wsoxrebel

Looks like I won't make it to Chicago in time to see Tut in 2006. But I see exhibit travels to Franklin Institute this summer.

So give me your ideas to have a great trip to Philadelphia/Boston/etc this summer. I haven't been to area since I was a kid (exception of NYC) I love history and will be taking at least one teen. Will fly into cheapest area airport, possibly will have a rental car.

yk

You'll need to give us more details - how long is your trip? Are you flying into one city and leaving from another (ie, open jaw)? What are your other interests?

I'd suggest you check out the "Destinations" section right here on Fodors.com for both Philadelphia and Boston - get some ideas first and then come back and repost for more specific questions.

To me, a great trip to Philadelphia & Boston means checking out all their art museums (Philadelphia Museum of Art, Barnes Foundation, Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, Boston Museum of Fine Arts, Gardner Museum etc).

To others, a great trip to Philadelphia may mean checking all the historic sites such as Independence Hall, Liberty Bell, walking the Freedom Trail etc.

Regardless, both Philadelphia and Boston are great cities, and June will be a great time to visit.

I'd suggest you fly into PHL and out of BOS (or vice versa). You can take a flight between PHL/BOS. There's no good reason to rent a car for either cities. Public Transportation is available and both cities are very walkable.

Birdie

Your teen will love Philly. Mine do. While the Constitution Center is a museum (my teens, despite my best efforts, hate visiting most museums)it is a pretty cool one and very pertinant to current issues. Also on the teen hit list is: Reading Terminal Market, shopping at Urban Outfitters, a horse-drawn carriage ride through Olde City, South ST., cheesesteaks, and the UPenn campus. Have fun.

emd

The US Mint in Philly is fun too, if they've never bene to a mint.

Amy

The University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology is having a simultaneous Egyptian exhibit (to complement their permanent one) and is a terrific place for a half day or so.

wsoxrebel

Thanks for preliminary info. I have the summer off so I am not bound by any constraints (except $$)
DH sometimes has business up in area so hopefully we can piggyback onto a trip with him.

Birdie, what is South ST?

yk

"Birdie, what is South ST?

It's South Street, which is a hippie neighborhood in Philadelphia.

Birdie

It may be a little hippie now. It was more goth when I was there. It has or had some interesting shops and independent book stores.

MelissaBeckoff

The king Tut tickets wil be on sale soon as right now they are selling to Franklin institute members

melissa

Gardyloo

Am I the only one that immediately thought of Nicholas Cage when I saw your header?

schmerl

During the summer Phila. has walking tours through the historic areas that are great. When the time draws closer to your vacation, check out www.gophila.com for upcoming events. You can check it out now for advice on sites and restaurants and hotels.

wsoxrebel

Bulletin to Nicholas Cage -
See You There
(and can you please pick up the check?)

BBEAR

We did a "National Treasure" trip this past summer to Washington DC and Philadelphia with 3 teen boys. Click on my name and the trip reports should come up.

One unusual thing we did in Philadelphia which everyone loved was the Eastern State Penitentiary - it's not Alcatraz but is fascinating! We also watched "Rocky" and ran up the steps at the Art Museum! We loved Reading Terminal Market and had a chocolate dessert fondue at The Melting Pot. There is also a huge Dave & Buster's out on a pier which is a hit with my teens!

dbenya

You know -- like the song: "Where do all the hippies meet? South Street. South Street." Except, of course, that was the 60s . . . It is more Goth now and your teen should love it. I know mine does.