west offices had cash storage on the banking floor with safe deposit vaults in the basement. The main office built later at 12 South 12th Street had a huge vault built on a mezzanine level, and was hailed for architectural firsts.

The vault doors seemed like crown jewels, polished slabs of steel, copper, and glass, objects weighing 15 tons and more, moving with ease at the push of one’s hand, fitting so perfectly into their architrave that a paperclip or matchstick would prevent the locking mechanism from operating.

Apologies for the slight hijack-there are some truly beautiful buildings in Philly.

[NinjaChick]

@danceswithcats

Sadly, the answer to that question is, a bank of it’s own. PNB (later Corestates) was the last to pull out of town, having been preceded by PSFS, once the oldest savings bank in the nation.

Yeah, but at least we’ve still got the big sign!

I second a lot of recommendations. Eat a cheesesteak, and make sure it’s got cheese whiz, an Amoroso roll, and tons of grease. Check out the Franklin and the Mutter if you’re into science - if you hit the Franklin, do not miss the heart.

The Natural History musuem is pretty nice. If you go to the art museum (are they having a Dali exhibit? THought I saw a sign when I was in town), you must, of course, run up the stairs, rocky-style, because that’s what tourists in Philly do.

Reading Terminal Market is also pretty neat-o, with tons and tons of restaurants, craft stalls, etc.

I personally say skip the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, etc, as there’s really not that much to see there. However, I also grew up taking school trips there at least once a year, so…

There’s the new-ish Constitution Center, which is worth a visit, IMO.

Also, if you want to see some really cool hand-blown glass sculptures, check out the Liberty museum. It’s sort of hidden in plain sight, never crowded, and they’ve got some mind-bogglingly awesome works.

One final thing: If you’ve only got a day there and want to see as much as possible, rather than one or two particular things, consider plunking a couple bucks on a day pass for the Phlash bus. I think it’s about 5 bucks, and it does a continuous loop of center city, pretty much hitting all the touristy places.

Man, I love it out west, but Philly is so wonderful…

[rocking_chair]

as far as football games go… most any bar will have the games on sunday. champions on market street seems to have the best give aways. i saw some people leaving there with a bit of loot. i don’t know how the food or drink is there, i just walk by it, not in it.

[Crandolph]

@NinjaChick

I second a lot of recommendations. Eat a cheesesteak, and make sure it’s got cheese whiz, an Amoroso roll, and tons of grease.

I’ve never had a steak w/ whiz in my life, and I’ve lived here for almost all of my life. I’d go with real cheese, your usual options are American and provolone (I prefer the latter).

Most people I know prefer Sarcone’s rolls but Amoroso’s are far more common, what with having a huge industrial bakery.

[Crandolph]

@NinjaChick

I personally say skip the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, etc, as there’s really not that much to see there. However, I also grew up taking school trips there at least once a year, so…

There’s the new-ish Constitution Center, which is worth a visit, IMO.

Let me get this straight: you’re suggesting skipping the most important historical buildings in the US in favor of the new interpretive museum kinda sorta about what happened in them which sits across the street?!

[rocking_chair]

getting past the security for ind. hall, liberty bell, is rather difficult. it is much easier to go to the new exhibit.

[Crandolph]

@rocking chair

getting past the security for ind. hall, liberty bell, is rather difficult. it is much easier to go to the new exhibit.

First off, I’d say that the security has lessened gradually over the past couple of years, although not down to where I’d like it (pre-Sept 11 you could walk through Independence Mall any time of day or night).

But, really now, visit Philadelphia and skip Independence Hall… because of a metal detector and getting a timed ticket?

By the way, the Constitution Center is a private museum that costs money, it’s not run by the government and has a lot less info on the historical aspects of the neighborhood than you’d expect. There is a new visitors’ center which is free, but unless you want to use the bathroom *really bad * or get pamphlets on visiting Amish Country gift shops because history scares you, there’s realy no excuse for skipping Independence Natl Park for that.