Philadelphia
So I am going on a random trip to Philadelphia. I was wondering if anyone had any experience biking around the city. I am going to be staying downtown at the Four Seasons. Anyone who has been and has ideas of things to see and do would be greatly appreciated.
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by shar on
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depends on what you want to see. Are you taking your bike?
The city is just as bike friendly if not more than Chicago. But DO watch out for the trolley tracks. They will eat you alive. A morning or evening ride along the Schuylkill (skookul) River bike path through Fairmount Park, along Kelly Drive. Most smaller parks have great things going on throughout the summer, so look into that...sorry, cant think of a good source on that right now. Its an old city with amazing charm around every corner.
There isnt much reason to go farther north than Northern Liberties, Farther west than University City, farther south than Queens Village.
Check out South Street, Rittenhose Square, Art Museum area, Old City.
WAAAY to many things to list.
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Permalink Reply by Daniel Villarreal on
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I think I might just rent one while I am there. I think it will be cheaper that shipping my bike.
shar said:depends on what you want to see. Are you taking your bike?
The city is just as bike friendly if not more than Chicago. But DO watch out for the trolley tracks. They will eat you alive. A morning or evening ride along the Schuylkill (skookul) River bike path through Fairmount Park, along Kelly Drive. Most smaller parks have great things going on throughout the summer, so look into that...sorry, cant think of a good source on that right now. Its an old city with amazing charm around every corner.
There isnt much reason to go farther north than Northern Liberties, Farther west than University City, farther south than Queens Village.
Check out South Street, Rittenhose Square, Art Museum area, Old City.
WAAAY to many things to list.
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Permalink Reply by Ryan on
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Watch out for cobblestone streets. Watch out for those damn duckboat / truck things (you'll know when you see them... and they're everywhere!). Annnnddd... definitely eat a cheesesteak.
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Permalink Reply by Natalie on
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If you want to rent a higher-end road bike and to get out of town, Human Zoom in Manayunk (just off the Schuylkill River) rents decent road bikes at a competitive price. You can ride northeast through Manayunk to a bike path that goes all the way out to Valley Forge--a nice ride, about 30 miles roundtrip, mostly flat with a few rolling hills before you reach the bike path.
On the weekend, West River Drive is closed to car traffic, and you can ride along the river from the Art Museum to the Falls Bridge. It's not a long stretch, less than five miles, but it's pretty.
I lived in the East Falls neighborhood, so I'm mostly familiar with Center City, the Falls, Manayunk, Mount Airy, Chestnut Hill, Germantown, etc. There are some pretty streets and beautiful houses out that way, and lots of nice rolling hills. Also, if you want to rent a mountain bike, there are wonderful, easily accessible trails in Fairmount Park, along with the gravel Forbidden Drive, which is quite beautiful and open only to bikes, horses, and people on foot. The guys at the bike shop ought to be able to tell you how to get there.
Philly is a little harder to navigate than Chicago because of all the crazy angled and curvy streets, so make sure you get a good map! Check out Reading Terminal Market while you're there--you can get all kinds of great fresh food. Philly has one of the best cheese selections in the U.S., including contraband unpasteurized cheeses from France. My favorite steak joint, Rick's, is in the market. It's a cousin of Pat's and better, I think. (Nobody agrees about cheesesteaks.) Also, D'Allessandro's on Henry Drive (not a bike-friendly street, though I rode on it many times) in Roxborough is incredible when the steaks are fresh, but for the busy times they cook up all the meat in advance and it's no good. A proper steak really needs fresh, hot grease. Also, try one with "Whiz"--that's right, Cheez Whiz. It's actually better than provolone.
Oh, and of course, there's all that history crap downtown. Stay alert for random signs like a small one that reads, "On this spot, Benjamin Franklin conducted experiments with electricity."
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Permalink Reply by igz on
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natalie, are you a recent Philly transplant?
Natalie said:If you want to rent a higher-end road bike and to get out of town, Human Zoom in Manayunk (just off the Schuylkill River) rents decent road bikes at a competitive price. You can ride northeast through Manayunk to a bike path that goes all the way out to Valley Forge--a nice ride, about 30 miles roundtrip, mostly flat with a few rolling hills before you reach the bike path.
On the weekend, West River Drive is closed to car traffic, and you can ride along the river from the Art Museum to the Falls Bridge. It's not a long stretch, less than five miles, but it's pretty.
I lived in the East Falls neighborhood, so I'm mostly familiar with Center City, the Falls, Manayunk, Mount Airy, Chestnut Hill, Germantown, etc. There are some pretty streets and beautiful houses out that way, and lots of nice rolling hills. Also, if you want to rent a mountain bike, there are wonderful, easily accessible trails in Fairmount Park, along with the gravel Forbidden Drive, which is quite beautiful and open only to bikes, horses, and people on foot. The guys at the bike shop ought to be able to tell you how to get there.
Philly is a little harder to navigate than Chicago because of all the crazy angled and curvy streets, so make sure you get a good map! Check out Reading Terminal Market while you're there--you can get all kinds of great fresh food. Philly has one of the best cheese selections in the U.S., including contraband unpasteurized cheeses from France. My favorite steak joint, Rick's, is in the market. It's a cousin of Pat's and better, I think. (Nobody agrees about cheesesteaks.) Also, D'Allessandro's on Henry Drive (not a bike-friendly street, though I rode on it many times) in Roxborough is incredible when the steaks are fresh, but for the busy times they cook up all the meat in advance and it's no good. A proper steak really needs fresh, hot grease. Also, try one with "Whiz"--that's right, Cheez Whiz. It's actually better than provolone.
Oh, and of course, there's all that history crap downtown. Stay alert for random signs like a small one that reads, "On this spot, Benjamin Franklin conducted experiments with electricity."
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Wow, thanks for all the info. What about the music scene. I like a lot of indie, and punk. I was hoping to find some places that might have live music or at least a nice dive with a good jukebox.
Natalie said:If you want to rent a higher-end road bike and to get out of town, Human Zoom in Manayunk (just off the Schuylkill River) rents decent road bikes at a competitive price. You can ride northeast through Manayunk to a bike path that goes all the way out to Valley Forge--a nice ride, about 30 miles roundtrip, mostly flat with a few rolling hills before you reach the bike path.
On the weekend, West River Drive is closed to car traffic, and you can ride along the river from the Art Museum to the Falls Bridge. It's not a long stretch, less than five miles, but it's pretty.
I lived in the East Falls neighborhood, so I'm mostly familiar with Center City, the Falls, Manayunk, Mount Airy, Chestnut Hill, Germantown, etc. There are some pretty streets and beautiful houses out that way, and lots of nice rolling hills. Also, if you want to rent a mountain bike, there are wonderful, easily accessible trails in Fairmount Park, along with the gravel Forbidden Drive, which is quite beautiful and open only to bikes, horses, and people on foot. The guys at the bike shop ought to be able to tell you how to get there.
Philly is a little harder to navigate than Chicago because of all the crazy angled and curvy streets, so make sure you get a good map! Check out Reading Terminal Market while you're there--you can get all kinds of great fresh food. Philly has one of the best cheese selections in the U.S., including contraband unpasteurized cheeses from France. My favorite steak joint, Rick's, is in the market. It's a cousin of Pat's and better, I think. (Nobody agrees about cheesesteaks.) Also, D'Allessandro's on Henry Drive (not a bike-friendly street, though I rode on it many times) in Roxborough is incredible when the steaks are fresh, but for the busy times they cook up all the meat in advance and it's no good. A proper steak really needs fresh, hot grease. Also, try one with "Whiz"--that's right, Cheez Whiz. It's actually better than provolone.
Oh, and of course, there's all that history crap downtown. Stay alert for random signs like a small one that reads, "On this spot, Benjamin Franklin conducted experiments with electricity."
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the Trocadero is a fantasitc music venue...check out their line up, the TLA on south street usually offers up great shows, the Fire is small with great shows, usually local acts.
Dives are everywhere. even a place called the Dive. its a great place to check out after Pat's or Gino's (tho i believe grease truck cheesesteaks are the best). some fun characters at tattoo mom's, cant miss bob and barbara's, and the Khyber is a MUST. Check out Eulogy around the corner if you love Belgian beer.
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Nah. I lived there from '01 to '05 for med school, and came back about five seconds after I graduated. I missed Sweet Home Chicago.
iggi said:natalie, are you a recent Philly transplant?
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Thanks for all the info everyone. This is going to be an awesome labor day weekend. I just found out that Philadelphia is having their naked bike ride the sunday I will be there. Now I get to do it in two cities.
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Permalink Reply by lauren sailor on
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aha, you will be in philly on labor day weekend? you should check out the WORLD championship bike polo tournament september 5-6, where at least one team from chicago will be competing. (they just won the syle/sportsmanship award at the north american tournament in seattle, so brooks is actually flying them to the worlds! ok had to brag about my boy's team--they also got brooks swift saddles and leather bar tape, oh man i am so jealous!). i'll be out cheering them on, too, after visiting my parents in lancaster, pa the weeks prior.
more info will be here as it becomes available.
Daniel Villarreal said:Thanks for all the info everyone. This is going to be an awesome labor day weekend. I just found out that Philadelphia is having their naked bike ride the sunday I will be there. Now I get to do it in two cities.
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Permalink Reply by T.C. O'Rourke on
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Ditto on the trolley tracks.
Almost every street is one way, less than two lanes with very slow moving traffic. It was possible to weave through the cross streets without ever stopping. The streets are terribly narrow, it's nicer on a fast bike.
Of all the North American cities I've visited, Philly was second only to Mexico city in on-street food vendors. Pretzels, bagels, fried egg sammiches.
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