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Well, if you notice the fact that New York has to import talent from across the country and the world just to boost its cultural scene while Philly has the best home-grown talent of any city in the U.S.
The bottom line is Philly has much better LOCAL talent than New York, where New York borrows its arts and culture from other places.
Also, if anyone can find a better museum district than the Ben Franklin Parkway, a better performing arts concentration than Avenue of the Arts, or a better historical neighborhood than Society Hill and Old City, then I'll admit that Philly isn't the gold standard. Not to forget, Made in America is happening again.
Can New York pull off something even half as good as the Mummers or Philly's 4th of July celebration?
Well, if you notice the fact that New York has to import talent from across the country and the world just to boost its cultural scene while Philly has the best home-grown talent of any city in the U.S.
On what basis do you make such a ridiculous claim? You've somehow figured the birthplaces of all creative talent in the two cities?
I never realized it but TBH all these things that the Big Geo stated are unmatched, or equaled by other cities. I mean heck, no city honestly has a better neighborhood then society hill tbh. Phillys problem is its ghetto or run down areas are so much so, that these excellent areas are quickly overlooked. The city truly is a dimond in the rough. When I look at some streets in west Philly it's so sad that the wealthy ran out of them, it's some of the most colorful, beautiful architecture, but its simply ignored. Philly would be a gold standard if it didn't decline so hard, but fortunately it still kept amazing areas through it all. Also the Ben Franklin parkway is kinda unmatched in the architectual/planned part of things.
Parts of West Philadelphia are improving, much thanks to Drexel and Penn. Philadelphia in its past was always more industrial, and when everything began to moderize Philadelphia took a hit. But really it is one of the oldest cities in the nation has remained one of the largest cities in the country for hundreds of years (along with only NY). And I only see positive changes coming for Philadelphia, I would say by 2020 its a safe bet that Philadelphia will be considered a world class city, and is already considered world class to some.
Yeah if Im not mistaken the OP seems to make a habit of bombastic statements in regards to boosting Philly. Its an anti-Philly agenda imo.
I dont know how you quantify which is the best or second best cultural city in the USA. My guess is after Manhattan you can make a case for a 1/2 dozen or more cities that all have very formidable cultural attractions.
Philly may not be the second best cultural city. However you could probably make the case that the Ben Franklin Parkway(Philly) may be the best designed cultural area in the USA. Designed in 1900 after Paris Champs Elysees.
The New Barnes Museum, A sharp New Mormon Temple ,A Skate park, new residential mid rises are all under construction along the Parkway. They are also supposed to build a new ampitheater down near the circle by the art museum.
Those are some amazing shots!! I swear the people who designed the Ben Franklin Parkway, National Mall, and the Museum Mile were genuises! Wish there were more like them these days.
Looks like a lot of people in that last pic, the middle section were the fountain looks really nice.
Philadelphia has a killer art scene/culture, but it's definitely far behind New York. Los Angeles and arguably Chicago and San Francisco are all ahead of Philadelphia as well. I'd give Philadelphia the lead over Boston though. Regardless of where these rank against each other, they are all world class centers of art.
Personally I think Philly's the gold standard for arts and culture in the U.S. Center City's offerings easily outclasses Manhattan in QUALITY, even though Midtown has a larger mass.
The OP makes some really outlandish claims throughout this thread. Not sure if he or she is serious, but whether intentional or not, these are the kind of claims that make people think that Philly boosters are delusional homers. I do believe that Philadelphia's artistic and cultural scene are seriously underestimated, and in another thread I stated that I would stack our institutions against any city in the world in terms of quality. And I stand by that. I definitely think we're top four or five in the US. You want to factor in Boston, San Francisco, DC, etc, I'll hear your argument, and respect your opinion because all are home to world class institutions in any number of fields. I don't think we take a back seat to any of them, but that's subjective. But the idea that Center City delivers some sort of smackdown to Manhattan in terms of arts and culture is laughable. I do think it's a much closer competition than people who've never been here and whose only image of the city is 'Rocky' and cheese steaks understand. But, C'mon.
I said no. The only place that can come close is Los Angeles. But do people really care that much about "arts"? I mean, people on here seem to think New York is the best because of the arts, but do people really go to see operas and visit museums everyday? I'm curious...
I said no. The only place that can come close is Los Angeles. But do people really care that much about "arts"? I mean, people on here seem to think New York is the best because of the arts, but do people really go to see operas and visit museums everyday? I'm curious...
We all know the answer to that.
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