Arrival in to “Philly” was delayed an hour, with Amtrak having signal issues! The forecast for the next few days is cold and wet, so we explore the Old Town area on foot, while the weather is good. Our hotel, the Cambria, is more than adequate, and centrally located. There is a noticeable increase in presence of homeless and mental health issues people, compared to our previous two neighbourhoods.
Dinner that night is at a nearby establishment called “Bud and Marilyns.” Good food and service.
With the weather looking cool and damp, and with our bike tour postponed until tomorrow, we decide to hit the streets. Breakfast is bagels and coffee at a local cafe, and off we head.
The Rocky movies were set in Philly, and the steps leading up to the Museum of Art, and the Rocky statue are popular with visitors. It is about a pleasant 30 minute walk from our hotel to the Museum of Art, along the leafy Benjamin Franklin Parkway.
After a visit to the Reading Terminal market, which was heaving, we had a famous Philly Cheese Steak for lunch. It was .. fine.
The afternoon’s activity was a visit to the American Museum of the Revolution. There were interesting displays, and we came away with a better understanding of the history.
For our evening dinner and entertainment, we walked around the corner to Chris’s Jazz Cafe. The music was provided by a high school big band jazz group. The place was packed (including many proud parents), and they were very good.
Our final full day in Philly, and it is cold and wet. We have a bike tour booked, so decide to press on with it. Although conditions were unpleasant, we were pleased we did it as our guide, Jonas, was excellent. His knowledge of the history of the area was extensive, and we felt quite safe riding with him. Recommended.
At the conclusion of the tour, we were cold and wet, so went back to the hotel and changed. Then, the Reading Terminal market and a pork sandwich. The portions are so big over here, you just need one between two people, and that is plenty.
By now it is mid afternoon, so we catch the subway to the Mutter Museum, basically a medical museum with gruesome displays of bones, organs etc.
Dinner tonight was to be Italian food at Little Nonnas. However, they were full, it was raining, so we returned to the nearby Bud and Marilyn’s. Good food and service, and a nice way to conclude our stay in Philly.
