Philadelphia Local Customs

  • A steak sandwich from a pushcart w/onions and wiz
      A steak sandwich from a pushcart...
    by dlandt
  • From Tony Luke's sit down section
      From Tony Luke's sit down section
    by dlandt
  •   Local Customs
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Most Viewed Local Customs in Philadelphia

  • Philly Facts, Philadelphia

    1. Philly Facts

    I know Philly has a bit of a rough-around-the edges, blue collar reputation, but as long as you're not an opposing team at a professional sporting event, the locals are really friendly! They don't...   more
  • Cheese Steaks, Philadelphia

    2. Cheese Steaks

    I know a lot has been written about the cheese steak. I read a lot of reviews before going and thought I knew what to expect, but there was one surprise. The steak actually tastes juicy and there...   more
  • Mummers, Philadelphia

    3. Mummers

    As part of the Society of Friends (aka "Quakers"), William Penn founded this city to be a beacon of tolerance, dignity, and thoughtfulness. Ben Franklin was enraptured by such a community, and tried...   more
  • Philadelphia Rowhomes, Philadelphia

    4. Philadelphia Rowhomes

    First of all, I don't recommend visiting Philly during snow season -- weather here can be less than ideal. Secondly, I don't recommend using a car when visiting here. Walking and mass transit are far...   more
  • Murals, Philadelphia

    5. Murals

    Philadelphia is full of art, if you look carefully, you can find wonderful murals on the sides of builds all over philadelphia. Done by local artist these great paints seem to last and can depict...   more
  • The Philadelphia Flower Show, Philadelphia

    6. The Philadelphia Flower Show

    This place was so crowded, I couldn't wait to get out. I heard about it for years, and always wanted to go. I will never go again. It is definately, a 'seen it been there, done that' activity. Save...   more
  • Kimmel Center, Philadelphia

    7. Kimmel Center

    This is the new addition to Philly's arts district. This new building features a 2,500 seat Verison Hall designed for the Philadelphia Orchestra and the Perelman Theater that seat 650. The Kimmel...   more
  • X Games, Philadelphia

    8. X Games

  • 4th of July Celebration, Philadelphia

    9. 4th of July Celebration

  • The roast pork, provolone and rapini sandwich, Philadelphia

    10. The roast pork, provolone and rapini sandwich

    Everyone knows about the Philly cheese steak, but not many people know of its younger brother. This sandwich is far lkess well known and far less readily...   more
  • Gay Rights Historical Marker, Philadelphia

    11. Gay Rights Historical Marker

    Philadelphia has a vital glbtq community, and played a significant role in the national struggle for rights and recognition in the late 20th century....   more
  • Philadelphia Airport as a connection, Philadelphia

    12. Philadelphia Airport as a connection

    Hi!Okay, Your Port of Entry to the US will be Philadelphia and you will definitely have to go through customs and immigration. YES - you will have to claim your...   more
  • Parking in Philly!, Philadelphia

    13. Parking in Philly!

    Narrow, 18th-century streets have resulted in a 21st-century challenge: parking. Your best option for the Historic District and Center City -- especially if you...   more
  • Tipping in Philly!, Philadelphia

    14. Tipping in Philly!

    RestaurantsBartender - 10-15% of bar billHeadwaiter/Maitre d' - nothing unless special services are provided; in that case, about $5 (more for exceptional...   more
  • A Chinatown celebration, Philadelphia

    15. A Chinatown celebration

    Philly's Chinatown comes alive during the Chinese New Year celebrations. Obviously, it's only once a year but check it out if you're in town at that time. The...   more
  • Funerals....., Philadelphia

    16. Funerals.....

    I am not sure if this is a Philly thing or just a big city thing but the small town we come from does it differently.When we have a funeral, the person is...   more
  • Philadelphia Fringe, Philadelphia

    17. Philadelphia Fringe

    You are likely to see an amazing variety of people in Philadelphia. Many people will belong to fringe groups: punks, skaters, goths, etc. etc. It certainly...   more
  • Philadelphia Talk, Philadelphia

    18. Philadelphia Talk

    In my experience, Philadelphians generally do not have much of an accent. Many do mispronounce "o" and for example the weather might be "cohld." It's close to a...   more
  • Mutter Museum, Philadelphia

    19. Mutter Museum

    Philadelphia just may lead the nation in weird museums starting with the Mutter Museum, home of President Grover Cleveland's cancerous jawbone (in a jar), John...   more
  • Festivals and goings on . . ., Philadelphia

    20. Festivals and goings on . . .

    You can always take a look in a local weekly like City Paper or just by checking on a website such as philly.com for a listing of local festivals and events....   more
  • Cheez Whiz, Philadelphia

    21. Cheez Whiz

    The people in this city have a thing for Cheez Whiz. I mention this because fairly often when you order something in a restaurant and ask for cheese on said...   more
  • Fete Days, Philadelphia

    22. Fete Days

    On Elfreth's Alley, America's oldest continually occupied residential street which dates to 1702, each year during the first weekend in June residents open up...   more
  • Flamenco in Philadelphia, Philadelphia

    23. Flamenco in Philadelphia

    Philadelphia is one of the few cities in the United States that has a flamenco community (of which I am a part.) In Philadelphia, there are 3 major dance...   more
  • Ordering a Lager, Philadelphia

    24. Ordering a Lager

    When you're in the tri-state area ( SE Penn down to Newark, DE and then South Jersey) you'll come across the beer named Yuengling Lager. Now, if you go into a...   more
  • Historic signage everywhere, Philadelphia

    25. Historic signage everywhere

    WE toured the Old City District and the Historic Waterfront District as well as a few others...and I must say Philadelphia did a bang up job at telling their...   more

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acemj profile photo

Fantastic Philly! My homebase.

 Quick, name the top five cities in the world for great food! What did you come up with? New York? Paris? Hong Kong? London? San Francisco? Madrid? Singapore? What about Philadelphia? Did you know... 

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PHILADELPHIA--Brotherly Love And More

 Philadelphia is a spectacular city to visit! It is welcoming and loaded with history! We live closer to New York City, but it's Philadephia we prefer. A marvelous Spring Flower Show is presented at... 

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Philadelphia and the Delaware Valley

 Ok, no matter where I go.. or where I live, I will always be from the Philadelphia area. Like any city, it has its pros and cons. But, it has a great mixture of old and new, historic and modern,... 

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City of Brotherly Love

 Philadelphia is my "almost" home. As we live only 20 minutes away, we spend a lot of time here. I hope to add many tips about this beautiful, charming and very manageable city. 

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PHILADELPHIA

 Philadelphia is a collection of wonderful neighborhoods of all sizes, vintage, and description. I found the city to be very "human" in much of its scale...and rather quiet by comparison to Boston or... 

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