Going to Philly - limited Time for sights About This Page:

[tinker_me_happy]

Anyone familiar with the city - HELP! I am going with DD and our friends for 5 nights at the end of June. The girls will be dancing in a National Competition for most of the time. We will have some "down" time and I need some guidance. What are the MUST SEEs? We will be staying on Benjamin Franklin Parkway (?) at the Windsor Suites. The competition is at University of Pennsylvania a couple of miles away. We will have a car.
Itinerary: Leave MA on Wed arrive Philly early afternoon. Rest of the day open. Go to be EARLY for early morning Thursday.
Thursday - Sunday - Unknown at this point - lots of dancing! Will have sporadic time off, mostly evenings.
Checking out on Monday morning, can see more sights in the city or looking for other ideas heading back in the direction of Massachusetts...

[tinker_me_happy]

bump

[NERebeca]

I'm not from Philly, but recently went there for work. I say definitely go and see the Liberty Bell and the surrounding sites. I believe they close at 5 (at least they did the week we were there).

[Minniemouse27]

I actually used to LIVE in the building you are staying in! Back in the mid 90's it was a "corporate" extended stay hotel as well as apartments.

You are staying in a very dense office building area that will be busy from 8-6pm every day M-F, and then look desolate all other times. My dh also works around the corner from there.

Location:
You are at 17th and the Parkway. Behind the building, at 17th one door in from Arch, is a WaWa. It is open 24hrs and is sort of a combination, deli, sandwich shop, convenience store, all wrapped into one. Across the Parkway is a Subway, not sure of the times though. On the first floor of your building is a restaurant, dh at there just a few weeks ago and said it was decent. Next door is a small bar called Mace's Crossing...big happy hour place. A few doors down on the Parkway is a TGIFridays.

Things to do:
The historic stuff is HUGE... and a definite "must do" on my list, but I'm a history geek. You have the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, the Constitution Center and bunch of other places all around them. Since you said you will have more time in the evenings, you may want to look into the Lights of Liberty show. It is an outside tour of the historic area w/ projections onto the buildings. It is a few years old and I've always wanted to do it...but since I live here I keep putting it off!

You will be VERY close to all the museums. Just a few doors down the Parkway is the Academy of Natural Sciences and The Franklin Institute. Both are excellent science museums.

A few blocks further down, past the science museums is the Rodin Museum and then at the end of the Parkway, the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

Other cool places are the Reading Terminal Market (you can walk there...I used to all the time from the Windsor) and South Street. Reading Terminal has lots of yummy food and other stuff. My favorite is the Dutch Good Eatin' Place... they only have a counter and there is usually a line...but the food is DELICIOUS! South Street is a bit edgier and hipper (or so they want you to believe) and never really closes so it may be something to do in the evening.

University City:
Where will your dd be competing at Penn? I used to work on their campus for 10yrs and it is a pretty large campus. If you could tell me where the competition is at maybe I can suggest some places to eat, etc. Oh and unless the competition comes w/ a free parking situation... I would be wary about driving there from your hotel. Parking in UC is at a premium, hard to find and $$. There is an underground trolley (aka "Subway Surface Lines") that runs from Center City (where you are staying) to UC pretty regularly. It is run by SEPTA. The CC stations are just a few blocks south of your hotel, and will drop you off through most of UC.

Does that give you a good start?

Give a yell if you have any more questions!

[RobDVC]

I'm kinda familiar with Philadelphia..
Touristy things to do in Philadelphia:
Independence Mall - Independence Hall, The Liberty Bell and the National Constitution Center are located at 5th and Market.

Ben Franklin Parkway - wide boulevard from City Hall to the Art Museum - there are museums all along the parkway.

Fairmount Park - Largest park fully enclosed within a city's boundaries in the world.... Boathouse Row and the Water Works are located right behind the Art Museum.

South Street - Shop/Restaurant/bar district - lots of "Bohemians" congregate here.

Penn's Landing - waterfront area on the Delaware River.

There are also a few museums and restaurants in the University City are, near the University of Pennsylvania and Drexel University.

Let me know if you want more details....

[2tinks]

DH and I were in Philly last weekend. We had a great time! There are so many sights around the Liberty Bell, all within very short walking distance. You can probably do most of those in a day or less if you start out early. Our hotel was a block from the Bell, and we were able to walk to all of the sights in the historic district. I would list the Nation Constitution Center as a must see. It as an interactive museum devoted to the Constitution. There are lots of interactive displays that kids (and adults!) will enjoy. Have a great time in Philly!

[Eeyoresmom]

Christine gave you some excellent guidance, but I'll add my 2 cents.

If you want an 'official' Philly cheesesteak, those places are on South Street.
Public Transportation is pretty good - and parking is very pricey, so definitely take advantage to the various SEPTA options. I don't know much about it, but you may want to look into the PHLASH - as a public transportation option. A great Philly website is Welcome to gophila.com -- the Official Visitor Site for Greater Philadelphia (info on the PHLASH is there, too).
Also, a lot of people love to see the 'Rocky' steps, and you'll only be a few blocks away (the art museum that Christine mentioned).
And I second Christine's recommendation for the Reading Terminal Market. Huge variety of food at reasonable prices. Just check their hours, they aren't open very late (although there is a little home-style restaurant in there that stays open a little later than the rest of the market).
If your looking for a high-end meal, I recommend one of the Starr restaurants. Buddakahn is wonderful - but pricey, and you probably need an advanced reservation. We really love El Vez - infact DH dines there at last once a week.

[emtpej]

We took a trip to Philly last July and my DW would like to go back sometime soon! We managed to scrape up some $$$ and got a package through AAA. We got the Philadelphia CityPass (CityPass saves you time and money: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Hollywood, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Seattle, Southern California, Toronto) and admission to the Franklin Inst. and the King Tut exhibit (now gone). We went on the tour of Independence Hall and saw the Liberty Bell exhibit and the Welcome center. We used the trolly open top bus to look around. And we took a horse-drawn carriage ride around the historic homes area. We didn't see half of it! Some VERY tall buildings compared to what is allowed in DC.
Enjoy your trip!

[chezp]

You've already had loads of great advice, but definitely don't miss the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall - we loved Reading Terminal Market as well and the City Hall.

[tinker_me_happy]

Thanks Everyone for your great advice. The competition is at the Annenberg Center. Did I read correctly that we will have to pay to park there??? We are already paying $31.00 a day (in/out) for the hotel! YIKES. We can't really do public transportation as we will have two costume racks (they fold but are about 60" long!), one large rolling "competition case" (actually a tool work station, but hey it works!), 26 costumes in approx 5 garment bags, two large shoe bags, and four people! (well there are actually more than four of us, I'm just counting those in the car with me!) Even if we minimize what we have to bring each day to the competition, I still can not see getting by with public transit for the competition anyway. We will have to try and cram as many people into the mini van as space will allow!

[Carousel96]

I hate to rain on your parade, but if your sightseeing time is limited, you may have to settle for walk bys on some of these sights. Get an early start when you can, decide on your priorities and realize you won't see it all. It sounds like the dance competition schedule may limit your sightseeing opportunities.
When I was in Philly, it was for a meeting and we had free time in the late afternoon. The group I was with didn't want to wait in the long line for the Betsy Ross house. So we did the gift shop. The line for the Liberty Bell was 2 hours long and we couldn't get into any of the remaining tours of Independence Hall. So we did the Liberty Bell visitors center. All of my pictures are of my daughter "in front of..."

[tinker_me_happy]

Originally Posted by Carousel96

I hate to rain on your parade, but if your sightseeing time is limited, you may have to settle for walk bys on some of these sights. Get an early start when you can, decide on your priorities and realize you won't see it all. It sounds like the dance competition schedule may limit your sightseeing opportunities.
When I was in Philly, it was for a meeting and we had free time in the late afternoon. The group I was with didn't want to wait in the long line for the Betsy Ross house. So we did the gift shop. The line for the Liberty Bell was 2 hours long and we couldn't get into any of the remaining tours of Independence Hall. So we did the Liberty Bell visitors center. All of my pictures are of my daughter "in front of..."

This is probably what we will have to do. We may have one full day depending on the schedule, so Prioritizing will be a must. THANKS

[Minniemouse27]

Originally Posted by tinker_me_happy

Thanks Everyone for your great advice. The competition is at the Annenberg Center. Did I read correctly that we will have to pay to park there??? We are already paying $31.00 a day (in/out) for the hotel! YIKES. We can't really do public transportation as we will have two costume racks (they fold but are about 60" long!), one large rolling "competition case" (actually a tool work station, but hey it works!), 26 costumes in approx 5 garment bags, two large shoe bags, and four people! (well there are actually more than four of us, I'm just counting those in the car with me!) Even if we minimize what we have to bring each day to the competition, I still can not see getting by with public transit for the competition anyway. We will have to try and cram as many people into the mini van as space will allow!

I would check w/ the organization running the competition... they may have parking for you. There is a parking garage down the street from the Annenberg on the corner of 38th & Walnut (entrance on 38th street).

For eating... walk east down Walnut... midway between 36th and 34th streets (there is no 35th) and there will be a sign for Mad for Mex decent mexican food and not overly pricey. When you see the sign, make a left down the walkway and the entrance is in the back of the building on the alley.

There is also a food court (a bit on the pricier side) at the corner of 34th and Walnut.

One block north of Walnut is Sansom street, and there are a few restaurants there.

Pod (one of the Steven Starr restaurants previously mentioned) is on the corner of 37th and Sansom.

Between 36th and 34th there is La Terrasse, The White Dog Cafe and The New Deck Tavern (but this is much more of a "bar"... lunch would be somewhat okay but anything after 3 or 4pm I wouldn't bring minors there!). As of two years ago, there was also Bubble House a tea shop that serves bubble tea. Very cute and different.

I just remembered this site for University City, you may be able to find out more info there!

Also... don't shy away from the food trucks you encounter out and about. It is the biggest thing I miss about working on campus there. My two favorite trucks are down on Spruce Street, right around the 37th street stoplight (there is no "street" there...a walkway intersects w/ Spruce where 37th should be). One is called MexiCali. They sell the most amazing burritos. Absolutely HUGE and very yummy. Across the Spruce Street from MexiCali is HEMO's. Hemo sells to die for grilled chicken sandwiches w/ Hemo sauce (honey mustard). My favorite is his grilled chicken w/ spinach and Hemo sauce. YUMMY!

Another good buy is from any of the fruit salad trucks. You can get enormous fruit salads (don't be shy about picking and choosing what you want) for not that much $$.

That is my brain dump for this morning. Any other questions, give a yell!

[tinker_me_happy]

THANKS CHRISTINE!! AWESOME INFO! I am going to have to print this out and bring it with me! The friend I am driving and staying with is making fun of me for planning so soon ( We're talking JUNE here!!). Of course she also makes fun of me for planning Disney trips so early too! Well she'll be thrilled when we get there and we're not all like "Now where do we go? Where shall we eat?What should we do... " etc...