lovinmaryland
Well-Known Member
Thinking of heading up to Philadelphia for a long weekend in March. Anyone have any recommendations on things to do (on the more affordable side), places to eat, must see type stuff I'd really appreciate it.
Thinking of heading up to Philadelphia for a long weekend in March. Anyone have any recommendations on things to do (on the more affordable side), places to eat, must see type stuff I'd really appreciate it.
Thinking of heading up to Philadelphia for a long weekend in March. Anyone have any recommendations on things to do (on the more affordable side), places to eat, must see type stuff I'd really appreciate it.
Gotta Try a famous Philly cheesesteak from either Pats or Geno's. They're right across the street from each other. I believe they're located at the corner of 9th St and Passyunk in South Philly. Make sure you have your money out and ready to pay as soon as you order. Don't let any lines scare you away. The lines move really fast. Last time I was there, the tours for independence Hall and such required a ticket. The tickets will have a time on them. Also, the tickets were free. You can reserve your tickets on line and pick them up in the visitors center.
As far as a hotel, the best prices are at hotels out near the airport, just off of 95. It's just a few minutes by car to get into the city. It was all free parking at those hotels. If you stay in the city, the parking fees can get pretty heavy. I thought the run from the airport area hotels into the city was easy and fast. I also went on the Eastern Penitentiary tour. Loved it. Afterwards, we drove to the "Rocky" steps and statue at the Art Museum. Didn't pay anything for that. (I still find it funny that they erecteda statue to a made up movie character, but that's just me)
Have fun!
We're actually going to stay at the Embassy Suites that is located in Center City...well at least I've got it booked for the time being. How did you like the one out by the airport? It doesn't have the greatest online reviews is why I opted to go w/ the one in Center City.I just went there last week! Had a great time. Initially went for a concert, but stretched the stay for 2 nights so we could actually enjoy ourselves and sightsee. Pretty sure I spent the whole weekend eating
I usually stay right in City Center so I can walk places, however staying there more than one night left me with a hefty parking garage payment. I'd suggest something a little more on the outskirts. LT told me about Embassy Suites. Uber should make that a little affordable to get places outside your walking distance comfort zone.
I also suggest the Independence Hall tour and that general area: the Liberty Bell, Carpenter's Hall, Betsy Ross House, Ben Franklin museum, etc. Almost everything was free. BR's house and Franklin's museum had a small charge, I didn't visit those bc of time though. There's a ton of awesome shops and restaurants in that area too, the "Historic District". Also did the tour thru the U.S. Mint where they make the coins. Free and pretty neat, but that's only open M-F.
Eastern State Penn was pretty neat. LT made me go to it's haunted Halloween tour a long time ago but I chickened out. It was very cool to finally see it in the daylight! Not scary this time, just a tad creepy
"Rocky Steps" are at the Philly Museum of Art, which I wanted to visit but for $18/person, couldn't justify it bc my guy would be bored out his skull The steps and statues to the musuem looked like a cool hang-out place though.
I absolutely loveee Reading Terminal Market, even more so now that I finally got to experience it on a Friday morning and actually got to walk around without feeling like I'm in a cattle herd It's cool anytime nonetheless but gets super crowded Sat/Sun. We ate half our meals there this last visit
I got a lot of info from the fun lists on this site: http://www.visitphilly.com/
I've been researching and we're definitely hitting up TM. We went to one in Chicago that we fell in love with called the French Market but it doesn't seem half as big as the Terminal Market.If you go nowhere else, the reading terminal market. Go hungry and eat all the things. The mutter museum if youre up for weird/creepy/infomative medical stuff amd eastern state is really neat, if you can swing it, do a nighttime flashlight tour.
The embassy suites was a $10-20 uber ride away from everything and is a signficant cost savings over the city center hotels..plus free pre-gaming at night
Gotta Try a famous Philly cheesesteak from either Pats or Geno's. They're right across the street from each other. I believe they're located at the corner of 9th St and Passyunk in South Philly. Make sure you have your money out and ready to pay as soon as you order. Don't let any lines scare you away. The lines move really fast. Last time I was there, the tours for independence Hall and such required a ticket. The tickets will have a time on them. Also, the tickets were free. You can reserve your tickets on line and pick them up in the visitors center.
As far as a hotel, the best prices are at hotels out near the airport, just off of 95. It's just a few minutes by car to get into the city. It was all free parking at those hotels. If you stay in the city, the parking fees can get pretty heavy. I thought the run from the airport area hotels into the city was easy and fast. I also went on the Eastern Penitentiary tour. Loved it. Afterwards, we drove to the "Rocky" steps and statue at the Art Museum. Didn't pay anything for that. (I still find it funny that they erecteda statue to a made up movie character, but that's just me)
Another place to try for lunch would be the City Tavern. It's been around and operating sing the 18th century and was a gathering spot for many founding fathers. Carpenters Hall was the location of the 1st Continental Congress and is a must see. It is quite an impressive building!
Have fun!
How was the ES happy hour and breakfast at that location? I've found in some bigger citys New York, Chicago, etc... they don't all have the unlimited drinking for the 2 hour happy hour. They do vouchers per adult in the room. (typically 2 per adult) When I book I like to factor that in the price. If we can save $ pre gaming at the hotel I don't mind spending a little more for the room itself, but theres nothing worse than figuring out they don't participate in the normal happy hour.If you go nowhere else, the reading terminal market. Go hungry and eat all the things. The mutter museum if youre up for weird/creepy/infomative medical stuff amd eastern state is really neat, if you can swing it, do a nighttime flashlight tour.
The embassy suites was a $10-20 uber ride away from everything and is a signficant cost savings over the city center hotels..plus free pre-gaming at night
Really? I've that both of those are pretty much touristy spots that aren't that great. I'll check out City Tavern that sounds interesting. Do you think that is kid friendly? I'll have my 7 & 10 year old w/ me. They are the most famous cheesesteak places in the city for a reason. If you go there after a ballgame (On Broad Street), you'll find ballplayers and celebrities. I always go when I'm in Philly. Do what you want to do, it was just a suggestion!
How was the ES happy hour and breakfast at that location? I've found in some bigger citys New York, Chicago, etc... they don't all have the unlimited drinking for the 2 hour happy hour. They do vouchers per adult in the room. (typically 2 per adult) When I book I like to factor that in the price. If we can save $ pre gaming at the hotel I don't mind spending a little more for the room itself, but theres nothing worse than figuring out they don't participate in the normal happy hour.
It was a true unlimited happy hour, and the bar staff was great. We tried to book at the other ES but it was full so thats how eneded up at the airport one. I dont have any complaints, especially for the price. I think the breakfast was slightly less tasty than others I have stayed at, btu the snacks were way better. So it was a toss up. it is actually on the smaller side for an ES I think and the uber ride down to where we were going wasn't bad at all, probably less than parking. But it is a few minute drive, so take that into consideration
The steak and cheese I got at the TM was AMAZING ...and i didn't have to order in any special code, I just told them what I wanted and the wait wasn't atrocious.
If its legit steak and cheese I want it! I just spoke w/ some other friends who go up for Army Navy game every year and they said it was a tourist trap. But I know we are going to want to get an authentic steak& cheese while we're there.
Have you happen to have been there when any parades are going on?
Thin cut Rib Eye steaks and fixed whichever way you want them. I don't see them as a tourist trap. In fact I don't know how they could be. They are what they are. I like em and go every time in Philly. DO what you feel is right for you. I'm sure there are other great places to get a good cheesesteak. Like I said, they're the most famous for a reason!
Lots of decent Chain Hotels out near the airport. Staying in the city while it is more convenient, is much more expensive. No free parking at your hotel. It just depends on how much you want to spend. I thought the drive into the city was quick and easy and was worth the savings. You decide.
Have a great trip!
Thinking of heading up to Philadelphia for a long weekend in March. Anyone have any recommendations on things to do (on the more affordable side), places to eat, must see type stuff I'd really appreciate it.
Honestly, anywhere you go for a cheesesteak will be fantastic. Campo's is a place I found right around the corner from the Independence Park area.
We went into Philly last thurs evening for a concert that night, traffic was a little heavy but not too bad, we'd left with plenty of time. We got ourselves dinner at a fantastic noodle house bc City Center/our hotel/the theater were all right next time/in Chinatown. Then, Friday morning we explored Reading Terminal for breakfast, and then walked over to Independence Hall for a couple hours to do touristy stuff there. Hit up Campo's for a cheesesteak, the US Mint to check out how they make the coins (you actually walk across a catwalk and can see the workers down below with many interactive screens that explain everything. and it's free! It was super neat. Ended up back near historic district for dinner and drinks later that night. Hit up the Market again the next morning for breakfast and lunch to go and then drove over to the Eastern State Pen.
A little bit of sightseeing, a lot of eating
But yes, Liberty Bell, Franklin's museum, Independence Hall, Constitution museum, etc. is all in a corner of the city called the historic district. I'll see if I can find the webpage for you with a great map I used. Ind. Hall asks for "tickets", but they're free and more of a way to handle the crowds in organized waves. You don't need them January and February. And I doubt you'd have much of a crowd in March either. Most spots are free, a couple aren't. We spent all our money on food so we skipped the paid ones and hit up the free ones. I was willing to pay the $5 to see the Betsy Ross house but that was closed just for that wknd for renovations
Haven't been to the ES in City Center, I've done the Marriott and Hilton Garden Inn, both nice. But next time I'll either take the train in or park my car at the airport. First time I stayed more than one night and the girl at the desk said it'd be $35/weekend....no. Paid $70 for 2 nights However, I really do like being able to walk to lotsss of things by staying in such a central spot. I usually go in the off-season, aka not summer or holidays and never have a hard time finding a decent room for a decent price.
If you're staying in City Center, try for breakfast at the Terminal too! We had crepes one morning and breakfast sandwiches the next... everything is just so good. We might've also picked up a dozen donuts from the Amish place and a couple roasted beef sandwiches for later
I think I used this site to pick and choose which historic places we wanted to see: http://www.phlvisitorcenter.com/
The Independence Hall tour is interesting and definitely worth it.