Philadelphia

Tuesday I was off from work so I took the bus down to Philadelphia as I try to do once or twice a year. This year I might head down there more than two times as I would like to go to the Museum of Art and also see the inside of the Eastern State Penitentiary . It's a nice city to go to for a day trip, very pedestrian friendly, and while not New York City in terms of things to, has quite a few places in its own right. It has a lot of great architecture as well.

The Reading Terminal Market is probably the single most impressive collection of eateries that I've ever seen. It has farm fresh food, much of it from Amish farms. There are several places that make some really impressive Philly Cheese Steaks (I went to Carmine's this visit). The Famous 4th St. Cookie has the best chocolate chip cookies I've ever had and it is easy to get overwhelmed by all of the other kiosks in the market. There's Chinese food, Amish food, Middle Eastern food, just about anything imaginable. Next time I go I plan to take advantage of the Jambalaya.

Then there is the Italian Market, hidden away in an out of the way section of the city in South Philly. That is the location of the famous Cheese Steak competitors Pat's, King of Steaks and Geno's. Both are very good. I've been slightly favoring Pat's but maybe I'll give Geno's another shot in my next visit. There is so much more in the Italian Market. It should also be called the Latin Market as there are many eateries of Latin American descent.

My recent visits have not even involved going to the real tourist places in the city like Independence Hall and the US Mint but I went to those places when I was a kid. The Bourse is an interesting mall in that Independence district, I believe one of the earliest malls in the country. It's certainly a city well worth checking out.