Retired Nomads - Part 2 : Philadelphia, PA

Philadelphia, PA - September 14

Today we had a short drive across the bridge to visit Philadelphia. We already bought our tickets online for the HOHO bus and we got them validated. We opted to start with Independence Hall before starting the HOHO route.

Benjamin Franklin Bridge over the Delaware River

Tickets are free to Independence Hall, but you need to go to the visitor’s center to get your ticket and time for the tour. So, we walked over there and then went back for the next scheduled tour. We had some time, so we checked out The Great Essentials exhibit that is located in the West Wing of Independence Hall where they display original printed copies of the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation, and the U.S. Constitution. Also, on display is the Syng inkstand, believed to be the silver inkstand in which 56 men dipped their pens to "mutually pledge their lives, their fortunes and their sacred honor" in the cause of independence.

Independence Hall

The Great Essentials exhibit

It was then time for the tour of Independence Hall. They take something like 70 people through at a time for the 30-minute tour. Their commentary was great, and we had plenty of opportunity to see everything and take photos.

From there we went to see Congress Hall. That tour was 20 minutes. Presidents Washington and Adams were both inaugurated in this building.

The line for the Liberty Bell was long, so we saved that for later. We jumped on the HOHO, but got off at the next stop at the Betsy Ross House. It was almost lunch time, so we went in search of a Philly Cheesesteak.

Elfreth's Alley

Campos for cheesesteaks

We then walked back to tour the Betsy Ross House and her grave. An actor is Betsy Ross and she is sewing as you go by and will answer any questions you may have. She will answer as if she is Betsy Ross. The laundry woman was in the lowest floor and she also made conversation with us. When she asked where we were from of course she didn’t know where Florida was since it wasn’t a state yet.

We got on the next HOHO and got off at the Eastern State Penitentiary. I had really wanted to see Al Capone’s cell, but it wasn’t mentioned on our audio tour, so I assumed it wasn’t viewable to the public. (I didn’t research it ahead of time or I would have known which cell block it was in) You could see it, but there were many different cell blocks and we didn’t have time to wander past them all. Not sure why they wouldn’t include that as one of the stops on their audio tour. Anyway, it was a great place to visit, in many ways it seemed way more awful than Alcatraz.

Quaker Meeting hall

Eastern State Penitentiary was once the most famous and expensive prison in the world, but stands today in ruin, a haunting world of crumbling cellblocks and empty guard towers. Known for its grand architecture and strict discipline, this was the world's first true "penitentiary," a prison designed to inspire penitence, or true regret, in the hearts of prisoners. Its vaulted, sky-lit cells once held many of America's most notorious lawbreakers, including bank robber "Slick Willie" Sutton and Al Capone. The facility was built in 1829 and closed in 1971.

the cell blocks were set up in a hub & spoke layout

the second floor catwalks

photo from Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site - Al Capone's cell

Tuberculosis block

death row

greenhouse

the Hole

From there we grabbed the bus again to “Rocky’s Steps” where we took our obligatory shots conquering the steps. We didn’t stand in line to get a photo with the statue. The tour guide said that “Rocky” only did 10 steps, he had a stunt double that went to the top. Seriously? Philadelphia Museum of Art has 72 steps and I did them twice.

Annette

Greg

Greg top on the left

view from the steps

We then rode the bus back to the beginning so we could see the Liberty Bell.

the steps were in the movie Trading Places

first Post Office

We got in and there wasn’t too big of a crowd around the bell. The State Park employee was a bit cranky. We have never encountered one that wasn’t pleasant. She yelled at the crowd and she wanted to split the group in two. Those that were interested in hearing about the bell and those that just wanted photos. She then said you make think photos are the most important thing, but I don’t agree. I want the people that are interested in the bell to be able to stand in front of me and hear about it. (small space and she was loud, you could hear her from anywhere) Anyway, only about 6 people went to her side, all the rest of us got our photos. We had just walked past all the exhibits that explained all about the bell so not sure what she added to that.

We then went back and just rode the HOHO around the circuit again for some photos we didn’t get earlier.

where root beer was nvented

the bust is made from military helmets

4 dragons at the entrance of Chinatown

Friendship Gate in Chinatown

reflection on the building

It was now past dinner time and we went into the Bourse Building which is kind of a food court and we checked out all of the stalls and decided on Dim Sum, but when we went back to order it was closed. The sign was kind of askew, so Greg asked if they were closed and the guys said yes, but I can take your orders. I’m glad he did since they were very good. We then grabbed a couple of desserts from another stall and brought them back to the hotel with us.