Whether you’re a first-year student just starting out or a senior in your last semester, now’s the time to start checking things off your college bucket list. Luckily, you have been blessed with going to a school in the great city of Philadelphia…for the most part. Many of you have traveled quite far to attend St. Joe’s, coming from places like West Chester, Lancaster, New Jersey and even England (the new one), so it’s important you take full advantage of the city before your time runs out. As a senior myself, I want to share some tips on making your very own Philly bucket list.
The Liberty Bell: I don’t know who decided this was such an important landmark for Philadelphia, but it’s literally just a bell. You wait in a long line for over an hour just to see an old bell that doesn’t even ring. A bell’s only job is to ring. Why do we celebrate this exactly? Take a photo with your friends literally anywhere else.
The Rocky Statue: Everyone remembers the iconic scene in “Rocky” of Rocky Balboa running through the streets of Philly, up those steps and then fighting some Russian guy who was trying to destroy the art museum or something. I don’t know, I didn’t see the movie. What I do know is the Rocky statue isn’t even on the top of the steps. It’s down to the side and, shocker, you have to wait in a huge line of New Yorkers to see it. The only good part of when I went to see the statue was a guy who looked and sounded vaguely like Sylvester Stallone, who kept talking about how the movie was based on him and that he’s trying to sue the government. Unfortunately, he charged for pictures, but the actual statue is free to take a picture with (as long as you don’t value your time and dignity).
Longwood Gardens: If you look up any Philly bucket list, you’ll probably see this place in your search results. It’s absolutely beautiful, and I can’t recommend it enough. Unfortunately, it’s not in Philly. It’s actually about an hour away depending on traffic. Go there anyway.
Liberty Bell Update: I looked up why it’s important, and apparently it’s a symbol of freedom. Because nothing says freedom like waiting in a two-hour line in the blistering heat to take a photo with a crusty bell. No one even knows when it cracked! Stop going to see this!
Cheesesteaks: It’s a beautiful thing that Philly’s most famous attribute is greasy meat and cheese in a roll. Just like the city itself, you’ll enjoy it until you get about halfway through and leave feeling a little queasy. If you’ve never had an authentic Philadelphia cheesesteak, don’t let your first be Larry’s. Please.
So, if you’re making your Philly bucket list, make sure to double-check it and fix it accordingly. Call me a hater all you want, but I’m right. You’re in Philly for four years, so don’t look like a tourist. Go to the art museum, walk up the steps like a normal person, keep your arms at your sides and then go enjoy some art.