I took some time out of ‘MywalkinManhattan” and decided to head down to Philadelphia to see the annual Philadelphia Flower Show. The gloom and cold of the winter was driving me crazy and I needed a change of scene. The trip was a spur of the moment decision with an excellent package deal with the tickets and hotel. I had not made my usual trip at Christmas and having a cheesesteak fix, off I went. The theme of the show this year was “Flower Power” for the anniversary of Woodstock. It was everything 60’s man.
Just packing for the overnight, I worked in the Soup Kitchen that morning. We had a busy day on the Bread station as usual and I was exhausted when I got to Penn Station. I could not check into the hotel until four that afternoon so I was in no rush. That is what I love about taking the Acela to Philly, you get there in record time and it is a smooth ride down with not many stops.
It was a little gloomy when I got down to Philly that afternoon but still I enjoy the walk from the train station to Center City. Penn Station is always cheerful though and it is nice to walk around the station and look at the architecture of the building and the ongoing renovations that preserve the structure. I walked around a little to see if any new restaurants had opened and then the long walk to Center City Philadelphia, which takes me a whopping twenty minutes to walk. It is a straight line right to the hotel.
When I visit Philly I like to stay in the downtown area to be close to the museums and Chinatown and this time I stayed at the Courtyard Hotel (See review on TripAdvisor) right across the street from City Hall and around the corner from Macy’s Center City (the old Wanamaker’s Department Store). What I like about the Courtyard is not just its location but the rooms are large and they have the best mattresses that are firm yet soft and you get the best night’s sleep on.
Downtown Philadelphia Courtyard Hotel (changed name of the hotel)
Dropping off my luggage, I made a b-line to the Reading Market. The one thing I love about the Market is the wonderful food that you can get that you can’t find in New York City or in Northern New Jersey. What I mean by that is you can a cheesesteak in New Jersey but not the way you get one in Philly with the thin little steaks and Cheese Wiz at Carmine’s and you can get a good doughnut but not a Beiler’s Apple filled with cinnamon icing the way they make it. They are prepared for people from Philly not from New York. Every time I want a Cheesesteak in New York, they want to make some upscale Steak sandwich. I like the real thing.
A real Philly cheesesteak at Carmine’s Cheesesteaks (Closed in October 2024)
Yum!
So off I went to start my lunch feast at the Reading Terminal Market (See review on TripAdvisor) at Carmine’s Famous Italian Hoagie’s and Cheesesteaks at 51 North 12th Street (See review on TripAdvisor and DiningonaShoeStringinNYC@Wordpress.com) for my favorite sandwich, a cheesesteak loaded with Cheese Wiz ($8.00). I swear when you bite into that soft roll and keep going there is nothing like it. It is the combination of the caramelized meat and the sharp cheese is delicious and washed down with a Coke, it is the best.
Carmine’s Cheesesteaks (Closed in October 2024)
For dessert, I had two things. I went to Beiler’s Bakery and Bassett’s Ice Cream, both in the Reading Market around the corner from Carmine’s. I had one of Beiler’s apple filled jelly doughnuts with a thick cinnamon icing on it and it is delicious.
Beiler’s at 3900 Chestnut Avenue fries all their doughnuts and then hand fill them with homemade fillings. The sweetness of the fresh apples and the thick glaze give it a fantastic taste.
My review on TripAdvisor:
My review on DiningonaShoeStringinNYC@Wordpress.com:
https://wordpress.com/post/diningonashoestringinnyc.wordpress.com/1033
Beiler’s Doughnuts
At Bassett’s Ice Cream, I had a craving for their homemade Cookies & Cream Ice Cream on a cone and even though it was my second dessert it was well worth it. The ice cream has a high count of butterfat which makes it creamer and they load it up with pieces of cookie in it. Everyone just looked at me with the big smile on my face walking out of Reading Market eating that cone. It was so rich and good!
Now that my cravings were fulfilled and I had walked all over the Market checking out the other foods, I decided it was time to walk off the lunch and I headed to the Philadelphia Art Museum (See review on TripAdvisor). Since I am a member of the Newark Museum (See my review on VisitingaMuseum.com and TripAdvisor), we have a reciprocal program with the museum and I can get in for free.
The Philadelphia Art Museum
My review on TripAdvisor:
I had not been to the museum since the previous Christmas I had wanted to see how the renovations were coming along and see two of the exhibitions at would be closing the next week, “Fabulous Fashions: From Dior’s New Look to Now” and “Little Ladies: Victorian Fashion Dolls and the the Feminine Ideal”. Both of which were excellent. The one thing I like about the Philadelphia Museum as opposed to the Met is that they don’t over-whelm you with the exhibition. The show is long enough to enjoy but not long enough where it over-loads you with information.
The “Fabulous Fashions” exhibition was really interesting in that it showed how fashion changed since the end of World War II. The exhibit covered fashions from the “A” look to more modern garments that show the comfort a woman expected from designers then and now. It was a series of dresses on mannequins that showed the progress of this over the years.
Dior Show at the Philadelphia Art Museum
“Little Ladies: Victorian Fashion Dolls” exhibition was centered around the ideal of the Victorian woman that girls would see in their mothers and the women that surrounded them. The dolls represented the fashions and mood of the time and preparing young girls for marriage and motherhood and the ideal values of life. It is amazing to see the change of attitude in just a hundred years. It was not just what the dolls were it was what they represented in way of fashion and accessories but in the attitude of the times. Everyone knew their place and played the role as best they could in the values of the times.
Victorian Wedding Doll
Both were interesting to walk around and explore what the curators were trying to convey. The Philadelphia Art Museum does a nice job mounting their exhibitions and since they were not the huge over-whelming exhibitions of other museums, it gave me the rest of the evening to explore the museum.
On Friday nights, the museum has live entertainment and I sat on the stairs inside the courtyard of the museum and listened to the jazz combo while I watched everyone eating at the museum’s restaurant that surrounded the stairs. It was an evening of cocktails and music for most of the patrons. I was still stuffed from lunch so I just sat back and relaxed and listened to the music. I highly recommend Friday nights (they are open until 8:45pm) at the Philadelphia Art Museum with their late night music concerts. It is a relaxing way to spend the evening.
On the way back to the museum, I all of a sudden got hungry. It was getting colder out and I did not want to explore all around Chinatown at 8:30pm at night. I remembered this tiny noodle and dumpling restaurant by the bus terminal near the convention center and decided to stop there. It had been four years since I ate there so I was not sure if it was even there any more. Not only was it there but it had doubled in size over the years.
Tom’s Dim Sum at 59 North 11th Street (See review on TripAdvisor) in downtown Philly used to be this tiny hole in the wall restaurant but popularity of the place made it expand. Even this late at night the place was mobbed with people slurping noodle soups and soup dumplings. The TV crowd was going strong with the games.
Tom’s Dim Sum at 59 North 11th Street
https://tomsdimsum.com/store1.html
My review on TripAdvisor:
I was still a little stuffed because of the cheesesteak so I ordered soup dumplings, roast pork buns and Wonton soup to warm it up. The food is just a good as I remembered. The soup dumplings ($5.95) were juicy filled with nicely spiced ground pork and it was fun slurping them down. The Roast Pork buns ($4.95) were filled with a sweet pork mixture and steamed perfectly. The Wonton Soup ($2.95) finished off the meal nicely with the rich broth that was warming me up after the long walk.
The Soup Dumplings here are excellent!
The Roast Pork Buns were delicious
The Wonton Soup is loaded with Cilantro and Sea wood so it is an acquired taste
What I liked best about the restaurant was the excitement of the games even though they were not my teams. The whole restaurant had a lot of energy and it does not come off as your average Chinese restaurant just off Chinatown.
By the time I got back to the room at 10:00pm, I was exhausted. Between both jobs, the Soup Kitchen, my writing and running around with the Fire Department, I was pooped. Thank God that the restaurant was so close to the hotel. Still it gave me a chance to admire the windows at Macy’s before heading back to the hotel room. This part of downtown Philadelphia rolls up its sleeves right after 5:00pm.
Macy’s Philadelphia at 1300 Market Street
https://www.macys.com/stores/pa/philadelphia/wanamaker-building_213.html
My review on TripAdvisor:
I did not get much done at the hotel even though I brought all my work. The moment that I took a shower and got changed and sat down to read a book, I decided to just shut the light off for a bit and relax. I woke up at eight in the morning the next day getting almost nine hours of sleep in. That’s how comfortable the bed was in the room.
The next morning, after I got ready, I packed up and checked my luggage and headed off to Reading Terminal Market again before I left for the Flower Show. I had breakfast at the Dutch Eating Place (See reviews on both TripAdvisor and DiningonaShoeStringinNYC@Wordpress.com), where I love to go for breakfast and lunch when I visit Philadelphia. The place was mobbed and it seems that everyone wanted to eat there because the place was about ten deep. Everyone wanted to have breakfast before the show started.
The Dutch Eating Place in the Reading Terminal Market
My review on TripAdvisor:
My review on DiningonaShoeStringinNYC@Wordpress.com:
https://wordpress.com/post/diningonashoestringinnyc.wordpress.com/1015
I was able to snag a seat immediately being one person and dove into breakfast, my favorite meal of the day. I had the Apple Cinnamon French Toast ($4.75) and a side of sausage ($2.75) and scrambled eggs ($1.25). It was one of those meals that transcend eating to a new place because it was so good I wanted to lick the plate.
The French Toast was made with freshly baked bread and freshly churned butter and the sausage was made from their own butchers and been spiced and smoked perfectly. It was one of the best breakfasts I had in a long time. The best part was that everyone who works there is so nice. It is so much fun to eat there that I highly recommend it when in Philly.
Don’t miss the Apple Cinnamon French Toast
The Apple French Toast at the Dutch Eating Place is amazing
I got to the Flower Show just as it opened which was nice and the crowds moved quickly through security. It was the first day so people were very excited about it. Once inside, everyone headed left to see all the floral displays while I headed right and walked through the vendor booths. I swear there must have been a record number of people selling everything from gardening supplies to maple syrup. There were even wine merchants sampling local wines. It thought it was a little much for the Flower Show.
Just as the crowds started to shift to the vendors, I made my way through the show and went through the Philadelphia Horticultural Plant Competition where an array of flowers were being displayed, from tulips and orchids bloomed and roses were on parade. They even had a Children’s section where the kids could compete and this was some contest. These gardeners took this very seriously and the blue ribbon meant something.
I finally made my way over to the flower displays which never stopped being crowded. I swear the crowds kept pouring in all day. I was most impressed by the 60’s commune display by Mark Cook Landscape & Nursery and Hunter Hayes Landscape and Design. They must have teamed up to put this display together because it was pretty detailed.
The jeep in the display
Also on display in a spray of flowers and design was elegant bridge by Burke Brothers Landscape Design/Build that was multi layered with flowers and colors. It made quite the statement.
The colorful bridge of flowers
Around the corner from the displays, there were many competitors who were working in teams creating flower design displays and you got to see first hand their creations. People had come from all over the world to compete in this contest so you got to see how the country culture shaped the design with more elaborate displays from the Americans to the simplistic elegance of the Japanese. Many different designs with a multitude of flowers.
Yet it was all about ‘Flower Power’ and I had to take several laps around the displays before the crowds got to me. I swear I spent so much time looking over the merchant vendors that I felt like the displays were being crowded out. There did not seem like as many of the big displays as before. Still I walked this section more slowly getting bumped around by the crowds of people entering the Convention Center that were getting larger.
Still it is about ‘Flower Power’
Tiring of the crowds and having a long trip home, I left the show after about four hours of touring the displays and contests. I went through the travel and tourist areas where a lot of Jersey shore towns were displaying their tour guides. I got some ideas for small trips down the shore before Memorial Day Weekend.
After touring the whole show, I left the convention center before I headed home. I really wanted some lunch. I had had Chinese food the night before and was not much interested about eating it again. There is one annoying fact about Philadelphia’s Chinatown, most restaurants don’t take credit cards and I hate using cash. So it was back to the Dutch Eating Place for lunch and a Hot Turkey Sandwich.
That was delicious! It was layers of freshly cooked turkey on fresh white bread with a side of real mashed potatoes topped with a thick turkey gravy with a side of cranberry sauce and Cole slaw. The waiter and everyone around me could see the joy in my face and the ‘mmms’ I let out with each bite. Lunch there is a pleasure.
The Hot Turkey sandwich at the Dutch Eating Place
After a short walk around Chinatown again to work off lunch, it was time to go home. I had to stop back at the hotel and pick up my luggage. I made one last trip around the Reading Market and stopped at Miller’s Twist (51 North Street) for a fresh pretzel ($1.25). They are so soft and buttery and chewy with each bite. I don’t know where my appetite came from but in the end I think I was more excited about the food at Reading Terminal Market than I was about the Flower Show.
It was a nice overnight trip with great food, wonderful hospitality in the restaurants and lots of beautiful flowers showing their “Flower Power”. Philadelphia is a great walking city and there is lots to do and see in a small space of a few blocks. I will be back in a few months for the Cornell-Penn football game and then, oh darn, I will have to make my way over the Reading Terminal Market for breakfast again.
Sometimes the pleasure of life comes in the small things.
The Philadelphia Flower Show 2025:
I was able to return to Philadelphia in 2025 for the Flower Show with the theme, “Gardens of the Future”. I was looking forward to it. I had just been to Philadelphia at the end of December for the Macy’s Light Show and Dickens Village and really had a nice day visit
I wanted to arrange my hotel through the Flower Show website but the packages were rather expensive and did not offer me the flexibility I wanted. So I looked at the participating hotels and searched the web and a great deal with the Motto Philadelphia. I had never heard of the chain but it was part of the Hilton chain. So I booked the room, bought my flower show tickets for a late visit and went on my way.
When I returned to Philadelphia, Macy’s had announced the closing of the same downtown store I had just enjoyed the Light Show. The Macy’s store, which is the old Wanamaker’s, is on the chopping block of the 66 stores closing across the country.
The Macy’s Store, the former Wanamaker’s
https://www.macys.com/stores/pa/philadelphia/wanamaker-building_213.html
The front of the Motto Philadelphia at 31 South 19th Street
https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/phlriua-motto-philadelphia-rittenhouse-square/
My review on TripAdvisor:
That morning I ran some earrings and then headed into the City and caught the train down to Philadelphia. The trip was only about and hour and a half and then I walked to the hotel.
What I liked about the Motto Hotel was the concept and price. It was created for people that needed a hotel room but did not plan on spending time in it. On top of the location, which was in Rittenhouse Square which was close to the Convention Center, Chinatown, Old Town and Penn Station, it worked out fine.
The walk from the train station to the hotel
I arranged my Flower Show tickets for Saturday afternoon knowing I would only need two hours at the show (the most you need at the show is less than three hours). Getting the ‘Twilight Tickets’, which you enter the show at 4:00pm is the best advice I can give people. The crowds are less than in the morning and afternoon and the main displays you can see in a half hour.
I settled into my room which was really pleasant. It had a great view of downtown, a comfortable bed and two nice restaurants in the lobby. My game plan was to revisit all the museums, shops and restaurants I had been to on previous trips to Philly and retake all the pictures for the previous blogs. Then I would spend time at the Flower Show Saturday night and then on Sunday after breakfast finish my touring in time to watch the Michigan-Michigan State basketball game before heading home. Organized game plan.
The view from my room at the Motto
The bedroom and view at the Motto were really nice both nights
On Friday my plans were to see the Penn Museum, see what was happening at the Macy’s closing and then go to the Philadelphia Art Museum to tour the galleries and enjoy the Friday night entertainment. It would be a lot of running around for the next three days.
I started my afternoon with a quick lunch at the Reading Terminal Market. I wanted to take more stock pictures for my blog and revisit many of the restaurants I had eaten at in the past. It was not such an awful plan. So I started my afternoon with lunch at the Dutch Eating Place.
I revisited the menu and started with the same meal I had six years earlier, the Chicken Pie. Unlike the one I had in 2019, this was the traditional Chicken Pot Pie in the crust and not the one they normally served with the dumplings. I would sit at lunch time here and watch people order it. Then when it came to the table and most of the customers had this ‘what the hell is this?” look on their faces. It did not make a difference. Both are really good.
The delicious Chicken pie at the Dutch Eating Place
The Dutch Eating Place
My review on TripAdvisor:
My review on DiningonaShoeStringinNYC@Wordpress.com:
Then for dessert I had to have the Apple Dumpling again.
The Apple Dumpling is a real treat
There is no better dessert on a cold day than a hot Apple Dumpling with whipped cream
Before I headed to the Penn Museum after lunch, I stopped at Macy’s to see what it looked like inside during the Closing Sale. I had not seen something this sad since B. Altman closed in 1991. The store had looked so beautiful at Christmas and now two months later it looked like a fire sale.
Nothing is sadder than a grand department store closing for business
It was so sad outside
It was as sad inside as well
The front of this iconic store
The Grand Atrium which I had just seen the Christmas Light Show two months befor
The fire sale at Macy’s Philadelphia
The first floor was mostly empty by the time J returned to the store
The Christmas decorations that once lined the store at the holidays reduced to sale items
It looked like the opening scene in ‘Mannequin’
Video from ‘Mannequin:
Video on Closing:
The store that John Wanamaker once walked the floor and Kim Cattrall and Andrew McCarthy dance down was reduced to s bargain bin
Me taking my ‘Mannequin’ moment in the store
When I returned in November of 2024, there was a committee to revive it
After lunch and my tour of Macy’s, it was off to the Penn Museum and the evening at the Philadelphia Art Museum. It was a nice walk through the Penn Campus.
Heading past Franklin Stadium where I attended many Cornell-Penn games
Passing the statue of Benjamin Franklin at Penn Stadium
The stadium looks so quiet when there is no football game
The Penn Museum at 3260 South Strret
The Penn Museum in the wintertime
My review on TripAdvisor:
My review on VisitingaMuseum.com:
The Sphinx at the entrance of the Penn museum
I only had about an hour and a half to explore the museum but I quickly went through each floor and gallery and snapped pictures of some of my favorite art objects.
In the Egyptian Gallery:
The Mummies
Artwork from Egypt
The Middle Eastern Galleries:
The famous ‘Ram in the Thicket’
One of the harps from the city of Ur
Queen Puabi outfit and jewels
The Roman and Greek Galleries:
The artwork from Rome
The works in the Greek Galleries
There was so much to see in detail that I would have to wait until my next trip. I did get some great pictures though to update my blog on the museum.
After the Penn Museum closed, I walked to the Philadelphia Museum of Art as I knew they were going to have entertainment that night. Unfortunately K knew most of the big exhibitions had closed so in between relaxing and listening to the musical combo in the main gallery, I wondered the halls of the museum.
The Philadelphia Art Museum at 2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway
https://press.philamuseum.org/upcoming-exhibitions-through-fall-2025/
My review on TripAdvisor:
It was a really nice evening at the museum. I finally got to sit down and relax after the trip from New York to Philly. They had a band performing from 6:00pm to 8:00pm with a bar set up for museum patrons and the main hall was packed with people.
Looking back at downtown from the museum
The famous ‘Rocky’ statue from the movie ‘Rocky’ in front of the museum
I took a seat on the stairs inside the main gallery and listened to the band for the first half hour in the museum. The concert was excellent.
The trio that evening
The musician who led the group
While the concert went on, I wondered the hallways and admired the artwork.
Walking the British Galleries
Admiring the painting ‘Ruins of a Roman Bath’
I thought that ‘Ruins of a Roman Bath’ was one of the nicest paintings I saw that evening
After I toured the main galleries. I went to see the special exhibition by artist Christina Ramberg.
The entrance to the Christina Ramberg exhibition
The Christina Ramberg exhibition
https://press.philamuseum.org/christina-ramberg-a-retrospective/
Artist Christina Ramberg
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christina_Ramberg
Her works were quite unusual and very unique in a contemporary way
After I finished walking around the museum and the musical combo was finishing for the night, I headed to Chinatown for dinner. I knew where I wanted to go from the last time I was in town, Tom’s Dim Sum at 59 North 11th Street.
Tom’s Dim Sum at 59 North 11th Street
https://www.instagram.com/tomsdimsuminc/?hl=en
My review on TripAdvisor:
I needed some thing to warm me up as it cooled down that evening.
How beautiful the downtown was when I left the museum
Downtown Philadelphia at night
Downtown Philadelphia at night
Tom’s has been my ‘go to’ place in Philadelphia’s Chinatown on my last could have visits because of the quality and price of the food and their selection. Also because they are one of the few restaurants in Chinatown that is not ‘cash only’. I still can’t believe these restaurants are still that archaic.
The dinner was excellent. I started off with their Hot & Sour Soup, which really warmed me up. I kept thinking that a cold was coming on but this was the perfect medicine to ward off anything.
The Hot & Sour Soup was delicious that evening
I next had the Pan-Fried Tiny Pork buds that were popular with a lot of the tables
The Spring Rolls were delicious that evening
I kept dinner light the first evening with all the running around I had to do. The food at Tom’s Dim Sum is really good and there are a lot of Dim Sum choices to make. I picked some delicious items.
I walked back to the hotel and have to say that the views around the Downtown were really spectacular. The walk through Chinatown was pretty interesting with all the new restaurants that have opened. City Hall is just breathtaking at night.
Passing City Hall and its dazzling lights
The Beer Garden area around City Hall
The view of the middle of Downtown Philadelphia at night by City Hall
Even Chinatown looked really nice at night
Philadelphia Chinatown at night
I could not believe how soundly I slept that evening and was ready for a tour of museums and then the Flower Show in the late afternoon. Since this was a picture taking trip for various blogs that I had done on Philadelphia, I had a series of places I wanted to revisit. This started the morning at the Dutch Eating Place at the Reading Terminal Market.
I was thinking about the Apple French Toast platter that I had years earlier the last time I came down so I ordered it again. It was just as good as it was six years earlier.
The Apple French Toast platter the Dutch Eating Place
It was funny that even after this big breakfast I still was hungry (it must have been all the walking the day before) and I went back to Miller’s Pretzels for a buttery pretzel. I swear nothing changed there in five years.
Miller’s Twist Pretzels at the Reading Terminal Market
My review on TripAdvisor:
The selection of Breakfast pretzels at Millers Twist
The delicious soft buttery warm pretzel
These pretzels are made so fast and sold so fast they are still hot out of the oven when you get them. Nothing is better than a soft pretzel in the morning.
After breakfast was done and a quick walk around the marketplace, I was ready for my morning of museum hopping and exploring Old Town Philadelphia again. I had a productive morning going from one museum to the next taking lots of pictures and revisiting museums that I had seen years ago. I started at the Museum of the American Revolution at 101 South Third Street.
The Museum of the American Revolution at 101 South Third Street
My review on TripAdvisor:
My review on VisitingaMuseum.com:
I had not been to the museum in a few years and was able to take my time and really visit and walk the museum. Some of my favorite highlights of the museum were the artifacts from the fallen statue of King George from Bowling Green Park.
The story of the fallen statue and the start of the war. I never realized that these pieces still existed.
Pieces of the actual statue still exist
The history of the Boston Tea Party
The Boston Massacre from the eyes of the Americans
General George Washington’s role in the war
I stayed and watched the film on General Washington’s tent and the sacrifices that were made during the war to win freedom and each display gave me more insights on the creation of the country.
The next museum I visited was the Betsy Ross House at 239 Arch Street. This small museum was once home to Betsy Ross and her family and her iconic business that created our original flag of this country. The interesting part of the house is that she did not own it but rented the space.
The Betsy Ross House Museum at 239 Arch Street
My review on TripAdvisor:
My review on VisitingaMuseum.com:
The museum takes you back in time to before the Revolutionary War when Betsy Ross was running a successful upholstery business. What I learned from my visit is the George Washington had worked with her before and copies of the bills were at the museum. That’s when they approached her on creating the flag.
The story of the creation of the flag
The Parlor where she met General Washington
The family bedroom and the creation of the original flag done in secret
Meeting Betsy herself and hearing her story
Walking the outside grounds of the museum
The next museum that I visited but was closed for the season was Elfreth’s Alley Museum. Still I got to tour this historic block with its unique Federal Houses.
The Elfreth’s Alley Museum at 126 Elfreth’s Alley
https://www.elfrethsalley.org/
My review on TripAdvisor:
My review on VisitingaMuseum.com:
The museum was still closed for the season and would not be opening up until April (it probably is not insulated) but I was able to walk around the neighborhood and take pictures.
The historic homes of Elfreth’s Alley
The historic homes of Elfreth’s Alley
Walking through Bladen’s Court
Walking through Bladen’s Court in-between the homes
The first floor display of Elfreth’s Alley Museum
The second floor bedroom and loft
The last museum in the neighborhood that was on my list was Firemen’s Hall Museum at 147 North Second Street.
The Firemen’s Hall Museum at 147 North Second Street
https://www.instagram.com/firemanshall/
My review on TripAdvisor:
My review on VisitingaMuseum.com:
This is one of the most interesting firefighting museums that I have visited because Philadelphia is the home of the start of the modern volunteer fire department starting with Benjamin Franklin.
Fire fighter Benjamin Franklin, one of the creators of the modern fire service
The former Engine 9 fire house serves as the home for this museum
The Chief’s office at the museum
Fire patches from all the companies in Philadelphia
The fire equipment display with the old Steam engine
Various antique fire engines, ladders and pumpers
For any kid, big or small, the museum is a firefighters dream.
After my tour of the revisit of these four wonderful museums, it was time to tour Old Town Philadelphia and the stores and restaurants that I had shopped and dined at in the past few trips. Old Town Philadelphia is the original part of the City and now houses many boutiques, shops, restaurants and cafes.
The first place I went to was Claudia Mills Carpet shop at 133 North Third Street.
Claudia Mills Carpets at 133 North Third Street
My review on TripAdvisor:
My review on LittleShoponMainStreet@Wordpress.com:
I got to meet Claudia herself on the trip and we talked for a bit in between customers about her career in weaving and about the colorful rugs she creates. She told me she had been creating and designing since college. I love her work.
Claudia Mills Rugs sign
The beautiful and colorful rugs of the showroom
The looms she uses to create the rugs
The colorful rugs and pillows she created
The next store I visited was Shane Confectionary at 110 Market Street which had been around since the late 1800’s.
Shane Confectionary at 110 Market Street
My review on TripAdvisor:
My review on LittleShoponMainStreet@Wordpress.com:
The sign that warmly greets you to come in
Shane Confectionary has been in existence for over a 100 years and has that feel of an old fashioned business. The candy is of high quality and is showcased behind glass counters like so many jewels in a case.
The creative selection of candies at Shane Confectionary
The store was decorated with St. Patrick’s Day and Easter merchandise and all the delicious candies that come with it. I was tempted by so many things and decided on four piece chocolate box and some all natural jelly beans. I enjoyed both when I got home.
The back of the store where hot beverages are sold
The clear toy candies
Before I left for the Flower Show that afternoon, I stopped for a cheesesteak at Campos Cheesesteaks at 214 Market Street for lunch. I had not been here in years since my last trip to Philly and the cheesesteak was excellent.
Campos Cheesesteaks at 214 Market Street
https://www.instagram.com/camposphillycheesesteaks/
My review on TripAdvisor:
I forgot how good the cheesesteaks were here. I talked with the current owners daughter who is the third generation to work here. When I ordered my lunch she sold me on her mother’s homemade Macaroni Salad. I am glad she did because it was excellent.
The inside of Campos Cheesesteak with the fourth generation manning the counter
My lunch before the show, a Cheesesteak with Wiz and the homemade Macaroni Salad salad
Yum!
After a wonderful lunch and a short walk around the Old Town Philadelphia neighborhood, it was time to head back to the convention center for the Flower Show.
Old Town Philadelphia
The Flower Show’s theme this year was ‘Garden’s of Tomorrow’.
The theme ‘Gardens of Tomorrow’ sign
The entrance of the ‘Garden’s of Tomorrow’ show
I walked through all the displays that the gardening groups had created. Each display was one piece of art after another. The grouping of flowers and plants each had its unique twist.
The first garden at the entrance
Another ‘Garden of the Future’
Beautiful arrangements
The unique arrangements
The dinner guests at this house of flowers
The flower dinner party
The dinner party through the windows of the house
The beautiful array of colors
The City Gardens of the Future
A burst of colors
From another angle
Descending stairs
A walk through the forest
One of the winning displays
Hanging out to dry
A roller coaster ride
Backyard landscaping
Part of the commercial design
Bush people
Backyard landscaping
After I saw the bigger displays by the gardening clubs, I moved onto the flower displays and some of the more commercial aspects of the show. The crowds did not wane even after 6:00pm. They still kept coming.
The crowds never stopped at the show
In the middle of the convention center, there were creative displays of flower arrangement, floral plant competitions and vendors selling both gardening and non gardening products.
Beautiful floral displays
Some of the more unique ways to display flowers
Award winning plants
Unique floral pieces
Colorful lights and sounds
Rows of tulips by the roller coaster
Futuristic garden decorations
The entrance garden sign as I was leavingI
I was at the show for just over two hours admiring all the displays, walking through different retail vendors and admiring the plant and flower competitions, I left for the evening having toured the show twice.
As I left, the crowds were still large but I was able to get better pictures of the entrance garden of the show. You want to see originality, just see the front display of the show.
The ‘Garden of the Future’
The ‘Garden of the Future’
The Flower Chandelier at the entrance of the show
After an enjoyable evening at the Flower Show and great visits to all the small museums and still stuffed from the cheesesteak, I just wanted a light snack to tide me over. So I walked through Chinatown behind the convention center and explored my opinions. I stopped at Asia Bakery for some buns.
Asia Bakery at 115 North 10th Street
https://www.instagram.com/explore/locations/260736841/asia-bakery-inc/
My review on TripAdvisor
I remembered the wonderful Roast Pork Buns they had the last time I was in Philly and ordered one of those and a Cream Bun. They were less than $5.00 and hit the spot.
The Roast Pork and Cream buns at Asia Bakery
After the Flower Show had finished for the evening, I walked around the downtown area again, admiring the lights. There really is a beauty to a city in the evenings and it was funny that I thought Philly was really quiet at night.
Walking around Chinatown after dinner
Walking around Chinatown at night
Finished walking around Chinatown and then I walked through the Business district which was really pretty at night.
City Hall is especially beautiful lit up
Macy’s closed for the night
By the end of March it will join Strawbridge & Clothier and Lit’s as retail memories in Downtown Philadelphia
I got back to the hotel and went straight to bed. It was a long day of running around and revisiting everything from previous trips. I got all my picture taking accomplished and visited every site on my list. With Macy’s closing, I am glad I came down on New Year’s Eve day to take pictures of the decorations and the Lightshow.
The next morning was so relaxing. I did not have to be anywhere or do anything. The Michigan State basketball team was playing Michigan for the end of the season game as we won the Big Ten Championship the week before at Iowa. So I decided to stay in Philly and watch the game here after breakfast.
When I returned to the Reading Market, all the Pennsylvania Dutch businesses were closed for the weekend as they went home. So I went to Pearl’s Oyster where I had dined before for breakfast.
Pearl’s Oyster in the Reading Terminal Market
My review on TripAdvisor:
I love the food here as well and had the same breakfast from the last time, the Scrambled Eggs with a side of French Toast. The food and the service here are excellent.
The delicious breakfast that morning
The one thing about Pearl’s Oyster is that the do not skimp on the portion sizes
After breakfast was over, I walked around the Market again to all the places that were open and I love all the sites and smells of all the booths. It’s almost like looking at the food stalls in Singapore. Its so hard when there are so many delicious foods to look at and smell that you want to eat at all these places.
The pastries at the bakeries
The delicious Italian food at another stall
More pastries and cookies
I had to get out of there because I was getting hungry again. So I walked down the bar/restaurant where the Michigan State Alumni met in Old Town Philly. It closed! I checked the Alumni website and there was no alternative, so I looked at the Google map on my phone. I went to a bar restaurant around the corner, The National Mechanics Bar & Grill at 22 South Third Street #24, that had TVs inside and asked to put the game on.
Since I had to order something while I was watching the game and was not really hungry, I took the suggestion from the bartender and ordered a Chicken Quesadilla. What a great suggestion. It was nice to just sit at the bar and watch us kick the Wolverine’s butts!
The National Mechanics Bar & Grill at 22 South Third Street #24
https://nationalmechanics.com/
My review on TripAdvisor:
What a nice surprise this bar was to come to that afternoon. Not only was it beautiful inside but the food and the service were excellent as well. The bartender turned the channel for me so that I could watch the Michigan State versus Michigan basketball game and kept it on quiet so I would not annoy the other guests eating. I still offer and tagged with each play.
The inside bar of the National Mechanics Bar & Grill
The ceiling and decorations
Since I was still stuffed from breakfast, I just ordered a Chicken Quesadilla with a Coke. I could not believe how big the thing was that filled up the entire plate. It was enough to share. It was delicious.
The Chicken Quesadilla for lunch
What an enjoyable meal
We were winning at half time and the bar started to get a bit busier. Not wanting to lose my place at the bar and now hungry again, the bartender suggested dessert and I said ‘why not’? Good decision as I ordered the Apple Empanadas topped with Cinnamon ice cream. They were made in house and they were delicious.
The Apple filled Empanadas
I highly recommend this dessert.
The Apple filled Empanadas were so good
The dessert was the perfect way to end the afternoon as we beat Michigan 79-62. Go Green!
After the game was over, I walked back to the hotel, picked up my luggage and left for Penn Station on my way home. I got home before 8:00pm and was able to relax for the rest of the evening. It was another great trip to the Flower Show.
Passing Congress Hall on the way back to the hotel
Passing through Downtown Philly on the way home
It was a great trip! I really enjoyed my three day trip to Philly. I will be back.
My blog on Visiting Philadelphia at Christmas time:
My blog on Visiting Philadelphia for the Cornell versus Penn Game:
Places to Visit:
The Reading Terminal Market
51 North 12th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 922-2317
Hours: Sunday-Saturday 8:00am-6:00pm
My review on TripAdvisor:
The Philadelphia Art Museum
2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Philadelphia, PA 19130
(215) 763-8100
Hours: Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday & Saturday 10:00am-5:00pm/Wednesday & Friday 10:00am-8:45pm/closed Mondays
My review on TripAdvisor:
Museum of the American Revolution
101 South 3rd Street
Philadelphia, PA 19106
(215) 253-6731
https://www.facebook.com/AmRevMuseum/
Open: Sunday-Saturday 10:00am-5:00pm
My review on TripAdvisor:
My review on VisitingaMuseum.com:
Betsy Ross House
239 Arch Street
Philadelphia, PA 19106
(215) 619-4026
Betsy Ross House
Admission: Adults $7.00/Children-Seniors-Military $6.00/Audio Tour Add $2.00-Please check Website
My review on TripAdvisor:
My review on VisitingaMuseum.com:
Firemen’s Hall Museum
147 North Second Street
Philadelphia, PA 19106
(215) 923-1438
https://www.facebook.com/firemanshall/
Open: Sunday & Monday Closed/Tuesday-Saturday 10:00am-4:00pm
Admission: Free but donations are appreciated
My review on TripAdvisor:
My review on VisitingaMuseum.com:
Elfreth’s Alley Museum
126 Elfreth’s Alley
Philadelphia, PA 19106
(215) 574-0560
Open: Sunday-Wednesday Closed/Thursday-Saturday 12:00pm-4:00pm
Admission: Adults $3.00/Children 7-12 $2.00/Children under 7 Free
https://www.facebook.com/elfrethsalleymuseum/
My review on TripAdvisor:
My review on VistingaMuseum.com:
The Penn Museum, The University of Pennsylvania of Archaeology & Anthropology
3260 South Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104
(215) 898-4000
Phone: General Information: (215) 898-4000/Membership & Membership Events: (215) 898-5093/Public Programs: (215) 898-2680/Group Sales (adult, senior and college admission): (215) 746-6774/Education/K-12 Tours: (215) 746-6774/Museum Shop: (215) 898-4046.Facility Rentals: (215) 898-3024
Open: Sunday 10:00am-5:00pm/Monday Closed/Tuesday 10:00am-5:00pm/Wednesday 10:00am-8:00pm (first Wednesday of the month otherwise 5:00pm)/Thursday-Saturday 10:00am-5:00pm
Museum Library Hours:
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday: 9:00am-9:00pm/Monday, Friday, Saturday: 9:00am-5:00pm/Sunday: 1:00pm-5:00pm/Closed holidays
Pepper Mill Café Hours:
Monday: 10:00am-1:00pm/Tuesday through Friday: 8:30am-4:30pm/Saturday and Sunday: 10:00am-4:30p
Fee: Adults $18.00/Seniors $16.00 (over 65)/Children 17-5 $13.00/Military and Children under 5 and Members Free/Penn Museum Members/Penn Card Holders/HUP/CHOP Employees: Free
TripAdvisor Review:
My review on VistingaMuseum.com:
Places to Stay:
The Philadelphia Courtyard Hotel
21 North Juniper Street
Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 496-3200
https://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/phldc-courtyard-philadelphia-downtown/
My review on TripAdvisor:
The Motto Hilton Philadelphia
31 South 19th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
(855) 605-0316
https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/phlriua-motto-philadelphia-rittenhouse-square/
My review on TripAdvisor:
Places to Eat:
At the Reading Terminal Market:
Beiler’s Bakery
51 North Street
Philadelphia, PA 19107
(267) 318-7480
Hours: Sunday Closed/Monday-Saturday 8:00am-6:00pm
My review on TripAdvisor:
My review on DiningonaShoeStringinNYC@Wordpress.com:
https://wordpress.com/post/diningonashoestringinnyc.wordpress.com/1033
Bassett’s Ice Cream
51 North Street
Philadelphia. PA 19107
(215) 925-4315
https://www.bassettsicecream.com/
Hours: Sunday 9:00am-5:00pm/Monday-Friday 9:00am-6:00pm/Saturday 8:00am-6:00pm
My review on Tripadvisor:
Carmine’s Famous Italian Hoagies & Cheesesteaks (Closed October 2024)
51 North Street
Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 592-7799
https://readingterminalmarket.org/merchant/carmens-famous-italian-hoagies-cheesesteaks/
Hours: Sunday-Saturday 8:00am-6:00pm
My review on TripAdvisor:
My review on DiningonaShoeStringinNYC@Wordpress.com:
https://wordpress.com/post/diningonashoestringinnyc.wordpress.com/1042
Dutch Eating Place
1136 Arch Street
Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 922-0425
Hours: Sunday-Monday Closed/Tuesday-Wednesday 8:00am-3:00pm/Thursday-Saturday 8:00am-5:00pm
My review on TripAdvisor:
My review on DiningonaShoeStringinNYC@Wordpress.com
https://wordpress.com/post/diningonashoestringinnyc.wordpress.com/1015
Miller’s Twist
51 North 12th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 923-1723
Hours: Sunday Closed/Monday-Wednesday 8:00am-3:30pm/Thursday-Saturday 8:00am-5:00pm
My review on Tripadvisor:
Pearl’s Oyster Bar @ Reading Terminal Market
51 North 12th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215)964-9792
Open: Sunday-Friday 8:00am-4:00pm/Saturday 8:00am-6:00pm
My review on TripAdvisor:
Outside Reading Terminal:
Tom’s Dim Sum
59 North 11th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 923-8880
Hours: Sunday-Thursday 11:00am-10:30pm/Friday-Saturday 11:00am-11:00pm
My review on TripAdvisor:
Asia Bakery
115 North 10th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 238-9295
https://www.instagram.com/explore/locations/260736841/asia-bakery-inc/
Open: Sunday-Saturday 7:00m-7:00pm
My Review on TripAdvisor:
Campos Philly Cheesesteaks
214 Market Street
Philadelphia, PA 19106
(215) 923-1000
https://www.instagram.com/camposphillycheesesteaks/
Open: Sunday 8:00am-9:00pm/Monday-Saturday 8:00am-10:00pm
My review on TripAdvisor:
mywalkinmanhattan 
I love going to Philadelphia for the day or just for a quick overnight. This was spur of the moment and it was nice to see the Flower Show.
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