Philadelphia

         Philadelphia is a side trip, and not too many Loopers take the time to go up the Delaware River to this wonderful city.  This was a relatively recent decision of ours.  I’ve never been here, Dan was only here once, and he can’t remember the reason why or what he spent time doing.  For a cruiser, it’s pretty easy half-day cruise at 6 knots up river from Delaware City, if the tide is with you.  There are several little reasonable marinas tucked in among the riverfront condoes, and we chose Pier 3 to stay at.  This is between Penn’s Landing and the Benjamin Franklin bridge, and everything in the historic district is walkable from here.  Public transit (buses and subways) are also available at Penn’s Landing, so virtually everywhere nearby is accessible.  

        We set off at dawn and arrived before noon and set off on foot shortly afterward to find a Philly cheese steak for lunch.  We found Sonny’s on Market street, which we later heard was the second most popular place to go according to locals.  It certainly was busy when we were there.  

        We have spent a day and a half roaming this town, two nights at the marina. (May 16-17)  We walked down Elfreth Alley.  We visited Benjamin Franklin’s house, print shop, post office and grave.  (People throw pennies on the grave because Franklin was a penny-pincher.)  We saw the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall.  We toured the US Mint and the Jewish-American Museum.  We’ve seen the Rocky statue and the steps of the Philadelphia Art Museum that he made famous in the movie.  We walked up and down Chinatown, and enjoyed lunch at the Reading Terminal Market.  We’ve taken the Big Bus tour that gives a really nice overview of what is here.  Our tour guide was also a history professor and had a lot to say about the architecture, the various levels of society, and who did what where.  We then walked much of tour’s route to get a closer look at many of the buildings, and we stopped at a couple beer gardens for refreshment in the afternoons.  

        There are many, many things we didn’t see - the Revolutionary War Museum, the Constitution Museum, the many Art Museums - but we feel we’ve gotten some of the highlights.  This is a very proud city filled with art and history; it’s worth coming back to.  I also have to mention the people who live here.  They are, to a person, friendly and welcoming, and eager to offer help, directions, and advice.  Several times we stopped to consult our map and each time a passerby stopped to offer cheerful assistance.  As you’re cruising between New Jersey and the Chesapeake, you should seriously consider a side trip to Philadelphia!

A side note:  it is not always sunny in Philadelphia.  We didn't see the sun until this morning, and then only briefly.  It's supposed to drizzle the rest of the day.  We are awaiting the tide to take us back downriver to Delaware City.