Philadelphia is My Home

13
Jul

Happy Friday 13th, Best of Luck To Ya!

Author: Momish, Category: Free Events, Kids, Philly Tourist, Something to Do

Ok, so it’s Friday the 13th, but don’t let that stop you from kick starting this weekend into gear.   As for me, It’s my birthday, so I can do whatever I want including breaking mirrors, stepping on cracks and walking under ladders. My 13th birthday fell on a Friday 13th and I survived that one just fine. Bring on the black cats, I say. I have no fear! None!

Anyway, as you know, after July 13th comes July 14th which happens to be an important day to the French.  So don’t forget about the Bastille Day celebrations going on this weekend! 

White Dog Cafe is having a Bastille Day Block Party  tonight with lots of snails, frog legs and other fun stuff.

Hedgegrove Theater is having a Bastille Storming and French Revolution performance Saturday @ 6:00.  FREE!

Fairmount Park is having their FREE French Fling weekend, but you already knew that because I told you about that already and you devour this blog on a daily basis, right?

Non?

C’est la vie.

In other matters, I just have to mention that my friend’s son is coming into town next week from England. So, I have been wracking my brain trying to figure out what we could do or where we could go one night next week.  He has visited Philly throughout his life, so the usual spots like the Liberty Bell or Art Museum aren’t really options.  Besides, he is only 15, so he isn’t into traveling during his summer break for the sake of a history lesson.  I need to come up with something different.

What to do, what to do…

Then it hit me! My husband recently went on a Philly Movie Tour with his work as a sort of team building event. He said it was interesting and fun despite the fact that it didn’t really bring him any closer to his co-workers in the end. C’est la vie.

During the tour, you drive you around in one of those quaint old fashion trolleys while your guide shows you a slew of places in the city where major films have been shot.  They even show the clips on a video screen so you see how they altered the area to suit their needs.  Plus, they give you all the inside dirt about how locations were picked, the problems that were encountered, not to mention juicy rumours about the spoiled movie stars. 

I am sure any 15 year old kid would enjoy that.  Heck, I would enjoy it. And in the end, it’s all about me anyway, non?

As for dinner, my first thought was to go the Continental.  I can get me some shoe string fries and a Buzz Aldrin (there’s just something about licking Tang off a martini glass that thrills me). But, then I remembered he is only 15, and while I am not a prude about such things, he is not exactly my child to corrupt. So, I have no idea where we’ll end up eating.  Any suggestions? Remember though, something I would like.  It’s really all about me even though it is suppose to be about him. C’est la vie.

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For more information on Philly Movie Tours, check their website.  And don’t forget that you can get discounted tickets to this and other events through the Fun Savers website.  Please, no applause.  It’s just my job to pass along such great bargains.

12
Jul

Real Italian Water Ice

Author: Momish, Category: Philly Food, Philly Tourist

Did anyone see the one page layout in this month’s Philadelphia Magazine featuring John’s Italian Water Ice?  Makes you kinda feel nostalgic, doesn’t it?

I mean, don’t get me wrong, I definitely eat Rita’s.  I actually like Rita’s.  It’s not as bad as the other slush floating around calling itself authentic Italian water ice.  Rita’s actually does a good job at faking it.  And truth be told, there are times I want to get all radical and eat a Mango or Strawberry Kiwi concoction. Then I go to Rita’s because their menu would have to believe they serve three course meals and not flavored ice.

But, the times you want real, authentic water ice, you have to go to John’s.  (plus, I use to live two blocks away, but that is neither here or there really)  Last time I was there, they didn’t even offer me a spoon. You gotta respect that!

John’s offers up the good stuff.  Cherry and lemon with real fruit chunks.  The basics but done right.  Besides, it is one of those places in South Philly where I get to hear a twenty year old call me hon.  Call me over the hill, but I just thrive off those hons.

So as much as I devour Rita’s mango ice with complete gusto, give me John’s cherry or lemon any day, hon.

John’s is located at 7th & Christian streets in the heart of South Philadelphia.

22
Jun

America Starts Here

Author: Momish, Category: Attractions, Free Events, Philly Tourist, Something to Do

I love when people ask me, “What are your plans for the 4th of July holiday? Going away? Doing anything special?”

HELLO! People, this is Philadelphia! You know, the city where the piece of paper was signed on that day.  As in, the place that celebrates the holiday to the absolute fullest. 

Why leave and go to the shore, or anywhere else, on one of the biggest weekends in this city?  Especially when everyone else is coming here. You won’t see fireworks this good, I promise (well, Disney might put on as good a show).  And the concerts and the events that go on…  For free, I might add.  This year’s concert headliners are Philly’s own Hall and Oats.  Although, truth be told, I haven’t had the energy to deal with the crowds on the Parkway since my youth. 

Our new favorite spot to watch the fireworks is along the newly revamped river path.  But in my years I have watched them from some of the coolest places.  I use to love camping out on the bridges because the reflection off the river was really spectacular.   Anyone know of other great spots to view them? Maybe a nice place where the rest of the world has yet to catch on to?

Just in case anyone is unaware of this, let me tell you that Sunoco Welcomes America has a website that outlines all the activities and events going on, listing times for the fireworks, etc. 

16
Jun

Franklin Square

Author: Momish, Category: Family Friendly, Kids, Philly Tourist, Something to Do

Take it from me, if you are stuck in the city all weekend long with a toddler, the last thing you should do is stay indoors, especially when the weather is this spectacular.

What to do, what to do?

Aside from the events that come and go, there is always Franklin Square.  This little park is the latest Philly nook to crop up.  They have miniature golf, a carousel in addition to the general park and playgrounds.  It adds a little more to the usual playground outing, yet is not overwhelming to the point where you start popping the Advil before you even leave the house.

Located at 6th and Race Streets, its easily accessible and within walking distance of other city places, so you are not “stuck” there once you get there.  (A must when you are dealing with the terrible twos)

For more information, call Once Upon A Nation @ 215-629-4026 

Cost is free to visit the park and playground areas, however the Miniature Gold and Carousel have fees.

Check it out!