Posted: 8/28/2008 4:35:03 AM EDT
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Hey Guys, Looking to be in Philadelphia this upcoming Sunday and Monday. I have a CCW from VA, and just wanted to get some tips for being in the city about carrying and such. Already read up on the firearm laws along with the reciprocity. Just wanted to get some insider stuff now that I read up on the legal stuff. Thanks -Carlo of VA Beach |
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Carlo, Pennsylvania is gun friendly. Philadelphia not as much. The same laws apply but Philly is a lot more rigorous about enforcing them. First off open carry is not permitted in Phila. Keep it concealed. Second a lot of Phila PD are not big fans of CCW so be aware and overly polite about it if stopped. Phila will also have signs restricting weapons at certain establishments and buildings so be aware. It's not illegal but if not permitted and posted by the owner you could be asked to vacate. Finally the National Parks are off limits to CCW, by Federal law, so don't carry if you visit Independence Hall and the Constitution Center. And one more thing. Don't even think about carrying across the bridge in NJ. Very unfriendly about CCW. |
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Philly resident here. BigCat nailed most of them ... open carry technically is legal if you have a CCW but open carry is generally not advisable in Philly anyway so I would not recommend it. There are some places that have metal detectors or people "wanding" you so if you are going to visit those places don't take your gun with you. There is a weapons check at the Liberty Bell Pavilion. I can't recall if there is one at the Constitution Center. There are also people wanding you at the major sports stadiums (Lincoln Financial Field, Citizen's Bank Park and the Wachovia Spectrum). I've been wanded before and they've missed my Spyderco Endura but I would not rely on the general incompetence of facility staff again.  Where are you staying? Depending on where your hotel is, you may be within walking distance of a lot of good tourist attractions and places to eat. Philly was rated as one of the top 10 most walkable cities in America, and for good reason. I haven't owned a motor vehicle in over ten years and I get around just fine without one. |
| Thanks for the quick response. Really wanted to Conceal more than open carrry anyway. Forgot that most of these tourist spots are National "Parks" and in all honesty probably would have CC until I saw the wanding or the sign. Nonetheless, I'll be staying at the Westin. Anyone recommend a good dinner, maybe steak for monday night? |
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The Westin is at One Liberty Place, which is smack in the middle of Center City. You're in a great spot. The best steak within walking distance is at the Capital Grille, on Broad & Walnut. It's about 3-4 blocks from where your hotel is. Yes, it's a "chain" of sorts, but it's damn good steak. If you or your spouse like sweet drinks, try the Stoli Doli (sp?) at the bar. They put a bit chunk of pineapple in a large jar of vodka and let it sit and absorb the vodka, then they make a drink from the vodka. Good stuff. If you don't want to go to the Capital Grille, there is a Ruth's Chris (Broad & Spruce), Morton's of Chicago (17th and Spruce?) and Smith/Wollensky (Rittenhouse Square) all within walking distance as well. I've tried them all and I like the CG the best, but YMMV. If you have not been to one of the "all you can eat Brazilian beef" places, you may want to check out Fogo De Chao, which is just a bit further from the Capital Grille. I think it's on Chestnut between Broad & 13th. It's a bit expensive at a fixed price of $50/head for dinner but you may want to try them for lunch -- same menu, lower price ($35/head). The good news is that you are within walking distance of all the finest restaurants in Philly. Other places I'd recommend for your consideration in that walking area are Morimoto's (the Iron Chef) and Alma de Cuba (great mojitos). If you like Belgian beer you should go to Monk's, which is near 16th and Spruce (?). Their Belgian beer menu is very extensive (think: an entire booklet dedicated to Belgian beer). Their mussels are also very good.  No steak there though.Last word of caution: if you normally avoid "alternative lifestyle" areas, you'll be semi-close to the "gayborhood", which is generally around the area near 13th-11th and between Chestnut and Pine. Don't let it bother you but don't blame me if you wander in that area and get hit on by some dude. You'll know you're in the area if you see bars like Woody's and Sisters. |
Awesome info! Thanks bro, really appreciate. No worries about the "gayborhood". One of my girlfriend's best friends is gay. I'll def CG for dinner and maybe Morimotos or Fogo de Chao for lunch. |
Just stay out of this place ... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tTJMerul33E
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All of those steak places are great without a doubt. My favorite however is a place called Barclay Prime on Rittenhouse Square. Unbelievable. Bring your wallet but it's worth it. Morimoto's hands down for Sushi is the best. I'll second Alma De Cuba also. It's one of the coolest restaurant/bars in the city. Got to head down to South Philly if you get a chance. Check out the Italian Market. If that's too far try the Reading Terminal market on 12-13th and Market. (OK AR-15 guys obviously like to eat!) An interesting tour if you are down by Olde City (Independence Hall Area) is the waterfront. You can see the Battleship Olympia and the WW2 Sub Becuna moored next to it. Look across the river and the Battleship NJ is docked on the other side. Interesting historical comparison. If you have a mind to you can take the ferry over and see it...careful with the gun though it's in NJ. |
Alma de Cuba is a Busch Gardens-type culinary experience, really. Don't delude yourself into thinking that it's anything far beyond "inspired," rather than authentic. It looks like a great backdrop for a Tommy Bahama clothing photo shoot, though. You probably wouldn't want to travel up to the places in North Philly that serve the "real deal" cuisine. Reading Terminal is a fun food place to go, although I don't know if all the stands are open on Mondays. I believe that the Mennonite stands are closed on Sundays, unfortunately. If you do go down to South Philly, get cookies from Termini Brothers, or, better yet, Isgro on Christian Street. If there's any room left, try a hoagie from Primo's, or a Jim's steak on South Street, "provolone with." |
Yeah, don't order a cheesesteak with Swiss like John Kerry.
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Whatever you do, you have to get a good cheese steak. Pretty much anywhere you go in Philly, you're gonna get a good one. I would obviously recommend Pat's or Geno's,...just cuz they're the best, but if you don't want to drive that far out of your way, any old shop will do. For some reason though, you can't get a decent cheese steak outside of Philly (so don't fall in love, lol). I don't know why either, cuz they seem to be a very easy thing to make. But sure enough, every time I go out on vacation and get a steak (or even a hoagie for that matter) they seem to be the worst thing I've ever eaten. |
Tony Luke's FTW! Wit, wiz! |
Oh do we like to eat..... I still have dreams about Fogo de Chao whoever mentioned that..... Oh - On cheese steaks, "Steve's Prince of Steaks" on Business Rte 1 across from Reedman Toll. My brother in law said this was easily a tie with Genos. .The onions are like CANDY. Right up the street from Ming's asian cuisine which is in my opinion the best chinese food in Bucks county. It's not Philly proper, but you won't know it once you walk in that door. They even embrace the unusual cultural phenomenon of selling ONLY cheese steaks at one window, and off a different register at the other window, selling soda and fries. --Fargo007 |
That's wierd, if J.B. Dawsons was out of the way, I could literally see Reedman from my house, and yet I have no clue what you're talking about. I'll have to check that out. ;) I normally just go to Brothers or Pepi's, as my friend owns them. 
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