Anyone who has spent time in Philadelphia inevitably finds themselves in a few situations… usually regarding parking spots, late night snacks, and, of course, sketchy pretzel situations. Sure, all it takes to become a Philadelphian is a change of residence, but you’re not a true Philadelphian until you’ve experienced a few rites of passage. Read below to see a few things that every Philadelphian has done at least one time.
- Argued over Cheesesteak.
Flickr / Wally Gobetz Pat’s? John’s? Chink’s? Dalessandro’s? We’ll never agree on where to find the best of the best.
- Tailgated an Eagles Game.
Flickr / Ryan Lejbak It’s tradition to flood the parking lots with trunks full of beer and amoroso rolls.
- Gotten lost in Reading Terminal Market.
Flickr / Peter Miller I don’t believe anyone who says they really know their way around our foodie heaven.
- Stumbled into a Chinatown restaurant at 2 AM.
Yelp / Luke M. When the bars close, true Philadelphians find themselves some dumplings or salt and pepper wings.
- “Ooed” and “Aaahed” at the Flower Show.
Flickr / the West End It’s hard to understand why we get so excited for a flower show… until you actually attend this mind-blowing annual event.
- Saved a parking spot (with something other than a traffic cone).
Facebook / Vintage Philadelphia Lawn chairs, trash cans, and toilets are all popular ways to save your shoveled out spot during a snowstorm. Of course, watch out for the Philly Police and their ruthless (and hilarious!) #nosavesies campaign.
- Ran through the Heart.
Facebook / The Franklin Institute Every true Philadelphian has rau through the heart at the Franklin Institute a couple of times. I recently attended their Science After Hours program, and it’s just as fun as an adult as it was as a kid!
- Double parked for “just a sec.”
Flickr / Morgan Burke Our streets are narrow, and we absolutely hate anyone that happens to double park in our own way… but let’s be honest, we’re all guilty of stopping in the wrong spot for a minute or two.
- Had our hearts crushed by the Sixers, Phillies, Eagles, or Flyers.
Flickr / Kevin Burkett Even the glory days of Philadelphia sports haven’t been all that glorious.
- Partied with the Mummers.
Flickr / Pretty Kate Machine There’s no better way to ring in the New Year!
- Gotten stuck on I-76.
Flickr / Jhonte Haskins If I never had to take the Schuylkill again, I would be oh so happy.
- Checked out the Liberty Bell.
Flickr / Alonso Javier Torres C,mon, now. Sure, it’s a major tourist attraction… but you’ve definitely been there (and enjoyed it!)
- Gotten roped into karaoke at McGillin’s.
Yelp / Jeff H. Even if you don’t plan to sing a song, it’s easy to end up on stage wailing “Thunder Road” or “Ocean Avenue.”
- Eaten an unforgettable Italian meal.
Yelp / Tony D. Whether you’re in Center City, South Philly, or even FIshtown, it’s easy to find a family-owned Italian restaurant that will serve you the best gnocchi you’ve ever had.
- Bought a pretzel of unknown origin.
Flickr / Jon Seidman Who knows where pretzels come from? They just appear.
- Chickened out in the Zoo Balloon line.
Flickr / Ryan Keene I’ll do it next time, I promise!
- Done the “Rocky Thing.”
Flickr / DaBinsi Yeah, we’ll roll our eyes at the tourists that we see sprinting up the stairs, but we’ve all done it, too!
- That awkward “I think the train is coming” shuffle-run.
Flickr / The West End The worst is when you clearly did not hear the train, and you half sprint into a crowd of people and have to pretend you weren’t running for the non-existant train.
On the other hand, there are also a few things you’ll never catch us doing… like rooting for the Giants. Here Are 12 Things You’ll Never Catch Anyone From Philadelphia Doing, and they’re very relatable if you’ve spent any time in the City of Brotherly Love.
Flickr / Wally Gobetz
Pat’s? John’s? Chink’s? Dalessandro’s? We’ll never agree on where to find the best of the best.
Flickr / Ryan Lejbak
It’s tradition to flood the parking lots with trunks full of beer and amoroso rolls.
Flickr / Peter Miller
I don’t believe anyone who says they really know their way around our foodie heaven.
Yelp / Luke M.
When the bars close, true Philadelphians find themselves some dumplings or salt and pepper wings.
Flickr / the West End
It’s hard to understand why we get so excited for a flower show… until you actually attend this mind-blowing annual event.
Facebook / Vintage Philadelphia
Lawn chairs, trash cans, and toilets are all popular ways to save your shoveled out spot during a snowstorm. Of course, watch out for the Philly Police and their ruthless (and hilarious!) #nosavesies campaign.
Facebook / The Franklin Institute
Every true Philadelphian has rau through the heart at the Franklin Institute a couple of times. I recently attended their Science After Hours program, and it’s just as fun as an adult as it was as a kid!
Flickr / Morgan Burke
Our streets are narrow, and we absolutely hate anyone that happens to double park in our own way… but let’s be honest, we’re all guilty of stopping in the wrong spot for a minute or two.
Flickr / Kevin Burkett
Even the glory days of Philadelphia sports haven’t been all that glorious.
Flickr / Pretty Kate Machine
There’s no better way to ring in the New Year!
Flickr / Jhonte Haskins
If I never had to take the Schuylkill again, I would be oh so happy.
Flickr / Alonso Javier Torres
C,mon, now. Sure, it’s a major tourist attraction… but you’ve definitely been there (and enjoyed it!)
Yelp / Jeff H.
Even if you don’t plan to sing a song, it’s easy to end up on stage wailing “Thunder Road” or “Ocean Avenue.”
Yelp / Tony D.
Whether you’re in Center City, South Philly, or even FIshtown, it’s easy to find a family-owned Italian restaurant that will serve you the best gnocchi you’ve ever had.
Flickr / Jon Seidman
Who knows where pretzels come from? They just appear.
Flickr / Ryan Keene
I’ll do it next time, I promise!
Flickr / DaBinsi
Yeah, we’ll roll our eyes at the tourists that we see sprinting up the stairs, but we’ve all done it, too!
Flickr / The West End
The worst is when you clearly did not hear the train, and you half sprint into a crowd of people and have to pretend you weren’t running for the non-existant train.
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