Photo courtesy of Please Touch Museum

Memorial Hall in Fairmount Park is one of two buildings still standing from 1876 Centennial Exhibition. Ever since the Please Touch Museum restored and moved to the historic Memorial Hall, many of us grown-ups wanted to check out the building and what they’ve done with it. Now here’s our chance.

The Please Touch Museum is now hosting a Stuff for Grown-Ups Tour at the museum, which includes a self-guided tour of a restored Memorial Hall. Adults will be able to scope out the Centennial Exploration exhibit, which features a scale model, built in 1889, depicting the more than 200 buildings erected for the Centennial. There’s also the museum art collection, which includes two indoor murals created by Philadelphia’s Mural Arts Program and a 40-foot replica of the Statue of Liberty’s Arm and Torch created out of toys, games and other ‘found objects,’ gathered and assembled by Philadelphia artist Leo Sewell.

While you’re there, check out the museum’s collection of artifacts of childhood memories, which include The Rocket Express, the kid-sized monorail from the John Wanamaker department store, and the set and costumes from the children’s TV show Captain Noah and his Magical Ark. They probably won’t mind if you break into the “send your pictures to dear old Captain Noah” song. And even if they do mind, I’ll probably do it if the mood strikes. If they rename it to the Please Don’t Sing Museum, blame me.

Go today, go right way. Relive your childhood at dear old Please Touch Museum.

Please Touch Museum
4231 Avenue of the Republic, Philadelphia, PA 19131
(215) 581-3181
www.pleasetouchmuseum.org

There are a lot of really great cheese steak places here in Philly. Well here’s another, but with a twist if you’d like. CJ’s Steak & Eggs in Tacony makes a killer steak and egg sandwich. Deceptively simple, but superb. Four simple grilled ingredients, steak, egg, onions, and cheese very cleanly served up on a fresh roll make for a really tasty early (they open at 5am) or late (available all day) breakfast. On Saturday nights they stay open late, so it can also make for a great late night snack after a fun night out.

CJ’s is nothing fancy, but it is clean and functional. You order at the counter, grab a beverage, then grab a seat in a booth. Pay on your way out.

CJ’s is located on the left hand side of Cottman Ave. at State Road, immediately as you come off the Cottman Ave. exit of I-95 North. If you are coming south on 95, the easiest way is to turn right onto Bleigh at the exit, then turn left onto State Road at the traffic light. Cottman Ave will be one light down on your left, cross Cottman and turn into their parking lot.

A 12″ steak with egg, cheese and onions and a 20oz soda are a little under $8. Maybe if you eat oatmeal all week, your cardiologist will let you have one on the weekend.

CJ’s Steak N Eggs
5000 Cottman Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19135
(215) 333-5300

Philadelphia is a city blessed with many wonderful holiday traditions, many of which charmingly feature once very cool but now very dated technology. The newest attraction though is state of the art. The Comcast Holiday Spectacular utilizes the LED video wall at the Comcast Center, which just so happens to be the world’s largest. Last time I was there, I saw a huge crowd, most of whom didn’t appear to be Center City office workers.

The 15 minute show runs on the hour. Scenes include a condensed version of The Nutcracker, a big-band dance number on the Art Museum steps, a realistic sleigh ride, an ice skating number, and a children’s choir. Of course a portion of it is on YouTube. Modern life being what it is, we watched the YouTube video on my phone while waiting for the real thing to begin.

I recommend stopping by the Comcast Center concourse first for a cannoli from Termini Brothers to enjoy during the show. Give me a cannoli and I’ll stand through quite a few video musical dance numbers. The Comcast Holiday Spectacular is a great addition to Center City’s holiday attractions. It is a tradition I expect that will get better every year, especially as they figure out how to make best use of the challenging gap-tooth shaped video screen.

Holiday Lights @ Comcast
Up through New Years Day!
On the hour from 10:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m, with the exception of 5pm on weekdays.

Comcast Center
1701 John F. Kennedy Blvd., Philadelphia, PA

In the tradition of German Christmas Markets, a village of 50 wooden huts has arisen on the west side of City Hall. While many of the vendors feature items that are German and/or Christmas inspired, there are also many vendors with items from other cultures. Prices range from jaw-droppingly expensive to very affordable. There really is something for everyone.

There are also a good number of food vendors throughout the village. Every few steps you are presented with another food option, just like in Germany. Food options include grilled bratwurst, potato pancakes. fresh crepes, packaged bakery treats, and hot pretzels topped with ham and cheese.

If you travel counterclockwise from City Hall’s west portal, your last stop in the village will be Santa’s House. When I peaked in the window, Santa had his hands and lap full with a gaggle of young Philadelphians. Children of all ages can get their picture taken with Santa. There are variety of photo options including portraits, ornaments and photo magnets.

Located in between Macy’s, with its holiday double dose, and the Comcast Center’s Holiday Spectacular, the Christmas Village gives you another festive thing to do in between. But hurry! Today is the village’s last day.

Philadelphia Christmas Village

Philadelphia’s City Hall
Broad St & Market St, Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 686-1776