# Philly Prison Dopefest? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [September 18, 2006, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/philly-prison-dopefest/373180 "2006-09-18T15:25:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2006, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/philly-prison-dopefest/373180/61 "2006-10-17T19:49:03Z")
Where and how are we meeting up at the Prison? Will someone be holding a sign? 😃 How is parking? Do they have a lot or is it street parking? I found this under Directions: > [@](#): > > **On-Street Parking:** There is ample on-street parking surrounding the Penitentiary. While the parking is unmetered, some streets do have a two or three hour limit. > > **Parking Lot:** There is a public parking lot right next door. Parking costs $4.00 for up to 2 hours and $5.00 for more than 2 hours. Here are the Directions: Location: 22nd Street and Fairmount Avenue, just five blocks from the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Parking: There is ample on-street parking and a parking lot right next door. From the North or West: - Take Interstate 76 (the Schuylkill Expressway) to Exit 344 (Old Exit 38), which is Interstate 676, also know as the Vine Street Expressway. - On I-676 take the first exit, “Benjamin Franklin Parkway/ 23 Street.” - Take the first left onto 22nd Street. - Pass the Philadelphia Museum of Art (on your left) and continue five blocks north, to Fairmount Avenue. From the South or East: - Take I-95 to Exit 22 (Old Exit 17) and follow Interstate 676 West. - Follow Interstate 676 West. - Get off at Art Museum/ Benjamin Franklin Parkway" Exit. - At the top of the ramp, turn right onto 22nd street. - Pass the Philadelphia Museum of Art (on your left) and continue five blocks north, to Fairmount Avenue. Bus and Trolley Service: Eastern State Penitentiary is convenient to SEPTA bus routes: 76, 48, 43, 33, 32, 7 the Phlash Tourist Bus Line, and the Philadelphia Trolley Works route. ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2006, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/philly-prison-dopefest/373180/62 "2006-10-17T20:06:33Z")
The parking situation is as described – it’s not usually a big deal. For when and where to meet – I’ll be there by 12:45, and know, I think, everyone but you and **LittleNemo** – who have met others of us, correct? (BTW – [This](http://s56.photobucket.com/albums/g161/twickster/?action=view¤t=moi.jpg&refPage=&imgAnch=imgAnch3) is what I look like.) So there will be six or eight nerds, most of whom will look familiar to at least one of the others, wandering around in the general area of the main entrance at roughly that time. My inclination is “no” on the sign, due to a streak of conventionality that prevents me from appearing in public with a large piece of paper that says “Hi, Opal!” I would, however, be willing to sidle up to such a person and identify myself if you want to bring one. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2006, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/philly-prison-dopefest/373180/63 "2006-10-17T20:15:16Z")
[QUOTE=twickster] …snip… My inclination is “no” on the sign, due to a streak of conventionality that prevents me from appearing in public with a large piece of paper that says “Hi, Opal!” I would, however, be willing to sidle up to such a person and identify myself if you want to bring one. [/QUOTE] Thanks, Cool, I will remember to bring a pen in case I need to resort to the Hi, Opal Sign. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![MsRobyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/90ced4/32.png) [@MsRobyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsRobyn)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2006, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/philly-prison-dopefest/373180/64 "2006-10-17T22:03:58Z")
[QUOTE=twickster] The parking situation is as described – it’s not usually a big deal. For when and where to meet – I’ll be there by 12:45, and know, I think, everyone but you and **LittleNemo** – who have met others of us, correct? (BTW – [This](http://s56.photobucket.com/albums/g161/twickster/?action=view¤t=moi.jpg&refPage=&imgAnch=imgAnch3) is what I look like.) So there will be six or eight nerds, most of whom will look familiar to at least one of the others, wandering around in the general area of the main entrance at roughly that time. My inclination is “no” on the sign, due to a streak of conventionality that prevents me from appearing in public with a large piece of paper that says “Hi, Opal!” I would, however, be willing to sidle up to such a person and identify myself if you want to bring one. [/QUOTE] I’ve met **Little Nemo** on one of his forays to Houston. I’ll be more than happy to bring a sign that says “Hi Opal!” in a large, gaudy font on fluorescent cardboard. I’ll take that bullet because that’s just the kind of person I am. [sub]The kind with no dignity.\* Robin ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2006, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/philly-prison-dopefest/373180/65 "2006-10-18T15:15:55Z")
For where to go after: I recommend [Rembrandt’s](http://www.rembrandts.com/), a nice bar/restaurant right next to the public parking lot that’s right next to the prison. I checked, and > [@email from the manager](#): > > Brunch stops at 2:30Pm in the dining room but we are open in both bars after that. We serve the lunch/bar menu for the rest of the day. We open the dining room at 5:00PM with the dinner menu. So to answer your question, yes, we are open and serving food and drink. It’s perhaps a trifle pricey (see menus), but it’s a nice place and the food is good. Let me know what you think. ---
**Author:** ![DocCathode](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doccathode/32/18773_2.png) [@DocCathode](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DocCathode)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2006, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/philly-prison-dopefest/373180/66 "2006-10-18T19:31:52Z")
I’m against a pricey restaraunt. Besides being cheap, Philly has an abundance of quality low-cost establishments. ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2006, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/philly-prison-dopefest/373180/67 "2006-10-18T19:35:29Z")
[QUOTE=DocCathode] I’m against a pricey restaraunt. Besides being cheap, Philly has an abundance of quality low-cost establishments. [/QUOTE] Fine. Propose a couple. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2006, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/philly-prison-dopefest/373180/68 "2006-10-18T19:44:23Z")
[QUOTE=twickster] For where to go after: I recommend [Rembrandt’s](http://www.rembrandts.com/), a nice bar/restaurant right next to the public parking lot that’s right next to the prison. I checked, and It’s perhaps a trifle pricey (see menus), but it’s a nice place and the food is good. Let me know what you think. [/QUOTE] I’ll be good anywhere everyone decides and I have no recommendations. Jim ---
**Author:** ![DocCathode](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doccathode/32/18773_2.png) [@DocCathode](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DocCathode)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2006, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/philly-prison-dopefest/373180/69 "2006-10-18T19:45:45Z")
[QUOTE=twickster] Fine. Propose a couple. [/QUOTE] Kay, good cheap places near eastern state. Gimme a bit- after all it’s easier to criticize than contribute. ---
**Author:** ![DocCathode](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doccathode/32/18773_2.png) [@DocCathode](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DocCathode)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2006, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/philly-prison-dopefest/373180/70 "2006-10-18T19:59:43Z")
Actually, looking at the menu from Rembrandt’s it’s much less than I expected when I heard the word “pricey”. $15 isn’t that much for an entree. When you said pricey, I expected twice that. ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2006, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/philly-prison-dopefest/373180/71 "2006-10-18T20:33:29Z")
I was just trying to be sensitive to people’s budgets – I know when I’m counting pennies, $10 for a sandwich and a drink while hanging out is kind of “pricey,” and I think that could be the range people are looking at. ---
**Author:** ![rocking\_chair](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocking_chair/32/2918_2.png) [@rocking\_chair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rocking_chair)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2006, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/philly-prison-dopefest/373180/72 "2006-10-19T02:58:54Z")
i’m now officially in the “no” column. work, eat, sleep, that is my life. as for less pricey places, there is pete’s (24th and fairmount), little pete’s (philadelphian ground floor level fairmount ave side); and the art museum restaurant (25th and fairmount). there is a place called mug shots that is on 21st and fairmount, good gathering place for the group to gather pre tour. (can grab a beverage and outdoor table) tours are timed and tickets needed. high season at the “pen”. ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2006, 10:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/philly-prison-dopefest/373180/73 "2006-10-19T10:45:26Z")
Bummer, **rocking chair**! (In retrospect, I can’t believe I actually met you at my first Dopefest – haven’t seen you since!) Thanks for the info – I was hoping you’d be back with some tips, since that’s your neighborhood. So, current version of the list, I believe: **Cleophus Doc Cathode** + two friends **Little Nemo MsRobyn quiltguy154 twickster What Exit?** Still TBA: \*\*Carl Corey \*\* ---
**Author:** ![MsRobyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/90ced4/32.png) [@MsRobyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsRobyn)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2006, 12:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/philly-prison-dopefest/373180/74 "2006-10-19T12:10:36Z")
I’m 99% sure I can’t make it. I’ve got a monster cold, plus I promised the sprog that I’d take him to Chocolate World on Sunday. Robin ---
**Author:** ![DocCathode](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doccathode/32/18773_2.png) [@DocCathode](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DocCathode)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2006, 12:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/philly-prison-dopefest/373180/75 "2006-10-19T12:57:08Z")
My friends have had to cancel on me. ---
**Author:** ![Carl\_Corey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Carl\_Corey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carl_Corey)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2006, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/philly-prison-dopefest/373180/76 "2006-10-19T13:44:51Z")
It’s looking pretty good for me. The only issue is I’m going to a birthday party out in the suburbs Sat. night. I don’t drive, so I may end up crashing out there. I should be able to make it back to the city by 1pm though. Rembrandt’s sounds fine to me. I’m pretty flexible about restaurants, except no Little Pete’s. I have had too many bad experiences with that place. Urgh. Looking forward to meeting you all. (I lurked for a couple of years before joining up, so this will be interesting.) ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2006, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/philly-prison-dopefest/373180/77 "2006-10-19T13:59:51Z")
Yay, **Carl Corey**! Are you okay with randomly trying to ID us, or do you want someone to bring a sign? Revised current version of the list: **Carl Corey Cleophus Doc Cathode Little Nemo quiltguy154 twickster What Exit?** A small crew, but a valiant one… ---
**Author:** ![DocCathode](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doccathode/32/18773_2.png) [@DocCathode](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DocCathode)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2006, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/philly-prison-dopefest/373180/78 "2006-10-19T18:28:11Z")
[http://www.easternstate.org/visit/coupon.html](http://www.easternstate.org/visit/coupon.html) $1 off adult admission. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2006, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/philly-prison-dopefest/373180/79 "2006-10-19T18:42:02Z")
[QUOTE=DocCathode] [http://www.easternstate.org/visit/coupon.html](http://www.easternstate.org/visit/coupon.html) $1 off adult admission. [/QUOTE] Cool I just cut and pasted them in word so I could print 4 per page. I will bring 8 with me. Jim ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2006, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/philly-prison-dopefest/373180/80 "2006-10-20T17:12:27Z")
Excellent – eight should do it for the whole crowd, it sounds like. One final bump for anyone who’s managed to ignore this opportunity… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/philly-prison-dopefest/373180.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/philly-prison-dopefest/373180.md?page=5)