Articles posted in Philadelphia

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3 Delicious Philly Treats You Can’t Resist

Posted on July 29, 2015 by Stay Alfred Vacation Rentals — No Comments ↓

When you mention Philadelphia, many peoples’ minds automatically think of two things: terrible sports fans and cheesesteaks. But what most Philly travelers don’t realize is that hiding under the looming shadow of the famous Philly Cheesesteak is an array of foodie favorites and impressively decadent dishes.

For starters: Federal Donuts. The only place you need to stop in Philly for doughnuts and fried chicken. Drop in and try the classics like a chocolate eclair or old-fashioned glazed or step out of your comfort zone and opt for a grapefruit brulee or a strawberry lavender instead. Once you’ve had your fill of doughnuts there’s no shame in coming back for dinner. With seasonings and glazes such like chilli garlic, honey ginger, and sweet soy garlic you may find it difficult to eat anywhere else!

PYT, photo by Jessica Rossi via Filckr

If you’re a history buff, you’ll want to add Bassetts Ice Cream to your list of daily activities. Founded in 1861, Bassetts still stands as America’s oldest ice cream company and has had plenty of time to perfect their variety of flavors; both traditional and not. With flavors ranging from butter almond to guatemalan ripple, you may find it difficult to try only one.

If you hadn’t had your fill of doughnuts yet, there one more to try. Head on down to PYT and try ‘The Doh! Nut’ for yourself. Comprised of copious amounts of cheese, bacon, and burger, all surrounded by fried dough goodness. This eclectic burger joint puts a new spin on the cheeseburger, announcing a brand-new crazy burger concoction every week, with specialities such as the Cocoa Krispies Chicken Burger and the PB&J bun burger.


Plan a trip and visit Philadelphia for your next foodie adventure!

The Best Ice Cream in Town

Posted on July 7, 2015 by Stay Alfred Vacation Rentals — No Comments ↓

Source: State Library of Victoria, via Flickr

July is National Ice Cream Month, which gives you the perfect excuse to enjoy your favorite frozen treat. If you’re one of our guests, check out this list to find the best ice cream in town:

Boston:

Picco: The Pizza and Ice Cream Company (Picco for short) is a popular Boston restaurant that delivers the dream combination of delicious pizza and homemade ice cream. A little bit lighter than the typically dense New England offering, Picco’s ice cream explodes with sophisticated flavors.

Denver

Little Man Ice Cream: Denverites love their ice cream, and Little Man serves up the best in town. Easy to find, just look for the 28-foot tall milk can with a line of people queued up to get their sweet fix. They rotate a great mix of classic ice cream flavors, as well as few you wouldn’t expect, like salted Oreo. They even have vegan ice cream.

Memphis:

Jerry’s Sno-Cones: Kids and adult alike seem to flock to this local favorite when the weather turns warm. Although snow cones made with homemade syrup are this shop’s specialty, they also offer soft serve ice cream, either on its own or combined with a snow cone (order it “supreme”).

Nashville

Pied Piper Creamery: Across the river in East Nashville you will find this funky ice cream shop located in a vintage house. The ice cream is delicious and features wacky pun-filled titles like Minty Python, Oreo Speedwagon, and Handlebar Pistachio.

New Orleans:

Angelo Brocato’s: No dessert shop in New Orleans is as beloved as Angelo Brocato’s. Established in 1905, this gelateria and pasticceria is steeped in Italian tradition and offers authentic gelato you have to taste to believe. And if your love of cold sweets extends beyond ice cream, this joint is also known for its delectable granitas: fresh Italian fruit ice.

Philadelphia:

The Franklin Fountain: This old-timey ice cream parlor dishes up some of the best and most authentically Philly-style ice cream in town. The old school soda fountain theme, from bow tied servers to the antique cash register, adds to the charm, but it’s the achingly delicious handmade flavors, like Teaberry gum, that will keep you coming back.

Portland:

Cool Moon Ice Cream: Sure, you could go to Salt & Straw like everyone else. Or you could skip waiting in a forty-minute line for overhyped “artisanal” ice cream and just head into Cool Moon. Much more family friendly and still offering intriguing flavors made with local natural ingredients, Cool Moon will satisfy your cravings while the rest of those people are still waiting.

San Antonio:

Justin’s Ice Cream: Hometown boy Justin Arecchi’s ice cream has been called a national treasure by President Clinton. After a four-year absence, his new family-run ice cream shop has reopened right on the River Walk, making it a breeze to sample the same cool treats that have been enjoyed by kings and dignitaries.

Seattle

Molly Moon’s: The ever-popular chain of modern-rustic ice cream shops are frequently wrapped with lines of people, and for very good reason. Molly Moon starts with a base of Snoqualmie ice cream and mixes in a wide variety of locally-sourced ingredients to create unique flavors like honey lavender and balsamic strawberry. You can also find many vegan-friendly sorbets and coconut milk-based treats.

 

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Father’s Day Fun

Posted on June 19, 2015 by Stay Alfred Vacation Rentals — No Comments ↓

Source: Flickr user slgckgc

Father’s Day is coming up quick! Are you looking for something fun to do with the old man that you’ll both enjoy? Does he like beer and baseball? There’s a fairly good chance that he does, so how about taking Dad out for a great beer, followed by America’s favorite pastime: a professional baseball game. Sounds like the perfect Father’s Day plan to us! If you happen to find yourself in one of these three cities this Sunday, you’re in luck: Stay Alfred knows the best places for the ultimate Father’s Day adventure:

Beer

Seattle: Head to Redmond’s Marymoor Park for the Washington Brewers Fest, featuring 105 Washington breweries as well as food vendors and entertainment. $25 gets you a souvenir glass taster and 10 tasting tokens, each good for a 3oz sample.

Denver: Breckenridge Brewery, one of the standard-bearers of Denver’s beer culture, is having the Grand Opening of their brand-new brewery in Littleton, 12 miles south of downtown on Father’s Day weekend. Make a reservation on their website and for $3 you can enjoy a guided tour of the 12-acre facility that includes a generous sampling of Beck Brews.

Philadelphia: Dad’s love to get stuff for free, and Philly is offering plenty of opportunities to do just that. Get a free 14oz ribeye steak at Bistro St. Tropez when you buy another entree; enjoy a free mojito at Cuba Libre with an entree purchase; Brauhaus Schmitz is offering dads their first beer for free with a reservation; at The Fat Ham, every father gets a free Wurzburger pilsner with their meal and a shot of Bulleit Rye Whiskey afterward.

Baseball

Seattle: The Mariners take on the Houston Astros at Safeco Field. As part of the Father’s Day celebrations, the first 10,000 dads through the gates get a free Mike Zunino BBQ apron.

Denver: The Rockies battle the Milwaukee Brewers at Coors Field. The first 10,000 fans get a free Father’s Day baseball cap.

Philadelphia: The Phillies face off against the St. Louis Cardinals at Citizens Bank Park. Both teams will be wearing retro 1960s-era uniforms and all guys over the age of 15 get a free red Phillies cap sporting the 1960s “P” logo.

 

Are you planning a trip? Click Here to view all of our great downtown vacation rentals

Family Fun in Philadelphia

Posted on May 13, 2015 by Stay Alfred Vacation Rentals — No Comments ↓

Downtown Philadelphia, Flickr user Rob Shenk

The City of Brotherly Love is a great place to visit with the family. This amazing city is chock full of exciting and educational activities that you and your family are sure to enjoy. Stay Alfred’s Philadelphia vacation rentals put you right in the heart of the action, so don’t miss the chance to explore everything that Philly has to offer. Here are a few excellent family-friendly activities that will make your visit truly memorable:

  • Mural Arts Tour: The Mural Arts Program of Philadelphia has been been creating outdoor public art for the last 30 years, which has led to Philadelphia being dubbed “the mural capital of the world.” To date the program has created over 3,600 works of art and offers a variety of guided tours to learn about the history behind the murals. You can also download the audio guide for the Mural Mile Walking Tour from their website for free.
  • Catch a game: Philadelphia is a big-time sports town, in fact it’s one of only 12 cities to have a team in each of the 4 major leagues (5 if you count the MLS). Locals are serious about supporting their teams, so you can always find an exciting game to watch and thousands of screaming fans to watch it with. You just might want to think twice about wearing the visiting team’s colors.
  • Day trip to New York: Philadelphia is sometimes called “the 6th borough” due to its proximity to New York. The Amtrak train can take you from the 30th Street Station in Philadelphia to Penn Station in Manhattan in a little over an hour. Take advantage of the short distance between these two spectacular metropolises and take a day trip to explore the Big Apple.
  • Find the best cheesesteak: There are certainly a lot of places to get Philly’s iconic sandwich. The most popular ones like Pat’s King of Steaks, Geno’s, and Jim’s will have lines stretching down the block (and for good reason). If you don’t feel like waiting in line, try one of the many lesser known but still delicious options around town. For an added adventure, have a taste of Philly’s other favorite sandwich: roast pork with provolone and broccoli rabe.
  • Visit museums: Philadelphia is home to many world-class museums. At the top of the list is the Philadelphia Museum of Art which houses more than 227,000 pieces as well as the famous Rocky Steps. The Franklin Institute is one of the oldest science museums in the country and features lots of interactive exhibits. Other popular museums include the Please Touch children’s museum and the Institute of Contemporary Art, which offers free admission.

Are you planning a trip to Philadelphia? Click here to view our great Philadelphia vacation rentals

Top 5 Restaurants in Philadelphia

Posted on April 17, 2015 by Stay Alfred Vacation Rentals — No Comments ↓

Philly has a well-earned reputation as being a food lover’s paradise. The city boasts an incredible variety of restaurants ranging from the hoitiest of the toity to the humblest of greasy spoons (which we love). Philadelphia’s close proximity to the Pennsylvania countryside as well as the Atlantic ocean makes it the perfect place to experience both farm-fresh produce and the bounty of the sea. With so many great choices, it’s no wonder Philly has become a premier destination for those of us who think with our stomachs. Here is a short list of a few of our favorite restaurants:

Jim’s Steaks, Philadelphia. Flickr user steve lyon

Jim’s Steaks, 400 South St: Saying there are a lot of cheesesteak joints in Philly would be a huge understatement and everyone has an opinion on who makes the best. While Pat’s and Geno’s may be the most famous, our personal favorite is Jim’s Steaks on South Street. Just be sure you’re ready to order when you get to the front of the line, or you may get sent to the back. Cash only.

Amada, 217-219 Chestnut St: Chef Jose Garces is one of Philadelphia’s culinary elite, owner of seven restaurants across the city as well as the coveted title of “Iron Chef.” Amada is the restaurant that started the Garces empire, serving authentic Andalucian tapas in a rustic-chic setting. Happy hour features $5 tapas.

DeLuca’s Villa di Roma, 936 S 9th St: An old-school red gravy joint in the heart of South Philly’s Italian Market that’s been serving up classic Italian dishes for over 50 years. The restaurant is cozy and unpretentious, the atmosphere is quintessential South Philly, and the portions are large and reasonably priced. Cash only.

The Foodery, 1710 Sansom St: This local bottle shop not only sells over 800 different craft beers, they also have a killer deli serving hot and cold sandwiches, soups, salads, and a variety of delicious appetizers. A perfect place to grab a quick lunch and a cold one. On weekends, they even have a Kegs & Eggs brunch menu with free beer!

Green Eggs Cafe, 212 S 13th St: Popular local chain specializing in breakfast and brunch. Lots of unique dessert-flavored items like Red Velvet Pancakes and Creme Brulee French Toast. They also have plenty of vegan-friendly options and are committed to being eco-friendly at every step of their operation. Cash only

Are you planning a trip to Philadelphia? Click here to view all of our downtown Philadelphia vacation rentals

Top 5 Attractions in Philadelphia

Posted on April 8, 2015 by Stay Alfred Vacation Rentals — No Comments ↓

We absolutely love Philadelphia! The city has so much history and culture that we rank it right at the top of the list of places to visit. It’s home to world class museums like the Philadelphia Museum of Art and the Franklin Institute, one of the largest public art collections in the world, a whole list important historical buildings, and a culinary scene that is second to none. No matter where your interests lie, Philly has plenty to offer! Here is a short list of some of our favorite attractions:

  • Reading Terminal Market, Flickr user ccharmon

    Reading Terminal Market: A food lover’s paradise, the RTM is the nation’s oldest continuously operated farmer’s market. If you can imagine eating it, you can probably find it at the Reading Terminal Market: everything from soul food and Asian and Middle Eastern dishes to traditional Amish treats. The Market can be quite crowded, but it is definitely a must-visit when you’re in Philly.

  • Fairmount Park: With more than 9,200 acres of rolling hills, gentle trails, relaxing waterfront, and shaded woodlands, Fairmount Park is one of the largest urban parks in the world and the perfect place to spend the day enjoying nature in the middle of the city. There are places for hiking, biking, boating, horseback riding, and much more.
  • Independence National Historic Park: Home to some of Philly’s most famous landmarks including Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell. The park also contains many other historical buildings such as Carpenters’ Hall, Congress Hall, and the First and Second Bank of the United States. All of the buildings are free to see, but you’ll need tickets (also free) to get into Independence Hall.
  • Philadelphia Zoo: America’s first zoo is also one of the premier zoos in the world for breeding animals that have been found difficult to breed in captivity, like orangutans and giraffes. The Philadelphia Zoo is 42 acres and home to more than 1,300 animals, many of which are rare and endangered. The zoo also features a children’s zoo, a paddleboat lake, a rainforest themed carousel, and many interactive and educational exhibits.
  • Battleship New Jersey: Anchored across the Delaware River in Camden is the USS New Jersey, the most decorated battleship is U.S. naval history. After seeing action in WWII, Korea, Vietnam, and the Persian Gulf, “Big J” is now a floating museum and memorial. Visitors get a chance to explore the inner workings of this massive ship, and even sit in the chair from which Admiral Halsey commanded the 3rd Fleet.

Are you planning a trip to Philadelphia? Click here to view our great downtown Philadelphia vacation rentals.

Stay Alfred Opens 5 New Locations

Posted on March 30, 2015 by Stay Alfred Vacation Rentals — No Comments ↓

Once again Stay Alfred is expanding its ever-growing inventory of fantastic vacation rentals. Just in time for summer, we are moving into new buildings in Denver, Seattle, Nashville and Boston, as well as opening our first building in a brand-new city: Philadelphia. We are very excited about these new downtown vacation rentals, and without trying to toot our own horn too much, we think these may be some of best properties we’ve offered so far! Let’s take a look at our new rentals:

The Garrison, downtown Boston

Garrison Square, Boston: After opening our wildly successful properties in the Kensington, we couldn’t wait to offer another downtown Boston vacation rental. The Garrison Square is an elegant nineteenth century-style oasis in the fashionable Back Bay neighborhood, surrounded by shops, restaurants, and galleries. Our guests will enjoy relaxing in the private garden courtyard or one of the several rooftop terraces.

 

 

 

The Douglas, downtown Denver

Douglas, Denver: Enjoy Denver’s trendiest urban living in the incredible Douglas building located in the historic Ballpark neighborhood. You will be just steps away from the exciting LoDo nightlife and the popular Larimer Street eateries and boutiques. Relax poolside or watch the sun set among the majestic Rocky Mountains from the great rooftop deck, complete with oversize lounge chairs and a beautiful brick fireplace

 

 

 

Printers Alley, downtown Nashville

Banner Lofts, Nashville: If you plan on spending your time in Nashville honky-tonkin’ the night away, you couldn’t find a better place to lay your head than the Banner Lofts. This hip converted newspaper building on Printers Alley features tall ceilings, exposed original brick, hardwood floors, and the best location possible for experiencing the fabulous nightlife that made Nashville famous!

 

 

 

The Commonwealth, downtown Philadelphia

Commonwealth, Philadelphia: We couldn’t be more excited to be opening our first downtown Philadelphia vacation rentals in the historic Commonwealth building! Located in the “Midtown Village” section of Philly’s City Center, this amazing building combines vintage Art Deco charm with the perfect locale for exploring everything that Philadelphia has to offer. Reading Terminal Market is right at your doorstep and you’ll be easy walking distance to some of the city’s most famous attractions, including the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, and the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

 

 

 

Via6 Tower, Downtown Seattle

Via6 Towers, Seattle: Located where Downtown, Belltown, and South Lake Union meet, the Via6 is a newly-constructed vertical community featuring amazing high-rise views of Seattle and some of the best building amenities around. The ground floor in anchored by Tom Douglas’ Assembly Hall complex, which includes TanakaSan American Asian restaurant, Assembly Hall Juice and Coffee, and Home Remedy Urban Market.

Planning a trip? Click here to view all of our great downtown vacation rentals.

Welcome To The City Of Brotherly Love

Posted on March 5, 2015 by Stay Alfred Vacation Rentals — No Comments ↓

Source: Flickr user Gene Tobia

Stay Alfred’s springtime expansion continues as we move into the City of Brotherly Love. We’re excited to bring our trusted brand of vacation rental hospitality to this great American city! There is so much to love about Philadelphia, we can hardly wait to host your stay here while you explore everything this art-centric, food-focused metropolis has to offer. Our new downtown Philadelphia vacation rentals will be perfect for any stay , whether it’s a romantic getaway for two, a work-filled business trip, or a full fledged family vacation.
Philadelphia is one of America’s original cities, predating the Declaration of Independence by almost a hundred years and serving as the first capital of the newly-formed United States. The city enthusiastically celebrates its historical tradition. Along with the famous Liberty Bell, you can visit Independence Hall, where the Declaration of Independence was signed in 1776 and the Constitutional Convention was held eleven years later. Benjamin Franklin, Philadelphia’s favorite son, also has a strong presence in the city. Besides the Benjamin Franklin Museum, you’ll also find Franklin Square (one of five original squares from William Penn’s plan for the city) and the Franklin Institute (one of the oldest science museums in America which houses the Benjamin Franklin National Memorial). If you travel to New Jersey, you’ll even cross the Ben Franklin Bridge. You may even run into one of the city’s many Ben Franklin impersonators. They’re like the Elvises of Las Vegas.
Philadelphia is also home to a wonderful variety of world-class museums. The most visited is the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the third-largest art museum in the country. Sitting majestically on a rise at the end of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, the museum is also the site of the famous Rocky Steps and a statue of the city’s other favorite son: Rocky Balboa. There are also many other great museums in the surrounding area. The Rodin Museum houses the largest collection of works by the French sculptor outside of Paris. The Barnes Foundation is home to perhaps the best collection of Impressionist and Modernist paintings in the world. Nearby you’ll also find the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University, the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, the Penn Museum, the Institute of Contemporary Art, and the Mütter Museum.
Eco-friendly Philly boasts some 220 miles of bike lanes, good public transportation and the crown jewel of urban parks, 9,200-acre Fairmount Park, the largest landscaped urban park in the world. Furthermore, a 2011 study by Walk Score ranked Philadelphia the fifth-most walkable major city in the United States. With so much history and culture easily acceptable, it’s no wonder 40 million visitors a year travel to this amazing hidden gem on the East Coast. Stay Alfred is proud to offer the comforts of home in the heart of downtown, which means our vacation rentals will be where to stay in Philadelphia. They say Philly is “The City That Loves You Back.” Let us show you how true that is!

Are you planning a trip? Click here to view all of our great vacation rentals