Historic Philadelphia comes to life on the Independence After Hours Tour

Have you ever wished you could have dinner with Thomas Jefferson? Eavesdrop on the Founding Fathers as they hammered out the Declaration of Independence? Now, with Historic Philadelphia Center’s Independence After Hours tour, you can.

Put on your walking shoes and head over to the Historic Philadelphia Center this summer for an evening walking tour that highlights some of Philadelphia’s historic landmarks.

Delicious drinks at the City Tavern, served up by our wonderfully friendly reenactress

The three hour tour – recommended for children 10 and older – begins with a delightful three-course meal at the historic City Tavern where you will be entertained with tales from colonial townspeople. Then, sneak into Independence Hall after the daytime crowds are long-gone and get a first-hand glimpse of Benjamin Franklin, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson as they prepare the document that launched America as a nation.

On a recent balmy Friday evening, my friend Eric and I joined a family of tourists from New Hampshire and made our way together down the cobblestoned streets of the Old City section of Philadelphia. On our journey, we met a variety of colonial characters, each with their own distinctive American story, who charmed the eight-year old on the tour with us with stories about colonial Philadelphia.

After a tasty colonial-style dinner, our guide, a handsome colonist named Printer Dunlop snuck us into Independence Hall itself, which is all the more impressive when you are viewing it emptied of its usual crowds. There, we enjoyed a reenactment of the Founding Fathers working on the Declaration of Independence. If you’ve ever wanted to see American history come to life, this is the tour for you.

For more information, like dates and times, visit Historic Philadelphia’s official website.

Independence After Hours Tour [ www.historicphiladelphia.org ]

Fresh Fruit & the Philadelphia Cheesesteak Omelet @ Jack's

Planning on stopping by the Philadelphia Museum of Art this weekend to enjoy some paintings? Or maybe you’re thinking of taking a long stroll along Boathouse Row on Kelly Drive.

Either way, don’t miss Jack’s Firehouse on Fairmount Ave, a stone’s throw from the Art Museum and a Philadelphia favorite for 20 years. And if you’re a brunch fan like I am and find yourself in the area between 11AM-3PM, do yourself a favor and try something delicious from their extensive brunch menu.

Bread Basket, Muffins and Biscuits

A couple weeks ago, I joined friends on the outdoor veranda at Jack’s to sample their brunch offerings. We settled into their comfy wicker chairs and kicked off brunch with a round of spicy Bloody Marys followed by mimosas. Brunch began with a bread basket – freshly-made home-style biscuits and corn muffins served with delectable raspberry jam and butter.

Breakfast Quesadilla with Eggs, Bacon and Pepperjack @ Jack's

I ordered the Philadelphia Cheesesteak Omelet with Cheddar and Fried Onions and my friend Danya got the Breakfast Quesadilla with Eggs, Bacon and Pepperjack. Neither of us were disappointed. The generous portions were easily shared among the group and even after gorging ourselves with the warm-from-the-oven chocolate chip pecan cookies that came with the bill, we found ourselves nibbling at the bread basket.

So if you want a chill place where you can hang out with friends and start the morning right – go to Jack’s.

Jack’s Firehouse
2130 Fairmount Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19130
(215) 232-9000
www.jacksfirehouse.com

Philly Cupcake

It’s official; Philadelphia has turned into a cupcake town. Nowhere is this more apparent than the recent opening of Philly Cupcake on 12th and Walnut. Philly Cupcake, also known as “The Cupcakery Boutique,” is sure to delight even the most discerning of Philadelphians with its assortment of sinfully-sweet, moist cupcakes.

The store, which opened in December, serves traditional cupcakes like chocolate, vanilla and red velvet along with more unique confections such as cinnamon swirl coffee, banana, Jewish apple strudel and the ever-popular Reese’s chocolate-peanut-butter-massacre cupcake. Each and every cupcake features a beautiful icing design by Philly Cupcake’s talented artisans that will make you want to wait until the very last possible minute to bite into this little bit of edible art.

You can take a box of cupcakes home or enjoy them in the pink confines of the store, which owners Michael Lewish and Johnny Columbo decorated with cupcake-print wallpaper and various antique fixtures, including a few gorgeous turn-of-the-century chandeliers. Down a cupcake with some organic chocolate or vanilla milk or pick up some La Columbe Coffee, homemade hot chocolate, or Tazo Tea to accompany your sweet treat.

The store also sells an assortment of chocolate-covered creations that make great gifts for you or your sugar-loving friends.

Philly Cupcake
1132 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 625-4888
www.phillycupcake.com

Mauckingbird Theater Company's poster for TRU & the Threshing Floor

The Threshing Floor, directed by Brandon McShaffrey, skillfully examines and unfolds the complicated life of Baldwin, author of a number of formative works including Giovanni’s Room and Go Tell It on the Mountain, in a moving one-act, one-man play written by and starring James Ijames.

In the play, Ijames portrays Baldwin’s mentors, family members and lovers, as well as other luminaries in Baldwin’s time, including Josephine Baker, Eldridge Cleaver and Richard Wright. The play takes the shape of a fictional interview between a graduate student and Baldwin and traces the author’s journey from 1920’s Harlem where he grew up under the thumb of strict, religious parents to his move to Paris as a 24-year old, with only $40 in his pocket. In its final moments, it recounts Baldwin’s subsequent return to America and his passionate involvement in the civil rights movement.

The Threshing Floor vividly recounts the racism and homophobia that Baldwin, an openly gay black man, was subject to during the early 50s and 60s and yet manages to bring levity in its approach of such serious topics. A surprise addition to the performance was Ijames’ pleasant singing voice, which he used to accentuate the tone of poignant scenes. Whether it is a belated-celebration of MLK Day or in preparation of Black History Month, a performance of The Threshing Floor affords an important exploration of a quintessential American figure.

Tickets are $20 for adults, $18 for senior citizens and $15 for students. The show closes this Sunday, so do catch it while you still can. For play dates and times, visit the Mauckingbird Theatre’s website.

The Threshing Floor
Now through January 31st, 2010

Adrienne Theatre
2030 Sansom Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103

James Ijames as James Baldwin in The Threshing Floor

Opening tomorrow, January 8th, and running through the 31st, the Mauckingbird Theatre Company presents The Threshing Floor, a play based on the life of James Baldwin, one of the most colorful literary figures of mid twentieth-century America.

Author of such influential books as Go Tell It on the Mountain and Giovanni’s Room, Baldwin also served as a prominent civil rights activist during the civil unrest of the 50s and 60s. Openly gay, Baldwin frequently ignited controversy through his constant examination of issues of sexuality and race in his work.

The Threshing Floor depicts Baldwin’s time in 1920s Harlem as well as his journey to bohemian Paris in the 1940s. A one-man play directed by Brandon McShaffrey, one of the founding members of the Theatre, The Threshing Floor stars Philadelphia-based playwright and actor James Ijames, as Baldwin, Josephine Baker, Eldridge Cleaver and other characters in Baldwin’s life.

Tickets are $20 for adults, $18 for senior citizens and $15 for students. For play dates and times, visit the Mauckingbird Theatre’s website.

The Threshing Floor
January 8th – 31st, 2010

Adrienne Theatre
2030 Sansom Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103

Want to look and walk like a star? Look no further than Rittenhouse Square’s Tip Toe shoe boutique, where Philadelphia-born R&B songstress Jill Scott finds her favorite heels when she’s in town. Don’t even bother trying to window shop at this charming store, which contains every style of shoe you can imagine. You won’t be able to resist trying something on. It was all I could do to not to slip into a pair of buttery leather heels or try on one of their towering wedges.

Recently named Best Women’s Shoes in Philadelphia by MyFoxPhilly’s Best of Philly Hotlist, Tip Toe boasts an impressive array of flats, heels, wedges and boots in a variety of styles and colors. The boutique offers shoes from Paris, Spain and Italy – as well as the new Pour La Victoire – a five-inch heel collection made in Brazil and designed with French aesthetics that are both stylish and comfortable.

Tip Toe, which was opened two years ago by proprietress Monique Rice, offers two floors of shoes as well as a variety of jewelry and clothing. The airy, bi-level loft, has walls lined with framed shoe prints and features a friendly staff that can tell you everything you need to know about the ABC’s of shoe styling. If you’re looking for style and quality, Tip Toe is the place to go. And why wouldn’t you go the best shoe store in Philly? Go. Your feet will thank you.

Tip Toe
2027 Walnut St Philadelphia PA 19103
(215) 564-0372
www.tiptoeshoes.com

As a child, fall wasn’t complete for me without the requisite hayride to the pumpkin patch at Freddy Hill Farms in Lansdale. There was nothing better than huddling with a group of friends at the back of a wagon as you made your way through the pumpkin path as the sun went down. And before the hayride, there was the cornstalk maze (where I always got lost). But the best part by far was picking out pumpkins to take home and decorate.

Take the family to Freddy Hill Farms any weekend in October and check out the pumpkins, pig races, pony rides and petting zoo, which features a whole bunch of farm animals. And don’t forget to grab a glass of cider. Autumn comes but once a year.

And if you get lost in the maze, don’t say I didn’t warn ya.’

Freddy Hill Farms
1440 Sumneytown Pike, Lansdale, PA 19446
www.freddyhill.com

I can still remember the first time I tasted apple butter. My neighbors were old-order Pennsylvania Dutch Mennonites and when they handed me a slice of homemade bread generously slathered with apple butter, I swore off peanut butter and jelly for years. I still put this delicious apple cinnamony treat on everything I can, from sandwiches to roasts.

Luckily, the Apple Butter Frolic at the Mennonite Heritage Center in Harleysville, PA has enough apple butter so I can stock up for the winter season. The festival, on October 3rd, features samples of Pennsylvania Dutch cooking (including apple butter), demonstrations of antique farm equipment and dozens of folk craft vendors.

And if you’re not apple buttered out, check out the bonfire at Pennypacker Mills in Schwensksville where you can cozy up to haunted stories around a bonfire while roasting marshmallows. Apple butter + bonfire = perfect autumn day.

Mennonite Heritage Center
565 Yoder Road, Harleysville, PA 19438
www.mhep.org/frolic.htm

Pennypacker Mills
5 Haldeman Road,
 Schwenksville, PA 19473

Photo courtesy of Valley Forge National Historic Park

Fall is the perfect time to celebrate George Washington, this country’s first president, at the Founder’s Festival in Valley Forge. On September 26th, join Valley Forge staff for colonial music, story time and games. Children are sure to enjoy the crafts and dog show that will be featured in the historic and beautiful Valley Forge Park.

And when you’re finished over there, head over to Souderton, PA for Asher’s Chocolates’ Fall Festival. It features face painting, a moon bounce and hot dogs for the kids. And of course lots of chocolate for the entire family.

Founder’s Day Fall Festival
September 26th, 2009
www.phillyfunguide.com/event/detail/55321

Asher’s Chocolates’ Fall Festival
September 26th, 2009
80 Wambold Road, Souderton, PA 18964

If you’re a real Oktoberfest fan, you’ll know that Germans always celebrate Oktoberfest in September. But you don’t have to go all the way to Germany to enjoy some hops. On September 19th, celebrate German heritage with a variety of beers in Norristown’s Elmwood Park Zoo. Walk through the zoo and enjoy live music while sampling the fall’s best brews. Admission is for adults 21 and older, so get the kids a babysitter and hop on down to the Elmwood Park Zoo. Admission includes a complimentary Oktoberfest mug.

And if you can’t make it to that Oktoberfest, there’s always Ambler, Pennsylvania’s Oktoberfest on October 3. Head down to Butler Street for hayrides and crafts for the kids, beer tasting for adults and dozens of vendors selling hand-crafted items.

Oktoberfest in Norristown
September 19th, 2009
1661 Harding Boulevard, Norristown, PA 19401

Oktoberfest in Ambler
October 3rd, 2009
Along Butler Avenue, Ambler, PA 19002

This ice cream parlor / restaurant in Philadelphia’s Washington Square West neighborhood is a lot more than just ice cream. But the ice cream has always distracted me so much, that I rarely stop at the baked goods counter. But inside, there are fruit cobblers, pies and cakes. And the brownies. Oh, don’t get me started on the brownies.

Top off any of their delicious assortment of baked goods with some ice cream and you’ve got yourself a sweet summer. Or try one of their homemade waffle cones with a scoop of ice cream. Either way, you can’t lose in the taste department. My favorite? A warm raspberry/blueberry fruit crisp with a scoop of the French vanilla. Heavenly.

Take a seat inside on one of their over-stuffed, velvet-covered seats underneath cone-shaped lamps or head outside for sidewalk seating. Just don’t forget to bring a friend or two to help you tackle that sundae or piece of cake. Be warned, you may just need a spoon in each hand to finish the deep dish apple pie.

Actually… never mind. You probably won’t want to share.

More Than Just Ice Cream
1119 Locust St, Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 574-0586

This summer, there’s nothing better than stopping by the Scoop DeVille ice cream shop, picking up a cone, and sitting outside on their lovely pink benches to people-watch. Located around the corner from Rittenhouse Square (another great people-watching spot), Scoop DeVille is known for their automated mixer, which churns your choice of ice cream and toppings into a finely-blended mix of goodness.

Choose from nuts, cookies, cookie doughs, candies, cereals and various other goodies that can be ground straight into your favorite ice cream flavor. Get creative or choose from Scoop’s list of recommendations. My favorite? Chocolate chip cookie dough and wet walnuts mixed into vanilla ice cream. Mmm!

And the deal gets even sweeter in July. This month only, Tuesday from 12AM-2PM, buy a medium cone or cup and get two toppings free. As the folks at Scoop DeVille say, “Life is short… eat dessert first!”

Scoop DeVille
1734 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 988-9992