![\"Jessica](\"https:\/\/www.rochester.edu\/adv\/alumni-news-media\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Jessica_Rose-600W.jpg\")
Jessica Rose \u201916<\/p><\/div>\n
\u201cWe all love the Liberty Bell, our sports teams, and cheesesteaks, but Philadelphia is so much more,\u201d says Jessica Rose \u201916, a pediatric nurse practitioner who lives in Philadelphia\u2019s Rittenhouse Square neighborhood.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019ll find fantastic food, art, and culture; loads of history and people proud of it; neighborhoods full of interesting people; and tons of green space, despite being a very urban place.\u201d<\/p>\n
If you have a chance to explore the city, here are a few of Rose’s recommendations\u2014almost all in or within a short distance from Philly’s Center City.<\/p>\n
Art and culture <\/strong><\/h3>\nA must for Rose is \ud83c\udd50<\/span> Mural Arts Philadelphia<\/strong> (128 N. Broad St)<\/em>, the world\u2019s largest outdoor art gallery and the country\u2019s oldest program of its kind. She suggests taking a guided tour to learn the city\u2019s visual history. Be sure also to visit the \ud83c\udd51<\/span> Philadelphia Museum of Art<\/strong> (2600 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy.)<\/em>, known as the cultural heart of the city (and for the Rocky Steps and the nearby Rocky statue).<\/p>\nFor music, dance, and theatre buffs, Rose recommends the one-of-kind \ud83c\udd52<\/span> Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts<\/strong> (300 S. Broad St.)<\/em> and the \ud83c\udd53<\/span>\u00a0Walnut Street Theatre<\/strong> (825 Walnut St.)<\/em>\u2014the oldest continuously operating playhouse in the United States.<\/p>\nAlleys and architecture<\/strong><\/h3>\nRose says there\u2019s no better way to experience Philadelphia than on foot. Wander the many hidden brick and cobblestone alleys of \ud83c\udd54<\/span>\u00a0Old City<\/strong> and \ud83c\udd55<\/span>\u00a0Society Hill<\/strong>; take a walking tour to learn the stories\u2014and even the secrets\u2014of the homes and their residents; or visit the \ud83c\udd56<\/span> Betsy Ross House<\/strong> (239 Arch St.)<\/em> where the nation\u2019s most famous seamstress is long said to have stitched the country\u2019s first flag. Have time for just one destination? Rose recommends \ud83c\udd57<\/span>\u00a0Elfreth\u2019s Alley<\/strong>, the nation\u2019s oldest continuously inhabited residential street and home to 18th-century artisans and tradespeople.<\/p>\nIconic history<\/strong><\/h3>\nOf course, a must-visit is \ud83c\udd58<\/span>\u00a0Independence Hall<\/strong> (520 Chestnut St.)<\/em>, where the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were signed (look for George Washington\u2019s inkstand and chair). Rose also recommends a stroll across Independence Mall to the \ud83c\udd59<\/span>\u00a0Liberty Bell<\/strong>.<\/p>\nGardens and parks<\/strong><\/h3>\nThe Pennsylvania Historical Society offers \ud83c\udd5a<\/span>\u00a0Pop-Up Gardens<\/strong>, great places to kick back and enjoy food and beer from some of the city\u2019s best restaurants. Rose frequents the one at 1438 South Street. For a different experience, enjoy a hike and relax by the ancient \ud83c\udd5b<\/span>\u00a0Schuylkill River<\/strong> (pronounced SKOO-kil). On its west bank, south of Center City, is Bartram\u2019s Garden (5400 Lindbergh Blvd.), the country\u2019s oldest botanical spot of its kind, and accessible by trolley. Be sure also to spend time at its Sankofa Community<\/p>\nFarm, a crop farm rooted in the African Diaspora. Rose notes that Philly, a city of about 10,000 acres, has more than 100 parks. Her favorite is Fairmount Park, an urban oasis north of the art museum and extending to both sides of the Schuylkill River.<\/p>\n
Philly fare and other fine food<\/strong><\/h3>\nFounded in 1893, \ud83c\udd5c<\/span>\u00a0Reading Terminal Market<\/strong> (1136 Arch St.)<\/em> is one of Rose\u2019s favorite places. Reading offers food from around the world, arts, crafts, books, flowers, clothing, and just about everything else. Grab a donut at Beiler\u2019s Bakery, a cheesesteak at DiNic\u2019s, or some delicious food at the Little Thai Market. Venture beyond the market to \ud83c\udd5d<\/span>\u00a0Zahav<\/strong> (237 St. James Pl.)<\/em> for authentic Israeli flavors (make a reservation, says Rose); \ud83c\udd5e<\/span>\u00a0Vedge<\/strong> (1221 Locust St.)<\/em>, where Rose\u2019s favorite is the sweet potato p\u00e2t\u00e9; \ud83c\udd5f<\/span> Continental Midtown<\/strong> (1801 Chestnut St.)<\/em> to sip a cocktail on its rooftop deck; \ud83c\udd60<\/span>\u00a0Dirty Franks<\/strong> (347 S. 13th St.)<\/em>, a dive bar and Philly institution; and Philly Pretzel Factory, at locations around the city.[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space image_repeat=”no-repeat”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”grid” text_align=”left” css_animation=”” box_shadow_on_row=”no”][vc_column][vc_row_inner row_type=”row” type=”full_width” use_row_as_full_screen_section_slide=”no” text_align=”left” background_color=”#e9e5d7″ css_animation=”” box_shadow_on_row=”no”][vc_column_inner][vc_empty_space image_repeat=”no-repeat”][vc_column_text]<\/p>\nMeet your guide<\/strong><\/h3>\nJessica Rose \u201916
\nPediatric nurse practitioner, Center City Pediatrics<\/p>\n
Rose was born at Pennsylvania Hospital\u2014the country\u2019s first hospital\u2014when her father was doing his medical residency in Philadelphia. When it came time to choose a college, Rochester was an easy choice: her grandmother, two aunts, two uncles, and a cousin all graduated from the University. Rose majored in psychology, became a Student Alumni Ambassador, a member of the Bhangra and Ballet Performance groups, an orientation volunteer, and studied abroad in Denmark. She\u2019s the chair of the College\u2019s Young Alumni Council, a member of the Philadelphia Network Leadership Council, and a former member of her reunion committee. Rochester, she says, is her hobby. She\u2019s a big sports buff, too, and although she\u2019ll cheer on the Eagles, she\u2019s a forever fan of the Buffalo Bills.[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space image_repeat=”no-repeat”][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”grid” text_align=”left” css_animation=”” box_shadow_on_row=”no”][vc_column][vc_row_inner row_type=”row” type=”full_width” use_row_as_full_screen_section_slide=”no” text_align=”left” css_animation=”” box_shadow_on_row=”no”][vc_column_inner][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n
For music, dance, and theatre buffs, Rose recommends the one-of-kind \ud83c\udd52<\/span> Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts<\/strong> (300 S. Broad St.)<\/em> and the \ud83c\udd53<\/span>\u00a0Walnut Street Theatre<\/strong> (825 Walnut St.)<\/em>\u2014the oldest continuously operating playhouse in the United States.<\/p>\n Rose says there\u2019s no better way to experience Philadelphia than on foot. Wander the many hidden brick and cobblestone alleys of \ud83c\udd54<\/span>\u00a0Old City<\/strong> and \ud83c\udd55<\/span>\u00a0Society Hill<\/strong>; take a walking tour to learn the stories\u2014and even the secrets\u2014of the homes and their residents; or visit the \ud83c\udd56<\/span> Betsy Ross House<\/strong> (239 Arch St.)<\/em> where the nation\u2019s most famous seamstress is long said to have stitched the country\u2019s first flag. Have time for just one destination? Rose recommends \ud83c\udd57<\/span>\u00a0Elfreth\u2019s Alley<\/strong>, the nation\u2019s oldest continuously inhabited residential street and home to 18th-century artisans and tradespeople.<\/p>\n Of course, a must-visit is \ud83c\udd58<\/span>\u00a0Independence Hall<\/strong> (520 Chestnut St.)<\/em>, where the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were signed (look for George Washington\u2019s inkstand and chair). Rose also recommends a stroll across Independence Mall to the \ud83c\udd59<\/span>\u00a0Liberty Bell<\/strong>.<\/p>\n The Pennsylvania Historical Society offers \ud83c\udd5a<\/span>\u00a0Pop-Up Gardens<\/strong>, great places to kick back and enjoy food and beer from some of the city\u2019s best restaurants. Rose frequents the one at 1438 South Street. For a different experience, enjoy a hike and relax by the ancient \ud83c\udd5b<\/span>\u00a0Schuylkill River<\/strong> (pronounced SKOO-kil). On its west bank, south of Center City, is Bartram\u2019s Garden (5400 Lindbergh Blvd.), the country\u2019s oldest botanical spot of its kind, and accessible by trolley. Be sure also to spend time at its Sankofa Community<\/p>\n Farm, a crop farm rooted in the African Diaspora. Rose notes that Philly, a city of about 10,000 acres, has more than 100 parks. Her favorite is Fairmount Park, an urban oasis north of the art museum and extending to both sides of the Schuylkill River.<\/p>\n Founded in 1893, \ud83c\udd5c<\/span>\u00a0Reading Terminal Market<\/strong> (1136 Arch St.)<\/em> is one of Rose\u2019s favorite places. Reading offers food from around the world, arts, crafts, books, flowers, clothing, and just about everything else. Grab a donut at Beiler\u2019s Bakery, a cheesesteak at DiNic\u2019s, or some delicious food at the Little Thai Market. Venture beyond the market to \ud83c\udd5d<\/span>\u00a0Zahav<\/strong> (237 St. James Pl.)<\/em> for authentic Israeli flavors (make a reservation, says Rose); \ud83c\udd5e<\/span>\u00a0Vedge<\/strong> (1221 Locust St.)<\/em>, where Rose\u2019s favorite is the sweet potato p\u00e2t\u00e9; \ud83c\udd5f<\/span> Continental Midtown<\/strong> (1801 Chestnut St.)<\/em> to sip a cocktail on its rooftop deck; \ud83c\udd60<\/span>\u00a0Dirty Franks<\/strong> (347 S. 13th St.)<\/em>, a dive bar and Philly institution; and Philly Pretzel Factory, at locations around the city.[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space image_repeat=”no-repeat”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”grid” text_align=”left” css_animation=”” box_shadow_on_row=”no”][vc_column][vc_row_inner row_type=”row” type=”full_width” use_row_as_full_screen_section_slide=”no” text_align=”left” background_color=”#e9e5d7″ css_animation=”” box_shadow_on_row=”no”][vc_column_inner][vc_empty_space image_repeat=”no-repeat”][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n Jessica Rose \u201916 Rose was born at Pennsylvania Hospital\u2014the country\u2019s first hospital\u2014when her father was doing his medical residency in Philadelphia. When it came time to choose a college, Rochester was an easy choice: her grandmother, two aunts, two uncles, and a cousin all graduated from the University. Rose majored in psychology, became a Student Alumni Ambassador, a member of the Bhangra and Ballet Performance groups, an orientation volunteer, and studied abroad in Denmark. She\u2019s the chair of the College\u2019s Young Alumni Council, a member of the Philadelphia Network Leadership Council, and a former member of her reunion committee. Rochester, she says, is her hobby. She\u2019s a big sports buff, too, and although she\u2019ll cheer on the Eagles, she\u2019s a forever fan of the Buffalo Bills.[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space image_repeat=”no-repeat”][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”grid” text_align=”left” css_animation=”” box_shadow_on_row=”no”][vc_column][vc_row_inner row_type=”row” type=”full_width” use_row_as_full_screen_section_slide=”no” text_align=”left” css_animation=”” box_shadow_on_row=”no”][vc_column_inner][vc_column_text]<\/p>\nAlleys and architecture<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Iconic history<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Gardens and parks<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Philly fare and other fine food<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Meet your guide<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\nPediatric nurse practitioner, Center City Pediatrics<\/p>\n
![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.rochester.edu\/adv\/alumni-news-media\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/MapforKristineThompson_1200w.jpg\")