Today we’re featuring Philadelphia through the eyes of Amanda Benson. Benson is a product and packaging designer by day and an entrepreneurial savant by night. She’s been living in Philly for the past five years and is quite adamant about putting her beloved city on the creative map. Beyond making it her home, she knows all the ins and outs that make this city special. Have a look, take the walking tour and let us know what you think!
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1. Philadelphia Museum of Art: 2600 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy
Head over to what’s known as “The Art Museum,” made famous by Rocky, and jog up the steps like a champion. The top is beautifully scenic and makes for a great photo op. This building is a great example of the Art Deco architecture that can be found all over Philly. The Perelman Modern Art Building was added to this institution a few years ago, ensuring there’s something for everyone.
2. Bob & Barbara’s: 1509 South Street
This bar is a Philly fixture. The Motley Crew of clientele ensures you discard any stereotypes at the door. Order the house drink, called “The Special,” which consists of a shot of Jim Beam and a cold can of PBR for $3. You won’t want to leave.
3. Dirty Frank’s Bar: 347 South 13th Street
The great jukebox and casual non pretentious attitude makes this bar a local favorite. It’s hard not to make friends with the size of the large comfy booths. I spent a memorable winter evening there making paper snow-flakes while watching Rudolph’s Claymation Christmas!
4. El Vez: 121 South 13th Street
Steven Starr’s fusion themed restaurant that’s as kitschy as it is clever! This location at 13th and Samson Street is “Mexican-American meets east L.A. in a Tijuana taxi.” You’ll see smashes of bold color, a multidimensional wall of nachos and a gold low-rider doubling as a guac-mixing cart. Don’t forget to take momentous shots in the photobooth as you wait for your food to arrive!
5. Italian Market: 9th Street
Walk south on 9th from Christian Street through the Italian Market and see the longest running fresh produce market. Sample some fine Italian meat and cheese while shopping at one of the five farmers markets. The third weekend in May marks the star of the Italian Market Festival where all the local shops take it to the streets. Outdoor drinking and round tables for family-style snacking make it a perfect start to the summer season!
6. Tattooed Mom: 530 South Street
One of my favorite bars, Tattooed mom, is at 6th on South. You can sip a PBR tall boy while sitting in a bumper car upstairs. Leave your mark on the world, if you can find room on the graffitied walls, tables and chairs. 25 cent pierogies, corn dogs and the rest of the comfort fulfilling menu runs til 1am and serves as a refuge from the tourist bars lining South Street.
7. T & P Fine Art: 1143 South 9th Street
The best place to buy low-brow and outsider art in Philly, period. The name of the gallery was derived from the previous establishment which sold turtles and porn. The atmosphere encourages a sense of humor where art can be enjoyed with a cold beer and great people watching. The artists stay throughout the openings, so you can buy an El Toro original and enjoy a cold one with the artist before the night is over. There is also an unspoken understanding that the art outside the gallery walls is just as important as the framed pieces on the inside.
8. Jim’s Steaks: 431 North 62nd Street
Get a cheese steak at Jim’s in west Philly and you’ll experience exactly where the battle of the cheese steak was born. Originally the sandwiches were passed out the window as you drove by, but there’s no need to worry, there’s not much of a line at this best kept secret spot that was ironically, the first. The others are good, but this was the first and you can’t beat that.
9. Omoi: 1608 Pine Street
This charming boutique was launched by a Gaijin who brought her study abroad stateside. The Kawaii Japanese product and brands can’t be found anywhere else in the city, not to mention on this side of the map. It is a truly unique space with so much attention to detail. The displays speak to your inner child and will have your arms full by the time you reach the register.
10. Old City: Approx 3rd Street
Philadelphia, of course is famous for the Liberty Bell, the Betsy Ross House, Independence Hall and all that good stuff. Old City is where all the magic happened. It is marked with quaint cobblestone streets, gas lamps, boot scrapers and pretty much the first of everything in the States. These alternating black painted bricks are unique to Philadelphia and remind us of the forefathers and mothers that fought for the freedom we enjoy!
11. Magic Gardens: 1020 South Street
Attention grabbing mosaics spot Philly’s Center city walls, doorways and interiors. The artist, Isaiah Zagar received international acclaim this year when his son released the documentary, In a Dream, highlighting the artist and his entrepreneurial wife. If you want a more hands-on tutorial, he teaches a how-to course on the weekends where his students participate in the design and execution of more city-wide mosaics.
12. Spring: 13th and Pine Street
Philly has more murals per square mile than any other city in the nation. The city of bro, sis and art love is at it’s peak and David Guinn is a Philly Mural Arts Program veteran. This piece is one quarter of a seasonal series he created throughout East Philly. Smokers in front of Dirty Frank’s can contemplate life as they zone into it’s pixellated perfection.
The full set of photos can be viewed here.
Compiled by: Amanda Benson
