The second major stop on our trip of the east coast was Philadelphia. It was a lot different than I thought it was going to be! The buildings are so ornate and beautiful! We also tried out the famous Philly cheesesteaks from both Pat’s and Geno’s and created a recipe for you to enjoy them for yourself at home.
History and Museums
- Liberty Bell The iconic cracked bell that was used to summon lawmakers to court and alert citizens of meetings.
The Liberty Bell with beautiful tulips and Independence Hall in the background. - Independence Hall This is where the Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution were written and signed! It was amazing to be in the same room that these documents and historical people had been.
The site that the Declaration of Independence and Constitution were written. - US Mint They offer a self guided tour here and you can see how coins are made! They also explain the history of money. No pictures allowed!
- Art Museum Steps AKA Rocky steps. Some people run up the steps and pump their arms for fun. The Rocky statue is at the bottom of the steps now.
- The MΓΌtter Museum A museum basically showcasing the history of medicine, different specimens from research in medicine as well as showing different conditions and treatments. It was very interesting, but very creepy!
- Other places I wish I saw (but the Big Bus Tours Philadelphia took us by): Betsy Ross’s House, Eastern State Penitentiary, and the National Constitution Center
Food & Drink
- Reading Terminal Market There are so many different types of foods to choose from here! We had sandwiches at the Hatville Deli, had chocolate covered pretzels from Mueller’s Chocolate Co. and mini red velvet cake from Termini Brothers Bakery
Yummy sweets from Termini Brothers Bakery - Independence Beer Garden This is an awesome place to just hang out have a drink or grab a bite of food. It is very casual and outdoors near the site of the Liberty Bell.
Independence beer garden - We also had some Philly Cheesesteaks from both Geno’s and Pat’s who have been rivals for years competing over who makes the best steaks. Their restaurants are right across the street from each other!
- Geno’s Steaks
Geno’s steaks since 1966 - Pat’s King of Steaks
Pat’s King of Steaks since 1930
- Geno’s Steaks
Adam and I decided on which steak we liked the best, but you need to go try them and decide for yourself! In the meantime you can make your own Philly cheesesteak at home that is similar to the ones we ordered at Geno’s and Pat’s. We ordered the mushroom cheesesteak with provolone at both places.
It is difficult to cut the meat as thin as they have it at the restaurant, but freezing the meat for 15-20 minutes before cutting helps. You may be able to ask your butcher to slice the meat for you.
Letting the cheese melt over the meat, onions and mushrooms before putting it on the roll helps make the cheese gooey so you can get a yummy taste in each bite.
We bought the fresh hoagie rolls from the deli to make sure they were nice and soft.
Philly Cheesesteaks
Serves:4
Ingredients
- 1lb steak thinly sliced (we used a porterhouse, some suggest using flank steak)
- 1-2 tsp olive oil
- 1 medium onion
- 8 oz baby bella mushrooms
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- 1 TBS Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp soy sauce
- 4 slices provolone cheese
- 4 fresh hoagie rolls, cut open
Instructions
- Oil pan and cook mushrooms and onions until soft (about 10 minutes). Remove from pan and set aside.
- Season steak with salt and pepper, add to pan and cook until browned (about 5 minutes).
- Add mushrooms and onions back to the pan with the steak and season with Worcestershire and soy sauces.
- Rip or cut up the slices of provolone cheese and place over meat mixture in pan. Let this melt.
- Transfer cheese, meat, onions and mushrooms into hoagie rolls trying to get an even amount of filling in each roll.
I hope this post helps you with your travels to Philly! Love Always Nicola and Ben
