As far as I know, there is no discount TCKT booth in Philly.

schmerl is right - There is no TCKT.

We saw the Wyeth. I don't usually like paintings, but this was quite good. It sounds to me you would enjoy it.

We have been to Matyson several times. It is good, but not fancy. ((*))

You are only a few blocks from one of my favorite breakfast places, Mixto. It is a Latin place, breakfast everyday. I have not had lunch or dinner there.

http://www.mixtophilly.com/home.asp

The street it is on, Pine , is also a great place to stroll for coffee shops and galleries, if you go from Mixto to Pine and 4th.

Mixto looks good and thanks for pointing out where I can take strolls next to the hotel. I'm never one to keep still. Staying in the hotel bores me to death so these are good things to know. I have no problems having lunch/dinner/b-fast by myself so keep these recommendations coming, it's much appreciated.

I guess I better order the Wyeth tickets today and decide on Thursday which show for Saturday - will wait for the email for the deals. Great advice.

Also, what's the weather like there? Was just in Boston so can I assume it will be similar weather? Does Philadelphia get humid?

Another area to stroll and to take friends to eat is Old City. There is plenty of outdoor dining on Market Street between Front and 4th. My favorite is Pizzacato.

On second and third street, north of Market, there are many art galleries.

The weather here has been variable lately. Memorial Day weekend it was 90 degrees. Last weekend it was in the 70's. It's in the 80's and pleasant right now, but it supposed to become humid this weekend.

Layers it is then. Thanks for all the responses everyone. I'll be online throughout the week so if anyone else wants to give me some ideas, please feel free.

Packign tonight and looking forward to it. Philadelphia here I come!!! Hehe.

For opera with dinner, there's always the Victor Cafe at 13th and Dickinson.

Please post when you return and let us know how things worked out for you.

Will definitely do that schmerl. Thanks.

Dear maria so,

Good afternoon! Although it sounds like youve already got your itinerary planned consider the following if you find yourself with any extra time:

I think the Franklin Institute is one of the coolest things in Philadelphia-I think its totally worthwhile!

http://www.fi.edu/

The Mutter Museum is neat also (and small so it wont take a lot of time to see).

http://www.collphyphil.org/mutter.asp

Have a fun and safe trip!

Sincerely, Carrie

Hi everyone! Enjoying Philadelphia alot. I love The Reading Market!!!! With it's close proximity to the convention center, it's a great place for lunch! Shopping in the area is also quite good. I went to go see Godspell on Saturday night. Impressive! I got $65 tickets for $25 - and it was center orchestra seats. Also checked out the Kimbell Center and ended up taking tons of pictures. Want to go see Lion King (right across the street from my hotel) but all discount tickets left are obstructed view (snif, snif). Will go see Wyeth on Wednesday (got too busy shopping on Sunday - hehe).

Reason I'm posting back now (mid trip) is to ask Sue a question. I missed the Wilmer theater box tickets sat, sun, and today and I did get the pamphlet but it's a little confusing. All it says are "films" for this week on the calendar so my question is, when are the dance shows? Just weekends? I check out here on Friday (my SO arrives Thursday night) and we're moving to a hotel that's closer to Rittenhouse Square (Club Quarters) so Wilma won't be right next door anymore (literally). Can you give me more info on it?

Thanks so much! Oh, also, what good cool bars can we go to in the avenue of the arts area on thursday night and what is a really nice cool restaurant we can go to on Saturday night (he;s taking me out on the town - :-) ).

Many thanks every one and I promise, I will send a trip report when I get back! Philadelphia is a great city....!

Oh, just realized i was a bit confusing. I meant the Wilma theater and the dinner recommendations I wanted for Saturday night was for the Rittenhouse Square area (since we will be moving to a hotel in that area). I love the fact that I can walk everywhere! It's so different from Houston in that way. There's a shuttle bus for the conference but I actually prefer to walk! My colleagues think I'm nuts....

Many thanks again!

Club Quarters is about 7-10 minutes from the Wilma. Just go east to Braod Street than south about 4 blocks.
Between club quarters and Rittenhouse SQ is Loie, a funky restaurant with outdoor sestaing, next to Loie is a coffee house, La Colombe. I think they are both on South 16th street, a block from Rittenhouse.

Zanzibar Blue is is a jazz/r&B club/ restaurant on Broad Street 3 blocks north of the Wilma. It is expensive, but not really expensive, it is also a little dressy.

Loie and La Colombe are on South 19th street

Maria, I'm glad that you are enjoying Philadelphia. The dance program at the Wilma is only on the weeekend and starts at 7PM. Actually, there is a show this Thursday but it is sold out.

I saw that performance of Godspell a few weeks ago. It was an interesting interpretation.
If you want to have a great fun experience and haven't seen it yet, try to see Menopause the Musical at the Society Hill Playhouse. It's a riot.

Oh man! I'll stop by right now and see if I can find any single tickets Suki (am taking the afternoon off too to see if I can fit in the england game vs sweden then to go see Wyeth - too may good sessions on Wednesday).

Schmerl, where is the Society Hill Playhouse - is it close to my hotel? I'm at the corner of Broad and Locust.

One last question....well, ok, maybe not the last but at least for now ( :-) )

My honey wants to take SEPTA to the hotel on Saturday. I see that there is a subway stop right across from the hotel (the Walnut/Locust stop). The SEPTA diagram is a bit confusing on the website and on the back of my tour book. Can anyone tell me what he needs to take (train) from the airport and what change he needs to get so that he ends up at that stop (orange line on walnut/locust)? Sorry, coming from Houston, I'm not that used to interpreting subway maps although I have to say I did better than this in NY!!! ...am surely getting old...

Again, and as always, many thanks!

Oooops, I meant he wants to take the SEPTA on Thursday when he arrives - sorry, I need to get out of here and fine where i can have pizza and watch the game so rushing a bit....