Hi All,

I am looking to go to Philly. Does anyone know of any good restaurants and hotels in the downtown area? If so, please let me know. Thanks.

you're gonna have to be more specific Jodi. Philly has great restaurants and hotels, but they vary based on price range and location.

There are amazing restaurants in old city and society hill as well as center city and rittenhouse square. You will be blown away by the food at Le Bec Fin, but be prepared for a 3 hour meal at over $100 a person. There are also great $5 a person pizza and cheasteak places all over.

As for hotels. There is a Four Seasons, Ritz Carlton and the Westin is georgeous. There are also Sheritons and Marriots and many more.

If you want actual advice, you must give actual facts.

My wife and I visited Philadelphia last weekend. I had dreaded the visit based on old memories from newscasts and Rocky movies. I was very wrong. The city has undergone a resurgence and is very charming.

There are several recent good posts that can give you ideas of places to stay and eat in the area, and things to do. Look under Pennsylvania.

Philadelphia Magazine recently published their Best of Philly list. Might check their website, www.phillymag.com.

Where to eat and stay depends on your taste and your budget. Many people posting here rave about Le Bec Fin. May be the best French restaurant in the United States, but it is very expensive (Total bill may exceed $500 for two). Others have praised Food, Striped Bass, Susanna Foo, and Deux Cheminees. My wife has eaten at many restaurants in Philadelphia, including Food, Rococo, Blue Angel, and Buddakan. All were good, but she thought Tangerine and Novelty were the best in terms of quality of food, presentation and service.

One place you have to go is Reading (pronounced Redding, if you are not from around there) Terminal Market.

Check out the Rants & Raves pages at Fodors. I think the people who post here do a much better job of reviewing places and have better taste than Fodor's hired reviewers. You might also check the Zagat web site, www.zagat.com, for their ratings. Just remember, they can be overly positive (nearly chamber of commerce rah-rah)in their descriptions.

People in Philadelphia are very opinionated about the Philly Cheese Steak, and where to eat it. The best known places are Pat's, Geno's, Jim's, and Ron's. People actually identify themselves by where they go for cheese steaks. I actually heard "I'm a Pat's man" and "Don't trust her taste, she eats at Geno's". Personally, I don't see the big deal. Flavorless grilled meat, covered with artifical yellow goo, in a gummy italian bun. And the nickname, "heart attack sandwich" is correct.

As for hotels, my wife really likes the Sheraton Rittenhouse.

Enjoy your stay. You will find the people of Philadelphia friendly, courteous and polite.

Sorry I was not more specific. I am looking for a moderately priced hotel preferably in the heart of downtown or near the "tourist sites" (if such a thing exists). As for restaurants, nothing too expensive (around $30 or less per person). In addition, I will be traveling with one child who is 10 years old. Thanks for your advice.

Jodi, welcome to Philadelphia! There are some bed and breakfasts in the downtown area that may be cheaper than a hotel. The Holiday Inn at 4th and Arch is a great location and shouldn't be too expensive. Try Chinatown for dinner; one of my favorites is the Imperial Inn at 10th and Race; great dinner for about $25 a person. Market St. below 4th, Head House Square, and South Street offer a great variety of casual dining at various prices. Reading Terminal is a must for lunch!
If your 10 year old is into science, don't miss the Franklin Institute on the beautiful Parkway. The U of PA Museum of Archaelogy and Anthropology is another winner for that age group. (real mummies plus!) If there's a huge line at the Liberty Bell, try it again at 7 or 7:30PM--it's opened until 8PM in the summer. Franklin Court is another great kid site. Have a terrific time!

Le Bec Fin also owns a more casual, less expensive, but just as wonderful, restaurant called La Brasserie. The new Sofitel is fabulous as well--the prettiest hotel room I've ever stayed in (and I travel for a living). Not too expensive, either, for downtown.

The Marriott Courtyard had great weekend deals last fall. We ate at a really fun restaurant that was set up like New Orleans - but I can't remember the name! (But all the ads in the mags mentioned "New Orleans.") We also ate a jazz club that was great - is your ten-year-old into music? If so, that type of thing would be a very cool experience.

Restaurants that will appeal to you and your 10 year old--
The Dutch Eating Place in Reading Terminal market. PA Dutch food, tasty, filling and inexpensive.
Mama Palma's on 23rd and Spruce. Best pizza in town; always winning awards yet few tourists go there. For you, try the pizza with alfredo sauce and smoked asparagus. Delicious!!
The seafood restaurant on 20th street between Spruce and Locust is good and inexpensive. Right by Rittenhouse Square.
How long will you be in Philly? If you have a free day and want to see another side of the city, take the train up to Chestnut Hill (about 30 minutes). A wonderful, beautiful neighborhood. Great fun to walk around and lots of places to shop and eat (and benches everywhere for sitting and watching the world go by). I just got back from a visit to a friend in Chestnut Hill and could have stayed another week.
BTilke (former Philly resident now living in Brussels)

I got a good deal through priceline -- 2 days in August for less than $100 (not each, for both) at the Wyndham Franklin Plaza.

Doug