As readers of Yeah, Another Blogger know, I do a fair amount of walking. Many of the walks take place in my suburban neighborhood, whose pavements I pound for 25 or 30 minutes per session in the hopes of maintaining a decent level of cardio fitness. I would describe those outings as meh, because suburbia ain’t exactly crammed with interesting things to look at.
Pretty regularly, though, I head into Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA, which is close to my town, to walk for pleasure. There, sometimes by myself, sometimes with my friend Gene, I cover a bunch of miles, avidly checking out multitudes of this, that and the other thing, many of them fascinating. I never get tired of spending time in The City Of Brotherly Love.
Now, just about all of the Philadelphia hikes have been in daylight. So, when the notion popped into my head recently to stretch my legs extensively in Philly under darkened skies, I gave it the thumbs-up. After all, I hadn’t indulged in a lengthy nighttime stroll in the city since the one I wrote about in 2018.
Thus, on a balmy Tuesday evening earlier this month, I rode a train into central Philadelphia, and then spent two hours wandering all over the place. I took nearly five dozen pictures along the way. A selection of them illustrates this story.
A bit to my surprise, none of the city sections I visited were anything resembling deserted. The sidewalks weren’t crowded, but they were busy enough, with folks popping in and out of stores and eateries, going about their business in other ways, or just plain hanging out. Not bad for a Tuesday night. I was glad about all of that in terms of my personal safety, and also because it showed that the hard hits delivered by the COVID pandemic have been reversed substantially.
When it came to hanging out, nobody I saw that night did it any better than a group of folks chatting away on a street corner in Philly’s Chinatown neighborhood. I’d have liked to have walked right up to them and ask if it would be okay for me to take an ensemble portrait. But I’m a chickenshit when it comes to approaching strangers for photographic reasons. My loss, of course, as I’ve missed out on any number of revealing pix over the years. Nonetheless, I like the snapshot in which, from a distance, they appear. The mural on the side of the TeaDo tea house anchors that scene with pride. And I like even better the picture of The China Gate, the magnificent welcome-to-Chinatown arch that straddles 10th Street a block from where I blew my chance to get up-close and personal with the locals.
A similar situation presented itself an hour later in Rittenhouse Square, one of Philadelphia’s stellar parks, where a guy was seated on a blanket. He was as content as can be under tree branches that smiled down upon him lovingly. Once again, a close-up would have been cool. On the other hand, the park’s calm vibes wouldn’t have been as evident in a close-up as they are in the picture I took instead.
Calm vibes, in fact, filled the air everywhere I went. The city was quieter, more welcoming than it is during daylight hours. The semi-darkness helped bring that about, and I was under its spell. Hell, just about everything looked good to me. City Hall, smack dab in the middle of central Philadelphia, and the modern skyscrapers just beyond it dazzled in an understated manner. Streetlamps and store signs bathed narrow blocks, such as the Sansom Street corridor west of City Hall, gently and warmly. A giant guitar sculpture, lit up like a Christmas tree and hanging from the facade of Hard Rock Café, never looked better.
But all good things must come to an end. A few minutes after admiring the guitar I entered Jefferson Station, within which I hopped aboard the train that took me back to my little town. It had been a big night in the big city.
Yeah, long solo walks in stimulating places are my cup of tea. I live in the moment during these mini adventures, enjoying the heck out of being able to go here or there as I like, answerable to no one and curious to see what’s around the next corner. They make my cares and woes disappear, leaving me with a sense of freedom that normally I don’t experience all too deeply. Man, I’d be golden if I learned to incorporate that orientation much more fully into my everyday life. Will it ever happen? Well, . . .
Yeah, Another Blogger 
Wonderful photos! I used to enjoy strolling in Philly when my son attended Drexel. There was always something beautiful, interesting or unusual to stimulate my imagination.
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You’d be amazed to see the Drexel area these days. SO MUCH construction has taken place.
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I can only imagine. He goes back every few years but I barely get as far as NY, my hometown. 🙂
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The familiar appears to have a very different character at night. Great photos.
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“The familiar appears to have a very different character at night.” — perfectly said.
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Except for details, the photo of the China Gate looks a lot like the corresponding scene in Victoria, BC.
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Hello Audrey. It’s a big plus when a city has a Chinatown area. Philly’s Chinatown neighborhood is compact, but there are a million restaurants, tea shops, etc. nonetheless.
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great photos, Neil; esp loved the China gate one 🙂
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Yeah, that arch is a beauty. There probably are many Philadelphians who don’t go to Chinatown and don’t know about the arch.
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Nice. I think most big cities look better at night. And if they’re decently safe and have enough nightlife, they feel better too.
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I totally agree.
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I too like walking day and night in urban environments. Really enjoyed our trip to Philadelphia last year.
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There’s always a lot to see and do in good cities. They are alive.
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Absolutely
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Great pictures. As a woman, I wouldn’t feel comfortable walking a city at night alone. Too bad, because you make it sound really appealing.
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I saw quite a few ladies walking by themselves. But I understand your concerns.
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You’re a brave soul to wander about Philly at night. That is according to its reputation as a pretty rough city. That said, I enjoy your night time street photography.
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Well, there are various sections I wouldn’t go to at night, that’s for sure.
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Loved my virtual evening stroll through a city I’d love to visit…one day 😊
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Hi. You’d have a good time in Philadelphia.
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Night bird flies! Way to find the spirit of your place.
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Hello there. Yeah, walking around at night felt really good.
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The very definition of mindfulness!
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Thanks.
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Great photos and an evening I am sure you will remember quite well. Seemed much different than the city I remembered back in the mid- sixties. But back then I never ventyred out at night. Just rode the train from Reading to Philadelphia in the morning and rode it back at the end of the work day. Thanks for sharing.
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Hi. Philly has improved in various ways since the 1960s. There is more nightlife, more things to do in general. And quite a few beautiful modern buildings have been erected since then.
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Great, atmospheric photographs.
I used to like wandering in London in the evenings, but would not risk it now, nor in San Jose, so envied your adventure.
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This long walk at night really agreed with me. Maybe I’ll start doing this more often.
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Being in town (or city) is a very rare event with me. We passed through Dublin, our capital city, recently in early evening and were amazed at the number of people who were about. We live a different lifestyle with walks preferred in the country or seaside – without people! Nice walk you have – would enjoy being with you.
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Hi Paddy. I know what you mean about being away from people. I get big doses of that when my wife and I go to Cape Cod. I love walking beside the ocean there when almost nobody else is around.
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Loved your photos as usual. Brought back great memories of my walks around the city for 40 years five times a week.
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Joyce, you and I appreciate Philadelphia, for sure!
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As you’ve shown, the city is beautiful at night, with so much to see and do. Meh it ain’t! It just needs more people like you on the streets, enjoying it.
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Hi Cindy. Yeah, the city takes on a very different appearance when the skies are dark. A great appearance.
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One of my favorite times exploring DC was via some night walking and night street photography. It was really fun to explore the city in that manner. And also, I would love to do more street portraits but am also not into asking strangers for photos!
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Misti, you and I need to get up the nerve to approach people and ask them if we can take their picture!
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What lovely words and images about walking in the city at night. The calm and delight you felt made its way into your piece. Have you ever read “A Walker in the City” by Alfred Kazin? If not, you might want to give it a read. The book is full of evocative descriptions of New York in the 1920s.
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Thanks for the recommendation. I’m unfamiliar with that book. It sounds like one I’d enjoy.
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I was surprised by Philly’s Chinatown: not Chinatown per se, but the gate, and all that. Houston has a vibrant Chinese community, and a Chinese area where I can get an occasional Dim Sum fix, but none of the traditional gates, lanterns, and such are around. On the other hand, they have some terrific dragons during the New Year parades.
I wouldn’t do it today, but I have wonderful memories of night walks in New York City in the late 70s and early 80s. I always felt perfectly safe, whether I was walking my aunt’s neighborhood around West 16th or visiting friends in Columbia Heights. I hate what’s happening to too many cities; I’m glad you’re still able to stroll, and share your discoveries with us.
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Hi. You can’t beat NYC when it comes to walking. There’s so much of interest, and not just in Manhattan. I have a soft spot in my heart for NYC, because I was born in Brooklyn.
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Neil, I enjoyed joining you during your Tuesday evening stroll around The City of Brotherly Love 🙂 The giant guitar of the Hard Rock Café appears to be a tempting stopover for a drink and some quiet music.
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Hard Rock Cafe is in a building that once was a station for the Reading Railroad. That railroad is defunct, as far as I know.
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This sounded so picturesque and beautiful. There’s nothing like a good night time walk to make you appreciate the beauty of a city and its people. I used to love going on long wheelchair rolls around my house after school. There’s something about just being outside around nature and people going about their daily lives that I loved.
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Absolutely. Being outside and taking in the sights is a great way to spend time.
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I like like your night photos! And it is good to see people out and about again, helping the community recover from the pandemic.
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Hopefully, the pandemic won’t re-emerge.
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I don’t like to take photos of people on the streets without their permission and then I don’t like to ask them for their permission – too shy!
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Ditto.
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Super, Neil. We all need to incorporate the sense you convey at your closing. It’s a pleasure to accompany you on your impromptu jaunts. And though you may have longed for those close-and-personal shots, the distance ones were fine—and possibly less hazardous to your health(!).
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Right, you never know who might be offended.
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Big cities are marvelous to stroll at night. London’s West End is one of my absolute after-dark faves as is any bridge over the Thames. The lights, the people, the sense of freedom from the usual daytime preoccupations. Glad you got to enjoy this night out and thanks for sharing.
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You know, I’ve been to London at least four times. Never have walked across a bridge there though. Next time!
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I highly recommend the Golden Jubilee Bridge that goes from Embankment tube station over the Thames to South Bank, and the Millennium Bridge that starts just west of St. Paul’s and crosses to The Tate Modern. Daytime is good, but nighttime is SPECTACULAR!
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You’re not only an excellent writer Neil, but a great tour guide (docent) as well. ♥️♥️☕️☕️
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Thank you, AOC.
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Relly good performance. Thanks, Jerry.
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You see much more when you’re not scurrying to get somewhere. I love that you took the train into town and intentionally strolled the streets. We so often forget to live in the moment and look up. So cool that you did that. Great photos!
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Hi there. You know, the older I get, the less I like to drive. I take the train to Philly pretty often — I don’t have to deal with traffic that way or find somewhere to park!
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You should write a post explaining why Philadelphia is “the city of brotherly love”, Neil. Sure, I could look it up in a matter of seconds online, but hearing it from you and in your style of writing would be a much more satisfying take. Not to mention, you could go for one of your walks and grab several photos capturing the spirit of the slogan.
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It’s a good idea, Dave. Maybe I’ll do it. Thanks!
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I enjoyed reading about your nighttime stroll through Philadelphia. Where will you explore next?
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Hello. Not sure. But it very well might turn out to be Philadelphia again. It’s a very large city. And I live close to Philly, so it’s convenient for me to go there.
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I’ve tried to take night shots many times and they never seem to come out well. Either the exposure is off, or they’re blurry, or . . . Well, I’m definitely not known for my photography skills! Your photos, on the other hand, are great.
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Greetings, Paula. It seems to be hit or miss with night photos. I got lucky with a few of them. By the way, is there any recent news about the Anchor beer company?
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Unfortunately, there’s nothing more about Anchor Steam. The workers have publicly stated that they’re attempting to purchase it and turn it into a co-op, but that was a month or so ago. My sense is that discussions are being held behind the scenes, but who knows.
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My nighttime photos never amount to much of anything. Yours are good. The fact that you can safely walk around a city at night alone is one of those things that I, a woman, can never do. I’d enjoy it I’m sure but I’ll live through you.
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Evening, Ally. I understand fully why you wouldn’t walk alone at night in a city. Safety was on my mind too. I felt safe, but there are plenty of neighborhoods in Philly where I’d have been looking over my shoulder.
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Cities have a great vibe, Neil. I’ve walked in more cities in the past year than in the last twenty! The energy is wonderful. I wonder if the reason is small apartments and a need to get outside with friends when the weather’s balmy. Great pictures, especially the one of the Chinatown Gate and City Hall. Beautiful walk.
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Hi. I think the Chinatown Gate and City Hall look better at night than in daylight. But that’s true for many buildings and other sights.
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Yes, I agree that night lights give places a totally different look. 😀
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Nice post
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I’m too chicken to take pictures of strangers too – never sure how they’d react. Plus when you’ve asked them, they may then lose that expression that was so compelling in the first place!
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I used to know a guy who talked with strangers and loosened them up and then took their pictures!
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Neil, you’re a city guy at heart! Many folks from the suburbs would be afraid to walk around Philly at night, even in well-populated neighborhoods. Glad you enjoyed your stroll. As always, the pix are great.
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Hi. Yeah, you’re right. I like big cities a whole lot.
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Living vicariously, Neil! Weird how I felt some trepidation, not sure if that was for you or me.
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Hi Crystal. I felt safe while walking. But there are neighborhoods I wouldn’t go into alone at night.
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Wow that Chinatown gate is so elaborate.. Philadelphia looks so interesting overall… your street photography always helps gives me some insight into USA’s east coast (or is this not considered east coast and just east?)..
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Hi. Philadelphia is considered to be an east coast city, I guess, although it’s not directly on the Atlantic Ocean.
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I often prefer cities at night when the lights soften them. City Hall and Chinatown Gate are my favourite pictures. Thanks for taking us to Philly at night. Maggie
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Hi there, Maggie. Philadelphia didn’t have true modern skyscrapers until sometime in the 1980s. Until then, City Hall was the city’s tallest building.
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Beautiful walk. Glad you left the groups to their privacy! You live near a beautiful city.
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Big sections of Philadelphia are very beautiful. It’s quite a city in many good ways.
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A beautiful walk and great photos as always, Neil. Your comment about being chickenshit in walking up to strangers to take a picture, reminds me of a podcast I follow now called “Where Are You Going?” It’s a broadcaster in the UK who literally walks up to strangers and asks them where they’re going. Talk about brave! – Marty
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Hey there Marty. That’s a really good idea for a show. Where did you find out about it?
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It all started with another podcast you might actually like: “Rockonteurs” with Gary Kemp (Spandau Ballet) and Guy Pratt (session bass player, most notable for Madonna, Michael Jackson, and now Pink Floyd). You might really that one because their interviews each week are great. From there, I ended up learning about all these British and UK podcasts courtesy of a weekly email I get called “Podcast Rex”. Just put that into Google and it’s the first thing that comes up. Happy listening!
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Even without the pictures, which were worth looking closely at, your prose description of the city you love was well worth the read!
Long may you walk…and write!
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Thank you very much.
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Thanks for this lovely stroll around one of my favorite cities. I don’t do a lot of solo night walks for obvious 120-lb nonagenarian reasons, but LOVE doing night photos when I can, and yours are great. Stroll on.
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Yours is a beautiful city, great for walking around in. Plus, those hills will get a person in shape!
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Thanks for sharing your joy Neil. I too wish I could find it within myself to appreciate the little things more. I must say though, that with every passing year the little things become more important in my life.
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Right — appreciating what we have is an important thing to do.
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What a fun stroll! Totally worth it. Visiting Chinatown, any Chinatown, is on my to do list.
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Hi Betsy. I love the fact that Philadelphia has a Chinatown. What’s more, it’s right in the heart of town.
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I may need to keep that in mind for some day.
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Lovely walk, post and pics! Something romantic about everyday places by night. I must get out and do this next time I’m in Bangalore. Cheers!
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Hello there. You will enjoy your nighttime walk!
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Thanks for taking me along. I enjoyed your walk. Next time don’t be a chicken shit. I predict you will be rewarded. 🙂
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One day . . . maybe.
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You packed almost as much into a night in Philadelphia as W. C. Fields (who once reported that he spent a week there one night). That sounds like it would have been a great stroll.
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Greetings. When I started this blog, in 2015, I wouldn’t have guessed that Philadelphia would become a part of as many of my stories as it has.
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Nice
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I do like your closing description of wandering where you like in the moment. I’m also hesitant to take people photos. You might try a zoom to get closer in some instances, like the guy on the blanket, illuminated by a spot of light there, although I like that shot that shows the park all around him. The Hard Rock guitar does scream at night!
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Morning, Ruth. My phone’s camera has a zoom of sorts, but it often results in fairly blurry images. I suppose that if I bought a higher-end smart phone, its camera would “zoom” better than mine does. Thanks for adding your thoughts. Enjoy the day.
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Hey, Neil. Yes, keeping up with the technology is always a moving target.
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