Taking myself for a night on the town - PhillyBlog

CarrieL · #1 (**permalink**) 12-05-2007, 05:39 PM

Here is a peculiar spin on the dating threads... I am looking go out alone in Philly and looking to make the experience memorable. This is sort of like a solo date.

I've done this before, usually in warmer months. The summer is great time for walks. I've walked on Delaware (Columbus) Ave, explored Penn's landing, walked across the BF Bridge, strolled through Society Hill and South Street. Of course, I have done Kelly Drive several times. In fact, I would say walking is a great solo date experience & it costs nothing.

First Friday is a great solo date experience and I particularly like to stay off the beaten path a bit. Less crowds and more chances for transcendence while communing with the art.

Anyway, it is December and not fun for an outdoor date. I am hoping people would brainstorm cool things to do alone at night in Philly. I am looking for comfortable spots for sitting and people watching, opportunities for chit chat with strangers, and maybe a cultural experience.

So help me plan a memorable solo dating experience that will dazzle me!

Thanks,

Caroline

phillyaggie · #2 (**permalink**) 12-05-2007, 05:45 PM

that's so cool!

I dig this solo dating and do it a lot as well.

I'd recommend the day when the Art Museum is open longer hours and lets you pay what you want. I imagine you'd find a lot of culture there (!) and hopefully lot of people-watching opportunities as well. And its indoors so you don't have to worry about the weather outside.

Or you can always hit one of the big bookstores, find a good read, then sit yourself down with a cup'a java and do some reading while also people-watching.

phillyaggie · #3 (**permalink**) 12-05-2007, 05:47 PM

ohhh not sure when they do one of those organ recitals at the Wanamaker's, perhaps they have something fun and interesting going on for the holiday season in late evenings?

phillyaggie · #4 (**permalink**) 12-05-2007, 06:52 PM

umm ok... no replies? no other tete-a-tete? ok then!

GMonkey · #5 (**permalink**) 12-05-2007, 07:01 PM

Maybe if you show yourself a good time, you'll get lucky!

Seriously...I could wander for hours at Reading Terminal Market.

BeckyJ · #6 (**permalink**) 12-05-2007, 07:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phillyaggie

that's so cool!

I dig this solo dating and do it a lot as well.

I'd recommend the day when the Art Museum is open longer hours and lets you pay what you want. I imagine you'd find a lot of culture there (!) and hopefully lot of people-watching opportunities as well. And its indoors so you don't have to worry about the weather outside.

Or you can always hit one of the big bookstores, find a good read, then sit yourself down with a cup'a java and do some reading while also people-watching.

Friday nights at the Art Museum is "Art After 5" (look on the website for who's playing - http://www.philamuseum.org/artafter5/); the cost is the regular admission, but the musical performances in the Stair Hall are included (cash bar) and the museum is open until 8:45. The music starts at 5:45. If you can get off work a little early, you can wander around the museum for a bit and then grab a drink and a seat and enjoy a good concert. On Sundays the Museum is pay what you want, and it closes at 5. The Renoir exhibit is there until 1/6.

phillyaggie · #7 (**permalink**) 12-05-2007, 07:33 PM

cool beans! Thanks for the info, Becky.

RTM is definitely a good idea. But the OP was wanting some cultural experience. I guess you can construe RTM's foodieness to be a great cultural experience in itself!

GMonkey · #8 (**permalink**) 12-05-2007, 08:46 PM

Right, and RTM isn't open at night. My bad.

Aren't there dancing lessons in QV where you can attend if you are partnerless...or in my case, the partner is a tall, lanky, white dude with no rhythm, and it would just be preferable to go alone?

Luna_C · #9 (**permalink**) 12-05-2007, 10:40 PM

I try to do a "me" night about once a month, and in the winter it does get a little harder.

This isn't terribly cultural, but when the weather is really crappy, I like to take a book and find a restaurant that has good food but so-so service: Get a table, order, and get lost in your book. (The point of the so-so service is that they're more likely to leave you alone for a long time.)

#10 (**permalink**) 12-06-2007, 02:42 AM

Zen Masters suggest walking until you get totally exhausted, totally, and then Look at your surroundings. You'll be so tired that you won't be thinking while you're looking, thus you'll see without a filter and in amazing clarity.

I've done this many times and it's great to be around buildings with a lot of detail.