Philadelphi
 

I will be spending 3 days in Philadlphia with family members in mid November. I have never been there, any suggestions on what to do and see?

There is quite a bit to do in Philly, there is the Art Museum (with the famous "Rocky" statue in front), the Franklin Institute (a fun Science and Technology museum for kids of all ages) and for even smaller children the Please Touch Museum. Also, of course is Independence Hall, the Betsy Ross House and Ben Franklin's Print Shop. The waterfront is delightful when the weather cooperates (a real possibility even in November) and you can catch a ferry there to the NJ State Aquarium in Camden (a secure and safe area). South Street is good for window shopping or bargain hunting and even better for people watching. Food choices are voluminous, everything from fast food to Chinatown to cheesesteaks and Italian. You can bargain down the price of a horse drawn carriage ride around the historic district to an affordable $15 or so, and some of the drivers are very knowledgeable and funny! Have a great time!

Maybe a local person can tell you for sure, but I believe all of the museums are closed on Mondays. That was a regretable discovery we made on a recent visit there. This was a sad discovery for us because we had saved the museums for Monday, our last day in Philly before going on to Toronto. I agree with the other writer about South Street, the waterfront and the many choices of good restaurants. We found a really good B&B, but I recall that you said you were staying with family. We thought it was a polilte and friendly city but not one that would take a lot of days or return trips to see. Hope you enjoy it as we did.

Maybe a local person can tell you for sure, but I believe all of the museums are closed on Mondays. That was a regretable discovery we made on a recent visit there. This was a sad discovery for us because we had saved the museums for Monday, our last day in Philly before going on to Toronto. I agree with the other writer about South Street, the waterfront and the many choices of good restaurants. We found a really good B&B, but I recall that you said you were staying with family. We thought it was a polilte and friendly city but not one that would take a lot of days or return trips to see. Hope you enjoy it as we did.

My husband and I spent two days there last October after we drove up from Wash. DC. We had a great time. We had a very nice room at a Holiday Inn that was very close to the Liberty Hall. We saw all of the tourist stuff like the Liberty Hall and Bell, The US Mint, Betsy Ross House, the old cemetery where Ben Franklin is buried, etc. We also attended a Philadelphhia Flyers hockey game that we bought tickets for the night of the game right outside of the arena (paid less than face value). I loved it there and would like to go back sometime. We did encounter some rain, so bring an umbrella. We got pretty wet! Have fun..

Afternoon tea at the Hotel Atop the Bellview is really a treat. I would also suggest contacting the Academy of Music which is located right next to the Hotel. The Pennsylvania Ballet performs there as well as the Philadelphia Orchestra.
Enjoy!

Speaking of famous graves, those of singers Bessie Smith & Tammi Terrell are in a cemetery that apparently is approx 2 miles NW of the Philly airport. I'm going in May '99, to see Tammi's grave, the Independence sites, Valley Forge, & whatever else I can fit into 5 days.

I lived in Philly for 14 years and my favorite thing to do was to walk in the Society Hill section of the city, just meandering through all the tiny alleyways with the old beautiful houses. This is exceptional. No other city I've been to has the charm that Philly's Society Hill section has. If you have good weather, I'd do that. (You will have already gone!! Sorry I forgot to look at the date). <BR>