Philly QuizWorks Trivia Facts

What is the name of the artist behind Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens on South Street?

Mosaic artist Isaiah Zagar spent 14 years building the Philadelphia Magic Gardens on 10th and South streets in Philadelphia. 

What is Elfreth’s Alley?

Elfreth’s Alley is known as the nation’s oldest residential street; many of the houses are still occupied.

This art institution recently moved to Benjamin Franklin Parkway from the Main Line. 

The Barnes Foundation moved from Lower Merion to the Ben Franklin Parkway in 2012. The move was not without its drama.

Who threw the final pitch of the 2008 World Series?

After throwing the final pitch in the 2008 World Series Brad “Lights Out” Lidge dropped to his knees, kicking off a celebration of epic propostions in Philadelphia.

If you get off the Garden State Parkway at Exit 0, you’re going to…

The designation of 0 as the Cape May exit on the Garden State Parkway has spawned a cottage industry in overprice paraphernalia.

What won’t you find at the Reading Terminal Market?

You won’t find a Starbucks or a Pinkberry or any other big national chain at Reading Terminal Market.

Which Continental Congress passed the Declaration of Independence?

The Second Continental Congress convened in May 1776 and worked through the summer on the United States’ foundational document, which was actually written for the king of England.

What was Race Street formerly called?

First known as Sassafras Street, Race Street got its current name in the late 19th Century after it became a popular street for horse racing.

Which of these streets does not have a dedicated bike lane?

Pine Street, Spring Garden Street and Lehigh Avenue have dedicated bike lanes, but the lanes on 11th Street are meant to be shared.

Which of the following holidays was invented in Philly?

Mothers Day was invented in Philly in 1908, but gained federal recognition in 1914. Bike Race Day, though cause for celebration, is not an actual holiday.

When is Philadelphia Flag Day?

Philly Flag Day is celebrated March 27. On that day in 1895, City Council ordained Philly’s official vici flag in the colors of blue and yellow.

You can eat a giant one of these during Philly’s annual July 4th celebration

A traditional part of Philly’s July 4th/Wawa Welcome America celebration is the giant hoagie served outside the Independence Visitor Center. Those patient enough to wait in line get a free piece of the sandwich. 

Most bananas sold in East Coast stores first go to a warehouse in this part of Philly to ripen:

Before going to market, bananas on the East Coast make a stop at Southwest Philly’s Philadelphia Wholesale Produce Market to ripen in climate-controlled rooms.

When ivy leaguers depart student housing for the summer, Philly residents sort through their trash to find treasures. This tradition is known as…

When UPenn students move out in May, Philadelphians enjoy finding the often valuable things they leave behind. The tradition has become known as Penn Christmas.

Name the Fairmount field destroyed by and rebuilt after Philly’s inaugural Made in America concert.

Made in America organizers are now responsible for repairing damage the concert causes Von Colln Field after the 2012 event ruined the grounds.

What’s the correct spelling of Man-ee-unk?

The correct way to spell that mouthful of a neighborhood in Northwest Philly is Manayunk.

Philly has some pretty weird street names. Which one of these is fake?

Axe Factory Road is in the Northeast, Flamingo Street is in the Northwest and Shunk Street is in South Philly. But Cobblers Mill Road does not exist in Philly.

SEPTA has eight lettered bus routes. This isn’t one of them.

SEPTA’s R, XH and G routes take passengers between Northeast, Northwest, West, North and South Philly. But there is no M route.

What was the name of Philadelphia’s first general-purpose computer?

ENIAC was the first general-purpose computer in Philadelphia, designed and built at the University of Pennsylvania.

Which street does not intersect Kelly Drive?

Though two of the better-known streets in Northwest Philly, Kelly Drive and Main Street do not intersect.

According to census statistics (2012), what percent of Philadelphians are under 18 years old?

At 22.5 percent, Philadelphia’s under-18 population is one percent higher than that of the state.

How large is Philadelphia in square miles (est.)?

The city represents 134.1 square miles of Pennsylvania’s 44,742.7.

Where is Philadelphia Cream Cheese made?

Sorry, as delicious as Philadelphia Cream Cheese is, we can’t claim it as our own. Kraft traces its roots to Beaver Dam, WI and Lowville, NY.

Who has not made a guest appearance on It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia?

Mayor Michael Nutter has never appeared on “Always Sunny.” But who knows, maybe he’ll appear in an episode before his term ends in 2015.

Who did not serve as Philadelphia’s district attorney?

Frank Rizzo was police commissioner before becoming Philly’s mayor, but he was never the district attorney.

Which was/is not a soccer team who played in/near Philadelphia?

The Union, the Kixx and Freedom have repped Philly on the soccer field, but there’s never been a team called Phooties.

Where did an estimated 1 million people gather to hear Pope John Paul II speak during his 1979 visit to Philly?

Facing a three-story platform on Logan Circle-turned-giant altar, the crowd “formed an unbroken sea on the Parkway from City Hall to the Art Museum” to greet Pope John Paul II in 1979.

Where is William Penn buried?

In 1718, Penn died at his home in Berkshire, and was buried next to his first wife in the cemetery of the Jordans Quaker meeting house at Chalfont St Giles in Buckinghamshire in England.

Which of the following does not accurately describe Ira Einhorn?

Before his murder conviction and execution, Ira Einhorn was an active participant in the creation of Earth Day. But he was never a politician.

Which of the following Colonial Landmarks’ historical significance is in dispute?

Just as it’s unlikely that Betsy Ross sewed the first American flag, many also dispute that she lived at 239 Arch St., which is known today as “the Betsy Ross House.”

Which of the following is not needed to make a soft pretzel?

A quick dip in lye gives soft pretzels their traditional “skin” and helps salt stick. Yeast and sugar and necessary to the process, but buckwheat isn’t.

This…excitable…Philadelphian has appeared on “The Simpsons,” “30 Rock,” and “It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia.”  

The green, loveable Philly Phanatic‘s many TV appearances include “The Simpsons,” “30 Rock” and “Always Sunny.”

What is the name of Philly’s soccer team?

Yes, Philly has a soccer team. The Union plays at PPL in Chester. Don’t get us started on the location.

Who owns the Liberty Bell?

The City of Philadelphia owns the Liberty Bell. The National Park Service has custody.

How many syllables are in the word “Philadelphia”?

Philadelphia has five syllables — if you say it right. It’s  F IH L – uh – d eh l – f ee – uh.

The first 65 episodes of this popular television show were filmed in Philadelphia.

Double Dare‘s first 65 episodes were filmed at WHYY Studios over the course of 23 days in 1986.

What was the name of the nation’s first daily newspaper? 

“The Pennsylvania Packet and Daily Advertiser” ran for six years, from 1784 to 1790 as the nation’s first newspaper.

You can find a marker at 5109 Germantown Ave. commemorating the country’s first recorded protest against what in 1688?

The first protest against slavery took place in Germantown in 1688. 

What is the area along Sansom Street between Seventh and Eighth Streets and on Eighth Street between Chestnut and Walnut referred to as?

Jeweler’s Row is the nation’s oldest diamond district. It’s tucked between Old City and Washington Square.

What is the SEPTA regional rail line formerly referred to as the R7 now called?

The R7 was renamed the Chestnut Hill East line in 2010.

Which one of these famously-designed homes is located in Philadelphia?

Robert Venturi built the Vanna Venturi House for his aging mother in the mid-’60s. Located in Chestnut Hill, the house was named one of the “10 Buildings That Changed America.”

What section of the city does the annual Parx Casino Philly Cycling Class bike race take place in?

The Parx Casino Philly Cycling Classic runs through Manayunk, Roxborough and East Falls in Northwest Philadelphia. 

What day of the year does the annual Mummers Parade take place?

What’s New Year’s Day without the Mummers? Bundle up and get to Broad Street early to watch the parade.

What is a sandwich with sliced beef, extra cheese, fried onions, tomato, grilled salami and a special sauce

on a Kaiser roll called?

The Schmitter was invented by Hugh McNally of Chestnut Hill’s McNally’s Tavern. The sandwich was named for a patron who only drank Schmidt’s beer.

What Philadelphia public school also teaches its students how to farm? 

Walter Biddle Saul High School of Agricultural Sciences, located in Roxborough, gives students hands-on farming experience.

Which of these is not one of the personal line items former Sen. Vince Fumo was accused of using taxpayer money to buy? 

Fumo bought premium paint imported from the Netherlands, lots of vacuums and the fixings for a nice, crispy turkey. If he bought an expensive outdoor stove, it wasn’t on taxpayers’ dime.

In the movie “Philadelphia,” what’s the name of the law firm that fires Andrew Beckett, the Tom Hanks character, because he has AIDS?

The fictional Wyatt, Wheeler, Hellerman, Tetlow and Brown fired Tom Hank’s character in the film “Philadelphia.”

Which celebrated Philadelphia restaurateur went to jail for cheating on his/her taxes?

Neil Stein, founder of Striped Bass, was sentenced to a year and a day in prison in 2006 for tax evasion.

Benton “Pete” Hoskins is one of our city’s busier civic leaders. Which organization has he NOT led?

Pete Hoskins has led the Zoo, Park Commission, Laurel Hill Cemetery and event the Streets Department. But not the Franklin Institute.

What did former city Mayor Bill Green once sarcastically call the Philadelphia City Council?

Former Mayor Bill Green may not have been too fond of City Council, calling it the “worst legislative body in the free world,” but Council wasn’t too keen on him either.