Philadelphia is tasty, but it’s not just cheese

TravelMole MD Graham McKenzie continues his tasty tour of Philadelphia.

"The city of  independents – that’s how I view Philadelphia. It’s akin to a town that has deliberately set out to attract sole traders and ward off multinationals. Take the coffee shops for an example. Yes of course you see the ones you see in every city in every part of the world but here it would appear that the most popular ones, the trendy ones are all owned and run by individuals as opposed to large corporations. This means that each and every café of this nature that you sip your latte at is offering something unique and in the most part giving a service that drives it above the norm. In short the city is full of artisans and the city fathers make sure that the conditions are just right to nurture and grow these artisanal enterprises.

Of course it doesn’t just apply to cafes. The same principles can be seen in restaurants, bars, shops, markets, general stores and stalls. Enthusiasm for the task at hand seems to be the key and a desire to offer the highest quality of product the goal. You can see skateboard manufacturers who used the X games of 2000, held in Philadelphia, as an inspiration to produce handmade boards. Specialist ice cream makers with specialty sundaes to a classic cone with sprinkles that would melt your heart not just your taste buds. You can only be impressed by museum attendants bursting with pride and information about their home town. The list really does not end but what does it mean to the average tourist? Well what you will get in Philadelphia is a unique experience …Clone Town it aint!

A small  Philly Mural

Even the brickwork is exclusive as many of them are adorned by creative, colourful and often spiritual murals. Almost every corner you turn you will be met by a large expanse of highly decorated wall. Philly has more frescos that you could throw a paint brush and spray can at. I visited many of them via a Segway tour and have to admit to pre take off nerves but once conquered what a fantastic experience this is. Once you get your Seg wings it’s like floating around on very efficient skis without any of the cold, bumps, gloves or goggles instead its shorts, t-shirt and shades as you glide around town studying the budding Bankys’s.

When in Rome

So I have mentioned the food but to get a taste of almost everything the area produces you have to visit Reading Terminal Market. For a gourmand it’s like entering Aladdin’s cave as over 75 purveyors of tasty, fresh local food tempt you from their stalls. Locally made mozzarella, fresh baked bread with a few tomatoes grown no more than ten miles out of town was my choice for lunch and it was so good it was almost like being in Italy again. Once you have left the market you could take with you fresh groceries to further your foodie experience and truly act like a native.

The city grew from a declaration of independence and it has kept true to that philosophy right up to the modern day with truly matchless offerings everywhere you turn. Worth a visit ! "

Graham flew with Delta 

             stayed at the Sonesta

            and  floated with Philly by Segway