Jon's Philadelphia Links and Information

Philadelphia is a city rich in history and culture.  It was the nations Capital (for a red-hot 10 seconds) and served as the birthplace of the Constitution.  It gives me great pleasure to give you a list of things to do and places to go (some historical and some not) with an insiders perspective.  Hope you enjoy!                        

Philadelphia Sports Teams

O.K. important stuff first.  We are EXTREMELY passionate about our teams.  Philadelphia fans distinguish themselves with a special kind of class and style.  Go to any sporting event in this city, and you will know you are in a special place as you hear a chorus of boo's....even when the team is doing well!  Hell, we even booed Santa Clause one year.  Here are links to the Phillies (Baseball), Flyers (Hockey), Sixers (Basketball) and Eagles (Football) web sites, as well as some helpful hints on proper Philly Fan etiquette.

The Philadelphia Flyers  The Flyers were once the Oakland Seals.  After moving from northern California in 1967-68 they became the team that all hockey nuts in the city have come to know and love.  The Flyers last won an NHL championship in 1976, and have made appearances in the Stanley Cup Finals in 1997.  The Flyers play their home games at the Corestates Center on Broad and Pattison Streets, which opened in 1995.

Jon's Inside Tip:  DO NOT show up to a home game wearing a New Jersey Devils Jersey.

Visit Their Website at www.philadelphiaflyers.com

The Philadelphia Seventy-Sixers  The Sixers made their last appearance in the NBA Finals in the spring of 2001.  Though they lost to the Lakers in 4 Games, the team made the city enormously proud.  Many basketball legends have played for the Sixers--Wilt Chaimberlain, Julius Erving, Moses Malone, and Charles Barkley have all donned Philadelphia jersey's for a significant portion, or all of their career.

Jon's Inside Tip: No matter how much you love Kobe Bryant (Phila. native who plays for the Lakers), do not openly proclaim that love anywhere inside the building.

Visit their website at www.nba.com/sixers/

The Corestates Center--Home of the Flyers, and Sixers

The Philadelphia Eagles  The Eagles can make any football fan want to pull their hear out, but we love em' anyway!  Never has any team showed so much promise, yet shown utter futility when it mattered the most.  The Eagles have played in the National Football Conference title game for the past two years, yet have no Super Bowl Appearances to show for it. The Eagles will move in to a new stadium next year--Lincoln Financial Field--after almost 20+ years at Veterans Stadium.

Jon's Inside Tip: Do NOT under any circumstances mention the Dallas Cowboys.

    Visit their website at www.philadelphiaeagles.com

The Philadelphia Phillies One of the country's oldest baseball teams, the Phillies were once the Philadelphia Athletics and played in Connie Mack Stadium at 21st and Lehigh.  The Phillies only World Series Title came in 1980 (I was three!), and since that time have made two more appearances (1983,1993)  Though the Phillies have had their fair share of tough seasons, the fans are some of the most loyal in the world.  Though they mean well, they can get a little rowdy at times.

Jon's Inside Tip:  If you think you're going to get drunk enough to make a public disturbance, DO NOT do it while inside the stadium.  Four years ago the city opened a miniature  municipal court on the 500 level....it can get ugly.

visit their website at www.phillies.com

Philadelphia Cuisine

Growing up, my Father told me stories of going out to eat on the weekend at one restaurant or another that had just opened.  That was the early 1970's.  Many years have passed, and some of those establishments still exist, while some of them have closed.  However, through the decades one of the only culinary experiences that is synonymous with the city is the Cheesesteak!

A Brief History and Description

 

 

Philly is known worldwide for its cheeseteaks.  A cheesesteak is a steak usually either ribeye or sirloin steak which is in either vegetable oil or butter which is than covered with either processed cheese, or provolone, or American cheese, and placed in an Italian role.  Popular items to add to your steak include fried onions, sweet peppers, hot peppers and mushrooms. 

Legend has it that Pat Olivieri back in the 1930's was frying up some thin cut steak and accidently got cheese on it.  A taxi driver tried it and enjoyed it so much that the legendary cheeseteak was born.  Pat opened Pat's King of steaks in 1932 and the Philly cheesesteak has been a mainstay of Philadelphia cuisine ever since.

There are many places to go to get a good cheesesteak, but in this web designers humble opinion the only place to go is Jim's Steaks on 4th and South streets.

For more information about Jim's please visit their website at www.jimssteaks.com

Stuff to do!

There is certainly no shortage of attractions and things to do in Philadelphia, shops, art galleries, and other attractions abound, but if you really want a great day of learning and fun I would suggest going to the Franklin Institute.  The Franklin Institute is a science museum that I have been going to since I was old enough to understand anything about that stuff (4 yrs old maybe?)  It is a wonderful place for people of all ages.  It is located at Logan Circle, which is a beautiful spot in Center City, and is also within walking distance of the Natural History Museum, and the Please Touch Museum which is a kids museum.

On February 5, 1824, Samuel Vaughan Merrick and William H. Keating founded The Franklin Institute of the State of Pennsylvania for the Promotion of the Mechanic Arts. Located in the Philadelphia County Court House (known today as Independence Hall), The Franklin Institute's purpose was to honor Ben Franklin and advance the usefulness of his inventions. Soon, the Institute moved to the east side of Seventh Street, between Market and Chestnut Streets, (today the home of the Atwater Kent Museum) where it remained for its first century.

In 1930, The Franklin Institute and the Poor Richard Club began to seek funds to build a new science museum and memorial hall. In just twelve days, the sum of 5.1 million dollars was raised, providing the means for construction to begin. In 1932, the cornerstone of the new Franklin Institute was laid at 20th Street and the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. In 1933, construction began on the Fels Planetarium, donated by Samuel S. Fels. It was to be only the second planetarium in America.

On January 1, 1934, The Franklin Institute Science Museum opened to the public. The Museum's hands-on approach to science and technology, combined with the Fels Planetarium, made the Institute a popular spot. As the end of the twentieth century drew near, major changes were beginning at the Institute. In May of 1990, The Mandell Center, Tuttleman Omniverse Theater (now known as the Tuttleman IMAX Theater), and Musser Theater opened, adding dramatically to the size and appeal of The Franklin Institute. The new exhibits, exciting Omnimax films, and interactive presentations continued the Institute's long tradition of making science and technology fun.

For more info, please visit their website at http://sln.fi.edu/

Thanks for visiting

Jon's Phillypage!

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