Friendly Philly

Alicia, Carlos and I were set for another day exploring friendly Philly. Aside from food, all our activities today were completely free. Plus we saved pennies by pounding the pavement. 

First we wanted to check out City Hall, but the timed tickets for the tours were exhausted. Thankfully we were not, so we walked around the grounds. 

We headed towards the burial grounds where the grave of Benjamin Franklin is located. 

You can pay to enter the burial grounds or be a cheapskate and look through the fence for free. 

Next was the Betsy Ross House. Betsy was the woman responsible for sewing the first Star Spangled Banner. You too can forgo the tour and view the house, courtyard and gift shop at no cost. 

Christ Church was our next stop. 

It housed a 15th century baptismal font from London that had William Penn had been baptised in. 

After all that walking around it was time for lunch. We opted for a slightly more expensive, yet healthy choice. Snap Kitchen offers packaged meals you can take home of microwave on the premises. 

Alicia and I went for Pad Thai with sweet potato noodles, which is usually not spicy or very mild. This one was not. My mouth was on fire, so of course I needed some ice-cream to cancel out the heat and the health. 

Franklin Fountain offered a delectable, cooling, butter pecan ice-cream with hot caramel sauce. 

Alicia only had eyes for the ice-cream. 

We explored the candy shop next door. 

I may never own an adorable home, but that didn’t stop me posing for photos at Elfreth’s Alley. 

The colourful residential alley is America’s longest, consistently inhabited street. 

Fall was in full force. 

Edgar Allan Poe also lived in Philadelphia for a few years. 

We knocked once on his door and a park ranger greeted us. 

After watching a short video about Poe’s life we explored the home. 

Alicia and I even composed a poem. 

Dinner was at Spice 28. This was obviously a risky move based on the earlier Snap Kitchen incident. 

The risk paid off. The coconut shrimp was delicious and, most impostantly, did not set my mouth on fire. 

Benjamin Franklin Grave

http://www.christchurchphila.org/about-the-burial-grounds/

Betsy Ross House

http://historicphiladelphia.org/betsy-ross-house/what-to-see/

Elfreth’s Alley

http://www.elfrethsalley.org

Christ Church

http://www.christchurchphila.org

Snap Kitchen

https://www.snapkitchen.com

Franklin Fountain

http://www.franklinfountain.com

Edgar Allan Poe Historic Site

https://www.nps.gov/edal/index.htm

Spice Table

http://www.spice28.com

Sweet, Chilly Philly

Philadelphia, the former capital of America, seemed like the best place to spend the Thanksgiving weekend. 

Alicia, Carlos and I set off the evening before Thanksgiving. Loews Hotel would be our home for the next few days. 

Our room was large enough to stage our own concert. We didn’t, but we could’ve. 

After the positive first impression we realised the hotel didn’t quite have all the mod cons like a mini fridge, water or kettle. 

The next morning we woke up early and headed out to America’s longest running Thanksgiving Day Parade. 

We perched ourselves on Benjamin Franklin Parkway near Logan Circle. 

The parade ran on Dunkin

and marching bands. There were lots of high school marching bands. 

We found ourselves near the parents of one of the marching bands from Alabama. It felt like we knew people in the parade. 

Magical, rodent pilgrims made an appearance. 

But the real highlight was when the balloons spun. The crowd went wild each time the balloons were rotated in a highly coordinated effort. 

Part way through the parade filled with celebrities I’d never heard of we relocated to a sunnier location. Mr and Mrs Claus rounded out the parade. It was shaping up to be a very merry Thanksgiving. 

We met up with friends of Alicia and Carlos. Rita, Jenya, Fadei and Agata made the trip from New York for us all to spend Thanksgiving day together. Our first group activity was watching the Comcast Holiday Spectacular. Thankfully this activity was indoors, offering some respite from the cold. 

While the feeling cane back into toes we watched one of the walls in the building come alive with festive projections. 

Once the show finished we looked over and Santa had appeared in the corner. 

Part of the fun of Philly is the photo ops in the street. 

The former US capital is alive with history. 

Next on the agenda was an indepth look at that history. First was the Liberty Bell. There were many attempts at the perfect photo. 

We finally got one. 

Independence Hall came next on the agenda. 

A timed ticket from the visitors’ centre is usually required for entry, but on Thanksgiving no tickets are needed. 

Both the Declaration of Independence and Constitution were debated and adopted here. 

National Park rangers were onsite to answer questions, as they are at most historic sites. 

Then I sussed out the Presidents’ House site. 

Check out George Washington’s basement. 

We had a late dinner booked, so thawed out in the hotel room. But first we slurped some hot apple cider in the lobby. 

Agata was impressed with the red chair and enjoyed posing.

Fadei joined in. 

We played cards and Fadei experienced a gamut of emotions. 

Agata tested out her gloves by going around the circle and shaking hands with everyone. She looked like a young businesswoman offering a firm handshake with a serious facial expression. 

We saw the 13th Christmas Lights on the way to dinner. 

For Thanksgiving dinner there were the expensive options, and the even more expensive options. We chose the expensive option at Twisted Tail. 

It was $63 for a main meal, family style sides, and a pie between two. Most of us went for the prime rib, trying to get our money’s worth. 

And we did. The restaurant was very accommodating, and our waitress, Hannah, was extremely friendly. The place had a great vibe, and the food was delicious. I even enjoyed the brussel sprouts. We had the option of taking our delicious leftover sides home. If only we had somewhere to put them. 

After dinner we walked Rita, Jenya, Fadei and Agata to their car where Fadei and Agata farewelled Alicia, Carlos and I by running into our arms. And I discovered how confusing child seats are.

You might think that was the end of our night, but you’d be wrong. We participated in another Thanksgiving tradition - shopping at Macy’s. 

The windows were magical at night. 

It was a very calm and friendly experience. 

We shopped until about 1am when Alicia dropped. 

Loews Hotel

https://www.loewshotels.com

Comcast Holiday Spectacular

http://www.visitphilly.com/museums-attractions/philadelphia/the-comcast-holiday-spectacular/

Liberty Bell

https://www.nps.gov/inde/planyourvisit/libertybellcenter.htm

Independence Hall

https://www.nps.gov/inde/planyourvisit/independencehall.htm

Twisted Tail

http://thetwistedtail.com