Philadelphia Recommendations for a Philadummy?

[schep22]

Hi, everyone.

My girlfriend and I are going to spend a few days in Philadelphia around New Year's Eve (Dec. 30 - Jan. 2), just to get out of Cincinnati and explore a city previously unknown to us (well, we know of Philadelphia, but you know what I mean.)  So, because Philadelphia is tangentially related to The Best Show, my warped mind immediately thought that I might be able to elicit some good recommendations for Things To Do from the always helpful FOTs.  (e.g. Wawas, the Peanut Chew Factory, shrines to 'nem Hooters.)

I seem to recall a Tom story involving a trip to Philadelphia, a racist cab driver, and a museum solely devoted to mummies.  Ghoulishly intriguing, but I'll save that one for the second trip.  Actually, at the risk of sounding like a Philistine, we'd probably prefer to avoid a lot of art museums (mummy-related or not), as we've spent plenty of time at places like the Art Institute of Chicago, and they have a way of draining me and the day.  Of course, if there's an exhibit that everyone in Philadelphia MUST SEE, we'll definitely put it on the list.

I know that the holidays (and the potential for extreme cold) might taint any recommendations that you would normally give, but any restaurants/areas/attractions/shows that you could recommend would be greatly appreciated.  Of course, Places Or Areas To Avoid are always good to know.  Oh, and we're both fine with long walks around the city, if that helps at all.  (No?  Ok.) 

So I guess what I'm asking is this: where's the nicest Olive Garden, Hot Topic, and Bandana Republic in town?

If anyone has some ideas, but needs a bit of clarification, please let me know!

Thanks in advance for any help.  Of course, I'd be happy to give my silly recommendations to any visitors to Cincinnati, even though that type of thing always makes me unreasonably nervous.

Okay.  Bye bye.  (My boss said that to me the other day, and I immediately thought of Tom's impression of the authoritative person requesting him to send the papers over, then signing off in a childish voice: "BYE BYE.")

- Andy.

[fonpr]

Aka Music Inc
27 North 2nd Street, Philadelphia, PA

I was blown away by the selection of music at this place.  I didn't even go upstairs.

[yesno]

Mutter Museum.

[Pregnant Pause]

Sadly the Peanut Chew factory is in Bethlehem PA, not Philadelphia.

Also, the best Wawa is 2nd and Lombard, which is reasonable close to the concentration of historical sites (which are all centered around 4th and Walnut).  This Wawa has a giant 4' x 4' poster of the employee of the month right as you enter.  The employee always looks so happy.  I love that Wawa. 

Philadelphia has a ton of good restaurants, depending on your tastes I'd be happy to recommend some of my favorites. 

[Wes]

Also, the best Wawa is 2nd and Lombard, which is reasonable close to the concentration of historical sites (which are all centered around 4th and Walnut).  This Wawa has a giant 4' x 4' poster of the employee of the month right as you enter.  The employee always looks so happy.  I love that Wawa. 

This is also the Wawa I patronize.

[schep22]

Thanks for the recommendations so far, everybody!

If we're in the area, I'd definitely like to test my girlfriend's tolerance for wandering around Aka Music Inc. with me.

And the museum...wow.  I remember hearing about it at some point, and it sounds like something that I either have to see, or never want to set foot in.  I'll sleep on it.

I'm excited to see my first, as well as The Best, Wawa.  I'll be sure to pack a few extra Instamatics for that day.

As for restaurant tastes, I think I'll go with the predictable, "we like everything."  Well, as long as it's reasonable, of course.  Nothing that would have been served in the Temple of Doom.  If it has a good reputation, we'd give it a try.  Oh, and we're not vegetarians, but we're willing to try it.

Thanks again, everybody.  I really do appreciate it.

[nec13]

Go to the Reading Terminal Market. And while you're there patronize the good folks at Bassett's Ice Cream.

[yesno]

Also, the Italian Market.

[jugface]

I'll second the AKA recommendation. And while in that area (Old City), you can check out Philly's best Indian restaurant, Karma, which has an amazing lunch buffet until 2:30. But make sure to escape Old City before the sun goes down, unless you really enjoy the smell of Axe bodyspray.

[JustSheaNo]

Mutter Museum.

Seconding the Mutter Museum, with a warning, YOU CAN'T UNSEE IT.

We like to follow it with the Cherry Street Tavern (but you may not have an appetite after seeing their collection). It's not too far away, cheap, and the food is pretty good if you like hot roast beef and such. You can get also get an appetizer of ritz, chedderjack and pepperoni on a paper plate with a crock of horseradish. If its a Sunday and there's football on, there might be free kielbasa in the crock pot at half time.

[JustNicole]

I would check and see if there is a Time Out Philadelphia. I always find great stuff to do in NYC with Time Out New York.

[Pregnant Pause]

I'll second Karma being a good Indian buffet, and Eulogy, a pretty cool Belgian beer bar is only a few store fronts down. 

I always thought the Fireman's Hall Museum was a cool way to spend an hour. 

If you head down to the Italian market you should check out Sarcone's deli, they bake the bread for many of the great hoagie places in the city.  Their eggplant parm is fantastic. 

[schep22]

Thanks again, everybody.

The ladyfriend and I have really appreciated the suggestions, and I'm sure that we'll end up checking out some of these places.  (I'm pushing for the Mutter museum, but based on the comments, it might interfere with the enjoyment of all the eateries that everyone else is recommending.)

I'm liking the idea of a Belgian Beer Bar, so that's going on the Short List.  My somewhat limited experience with Indian food was very positive, so that might make the list as well.

I think the idea is to end up in Old City on New Years Eve, b/c there's supposed to be fireworks at midnight (I know, I know.  But we're tourists.)

[Cotton]

I definitely second the Sarcone's rec. I'm planning on heading there straight form the airport next weekend. My wife and I preselected where we're eating pretty much the entire week we're back.

[schep22]

Hello, everybody!

Status Update:  The lady and I just got to Philadelphia, and we're about to head out. 

(I'm not a compulsive updater, but she's in the shower, I'm bored, and I wanted to re-check the list to see what we should do.)

Thanks for all the suggestions, and Merry New Year to all.