Going to Philly for a day on Amtrak to see teh King Tut exhibit at the Franklin( 2 females mid 30's):
1. How expensive is it to travel by cab from the train station to the museum? how far?

2. What else would be interesting to see in Philly while we are there?

3. Best shopping places (not too pricey).

Note: we will not have a car so will prob have to cab it or use publis transport (info on public transport also)
Thanks

It shouldn't be too expensive, as it is only 12 or 13 blocks away (I'm assuming that the train station you mean is 30th street, which is the Amtrak station). Alternately, you could take commuter rail from 30th st. to Suburban Station (the next station), which is only a couple of blocks away. There isn't a lot of shopping in that immediate vicinity, but you are right on top of all of the Parkway museums, which should be sufficient for anyone's museum going moments for quite some time. There is good shopping on Chestnut and Walnut a little farther down, but that probably is a cab ride unless you really like to walk (seven or eight blocks).

The website for Philly public transit is www.septa.org . You'll most likely need only the commuter rail trains, not buses or subways.

Check this out, from the Franklin Institute's website: (page down to the public transportation section):

http://www2.fi.edu/visitor-guide/directions.php

Rittehouse Square is close to Suburban Station and that's a pretty fun area to walk around - shops, restaurants, etc. You can get to Suburban Station from 30th Street using any SEPTA commuter train - just ask someone there (so you don't get on a train going the wrong direction). Suburban is the stop adjacent to 30th Street, so get on and get off immediately next stop. In theory you're supposed to use your Amtrak ticket as your fare between 30th/Suburban/Market East but I've never seen anyone check.

If you feel like checking out Independence Mall (Independence Hall, Liberty Bell, etc.) that's an easy walk on Market Street from the Market East station. Exit the train station to Market Street, make a left on Market to 6th. Make a right on 6th past Independence Hall and keep going and you'll see some neat old colonial-era houses. Walk to Pine and you'll see some antique shops, etc.

Is the African American Museum far from the Franklin? Easy to get to?

The #38 bus goes directly from the Franklin (down 20th) to within a block or so of the African-American Museum.

Once in the area you are at the Independence Mall sights.

The bus ride is about 20 minutes.

We were just in Philadelphia last week and walked everywhere and took the bus several times with no difficulty.

While we booked tickets (free) in advance for Independence Hall, it was necessary. The Liberty Bell is right across the street.

Thanks everyone!
Myer - any recommendations from your trip last week for restaurants or shopping spots?

I can walk from the 30th Street Station to the Franklin Institute, but I am a walker. (I normally walk my dog 2 1/2 miles every day.) If there are 3 of you, take a cab for Prada's sake. It will be a few bucks each.

You can also take a cab or walk to Rittenhouse Sq. (where I work). You should have lunch at Cafe Rouge--I recommend the calamari and a Grey Goose martini. If you walk up Walnut and turn right at 17th Street, you will see Miele, which has the most divine pastries.

The stores in Rittenhouse Sq. area are rather upscale (Burberry, Tiffany's). If you want cheap places, head over to Chestnut St. There are TJ Maxx-type places between 17th and Broad.

If you see me walking around, please don't say "hi" and please do NOT touch my Brioni opera cape, sweetie darling.

The Great and Powerful Thingorjus

marginal_margiela
thanks! I have been warned not to touch the cape

But I am a huge dog lover can I pet man's best friend if I see you?

I meant to write advanced tickets were "not" necessary. However, we were there on a Monday and it got busier as the week went on.

Shopping. My wife's department.

We didn't see any malls in the area. There's a Macy's on Market a few blocks east of City Hall. That's a 10 minute walk from Independence Mall.

Restaurants. We don't bother with lunch. Just breakfast, snack and dinner. We had a cheesesteak at Jim's on South Street. Very good. And ate at an Italian restaurant on market near 3rd. Neither is in your path.

Rather than Rittenhouse Sq, I would spend time walking around Independence Mall. You have the Hall, Liberty Bell, an excellent portrait exhibit (Wed - Sun) at the 2nd Bank building on Chestnut in front on Franklin Court, Carpenter's Hall and just wandering the residential area in Society Hill that's only a 5 minute walk from the Mall.

We saw the King Tut exhibit in Ft Lauderdale last year and I would definitely rather see the sights than that exhibit. Check out another thread on exactly that topic. The concesus was to see Hairspray rather than King Tut.

Completely disagree. My husband and I saw King Tut back in April and we LOVED it. The exhibit is somewhat theatrical and kitschy, but you can't deny the beauty of the artifacts, furniture, and jewels.

There is a Macy's on Market near City Hall and Reading Terminal Market. There isn't really anywhere else to shop in that area except for Gallery Mall, which is "beat" in my opinion. Even the JC Penney has deserted that mall.

I shop at the King of Prussia Mall (Hermes, Versace, Needless Markup, etc.), but that is not near where you will be.

Can't afford those King Od Prussia stores. I hear thereis a Daffy's there where would that be far?

Can't afford those King Of Prussia stores. I hear there is a Daffy's there where would that be far?

Sorry for the double posting..went back to edit

There is a Daffy's and a Filene's on Chestnut St.

We went in Daffy's last Sunday. You might find some good buys. I didn't like it as much as my local TJ Max/Marshalls. I got the impression that shopping downtown might be a little difficult. It seems very spread out. You might have more fun if you visit some specialty stores that you might not think about. One friend loves the Papyrus card shops for lovely cards no more expensive than your local Hallmark. We also stopped in a shop selling all kinds of tea. (Near Rittenburg Sq) and wonderful little teapots.

I agree that you should just cab it if you're not up to walking, although The Institute is no more than a mile away from 30th Street.

You might find this map helpful:

http://www.gophila.com/assets/dmt/do...hlash_2006.pdf

The African American Museum is located at 7th and Arch.

The Shops at Liberty Place are just across the street from Daffys at 17th and Chestnut.