Bruins at Philadelphia

Mar 24

12:30 PM - 1:15 PM, Friday, 22 March 2024

Dalesandro’s Steaks & Hogies

When in Rome.

Nicole wanted to try an official “Cheese Steak,” and I, of course, also had another. The place we stopped at, Dalesandro’s Steaks & Hogies, was on the outskirts of the city, and came at the perfect time for lunch after a four-hour drive. It was very good, don’t get me wrong, but, just like New Haven, Connecticut makes better pizza than New York City, I know I’ve had better “Steak & Cheese” back home. We have Italians too, and they make a great tasting sub all around in my opinion. Maybe the exception, if you can stomach it, is ordering one with the Philly tradition of putting ‘the wiz’ on it. I understand why some people like that crap on it, but I’m just not about that life.

2:45 PM - 4:45 PM

Sightseeing Walk

After checking in our hotel at the Fort Washington suburb northwest of town, we took their SEPTA Regional Rail train in for a little sightseeing.

We got off at the Market Street Station situated smack-dab in the middle of downtown, so it was easy to follow the throngs of tourists toward some of the initial attractions nearby. Just past their City Hall complex was “Love Park” noted for the iconic red lettering above a cube you have your picture taken within. Well, the que for that was outrageous, but better yet was the unacclaimed “Amor” sculpture nearby.

We continued our walk further up the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, as the long straight street’s view drew us towards the Philadelphia Museum of Art. The steps there are well known for being those run-up by the fictional character, Rocky Balboa.

It was as beautiful of a walk as could be imagined in such a busy metropolitan environment. Many small parkes and common space dotted our path and we took a lot of pictures. The only one showcased here, however, was at the Swan Memorial Fountain.

5:15 PM -6:30 PM

Victory Brewing Company

The return walk along the way back downtown saw us stop into he Victory Brewing Company taproom for a pint… and a some food, I guess.

6:45 PM - 7:15 PM

Rittenhouse Square

As we had a little time to fill before our scheduled train the ride back to the hotel for the evening, we lounged around in Rittenhouse Square, just a little to the south of our previous jaunt. There is not much to be said, it was just a beautiful location with a few fountains and sculptures to observe.

10:00 AM - 12:00 PM, Saturday, 23 March 2024

Reading Terminal Market

The vibe of the Reading Terminal Marketplace is somewhat like that of Faneuil Hall in Boston, but square.

As one does, I ordered gumbo from Beck’s Cajun Cafe, I think, not sure now looking at it. I still don’t know what gumbo is, so maybe I got the other thing they are famous thing Cajuns are known for, whatever that is called. Seriously though, this market is enormous and there were ‘a lot’ of options, it is a perfect place for trying new things. When I was here the last time, I had a Tommy DiNic’s Italian Roast Pork, Philly’s second famous style sandwich. It’s all good.

12:45 PM - 3:30 PM

Boston Bruins

Google Streetview from the year before our visit

First of all, lets acknowledge that the city of Philadelphia is hiding their subway entrance on purpose! The collage I have made shows the exact view we had crossing the street to where google maps had the entrance… and we had known one was inside because we saw it while we were in the City Hall complex the day before. Well, on the weekends, they lock the gates. How were we supposed to get to the subway? There is an entrance right there, but never mind it was pouring rain at the time, even on a sunny day you can’t see it.

Coley had to use my glasses to hold her poncho on, the wind was howling!

Oh yeah, and then my Boston Bruins lost to the hometown Philadelphia Flyers by the score of 3-2.

The rain let up while we were in the game and we had very nice weather for the rest of the day. We returned to the Market for some 4th Street Cookie Company… cookies, and then went to the Iron Hill Brewery for… ‘a drink.’