Which areas of Philadelphia should I avoid? Which areas are "must see"? King of Prussia, Chinatown, etc.?

Question

I will be visiting Philadelphia for the first time for a weekend stay in late April. I want to get the most out of my visit. But I do not want to jeopardize my safety by staying in bad neighborhood. Nor do I want to waste my time looking for Will Smith's childhood home.

Things of interest: shopping, asian food, movies, parks.

Thanks in advance!

Answer 1

Philadelphia visitors can find everything they need to know right here at this site:
http://www.gophila.com/

The Franklin Institute Science Museum, the current special exhibit is King Tut
http://www.fi.edu

The Philadelphia Zoo is the oldest in the county. A mixture of old, historic buildings with brand new exhibits.
http://www.philadelphiazoo.org

The Constitution Center, The Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, etc.
http://www.nps.gov/inde/visiting.htm
http://www.nps.gov/inde
http://www.constitutioncenter.org/


Philadelphia Museum of Art
http://www.philamuseum.org/

Philadelphia Historic Walk
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/destinations/Philadelphia/Philadelphia_Historic_Walk.html

Philadelphia is one of the most haunted cities in the United States http://www.ghosttour.com

tour a U.S. mint
http://calvert.house.gov/tourmints.asp
http://www.usmint.gov/


Double Decker Bus Tours, Ride The Ducks tours
http://www.phillyducks.com/


South Street
The Italian Market
King of Prussia Mall
Reading Terminal Market
Philadelphia Park Racetrack (in Bucks County)

Answer 2

It all depends on what you are looking for. I don't know why people are recommending China Town, unless you are Chinese, there is nothing to do down there. A few good resturants and that's about it. If you go to ChinaTown, walk around the corner to 12th and Arch to Reading Terminal Market. Also, the Liberty Bell, The Franklin Institute (you have to get tickets to the King Tut exhibit in advance, the tickets are date and time stamped). The Academy of Natural Science is nice. The Italian Market is okay, but again, nothing really to do there. Penn's Landing is nice, and maybe they might have a concert at that time. The King of Prussia mall is huge, yet not in Philadelphia. It's a good place to spend money and eat. If you gamble, take an hour drive to Atlantic City, NJ to the casinos. Fairmount Park is the largest park in the Nation and a nice bit of it is on Kelly Drive. Here's hoping whatever you do, you will have a great time. Don't forget to get a cheesesteak and a soft pretzel!

Answer 3

If you stay in Center City, you'll be fine. You don't want to head too far North (toward Temple University) or too far went (toward University of Pennsylvania). Most downtown shopping and sites (including Chinatown) are within walking distance of each other. Art Museum and the Franklin Institute are good sites. Franklin Institute currently has an ancient Eygptian display, including King Tut. For the more bizzare and iron stomached, there is the mutter museum. You can head into South Philly to check out the Italian Markets and you can't leave philly without a cheesesteak from Pat's or Genos. South Street (between 2nd and 7th(?)) is also a great way to spend your Friday or Saturday night. If you get on I-76 and head west toward the Main Line, there is Manayunk if you want something away from the city. King of Prussia is a must of course.

Answer 4

Stay downtown, either in Society Hill, near the Convention Center or Rittenhouse Square.

Downtown Philly is alive and active after 5pm, unlike most other other paces.

The Asian food in Chinatown is not very good (but I'm not a fan of asian food). Go to a Mom and Pop corner restaurant and get a cheesesteak (stay away from Pat's, Jim's and Geno's), a Butterscotch Krimpet and a cherry water ice.

SHOPPING
Delaware, 45 minutes South on 95 is tax free
Franklin Mills for outlet shopping
King of Prussia for upscale shopping

FOOD
There is a LOT to choose from, especially downtown.

MOVIES
Check out the IMAX Theater at the Franklin Institute

PARKS
Fairmount Park is the nation's largest public park or something
Valley Forge has historical stuff
Valley Green for hiking

Philadelphia has a LOT to offer that you can't get anyplace else. Why see a movie or go shopping when you can do that anyplace?

Go on a historical tour. 3 weeks before I moved to Michigan, I called my friend and I said "Let's be tourists!"
He said "WTF?"
I picked him up and we saw the Liberty Bell, Edgar Allen Poe's house, Independence Square, etc. I stood in John Adams footsteps. Not only did we see these things, we read about them on the plaques that I used to walk by when I got off the train.

Check out the theater (not movies). Philadelphia has some great independent theaters all over the place. It was Hollywood prior to Hollywood!

One of the great things about Philadelphia is it's roots. Most of the neighborhoods are very ethnic, and hold on to that pride. Go to different neighborhoods and check out the restaurants, bookstores, live music and culture.

Answer 5

Philadelphia Neighborhoods To Avoid

Answer 6

Stay out of North Philadelphia. Definietly hit South Street. Take in a ball game in South Philly, and don't miss the Italian Market.

Answer 7

Then definitely go down town, China Town and Penns Landing are fun, and you should go to the Franklin Institue, the King Tut Exhibit is there and I'd reccommend going if you can get tickets. If you like to shop the King of Prussia is your Mall, you could spend all day there and not hit all of the stores. None of these places are in bad neighborhoods. Valley Forge Park is also a nice place to go if the weather is nice and the Franklin Institue and at the King of Prussia Mall you can find Imax theaters a great place to see movies.

Answer 8

You should go to all areas in Philadelphia if you really want to experience it. In South Philly you can get a great sandwich on practically any corner. Go to Cosmi's on 8th & Dickenson. On 1st Friday's in Old City Gallery's open up displaying local artist and when they close at 9 you can go get plastered in all the trendy bars that line Market and Chestnut in between front & 2nd St. South St. has become much more commercialized so I suggest going down one block to Bainbridge St. to hit up some quiet coffee shops. If your into parks hit up Rittenhouse square and then when your done stroll down walnut st. and check out all the expensive shops. But don't forget to get a cheesesteak and a pretzel. Philly is fun a huge and you should go everywhere.

Answer 9

china town is so-so compared to other major cities, but south philly/little italy is cool. check out penn's landing for sight seeing and decent restaurants.

boat house row is cool at night time (you can see the lit up houses at night on route 76 heading into the city). stay away from north and west philly at night time. south street is ok but not a big deal.

try the philly cheese steak and italian hoagie (philly version of sub-sandwich) when you get a chance.

downtown has become much safer in recent years and there are some good restaurants also. best shopping is at the mall at king of prussia (no sales tax on clothing in PA).

Answer 10

Whatever you do don't stay in west , southwest , or north philly but there's no hotels anyway in these areas . Chinatown is nice , try reading terminal market for lunch , and for dinner go to university of penn area which is nice and go to Pod which is asian fusion and it is great . It looks like the future. After you go to Pod , a block away is a movie theatre called the Bridge , they bring food to your seat and have beer so enjoy . Don't forget a cheesesteak on your way home