Philly quick and fun activities?

June 18, 2008 2:59 PM

new-to-Philly-filter: Casual, short dating activity--no food, coffee, or alcohol?

New to Philly. I met a girl on the internet, and we're going to meet to see if we'd like to semi-casually hook up in the future.

A coffee shop and a walk is doable but always potentially awkward. I'm wondering if there's anything out there that would be fun and distracting during gaps in a conversation. Stores? Streets? Mini-museums? Libraries?

We're both somewhere on the West side fairly close to the campus area.

So, keeping in mind that we need to be able to have an articulate conversation:

0. I'm looking for something around very-early-evening.
1. Anything unique and entertaining that doesn't involve food, coffee, or alcohol?
2. In lieu of (1), any coffee shops that have tons of distracting character, but no loud music and are more intimate/less utilitarian?
3. In lieu of the campus, center city, of course, must have infinitely more stuff to do, and might be the best option. Please recommend stuff where it's really easy to grab a cab.

Thanks!

posted by zeek321 to human relations (8 comments total)

IANIP, but... Definitely unique: The Mutter Museum. Open late on Fridays.
posted by j-dawg at 3:12 PM on June 18, 2008

The Barnes Foundation was established by Albert C. Barnes in 1922 to "promote the advancement of education and the appreciation of the fine arts." Located in a twelve-acre arboretum, the Foundation is home to one of the world's largest collections of Impressionist, Post-Impressionist and early Modern paintings, with extensive holdings by Picasso, Matisse, Cézanne, Renoir and Modigliani, as well as important examples of African sculpture. The Gallery and Arboretum are open to the public ( reservations are required), and courses in aesthetics and horticulture are available through the education department.

Maybe not quick but definitely a cool experience.
posted by prunes at 3:23 PM on June 18, 2008

When I lived in Philly I always loved the ICA which is virtually on-campus if I recall. And the Rodin museum is nice, too.
posted by gnutron at 3:25 PM on June 18, 2008

penn occasionally blasts movies on the side of the library at 40th and walnut. they did it weekly 4 summers ago.
posted by melodykramer at 4:28 PM on June 18, 2008

Going to the Mutter Museum as a first date would sure be interesting....

Aren't there a couple of bowling alleys in Philly now? That could be fun.

There's always a stroll down South Street to window shop, look at Zagar's mosaic garden (if it's still there...it's around 10th and South), get a pizza slice to go, etc.

The Mummers Museum holds outdoor concerts all summer, with a different band each week. Maybe a little far afield from where you are, but it's fun.

The Satellite Coffeeshop is near the Penn and Drexel campuses and is a neat place to hang out.
posted by medeine at 4:36 PM on June 18, 2008

ICA is now free! Speaking of free.
posted by desuetude at 5:06 PM on June 18, 2008

Is she also new to Philly?

If not, why not say to her "I'm new in town, why don't you show me one/some of your favourite places?"
posted by dirtynumbangelboy at 6:16 PM on June 18, 2008

For quirky, you can always see if you can find the deer in the Woodlands cemetery in the afternoon/evening.

The Penn Museum of Archeology and Anthropology might be up your alley geographically and stuff-to-do/see-wise.

On the other end of town, there are loads of art galleries in Old City ... You can start around 2nd and Race/Arch and sort of meander your way back across town. There are enough bars and eateries smattered about so that you can stop and eat/drink if the mood strikes you.

It's also where the Duck Boats are, if you're into it (but then you'd be trapped on a boat with her).

And, of course, the historical bits of the city are there too (as well as the restaurant Jones, which serves wickedly good mac & cheese, if y'all end up in the mood for it).

You can get to the east side via the Green Line, which can also be a pretty good stimulus for conversation just by itself.
posted by oreonax at 6:45 PM on June 18, 2008