OT: Baltimore and Philadelphia

ronpolk

All-American
May 6, 2009
9,440
5,432
113
I have a work trip taking me to DC in a few weeks. I've done DC several times, so I plan to take a couple personal days and travel to Baltimore and Philadelphia. I've never been to either, so give me some advice on what to do. I'm staying the Inner Harbor area of Baltimore (Royal Sonesta) and near Independence Hall (Kimpton Hotel Monaco) in Philly. I will be checking out a Phillies game but the orioles will not be in town while I'm there.
 

Duke Humphrey

All-Conference
Oct 3, 2013
2,786
1,949
113
Philly might be...

I have a work trip taking me to DC in a few weeks. I've done DC several times, so I plan to take a couple personal days and travel to Baltimore and Philadelphia. I've never been to either, so give me some advice on what to do. I'm staying the Inner Harbor area of Baltimore (Royal Sonesta) and near Independence Hall (Kimpton Hotel Monaco) in Philly. I will be checking out a Phillies game but the orioles will not be in town while I'm there.

The dirtiest, nastiest town in the country.

You need to check out Annapolis and Gettysburg.
 

DoggieDaddy13

All-Conference
Dec 23, 2017
4,015
2,407
113
Wouldn't bother with Pat's or Geno's - both are grossly overrated. Save your money and get one at Jim's Steaks on South Street - get it with the cheese whiz and onions and whatever else you like.

It's a lot more fun hanging on South Street. Get a huge slice of pizza at Lorenzo's.

You're gonna really enjoy Citizens Bank Park and watching the Phils and Harper play. Independence Hall area has plenty to see and do. Check out the U Penn campus and eat at the White Dog. Used to be a great Ethiopian Place over there too. Can't remember the name now.

Inner Harbor is awesome - used to work a few blocks from there before it really got nice. been back and they got lots of good bars and eats.
 

BlueRidgeMtns

All-Conference
Nov 29, 2016
5,579
3,470
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Philly is great depending on the area you're in... like any other city.

The tourist thing to do is grab a cheese steak at Geno's... which are great, but it'll be crowded. The ballpark is amazing, I caught a Braves game there a couple years back. Grab a beer at Yard's brewing if you like craft beer.

As far as Baltimore, there's plenty to do around the Inner Harbor. You won't have a problem staying busy.
 

UpTheMiddlex3Punt

All-Conference
May 28, 2007
18,191
4,323
113
I second Jim's. It's a short walk from Independence Hall and has a shorter line (but you'll still stand in line).
 

ronpolk

All-American
May 6, 2009
9,440
5,432
113
Thank you everyone for all the tips... definitely looking forward to a cheesteak in Philly. Also, some type of crab in Baltimore!
 

615 Guy

Redshirt
Jun 6, 2018
294
12
18
Was in Philly last summer for a guys trip. We had a good time at the ball park, but we had a better time drinking in old city. Not sure what your interested in but I thought it was a fun town, may want to check out Reading Market for lunch.
 

bulldogcountry1

Redshirt
Jun 4, 2007
2,311
1
38
I agree that Gino's was overrated and a bit out of the way. I had a cheesesteak at the public market that was much better.

if you go to the ballpark, get some Chickie's and Pete's fries.
 

Ishmael

Redshirt
Sep 12, 2012
427
0
0
Reading Terminal Market for lunch is a solid suggestion, and if you go try the roast pork and provolone sandwich at DiNic’s. Someone or another named it the best sandwich in America a few years ago; that’s obviously subjective and dumb but it is an amazing sandwich.

Center City Philly has a lot of interesting historical places, but also a lot of cool places to eat and drink. The Art Museum is supposed to be good, and the steps out front are the famous Rocky steps. Boat House row is not far from there and kind of cool to see, but I’m not sure whether there’s anything much to do there other than walk next to the river.
 

TNT.sixpack

Redshirt
Nov 4, 2014
819
43
28
I have a work trip taking me to DC in a few weeks. I've done DC several times, so I plan to take a couple personal days and travel to Baltimore and Philadelphia. I've never been to either, so give me some advice on what to do. I'm staying the Inner Harbor area of Baltimore (Royal Sonesta) and near Independence Hall (Kimpton Hotel Monaco) in Philly. I will be checking out a Phillies game but the orioles will not be in town while I'm there.

Philly is hands-down the most disappointing city I’ve ever visited. Very dirty. The city is all the same the matter where you go. You’ve seen one part of the city, you’ve seen it all. The only positive thing I can say is the best steak I’ve ever eaten anywhere in the United States was the DelMonaco ribeye at Butcher and Singher in Philadelphia. Unbelievable. And I travel a lot and I’ve eaten a lot of steak houses.
 

JungRebel

Redshirt
Aug 23, 2012
2,606
0
0
Perhaps should go without saying, but check out the Liberty Bell. A personal favorite of mine is the Museum of the American Revolution right down the street. Make sure to catch the film on George Washington's war tent...
 

LandArchDawg

Junior
Sep 14, 2003
2,592
253
83
Having lived there a couple of years for grad school this is the right advice for Philly. Also check out the Reading Terminal Market. Get a hot Philly pretzel from a street vendor in Center City.
 

RocketDawg

All-Conference
Oct 21, 2011
20,392
3,056
113
Philly is hands-down the most disappointing city I’ve ever visited. Very dirty. The city is all the same the matter where you go. You’ve seen one part of the city, you’ve seen it all. The only positive thing I can say is the best steak I’ve ever eaten anywhere in the United States was the DelMonaco ribeye at Butcher and Singher in Philadelphia. Unbelievable. And I travel a lot and I’ve eaten a lot of steak houses.

Yes, Philadelphia is a very dirty city. But there are some good things ... the art museum is great, the historical area is really good, you can get a fantastic cheesesteak just about anywhere in South Philly (and maybe other places as well), pizzas are really good, Franklin Museum is good, you could take in a Philly's game if they're in town. Lots of historic things, but in my opinion, not nearly as interesting as Boston. Longwood Gardens just outside Philly is a huge botanical garden, and probably the best in the US. You could easily spend an entire day there. If you have a car, drive to the Lancaster Amish country ... beautiful countryside.

In Baltimore, you could take in the aquarium. It should be very near your hotel.
 

RocketDawg

All-Conference
Oct 21, 2011
20,392
3,056
113
Reading Terminal Market for lunch is a solid suggestion, and if you go try the roast pork and provolone sandwich at DiNic’s. Someone or another named it the best sandwich in America a few years ago; that’s obviously subjective and dumb but it is an amazing sandwich.

Center City Philly has a lot of interesting historical places, but also a lot of cool places to eat and drink. The Art Museum is supposed to be good, and the steps out front are the famous Rocky steps. Boat House row is not far from there and kind of cool to see, but I’m not sure whether there’s anything much to do there other than walk next to the river.

Is that the upscale flea market place that's in a 5 story or so old warehouse building?
 

ezsoil

Junior
May 26, 2013
1,352
285
83
I have to say even though the city is a hell hole ...they have done a nice job preserving the historical district and maintaining it...if you have time Valley Forge is worth a few hours of you time north of the city.
 

PBRME

All-American
Feb 12, 2004
11,553
5,722
113
Had to spend some time in Philly for work 11-12 years ago. All the local Philly people I worked with said Tony Luke’s was the place to go. The one on Oregon St.

I also found a place in Bensalem just north of Philly. Champ’s Pizza. Best sandwich I had there. Probably one of the best I’ve ever had anywhere.

Special Cheese Steak
(Steak w/Green Peppers, Fried Onions, Pepperoni, Mushrooms, Pizza Sauce,
American & Provolone Cheeses)
 

thekimmer

All-Conference
Aug 30, 2012
8,904
3,084
113
Spent a lot of time in both DC and Baltimore. 100x more to see and do in DC. I second the notion of Annapolis. Naval academy, state capitol, nice town. Eat at chick and Ruth’s deli.

Baltimore I would not recommend venturing outside inner harbor area. Lots of crab places around. Don’t do a national chain. If you are looking for another authentic experience try Altman’s deli for lunch. There is an aquarium at inner harbor. Never went. Fort mchenry further up the harbor. Take in a game at Camden yard.
 
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