November 2017
The new observation deck at One Liberty Place has been open for a while now, but too often, you don't think of going to tourist attractions near home. I finally spent a day heading to the top of the formerly tallest building in Philadelphia to check it out. I was pleasantly surprised. After lunch at a little Belgian place in Center City, we went up once during the day and once after dark. The views were impressive and they do a nice job of interpreting all that you can see from the 57th floor. I even learned a few new facts despite living here all my life. We also checked out the ice rink at City Hall's Dilworth Park which was a nice way to get into the holiday spirit.
The duck salad sandwich at Monk’s Cafe was delicious.
We stumbled upon the very cool Monk’s Cafe, a Belgian place, for lunch
We stumbled upon the very cool Monk’s Cafe, a Belgian place, for lunch
Headed into One Liberty Place to check out the observation deck
Headed into One Liberty Place to check out the observation deck
These giant feet belong to Ben Franklin
57 floors up, we found Ben Franklin’s head
The Ben Franklin Bridge crossing into New Jersey
Looking east over the Ben Franklin Bridge to New Jersey
Looking down on Philadelphia City Hall
The Comcast Center (right) and the new Comcast tower that’s being built (left).
The BNY Mellon Building and its pyramid
The Comcast Center is currently the tallest building in Philadelphia
Looking north from One Liberty Place
It’s a bit hazy, but this is the Philadelphia Navy Yard and the sports complex
The University of Pennsylvania along the Schuylkill River
The sister building of the one we’re atop, Two Liberty Place
Camden City Hall. Camden looks peaceful from this far away!
Looking east from One Liberty Place
Billy Penn stands atop Philadelphia City Hall
Looking northeast up the Delaware River
The Commodore Barry Bridge off in the hazy distance
You’d never know it, but the Limerick Nuclear Power Plant is nearly 40 miles away
The PSFS Building is a Philadelphia Landmark
The Philadelphia Inquirer Building is a 94 year old National Historic Landmark
I spent too many years commuting across the Tacony-Palmyra Bridge
Looking Northeast up the Delaware River to the Betsy Ross Bridge
Mummery is an important part of Philadelphia culture. New Year’s Day is just around the corner!
I couldn’t ask for cooler lighting on Philadelphia City Hall. Thanks Mother Nature!
The ice rink at Dilworth Park
Headed into the always fun (and historic) Reading Terminal Market for a snack
Way up there atop One Liberty Place is where we just were
The Dilworth Park Ice Rink sits right outside Philadelphia City Hall
The Dilworth Park Ice Rink sits right outside Philadelphia City Hall
The hedge maze at The Dilworth Park looks so cool after dark
The hedge maze at The Dilworth Park looks so cool after dark
This reindeer topiary is demanding that you visit Philly
Who knew one of the best photos of the day would be of tables and chairs
Heading back up One Liberty Place to check out the view after dark
Well, hello again, Ben Franklin!
Looking southwest from One Liberty Place as the sun sets
Looking west from One Liberty Place as the sun sets
The Christmas lights at One Liberty Place represent the iconic annual Miracle on South 13th Street display
Looking down on Philadelphia City Hall
The sister building of the one we’re atop, Two Liberty Place, is lit in purple
That ice rink way down there at Dilworth Park is the same one we were at a few minutes ago.
Looking out over Philadelphia City Hall, Dilworth Park and the ice rink
The Comcast Center is currently the tallest building in Philadelphia
The Ben Franklin Bridge is lit in purple too
The BNY Mellon Buildings pyramid is lit in purple along with the rest of the city