North Philly Tours?

**Dandelions** · 09-28-2009, 04:09 PM

A few years ago I did an architectural walking tour of North Philly (mostly around Temple U) and it was amazing. We even went inside one of the old mansions and a couple of churches around there.

I want to do it again, but don't remember how/where I got tickets for it. Does anyone know anything about them?

**phillysw** · 09-28-2009, 04:42 PM

That sounds really interesting. I'd definitely be interested, if you find out.

This is only a vaguely related story, but about five years ago I got a summer internship through a local foundation. They partnered with various nonprofits, one of which was the Horticultural Society. They gave all of us interns a tour of cleaned-up vacant lots and community gardens in North Philly--pretty cool, except we drove through some of the worst neighborhoods in a tourist trolley, complete with a tour guide yammering away on the loudspeaker! The residents looked at us like we were nuts. It was a little surreal.

**Mahdoumi** · 09-28-2009, 08:48 PM

Originally Posted by phillysw

That sounds really interesting. I'd definitely be interested, if you find out.

This is only a vaguely related story, but about five years ago I got a summer internship through a local foundation. They partnered with various nonprofits, one of which was the Horticultural Society. They gave all of us interns a tour of cleaned-up vacant lots and community gardens in North Philly--pretty cool, except we drove through some of the worst neighborhoods in a tourist trolley, complete with a tour guide yammering away on the loudspeaker! The residents looked at us like we were nuts. It was a little surreal.

Busted out laughing at the image . . . !

I'd also be interested in an architectural tour.

**NJbound** · 09-28-2009, 08:53 PM

yea thats what I want. A tour of north philly

**Hospitalitygirl** · 09-28-2009, 09:03 PM

Originally Posted by NJbound

yea thats what I want. A tour of north philly

You know, you have to look past some of the neglect and decay, and see it through your mind's eye AFTER some TLC is applied. The architecture is beautiful. 16th St has some of my favorite structures, tastes and decorations notwithstanding.

**Swinefeld** · 09-28-2009, 10:35 PM

Originally Posted by Hospitalitygirl

You know, you have to look past some of the neglect and decay, and see it through your mind's eye AFTER some TLC is applied. The architecture is beautiful. 16th St has some of my favorite structures, tastes and decorations notwithstanding.

Right. North Philadelphia does have some interesting architecture but don't expect someone called "NJ Bound" to understand that.

**NJbound** · 09-29-2009, 08:45 AM

I agree. the buildings are.. The people are not..

actually swine, I am an engineer, so I do appreciate beautiful architecture.. and probably 'understand it' more then yourself.. Its the people who are not so pleasant to visit

Originally Posted by Hospitalitygirl

You know, you have to look past some of the neglect and decay, and see it through your mind's eye AFTER some TLC is applied. The architecture is beautiful. 16th St has some of my favorite structures, tastes and decorations notwithstanding.

**PHLxVGN** · 09-29-2009, 10:01 AM

NJbound, have you talked to any people from North Philly? That's a pretty awful thing to say about the hundreds of thousands of people living there....

**Hospitalitygirl** · 09-29-2009, 10:03 AM

Originally Posted by PHLxVGN

NJbound, have you talked to any people from North Philly? That's a pretty awful thing to say about the hundreds of thousands of people living there....

Hundreds of thousands is a bit on the high side, no?

**NJbound** · 09-29-2009, 10:05 AM

my apologies to the good people who do live there(and there are) but the bad one overshadow the good ones. Have you walked thru North Philly by yourself?? Do you think its a safe thing to do? of course not. Now do you understand where I come from??

Originally Posted by PHLxVGN

NJbound, have you talked to any people from North Philly? That's a pretty awful thing to say about the hundreds of thousands of people living there....

**OutOfContext** · 09-29-2009, 10:06 AM

I have not witnessed one positive thing every being said by NJbound, and it makes me wonder just why he/she continues to post on this board. Do they not have a NJspeaks.com?

**PHLxVGN** · 09-29-2009, 10:17 AM

Originally Posted by NJbound

my apologies to the good people who do live there(and there are) but the bad one overshadow the good ones. Have you walked thru North Philly by yourself?? Do you think its a safe thing to do? of course not. Now do you understand where I come from??

Yes, I've walked through many North Philly blocks while doing outreach, have numerous friends between Kensington and Nicetown, and have been out past sundown. If I didn't luck out and find the one building owner in Center City who didn't care about making a profit, then I would be living up on Front near Dauphin.

If you've got your wits about you and aren't making yourself an easy victim, then things most likely will be OK. It helps to NOT look down upon those living in the area your walking through, too. Make eye contact, say hi. Most of those living in North Philly are families that are just as saddened by the crime and violence as you are.

**PHLxVGN** · 09-29-2009, 10:25 AM

Originally Posted by Hospitalitygirl

Hundreds of thousands is a bit on the high side, no?

I guess that depends on each definition of North Philly. This site shows just over 260,000.

**NJbound** · 09-29-2009, 10:41 AM

apparently you have not read all my posts. Sorry if I speak the truth. Not trying to piss anyone off.. I just speak the truth. (in all honestly I was making light posting in this thread but I guess you did not get it.)
Sorry if I offended anyone.,..

Originally Posted by OutOfContext

I have not witnessed one positive thing every being said by NJbound, and it makes me wonder just why he/she continues to post on this board. Do they not have a NJspeaks.com?

**Jaysmom** · 09-29-2009, 05:07 PM

Bump

**Dandelions** · 09-29-2009, 06:04 PM

I got in touch with who I think used to do the tours-Preservation Alliance-and they have discontinued them :-( Maybe I can convince them there is a huge interest?

And to reply a bit to the above, the tour did go down 16th St and inside what I think is part of the Divine Lorraine people's (their name is totally escaping me right now) property. From inside and upstairs, you can look over part of North Philly and see crumbling mansions with turrets, skylights, etc. It was amazing.

I'll post if I find any more information.

**Swinefeld** · 09-30-2009, 09:18 AM

Originally Posted by NJbound

I agree. the buildings are.. The people are not..

actually swine, I am an engineer, so I do appreciate beautiful architecture.. and probably 'understand it' more then yourself.. Its the people who are not so pleasant to visit

Really? An "engineer"? What kind, highway, structural, etc.? Are you a PE? Do you have an AICP degree? I work for an engineering company here in Philly so I'm curious. And I would think an architect would "understand" architecture more than an engineer. Also I don't think you need any kind of degree to appreciate great architecture anymore than you need a masters degree in art to appreciate fine art. Otherwise art museums would be practically empty.

**NJbound** · 09-30-2009, 09:59 AM

if you must know I am a PE (Professional Engineer), build building for a living and have been for 25 years.. any more questions?

**jazzsinger59** · 10-01-2009, 12:00 PM

Originally Posted by Mahdoumi

Busted out laughing at the image . . . !

I'd also be interested in an architectural tour.

There are tours of Harlem
Harlem Tours - Sightseeing Bus Tours of Harlem from New York City Why not Nort Philly

**cwd22** · 10-01-2009, 12:02 PM

Originally Posted by jazzsinger59

There are tours of Harlem
Harlem Tours - Sightseeing Bus Tours of Harlem from New York City Why not Nort Philly

Harlem's seen some extreme gentrification recently. There's even an American Apparel on 125th St, so I don't think you can really compare it to North Philly anymore.