NYE 2007 in Philly. Ideas?

December 21, 2006 11:04 AM

A friend and I are going to be in Philly for New Year's Eve, 12/31/06 - 1/1/07. What should we do? Neither of us have ever been before.
posted by wabash to Travel & Transportation around Philadelphia, PA (17 answers total)

There's lots going on in a resto town. Check out this and next week's PW and City Paper for more info.
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 11:16 AM on December 21, 2006

Penn's Landing on the Even and the Mummer's Parade on New Year's Day. Just Google 'em and you'll see plenty. Seriously, the Mummers are a Philly institution.
posted by sjuhawk31 at 11:22 AM on December 21, 2006

Alternately, you could go out drinkin' with me. But I forgot to mention; stay away from Lincoln Financial Field (there may be a 4 p.m. game on NYE) and don't trash talk the Eagles.
posted by sjuhawk31 at 11:29 AM on December 21, 2006

Yeah, the Mummers pretty much sums up the best and worst of Philadelphia, it's one of those things you need to do exactly one time.
posted by The Straightener at 11:30 AM on December 21, 2006

Response by poster: Yeah, we had planned on checking out the Mummers on 1/1. We're getting in on the evening of 12/30 and leaving on New Year's Day.

I had wanted to go the the Philadelphia Museum of Art and perhaps do some touristy things during the day of 12/31. I was most interested in something cheap/interesting/unique ideas for the night of 12/31. Maybe even just one of those would do...
posted by wabash at 12:06 PM on December 21, 2006

While you're in Philadelphia, keep on the lookout for Toynbee Tiles. They're all over the city, and they make visits to Philadelphia feel like you're in the DaVinci Code.

My favorite venue in the city is closed all winter. But if you visit another time, make sure you tour the Eastern State Penitentiary museum. Beautiful and thought-provoking.

If you are going for interesting food experiences, I suggest Pod, which is a futuristic Japanese-ish restaurant.

If it matters to you, Intermezzo, which is an 8-minute walk from the train station, has free WIFI.

Make sure you visit Rittenhouse Square, which is beautiful in the wintertime at night. If you're looking for low-ish cost dinner in that area, Pietros has awesome pizza and good Italian food.

Arrgh. Now I'm homesick.
posted by honest knave at 12:42 PM on December 21, 2006

Penn's Landing is interesting and cheap...as in free fireworks at midnight. You can wander South Street and the surrounding area for some neat places to eat (Campo's on 2nd and...Market, I think) is a nice sandwich shop. I can't speak for decent places to drink for cheap; so many of the bars in the Old City area cop out with a night-long package.

I'd second Pietro's for dinner, but that's up at 17th and Walnut, so prepare for some walkin'.

God, I love my city.
posted by sjuhawk31 at 12:49 PM on December 21, 2006

Yes, if you like drinking, head down to 2nd street (south of Washington Ave.) by foot on the afternoon of Jan. 1. It's a great big street party with happy mummers all over the place. The regular parade is on Broad St., but the REAL party is on 2nd street. Goes on til 10 or so if I recall correctly... but I see you are leaving 1/1 so you may not want to get wasted that afternoon.

If you like outdoor stuff, head on out to the Wissahickon basin or take a run on Kelly Drive. Ooh! Check out the Mutter Museum if it's open.
posted by Mister_A at 12:50 PM on December 21, 2006

I had wanted to go the the Philadelphia Museum of Art and perhaps do some touristy things during the day of 12/31.

That's the perfect day to do it, Sunday is pay what you like day at the Museum so you can get in for a buck.
posted by The Straightener at 12:56 PM on December 21, 2006

You could kill about two hours at the Borse.
posted by goml at 1:39 PM on December 21, 2006

Forget Pat's and Geno's and go to Jim's instead.
posted by emelenjr at 1:42 PM on December 21, 2006 [1 favorite]

Forget Pat's and Geno's and go to Jim's instead.
Best advice you will ever get.
posted by goml at 1:46 PM on December 21, 2006

If you're feeling particularly adventurous you can hit the original Jim's at 62nd and Callowhill. It's best to go after dark for the full experience. I lived around the corner on 63rd Street as a kid, and my dad grew up in the rowhouse directly across the street from it, so I'm partial to this one.

I'm glad we're all on the same page with this, it makes me want to cry when I see Pat's recommendations.
posted by The Straightener at 2:22 PM on December 21, 2006

If you like dancing and/or parties, I highly recommend the Making Time 3rd Annual New Year's Eve Freakout. Making Time is a Philly institution, where indie kids go to dance. It's huge. Someone actually compared it to the Factory Records Hacienda of the 80's (go watch 24 Hour Party People if you don't know the Hacienda). I used to go to Making Time every month, and my g/f and I went to the NYE edition two years ago, and it was mind-blowing. I always had a great time, and the only reason I didn't go last year and won't be going this year is that I'll be working outside the country. This year should be no exception to awesomeness. There's actually a pretty broad range of ages and peoples that go, but if you're over 40, I'd maybe think long and hard about it. Anybody else, it'll be a blast. It's at a big club at 6th and Spring Garden called Transit, with three floors, top is rock n' roll with a beat, main is indie dance, and basement is hip-hop. $30 gets you open bar all night from 9 pm to 3:30 am. Like I said, I highly recommend it.
posted by The Michael The at 2:34 PM on December 21, 2006

The Straightener has the Mummers nailed, too: don't waste your time.
posted by The Michael The at 2:37 PM on December 21, 2006

Forget Pat's and Geno's and go to Jim's instead.
Best advice you will ever get.

Wrong, and seriously wrong. It's John's, but you'll never find it so don't worry. Fireworks and drunken plumbers (aka Mummers). The Art Museum is a must see (spin the Bicycle Wheel!).
posted by fixedgear at 3:02 PM on December 21, 2006

I was there last year for New Years. The Mummers is something to behold. I climbed up the side of a building for a good view and was waiting for a cop to give me a hard time. Being from DC, I couldn't believe that the cops could care less as long as I wasn't causing trouble. So don't be shy looking for a good look-out.

The Mutter is neat, worth seeing for a chuckle and a gross out or two.
posted by peeedro at 10:51 PM on December 21, 2006