Old Souls, New Pretzels, and a Whiff of History

Considering the proximity between our cities, I’m surprised the first time I’d actually visit Philadelphia wouldn’t be until this summer. I expected similarities given the endless comparisons between the two, but the history displayed throughout so many parts of the city felt distinct to New York’s. Unique to itself, the bustle between streets above and underground during rush hour felt familiar, but not as much as the smell of burnt pretzels wafting through the streets.

Some of my favorite moments:

Spring Garden Street Tunnel under the Philadelphia Museum of Art

Philadelphia City Hall at night

River Drive

River Drive

City Center West: Government of the People and Municipal Services Building Jacques Lipchitz, 1975
A tribute to democracy, the piece depicts human figures spiraling upward. A family at the bottom represents the wellspring of life. A the top, a man and woman raise a shop symbolizing the banner of Philadelphia. The interweaving forms suggest the complex effort and mutual reliance needed to sustain a democratic government.

Downtown Philadelphia

Philadelphia City Hall

Downtown Philadelphia

Benjamin Franklin Bridge

Back to Brooklyn