A Locals Perspective

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Hello, everybody. From a Philadelphia girl, let's talk about visiting
Philly for the first time. Philadelphia is a city that
blends history, culture, and amazing food in a way that
that's completely unique. It's where the Declaration of Independence was signed.
Everybody should know that Rocky Balboa ran up the steps

(00:21):
of the Art Museum and where you'll find some of
the best cheese steaks in the world. And if you're
from Philadelphia, you know that this is a long standing
battle between two cheese steak manufacturers. Whether you're planning your
first visit or just curious about what makes Philly so special,

(00:44):
this episode is packed with everything you need to know,
from iconic landmarks and cultural highlights to the best food
and tips for getting around. So let's dive in. First
of all, getting to Philadelphia easy easy, easy flying. Philadelphia
International Airport PHL is the main airport, located just fifteen

(01:06):
minutes from downtown. It's well connected with public transit and
ride shares uber all that stuff very easy. The airport
is not the friendliest and it can get very, very
very busy, so when you land, just be prepared for
some hustle and bustle. What if you want to visit

(01:28):
by train. Amtrak's thirtieth Street station is a major train hub,
making it easy to arrive from cities like New York, Washington,
d C. Or Boston. Lots of people travel every day
from Philadelphia to New York or Philadelphia to Boston on
a daily basis, so don't be afraid of these trains.
They are very, very, very ride or friendly. The station

(01:51):
itself is a beautiful historic building worth admiring, and even
if you don't travel by train, it's a place to
go visit driving. Let's drive into Philadelphia. Philadelphia sits at
the intersection of I ninety five and I seventy six,
making it an easy road trip destination for East Coast travelers.

(02:13):
Once you're in the city, public transportation is abundant. You
can jump on a Septa bus Philly's public transit system,
which includes buses, trolleys, and the subway. Walking and biking
are also great options for exploring the compact downtown area.
It's an old city, so those streets are tiny, so

(02:34):
bikes are a really great wait to gett a round
Philly's grid layout. The street grid layout is super easy
to navigate, plus the historic district and most main attractions
are walkable, so comfortable shoes are a must, especially when
you're in the historic area. Ladies no heels. Philly's historic

(02:58):
and iconic landmarks so many of them, so I'm just
going to touch on a few. But Philadelphia is a living,
breathing history lesson. Here are the musty spots for history
buffs and curious visitors alike. And of course you know
that Philadelphia was the first capital of the United States.

(03:18):
So let's go to Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell.
Step back in time where Independence Hall where the Declaration
of Independence and the Constitution were debated and finally signed,
and the nearby Liberty Bell is an enduring symbol of
freedom and just so cool to see the big crack

(03:39):
in the bell where it was rung so many times.
Let's talk about Alfrests Alley, the oldest continuously inhabited street
in America. This cobblestone gem is full of charm and
colonial era houses and a perfect place to put on
your walking shoes and go for a stroll to really

(03:59):
get the idea and the feel of the history of
the city. Museum of the American Revolution I must see
when in Philadelphia. Dive deeper into the country's founding with
interactive exhibits and fascinating artifacts. And this one is always
cool to go. Visit the Eastern State Penitentiary, a former

(04:21):
prison turned museum. It is very, very spooky. Lots of
ghost TV shows and stories have been told here. It
offers a glimpse into prison reform and the lies of
its infamous inmates like al Capone. The Betsy Ross House.
Learn about the legendary seamstress who stitched our first flags,

(04:45):
the first American flags. It's all about her life and
the history and the production of the first flag. Definitely
a must see. Most of these historic sites are in
Old City, so you can ease visits several of them
in one day. Again, pack your walking shoes. Let's talk

(05:06):
about Philly's food scene. Philly knows how to eat cheese steaks.
Here is the rivalry we talk about. Pat Steaks versus
Gino Steaks is a legendary battle of the cheese steak.
But don't overlook favorites like John's Rose Pork or Tony Luke's.

(05:27):
And if you're from Philadelphia or you know anything about
the cheese steak, it's all about the role, the Amarosa role.
You've got to get it. Philly's soft pretzels, they are iconic.
Grab one from a street vendor or visit City Center
pretzel company. You will not be sorry. And of course hogies, Yes,

(05:51):
we call sub sandwiches hogies in Philadelphia, Philly's version of
a sub sandwich, loaded with fresh ingredients and local flavor.
Don't walk into a Hogi shop and ask for a sub,
They'll know you're not from Philly. Reading Terminal Market a
food lover's paradise. This market is home to Beealer's Donuts,

(06:15):
Denis Roast Pork, sandwiches, and so much more. Go to
the Terminal for lunch and find your favorite place. Water
ice and Tasty Cakes. My dad actually worked for Tasty Cake,
so we had plenty of them as kids. But cool
off with water ice like Italian ice and indulge in

(06:36):
Tasty Cakes, a local sweet treat. Philly's food scene goes
way beyond these classics. You'll also find amazing Ethiopian, the Vietnamese,
and Italian spots all over the city, So stretch your
comfort zone and go try something different. Arts and culture

(06:57):
and movies in Philadelphia are synonymous with the city. Philly
isn't just about history and food. It's also a vibrant
cultural hub. The Philadelphia Art Museum is home to an
impressive collection, and yes, you can run up the iconic
Rocky Steps. Unfortunately, the Rocky statue was taken down off

(07:17):
of the steps several years ago and placed in another
location in the city. But you can still run up
the steps, and trust me, you will be out of
breath when you get to the top. The Barnes Foundation
features one of the world's largest private art collections. If
you don't know about the Barnes Art Collection, you must

(07:38):
research it. It is absolutely one of the most iconic
and largest private art collections in the world, and it's
quite controversial right now. So it's something to read about
live performances. There are so many beautiful performance centers in Philadelphia,

(07:59):
like the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts and the
historic Walnut Street Theater. You can see ballets, modern dance,
Broadway shows, symphony. It is just the possibilities are endless,
so go check out a show while you're in Philadelphia.

(08:21):
Of course, Rocky was filmed in Philadelphia, but another very
famous movie, The Sixth Sense, also made use of Philadelphia
Ya's streets. Don't forget silver Lining's playbook for more modern
cinematic moments. Okay, let's talk about shopping in Philadelphia. If

(08:42):
you're in the mood to shop, Philly has plenty to offer.
Writtenhouse Row in Writtenhouse Square is a beautiful area with
very high end shopping. There's a mix of high end boutiques,
department stores and trendy cafes and of course low local
boutiques that you cannot find in any other city and

(09:06):
high end designer stores. And it's very walking friendly. So
I would spend a day in Rittenhouse Square and go
to Rittenhouse Road to shop. And of course South Street.
South Street's a little different. It's funky, has eclectic street
lined with vintage shops, record stores, yes, record stores, you
can find some old classic records here, and quirky fines.

(09:31):
The shops at Liberty Place perfect for mainstream shopping in
the heart of city center I'm sorry, Center City and
the Reading Terminal Market. More than just food, you'll find
unique gifts, local crafts, and handmade goods. So some final thoughts.
I'm visiting Philadelphia. Firstly, if you can get outside of

(09:54):
the city and drive into the beautiful countryside of Pennsylvania,
I would highly suggest it's one of the most beautiful
states in our nation, with rolling hills and beautiful old
hardwood trees, especially in the fall. Try to get to
little areas like Bucks County. There's Peddler's Village, which is

(10:16):
an outdoor shopping mall, and the river, the Delaware River.
There's a little town called New Hope right on the
Delaware River. And on the other side of New Jersey
is Lambertville. And you can walk over little footbridges, you
can walk along the river, and the scenery and the

(10:37):
nature is spectacular. But if you can only stay in
the city, Philadelphia is a city of contrasts, where cobblestone
streets meets skyscrapers and history meets innovation. Whether you're biting
into a cheese steak, standing in the room where America
was born, or catching a live show, Philly's energy is contagious.

(11:02):
You will go, and you will visit, You will fall
in love with the people, and it will not be
your last time visiting Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Thank you for listening.