Feeling trapped by the small-town atmosphere? Stressed out for finals?
When life gets tough, college students take a vacation. A suggestion: take off for Philadelphia, Pennsylvania's biggest city. You'll find experiences in culture and fun unique to this great metropolis.
For those who want a little culture, head toward the Fairmont Park area, where the Philadelphia Museum of Art, 26th Street and Benjamin Franklin Parkway, and the Rodin Museum, 22nd Street and the Parkway, are located.
The Museum of Art is ranked among the world's best and has very diverse holdings -- works from the Renaissance to contemporary artists, ancient artifacts and entire reconstructed rooms from around the world, like the Japanese teahouse.
Right now, special exhibits include "Japan at the Crossroads," a 50-piece collection of Japanese paintings, ceramics, cloisonne and ivories, and "American Ceramics," a display of pottery, porcelain and stoneware. Both will remain at the museum until the end of June.
Be careful, though, because the museum's holdings are arranged by collection, not necessarily by genre.
"It's the only randomly laid-out museum in the world," said Jack Testa, a freshman at Temple University.
If you especially like sculpture, the Rodin Museum has casts and originals by its namesake. (Also, admission is free!)
From here, you'll need to take a bus down to Penn's Landing to see the Port of History Museum. An exhibit of Chilean artifacts, "The Seeds and Soul of Chile," opened April 3.
Pottery, jewerly and even a native hut will be part of the exhibit, said Corliss Cavalieri, curator of the museum.
The Philadelphia Chamber Music Society holds its concerts here at the museum some afternoons and evenings.
Hungry? It's only a block or two to Old Original Bookbinders, 125 Walnut St., where you can see the local, national and international stars. The owner and his family have pictures taken with celebrities like Liz Taylor, Joe DiMaggio and Frank Sinatra, then hang them. The pictures line the walls. It's an incredible place that only gets better after trying their seafood.
For a more historical glance, try eating at the City Tavern, 2nd and Walnut, the reconstructed hangout of the Continental Congress.
Within a six-block radius, you can find most of Philadelphia's historic sites. The Visitors' Museum, 2nd and Chestnut, is around the block from both restaurants.
For those who want music, the winter home of the Philadelphia Orchestra, at Broad and Locust, is not far in a car or bus. The Orchestra gives concerts three or four times a week. Tickets for the orchestra's concerts are only $2.50 the hour before each show. In addition, the Opera Company of Philadelphia presents Puccini's Turandot April 20, 24 and 26.
But there might be some people who just want some fun, lowbrow stuff to do. Relax in Fairmount Park for the afternoon. Wander along the shops on South Street, from Front Street to 9th. There are cool shops like Zipperhead and Erogenous Zone for the alternative scene, and mainstream places like the Gap and the French Connection.
For music lovers, Tower Records is a landmark. It's two buildings at 539 and 610 South St. The main building has three floors, each devoted to a different type of music. For the classical-music lover, Tower's Classical Annex has everything from Bobby McFerrin's and Yo-yo Ma's Hush to the works of the 17th century composer Jean-Phillippe Rameau.
"We have everything in print, more or less," said Dawn Velosky, manager of the store. Classically-oriented concerts are often announced at the store, too.
The die-hard record lover should stop by the Ninth Street Record Exchange at 1022 S. 9th St. The shop is one of the last holdouts in the city without CDs, selling only tapes, 45s and LPs.
"We're doing a lot with R&B from the '60s and '70s. They're really in demand," said Molly Russakoff, co-owner. People come in from all over the world to sample their R&B and '50s and '60s jazz collections, she added.
For announcements about theatre, alternative and pop music shows, stop at the Theatre for the Living Arts, 334 South St. The theater itself hosts Blur April 23 and Tori Amos April 24. The Spectrum, Broad and Pattison, is the place to catch the brand name acts -- like Skid Row tonight, Eric Clapton May 4 and 5 (sold out) and The Cure May 16.
The city has all kinds of food. Primavera, 146 South St., has great pasta; Marrakesh, 517 S. Leithgow St., serves authentic Morrocan food; and Thai Palace, 117 South St., has spicy Thai food made by a chef from Thailand.
But Philadelphia's real specialty is the Philly cheesesteak. There are only two ways to do it right --either chance it with a vendor or make the side trip to Geno's Steaks, 1219 S. 9th St., instead of the traditional Pat's Steaks.
This city has it all -- classical to hard core, art museums to alternative shops. So get outta here . . . trek to Philadelphia.
