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Vince Papale's Philly's More Fun Weekend
Retracing the footsteps of one of Philadelphia's sports legends
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Vince Papale at Veterans Stadium
Photo courtesy of www.vincepaple.com
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Location:
Center City Philadelphia, South Philly and the Brandywine Valley
Transportation:
On foot, in a taxi or by car
Duration:
2 nights and 2 days
It’s safe to say that Vince Papale, the man who actually made the Philadelphia Eagles team after a rare open try-out, knows the Philadelphia region. Raised in Glenolden, Papale graduated from Delaware County’s Interboro High School and Saint Joseph’s College (now St. Joseph’s University), located on busy City Line Avenue.
Papale spent plenty of time in South Philadelphia, where he cheered on the Eagles in the 700 level of Veterans’ Stadium and where he later served as wide receiver and special teams player for his hometown team. In August 2006, his fairytale life made its way to the big screen when the film Invincible, starring Mark Wahlberg, debuted in theaters nationwide. Here’s your chance to retrace Papale’s footsteps.
Night One
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Fans converge on the home of the Eagles, Lincoln Financial Field in South Philadelphia
Photo by R. Kennedy for GPTMC
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Check into your hotel — South Philly’s Holiday Inn is located just steps away from the sports complex, or try the Park Hyatt at the Bellevue, the Ritz-Carlton or the Doubletree, all of which are right on Broad Street for easy connection with Septa's Sports Express.
If the night is right, you can take in a game or concert at one of four venues within walking distance of your hotel. Veterans’ Stadium, where Vince played, isn’t around anymore, but the city’s newer stadiums certainly fill the void. You can see the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field, the Phillies at Citizens Bank Park and the Flyers and Sixers at the Wachovia Center.
What about soccer, arena football, lacrosse? That’s all here too, but don’t get too ahead of yourself.
Before the game, head over to Tony Luke’s, one of Vince’s favorite places to grab a roast pork sandwich or an authentic Philly cheesesteak. If you’re still hungry after the game, make your way to Chickie’s and Pete’s, Papale’s favorite South Philly bar, for crabs, wings and those famous crab fries.
Day One
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National Constitution Center
Photo by R. Kennedy for GPTMC
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What’s a trip to Philadelphia without visiting some of the city’s famous historic attractions?
If you’re in town with the family or even with your buddies, consider visits to the National Constitution Center, the Liberty Bell Center and Independence Hall a must.
One of the best parts of the Constitution Center experience, according to Vince, is the multimedia show Freedom Rising.
Night Two
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Alfresco dining in Old City
Photo by B. Krist for GPTMC
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Touring town can be tiring, so you’ll need to refuel. They’ll be plenty of opportunities to do that in Old City, where restaurants line the streets. Asian, Italian, Irish, Indian, Mediterranean — it’s all here and more.
Vince’s personal favorite, Radicchio Cafe, is nestled in the quiet north end of the neighborhood. This warm-hued trattoria offers a menu of crowd-pleasing Italian classics.
It’s a BYOB — short for bring-your-own-bottle — so make sure you have your favorite libation in tow. Oh, and be prepared to hang around for a while. On weekends, there’s a worth-the-wait line out the door.
Day Two
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Fairmount Park
Photo by R. Kennedy for GPTMC
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Outdoorsy types will love Fairmount Park. With more than 9,200 acres, the park lays claim to 10% of the land in Philadelphia. It comprises 62 regional and neighborhood parks. You can walk, jog, hike, bike, rollerblade or horseback ride on one of the many trails. If you’re not up for an activity, no worries – just relax and enjoy a picnic.
In the mood for a little culture instead? Head to Delaware County, where Vince grew up. A must-see here is the Brandywine River Museum in Chadds Ford. The museum includes more than 3,000 landscapes, genre paintings and illustrations from hundreds of 19th- and 20th-century American artists.
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