Fun things to do in Philadelphia

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For having a somewhat exaggerated reputation as being a city full of fat people, Philly is host to a number of great athletic events. Pictured here is the Philadelphia Distance Run, there's also the 10 mile Broad St. Run and of course the Manayunk Bike Race (I forget what the ACTUAL title is). The bike race is definitely one big block party after the other (I've spent many a June stumbling around Manayunk's hills). The other races just add to something fun to do and experience.

You definitely wouldn't think that Philly was a wine destination, but there are a number of excellent wineries in the vicinity. There are of course places that just sell alcoholic grape juice, but we've found sufficient places to impress us.

New Hope Winery is good for general enjoyment.
Peace Valley is EXCELLENT wine
Buckingham has really neat technology and sparkling wine. Terrible reds.
Folly Hill...very secret, very great
Chaddsford is not bad and the place to say you went. Naked Chardonnay is great

The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts is a large, landmark, performance venue on Broad St. It's home to the Philadelphia Orchestra, considered one of the best symphony orchestras in the world, which is currently conducted by Maestro Christoph Eschenbach. If you like classical music, you won't be disappointed!

Make like a Philly local and queue up for $10 last-minute tickets through the Community Rush and Student Rush ticket programs. I'd recommend you show up earlier than 5:30pm for evening shows or 11:30am for matinees. Instructions from the Kimmel Center website:

Community Rush
A limited number of $10 tickets will be available for every Kimmel Center Presents performance. These $10 tickets go on sale at the Kimmel Center Box Office (no phone sales) on the day of the performance at 5:30pm for evening performances and 11:30am for matinees. Limit one ticket per person. All rush seating locations are at the discretion of management.

Student Rush
Kimmel Center Presents offers Student Rush tickets on a show-by-show basis to students with ID. Student Rush ticket availability is based on prior sales, and all seat locations are at the discretion of management. Call on the day of the event for availability. When available, Student Rush tickets go on sale 30 minutes prior to the event at the Kimmel Center Box Office at $10 per ticket with ID. Limit one per person.

The Kimmel Center itself is a gorgeous structure and you can take free tours of the facility if you're into that kind of thing. The largest hall in the venue, Verizon Hall, is wood-paneled with a distinctive curvy shape (rumoured to be modeled after a cello).

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In March of each year the Convention Center in Philadelphia is transformed into a garderning wonderland. I had heard about this show and how wonderful it was so finally in 2007 I had a chance to see it. This year the theme of the show was Ireland. When we went in the convention hall, it was filled with displays of flowers and little scenes that could have come from Ireland. It's a breath of early spring. All of the flowers here in the show have been forced into bloom in greenhouses but the effect is spectacular. I took some photos with the flash on my camera. In addition to the garden scenes, there are also individual plants which are judged, lectures on a variety of subjects and vendors selling everything a gardener could want from hoes to frogs to sit in your garden and beautiful pots. We were glad that we were here at 8am when it opened because by 11:00 it was very crowded.

From Feb. 3, 2007 through Sept. 30, 2007 the King Tutankhamun Exhibit will be at the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia. You need a timed ticket for the exhibit which you may obtain through the mail on the website for a considerable mailing fee. This is an excellent exhibit. The only other time items from King Tut's tomb have been on display in the U.S. was from 1976-1979. And this time there are almost twice as many items on view. It's been 30 years since they have been out of Egypt. The U.S. is paying 40 million dollars for the exhibit to tour here. This money will go to the Egyptian Supreme Council of Antiquities and will help pay for the new museum in Cairo and site restroation in Egypt. The objects on display were beautiful. It was incredible to see the gold items which the Egyptians thought symbolized eternity because their shine doesn't fade. Also the inlaid work on amulets and jewelry was incredible. There were also canopic jars which held the mummified organs from the mummy. Also here were boat models, throwing sticks, thrones, and chests. This is a once in a lifetime chance to see these wonderful objects.

In Old City close to Penns Landing is one of the oldest known streets in the United States. All the homes are kept in great condition and at certain times the owners open up their homes for viewings. We actually found this street by accident and it was definitely a plus, whether or not we were on a formal tour. I would at least walk by here if you get a chance.

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Visitors to the Franklin Institute of Science Museum have the opportunity to see special traveling

exhibits, permanent exhibits or maybe even find out what its like to be a professional athlete in

the 5,500 square foot sports stadium. Families in and visiting Philadelphia will be pleased with the

wide array of exciting permanent exhibits that cater to a younger set such as Sir Issac’s Loft, the

Giant Heart and even the chance to see something out of this world in the Joel N. Bloom

Observatory. An IMAX theater and planetarium gives weary museum viewers the chance to take

in some science while sitting down before heading to more exhibits in the Franklin Institute of

Science Museum. This Philadelphia attraction will keep little kids—and their big kid parents

—entertained for hours with hands on activities. Be sure to check out the Space Command

exhibition to complete an out of this world experience right in Philadelphia.

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The Reading Terminal Market has a history almost as complex as the other historical attractions

in Philadelphia. In the 1890s the market was established conveniently under a railroad station

that allowed products to reach about 60 suburban towns and seaside resorts on the New

Jersey shore. Built during the Industrial Revolution, the Reading Terminal Market was

considered state of the art with 52 separate rooms that allowed each to be cooled based on

what was being sold in each room. Over the years, this Philadelphia attraction not only survived

the Great Depression, but also the hard years during World War II. Although there was a period

of time in which the organization running the Reading Terminal Market neglected the

businesses, in recent years it has been revitalized and become an attraction for visitors as well

as a staple for locals. Not only is there a long historical background, but the Reading Terminal

Market is open all week for exploration of culinary delights and products from local Pennsylvania

vendors.