Going to Philadelphia for the first time - where should I stay and what should I do?

Question

My wife and I (early 30s) will be in Philadelphia in mid-June and its basically our first time.

What area should we stay in? We don't plan on getting a car so we'd like to be within walking distance of public transportation and some restaurants and sights. If you have a particular hotel recommendation, we are budgeting $150 per night. On hotwire I can get the Sheraton City Center for $120/night; good hotel, location and deal?

As for what to do, we'll have four days open to play tourist. Other than the liberty bell and two famous cheesesteak places, what are some of the other must-do's?

If we were to get a car for a day, where would you suggest going with it? or maybe there's enough to do and a car isn't needed?

Any nearby casinos?
outlet shopping centers?
festivals/concerts/events going on 6/17 - 6/20?

From Philly, we are travelling to D.C. Amtrak is $43/person and takes 2 hours. Are thre any better options we should look into? or any tips about riding Amtrak?

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 is currently exhibiting 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
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/

Eastern State Penitentiary
http://www.easternstate.org/

Mutter Museum, medial history
http://www.collphyphil.org/mutter.asp

South Street
The Italian Market
King of Prussia Mall
Reading Terminal Market
http://www.readingterminalmarket.org/
Philadelphia Park Racetrack (in Bucks County)

Answer 2

If you dont want a car, amtrak is probably best.
Staying downtown is best if you want to be centralized.
Fraklin Mills Mall is in the Northeast (not outlets but a big mall), outlets are all the way in Lancaster or Reading.
They also have the Betsy Ross House. Franklin Institute (which is for kids) has an enormous 180 degree Imax screen which is unlike any I have seen anywhere else. Just up the street from there is the Art Museum area which accesses a nice path for walkers/runners/bicyclers to travel along the river. You may even see the scullers (those guys rowing the long boats). If you go to South Street, it is local variety area, and if you follow it all the way to Columbus Blvd (after 1st street) that will take you to Penns Landing where they have lots of festivals every weekend in the summer. It is also along the river. You have a nice view there. The Mutter Museum is nearby too (downtown) and is a collection of medical oddieites and anomolies, interesting stuff. And the cheesteak places are everywhere. The famous two are no better than any other, unless you want their cheez whiz, I think its gross; every pizzaria makes cheesteaks and mostly has the same stuff. Four days is a long time to spend in Philly without a car, but they also have historic tours and your wife will probably like a horse and buggy ride one evening. The Galleria is a downtown mall but that and Market street might not be the crowd you'll enjoy. Rittenhouse Square is also a nice little park in the middle of the city, best for the evening, but wouldnt be walking around too much late night unless you feel confident. Not to scare you, but i just dont want to give you bad advice. I know what to stay away from, maybe you dont. Reading Terminal Market is also a cool, but busyt and loud, place to grab lunch one day. That is all I have the energy to write. Hope it helps.

Answer 3

Well there's Dave & Buster's which is Chucky Cheese for grown ups - eat appetizers their only. There is a restraunt called Habatchi's it's Japaneese they cook in fron of you you can eat for $25 a person or $15 before 6pm. It's located in the same building as dave and busters on Delewrae Ave. go to South Street their is famous Cheesesteak places, bars, restraunts and shopping.Their are slot machine's only in philadelphia but Atlantic city is a hour away by car or Amtrak. The Speedline will bring you to the new Jersey waterfront were the World war 2 battleship New Jersey museum is docked. You can also go to the New jersey State aquarium all on the riverfront in safe area steps away from the train. If you do get a car you might want to spend a whole day in New Jersey the Jersey shore features numerous boardwalks, beaches and Atlantic City were you can stay at Tropicana on a weekend $99, $59 on weekday in a glamourous room.

Answer 4

1. Welcome to Philly.
2. Sheraton is cool( theres one on 18th st , at Dock st in Society hill and at 36th and Chestnut in University City on the U of Penn campus about 6 blocks from the train station). There are Some higher & some lower & further away of course.
3. Stuff to do in June? See http://www.gophila.com for the visitor stuff. I'd avoid The whole Liberty Bell/Independence Mall thing( too crowded). Close by however are places to visit like the US Mint, Besty Ross's House, The USS Olympia & Becuna sub at Penns Landing. The Battleship Uss New Jersey is accoss the river in Camden With the NJ St ate Aquarium( bus & train service Available). The Duck tour is cool (amphibous bus tour, They show you the sights then ride you on the river). The Welcome America 4th of July stuff You will miss but there are some festivals going on at that time to attend. The Night clubs on Columbus Blvd. and the spots on South st. are the night life destinations of choice.

4. Casinos? Closest with no car needed? Harrah's Racetrack and slots in Chester, PA, ( south of the Airport) The Septa #37 bus goes there. There is bus & train service on NJ transit to Atlantic City (about 60 miles) Good service, saves on parking, Has shuttles to all the casinos. The Beaches in AC are FREE unlike the rest of NJ.

5. Shopping? Franklin Mills is ok I guess. It's in NE philly. A bit of a hike from CC.....
6. Amtrak? Best option! Cheap, no airport hassels, close to your hotels.
7. Lots of SEPTA services to everywhere. The cabs now even take credit cards.

Answer 5

Consider renting a car and driving out to PA Dutch country in Lancaster County. Also, going to see Valley Forge National Park is worthwhile.

In center city, a visit to the Art Museum (do the Rocky run up the steps) is in order.

Closest casinos are in Atlantic City (reachable by train or bus).

I would stick with Amtrak to DC.

Enjoy!

Answer 6

Actually if you are interested in the King Tut exhibit it is not at the Art Museum it is at the Franklin Institute of Science. I'm going to Philadelphia May 31-June 2, so I haven't been to any of these places but am planning on going to the following:

- Franklin Institute of Science (king tut exhibit)
- Univ. Penn's Armana Exhibit (also egyptian exhibit)
- Mutter Museum (Medical museum, open til 9pm on Fridays - I saw this museum on the travel channel and it looked oddly interesting)
- Reading Terminal Market (heard must try Fisher's Pretzels)
- Independence Hall (includes Liberty Bell, must reserve tickets & pick up an hour before scheduled tour)
- Betsy Ross House (near Independence Hall)
- Ben Franklin's gravesite (also near Independence Hall)
- Franklin Court (including underground Ben Franklin Museum)

I'm sorry can't help you much with the hotel situation, I'm planning on staying in King of Prussia, PA - near the King of Prussia Mall (the largest mall on the east coast apparently).

I hope this info is helpful & gives you some ideas.

Answer 7

The Sheraton is fine.

Eat here one night: http://www.buddakan.com/
and here: http://www.snockeys.com/

Get tickets for the exibit at the Philly Art Museum. I think it is King Tut.

Go to ticketmaster and check for concerts or shows you might like to see.

Go to South Street: http://www.southstreet.com/

The train is great. No tips... it is easy.


couple of things to do if you get a car: http://www.longwoodgardens.com/
http://www.njaquarium.org/index.html (might be able to take a cab)

Answer 8

regardless of in the adventure that they stay wholesome, the Cowboys will win the dep.. The Eagles are a classless team and so are their followers.....Eagles are available in 0.33 interior the divison in the back of Dallas and new york. they gained't even make the playoffs.

Answer 9

Go to Hershey Park

Answer 10

This was bugging me too