most overrated thing in philly?

[phillyaggie]

All my out-of-town visitors love RTM and all the food places I've taken them to, as well as the vistas from top of the Art Museum.

The history part, I have to agree, really sucks big time... there is so much awesome history in this town, I'm able to narrate it and show my visitors around and they enjoy it more than they enjoy checking out the hurried tour of Independence Hall... really, there's not much there to see inside, it's just a building. The Liberty Bell Pavilion is okay, it has a good lay out in that you see and hear all the stories of how that Bell has been a rallying point for various democracy/rights movements and then you see the real deal and everyone's taking photos of it...it's an honest to goodness tourist moment...but I digress. Overall, the whole "most historic square mile" sucks ass because it lacks much of a punch. Some buildings are outright duplicates of the originals, Elfreth's Alley is alright if you actually listen to the phoned in guided tour (they have a number to call), but it's not well managed or advertized. The museums around there aren't very good. The new Presidents' House can't be overrated because it sucks so much that it rightly deserves low rating.

The LOVE sculpture is good...may not be original, but it's placement is brilliant. Now the park around it sucks and needs to be re-done (and thankfully they are doing it...hopefully the final product is good). Other cities don't have their LOVE statue in a prominent place or line of sight. Good for Philly that it does...the fountain behind it is nice too.

RTM is wonderful too.

Really, Philly markets itself on its rich history... and indeed, that's where the hype is, and is thus overrated...because so much of it fails to meet the hype.


As for food, I like Sabrina's in Italian Market. I've always had good service and good food; I don't care for the 2 hour wait, but that's par for the course, I suppose.

As for drinks, I agree with someone above that Nodding Head sucks... I don't know why locals keep going there. Their brews aren't anything to write home about...the food is alright but pricey for what it is. Mainly, I just don't like their beers, almost all of them. They suck. And I like beer, so I'm always perplexed about this... in a town with so many great watering holes, how the heck does Nodding Head keep going?!

[OffenseTaken]

All my out-of-town visitors love RTM and all the food places I've taken them to, as well as the vistas from top of the Art Museum.

The history part, I have to agree, really sucks big time... there is so much awesome history in this town, I'm able to narrate it and show my visitors around and they enjoy it more than they enjoy checking out the hurried tour of Independence Hall... really, there's not much there to see inside, it's just a building. The Liberty Bell Pavilion is okay, it has a good lay out in that you see and hear all the stories of how that Bell has been a rallying point for various democracy/rights movements and then you see the real deal and everyone's taking photos of it...it's an honest to goodness tourist moment...but I digress. Overall, the whole "most historic square mile" sucks ass because it lacks much of a punch. Some buildings are outright duplicates of the originals, Elfreth's Alley is alright if you actually listen to the phoned in guided tour (they have a number to call), but it's not well managed or advertized. The museums around there aren't very good. The new Presidents' House can't be overrated because it sucks so much that it rightly deserves low rating.

I have to assume that the sites around the National Historic Park are just curated for a completely different audience from me or anyone I know: I don't even take out-of-towners there anymore. The earnestness with which so many corny old "Father, I cannot tell a lie"-type stories get repeated is really off-putting.* Besides which, it sucks as a way to sell Philadelphia to people: you might have more fun in Rockefeller Center, but you should go see the Liberty Bell first because it's good for you. It will make you a better citizen.

Someone may argue that it's for the benefit of the kids, but I submit that it's even more counterproductive with them. They have keener noses for BS and therefore get bored faster, and I know for a fact they get cranky on the hot, tedious, treeless walk between Independence Hall and the hotels.

*One exception is the American Philosophical Society, which is a wonderful spot. There's not a whole lot there, though.

As for drinks, I agree with someone above that Nodding Head sucks... I don't know why locals keep going there. Their brews aren't anything to write home about...the food is alright but pricey for what it is. Mainly, I just don't like their beers, almost all of them. They suck. And I like beer, so I'm always perplexed about this... in a town with so many great watering holes, how the heck does Nodding Head keep going?!

I think people tend to rate beers brewed on the premises (or by the same establishment) much higher than if the same beer were made by a microbrew in some other state and shipped in. Add to that the fact that Nodding Head is, I think, the only microbrew in CC, and it would be pretty hard for them not to be popular.

[annie]

Most overrated restaurant: Abyssinia

Wait, for Abyssinia to be overrated wouldn't people have to rate it in the first place? People rate Abyssinia?

[Smooth Sailor]

Repeating a few, but...

1. The Mummers... no further explanation needed






2. Fairmount Park- the city boasts about how it's the biggest urban park in the US, yet it's totally disconnected, and with the exception of a few hidden gems, it's mostly an overgrown, poorly maintained park that may or may not be home to a rapist and packs of wild dogs.

3. The Sports Complex- sea of asphalt cut off from the rest of the city

4. Avenue of the Arts- more blighted buildings than artistic venues

5. Cheesesteaks

[Smooth Sailor]

Also, though not native to Philly, Yuengling

[raider.adam]

As for drinks, I agree with someone above that Nodding Head sucks... I don't know why locals keep going there. Their brews aren't anything to write home about...the food is alright but pricey for what it is. Mainly, I just don't like their beers, almost all of them. They suck. And I like beer, so I'm always perplexed about this... in a town with so many great watering holes, how the heck does Nodding Head keep going?!

Their Berliner Weisse is one of my favorite beers and they actually have woodruff syrup to go with it.

[supersupper]

All my out-of-town visitors love RTM and all the food places I've taken them to, as well as the vistas from top of the Art Museum.

The history part, I have to agree, really sucks big time... there is so much awesome history in this town, I'm able to narrate it and show my visitors around and they enjoy it more than they enjoy checking out the hurried tour of Independence Hall... really, there's not much there to see inside, it's just a building. The Liberty Bell Pavilion is okay, it has a good lay out in that you see and hear all the stories of how that Bell has been a rallying point for various democracy/rights movements and then you see the real deal and everyone's taking photos of it...it's an honest to goodness tourist moment...but I digress. Overall, the whole "most historic square mile" sucks ass because it lacks much of a punch. Some buildings are outright duplicates of the originals, Elfreth's Alley is alright if you actually listen to the phoned in guided tour (they have a number to call), but it's not well managed or advertized. The museums around there aren't very good. The new Presidents' House can't be overrated because it sucks so much that it rightly deserves low rating.

The LOVE sculpture is good...may not be original, but it's placement is brilliant. Now the park around it sucks and needs to be re-done (and thankfully they are doing it...hopefully the final product is good). Other cities don't have their LOVE statue in a prominent place or line of sight. Good for Philly that it does...the fountain behind it is nice too.

RTM is wonderful too.

Really, Philly markets itself on its rich history... and indeed, that's where the hype is, and is thus overrated...because so much of it fails to meet the hype.


As for food, I like Sabrina's in Italian Market. I've always had good service and good food; I don't care for the 2 hour wait, but that's par for the course, I suppose.

As for drinks, I agree with someone above that Nodding Head sucks... I don't know why locals keep going there. Their brews aren't anything to write home about...the food is alright but pricey for what it is. Mainly, I just don't like their beers, almost all of them. They suck. And I like beer, so I'm always perplexed about this... in a town with so many great watering holes, how the heck does Nodding Head keep going?!

You may be right that the institutionalized historical Philadelphia may not be as interesting as the living Philadelphia enmeshed in it's history.

For example, Elfreth's alley is not a museum or a tourist attraction, it's the longest continuously lived on street in America. It's people's homes and where they live. it's a "Living History" not a manufactured tourist spot. IH is not manufactured tourism but the bell certainly is, not that that is a great crime because it just adds to the flavor of the mall- imagine if it wasn't there?

The original Love "sculpture" was a christmas card. The thing about the sculpture is it's sighting and the word as it relates to the meaning of Philadelphia. I don't think anyone posits the Love sculpture as a one of a kind artwork that has to be seen in person in Philadelphia. Nevermind Rodin's Gates of Hell is is one of three casts of the original. It is not the original, though nonetheless one of the more underated objects in Philly (i'm too lazy to go over there to post that).

Anyway, I tend to agree the President's house is mediocre, but afterall it was just a rental, if you will, for George while he was here. It's nothing of much interest other than that most people probably don't even realize he lived here as president for any length of time. Mount Vernon is spectacularly more interesting and reveals much much more about him than anything at this site could ever hope to, including the story of slavery. The Presidents House here is a mere foot note of history and gets way way too much criticism for not being more than what it is/was.

[BarryG]

I've been to PPM a few times...I'd rate it better than RTM due to its much wider variety of stands. RTM is too food-focused, not to mention more crowded. I agree that they definitely are the top 2 by a wide margin though.

Cleveland's West Side Market ranks up there as well. It's like RTM but also has a large outdoor produce section, similar to the Italian Market stalls (btw, Italian Market as a produce destination is quite overrated). The one thing it lacks is a large variety of high quality ready to eat foods.

[DocAwesome]

Perhaps this will help some of us when identifying items as overrated, as I think there has been some confusion.

Definition of OVERRATE

transitive verb
To rate, value, or estimate too highly <overrates his importance to the team>

Examples of OVERRATE

The coach tends to overrate the players on his own team.
<I think the critics seriously overrated that movie.>

First Known Use of OVERRATE
1610

Related to OVERRATE

Synonyms: overestimate, overvalue
Antonyms: underestimate, underrate, undervalue



Sources:
Overrated - Definition and More from the Free Merriam-Webster Dictionary

[OffenseTaken]

Perhaps this will help some of us when identifying items as overrated, as I think there has been some confusion.

Definition of OVERRATE

transitive verb
To rate, value, or estimate too highly <overrates his importance to the team>

Examples of OVERRATE

The coach tends to overrate the players on his own team.
<I think the critics seriously overrated that movie.>

First Known Use of OVERRATE
1610

Related to OVERRATE

Synonyms: overestimate, overvalue
Antonyms: underestimate, underrate, undervalue



Sources:
Overrated - Definition and More from the Free Merriam-Webster Dictionary

Merriam-Webster is the most overrated dictionary in the English language.

[guzzijason]

Also, though not native to Philly, Yuengling

Holy f**k yes. When I first moved to the area, I would go out with friends and drink it because they were. I would smile politely, all the while thinking "ugh, this stuff is terrible." But then again, I'm not much of a fan of lagers in general, so that could be part of my problem.

__Jason

[Ho Chi Minh]

Their Berliner Weisse is one of my favorite beers and they actually have woodruff syrup to go with it.

Yes. Their Berliner Weisse belongs in the most underrated collumn!

I'll second the Yuengling swill as most overrated beer.

[DCnPhilly]

Yes. Their Berliner Weisse belongs in the most underrated collumn!

I'll second the Yuengling swill as most overrated beer.

Yuengling is on the list for sure. Headache in a bottle.

I'd add Steven Starr, Zoe Strauss, and anything with "Wiz."

That said, there are far more underrated thing in Philadelphia than overrated ones. Too many to mention in fact, including the city itself.

[avgsizepecker]

Anyone who does not know the difference between overrated and underrated without this jackass feeling the need to explain it to us should not be on a message board to being with.

Perhaps this will help some of us when identifying items as overrated, as I think there has been some confusion.

Definition of OVERRATE

transitive verb
To rate, value, or estimate too highly <overrates his importance to the team>

Examples of OVERRATE

The coach tends to overrate the players on his own team.
<I think the critics seriously overrated that movie.>

First Known Use of OVERRATE
1610

Related to OVERRATE

Synonyms: overestimate, overvalue
Antonyms: underestimate, underrate, undervalue



Sources:
Overrated - Definition and More from the Free Merriam-Webster Dictionary

[Oladybug]

Cleveland's West Side Market ranks up there as well. It's like RTM but also has a large outdoor produce section, similar to the Italian Market stalls (btw, Italian Market as a produce destination is quite overrated). The one thing it lacks is a large variety of high quality ready to eat foods.

I don't know how Cleveland's much-touted West Side Market compares to RTM because its hours of operation are pretty limited. I traveled there on a Thursday afternoon last month only to find they're closed on Tuesdays and Thursdays -- WTF? So as fabulous as they claim it is, what good is it if it's not always accessible. Fughedaboudit!

[DocAwesome]

Also, though not native to Philly, Yuengling

I agree that anyone claiming the beer to be exceptional is probably overplaying their hand, but IMO it's an alright beer at a great price so I personally can understand the appeal.

[raider.adam]

I agree that anyone claiming the beer to be exceptional is probably overplaying their hand, but IMO it's an alright beer at a great price so I personally can understand the appeal.

The appeal for me is, even if it is a place that only serves miller lite, coors lite and bud light, they almost always have yuengling too, which is a better option.

[supersupper]

Perhaps this will help some of us when identifying items as overrated, as I think there has been some confusion.

Definition of OVERRATE

transitive verb
To rate, value, or estimate too highly <overrates his importance to the team>

Examples of OVERRATE

The coach tends to overrate the players on his own team.
<I think the critics seriously overrated that movie.>

First Known Use of OVERRATE
1610

Related to OVERRATE

Synonyms: overestimate, overvalue
Antonyms: underestimate, underrate, undervalue



Sources:
Overrated - Definition and More from the Free Merriam-Webster Dictionary

A term used to describe something that gets more hype and credit than it's actually worth.

So due to personal opinion and anyone who hates anything that's well known, No matter how brilliant something is, if it gets a lot of media attention then there's always someone who will think it's overrated.

Source:
http://www.urbandictionary.com/defin...term=overrated

[phillyaggie]

Their Berliner Weisse is one of my favorite beers and they actually have woodruff syrup to go with it.

hmm is it one of their seasonal brews? I'll look for it next time I'm there for a group happy hour. Thanks for the rec.

[loveisnoise]

M Night shamalami or whatever his name is. A couple ok movies- then utter crap.