Our family usually has a very easy time deciding vacations. We usually plan months in advance and always have a good time. This year we're struggling but have finally narrowed our choices to San Antonio and environs or the Philadelphia area. We like big cities and the country along with a wide range of cultural events but we're also very happy in a national park, a lake and many other outdoor things. Gardens, amusement parks, aquariums, boating are all OK too. We have one 17 yr old daughter who still enjoys our company who will be joining us. Just to make my point about our usual planning style, we even have next year's summer vacation already planned and almost completely booked--Ireland, Scotland and England but we can't decide on this year's summer getaway. We want to go in late July when we can finally get away. Do I want to snack on cheesesteak or BBQ brisket? Can fodorites familiar with either location please offer some help. We've not visited either locale, so what should we be sure to NOT miss???

Hi Randy-

I have lived in Philadelphia for 6 years and have visited San Antonio a few times. My personal bias would be Philadephia as I find it having more to offer.

Philadelphia is a big city but very walkable, plenty of excellent restaurants, theaters, concerts etc. Just out of the city there is the Valley Forge National Historic Park. Across the Delaware river is Camden, NJ where there is the NJ state aquarium. Philadelphia also has the nationa's first zoo. For gardens, outside Philadelphia is Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square (it is gorgeous in April, but I've never been during summer), or Winterthur Garden & Estate in Delaware. For museums there are: Philadelphia Museum of Art; Rodin Museum; UPENN museum of Archaeology & Anthropology.

Obviously, there is no Alamo in Philadelphia, but we do have Independence Hall, Liberty Bell, and the 1 yr-old National Constitution Center. We don't have SeaWorld either, if that's important for you.

I too am a native Philadelphian and agree with everything YK said. Phila. meets all the requirements you stated.
Longwood gardens is also beautiful in the summer and they have fountain and firework shows in the evenings. YOu might also look into seeing the "lights of Liberty" presentation in the evening in the historic area.

This is a no-brainer--Philadelphia.

It may come down to which version of "hot" your prefer: dry or humid!

I live in Philadelphia, but I've been to San Antonio and liked it very much (bought some great boots there). How long will you stay? I feel like you can "see" San Antonio in a long weekend, whereas Philadelphia and the surrounding areas can fill up a week.

Some "Don't Miss" things to do in Philadelphia include checking out the new Kimmel Performing Arts Center; making the "Rocky" run up the steps of the Philadelphia Art Museum; visit the new National Constitution Center, which is fabulous and located right near a lot of the other history-oriented sites--Independence Hall, Liberty Bell, Betsy Ross House, Franklin Court, Christ Church; Valley Forge National Park; Eastern State Penitentiary, where Al Capone was once a prisoner; rollerblading or cycling along the Schuylkill River on the weekend, when part of the drive is closed to vehicles--you may even be able to catch a regatta; Philadelphia Zoo or Camden Aquarium; catch a Phillies baseball game; the new "Chocolate" exhibition at the Academy of Natural Sciences. Your 17-year-old will probably enjoy walking on South Street and in Manayunk. Longwood Gardens, Winterthur, and the Brandywine River Museum (collection of art by three generations of Wyeths) are all good too, as is the Barnes Museum just outside the city which has a superb collection of French Impressionist art.

I can think of more, but have to run. The tourism web site for the city is www.gophila.org, I believe.

Here's an idea: Why not rent some movies that are set in each city to get a flavor for the place?

For Philadelphia, you could rent "Rocky" and "The Sixth Sense". I'm not sure I know any films set in modern day San Antonio. . .

elle,

I live in the Phila. area, and lived in SA for 4 years a long time ago. Both hot, both humid.

I'd vote for Philly too. I've visited both and think they both could be enjoyable, but I think Philly has greater variety of options. I would definitely recommend Longwood Gardens, they're just beautiful!

Since no one has spoken up yet for San Antonio, I'll do it. San Antonio has LOTS to do! Websites: www.traveltex.com and www.mysanantonio.com

For amusement parks, there are Sea World, Six Flags Fiesta Texas, and the unique Schlitterbahn water park in New Braunfels. The San Antonio Zoo is also very nice. The San Antonio Missions are a AAA minor-league baseball team,a nd the games are a lot of fun for the whole family.

Of course, there is the world-famous Riverwalk and all of the shops and restaurants along its banks. The El Mercado Mexican Market is great for visitors!

Historically speaking, San Antonio has the FIVE missions (the Alamo being ONE of them) that founded the city. They are all National Park sites and are very well-maintainted. San Jose has an excellent visitor's center, too. (You will need a car to see the 4 aside from the Alamo, San Antonio, though.)

The Texas Hill Country is just a short drive Northwest, and it is very beautiful. The shopping, historical and cultural opportunities are almost endless! LBJ's Ranch is a National Park, and there are numerous State Parks there, too. Enchanted Rock is a 1.5 hour drive and is very unique! (There are whitetail deer there that will eat from your hand.) Fredricksburg has several festivals in the summer time and is a great place to visit. The Nimitz WW2 Museum is very interesting.

A favorite summe rpastime for Texans is tubing on the Gaudelupe River. it runs through San Marcos and there are numerous companies where you can rent tubes. Bring some old shoes or aqua sox to wear in the river.

The only downside to San Antonio in July will be the heat. Wear light-colored cotton clothes, and a sun hat. Drink plenty of fluids, and try to avoid being outside in the heat of the day 1-4 PM.

I'm not aware of any movies about modern San Antonio... The Alamo (with John Wayne) was filmed in Bracketville, which is about a 2 hour drive from SA.

Longword Gardens is a great idea. So is a drive in Bucks County and through the Delaware Water Gap. Western New Jersey has some beautiful (and historic) spots too. What about Atlantic City for comic relief.

San Antonio is humid? I didn't know that. I know there's a river running through it, but I felt like it was dry and dusty when I was there. . .

There are some summer days here in Philadelphia when I feel like someone has wrapped a heavy wet blanket around my lungs. And then there's the impact on my hair, which goes from straight to frizzy in the time it takes for me to get from house to car.

Not every summer day is like that, of course. This past weekend was fabulous. But I always feel the need to warn people that sometimes Philadelphia can turn tropical.

I have been to both and prefer Philadelphia, also. Both are humid, San Antonio will be hotter. SA has a Spanish feel to it, while Philly has a more urban feel. Although I liked SA, if I never make it there again, I will be okay, but I will definately be returning to Philly. I have two teen age sons who have been to both and they prefer Phila. also. One plus for SA is the GREAT Mexican food! If you go to Philadelphia, eat at Morimoto's. It is funky and has great atmosphere.

Good luck with your decision!
Suse

It sounds like the only thing elle knows about Texas goes back to the show from the late 70's Dallas. I have not been to Philly, but I have lived in San Antonio and now live in the Austin area. The above posts are correct- SA is very hot in the summer. They also have excellent Mexican food and you can find good BBQ as well. As far as the heat, many hotels have swimming pools if you want to take a quick dip. There is a hotel, I think it is the Hyatt Hill Country Resort in the west part of town and I heard that it is great. I think it is kind of close to Sea World. Unless you are planning on spending time exclusively in the Riverwalk area, it might be helpful to simply rent a car. You know about the typical mission sites. If you want a change of pace, there is also the McNay Art Museum and the Witte Museum. They also have a very nice zoo, but take plenty of water. You are also close to the Hill Country. Fredericksburg, Wimberley,and New Braunfels, and Gruene are also excellent places to visit. Judging from what I have heard about gas prices, you will find they are probably cheaper in Texas than elsewhere.

You know I didn't put in a plug for Austin, but it is about 1 1/2 hours from San Antonio. It is a great cty to visit. It is a university town and vastly different from San Antonio. We have a very laid back culture here. If you type in city search you can get more info about our beautiful capitol building, Barton Springs Pool, and the live music!

The website for Philadelphia is
www.gophila.com
not
www.gophila.org

I vote for San Antonio also. It is so different from anywhere in the north that you will have a nice cultural change. I have been to Philadelphia twice and that is enough for me. (I am from the South and like Mexican food better than Phily cheesesteak anyday.) There is so much to do in central Texas and the beach is just hours away also. GO TO TEXAS, RANDY!

>"It sounds like the only thing elle knows about Texas goes back to the show from the late 70's Dallas."

Never saw the show. In fact I've never been to Dallas. I have relatives in Houston (now there's a humid city), have been to San Antonio and Fort Worth (even East Fort Worth). So please don't jump to some stereotypical conclusion about me just because of my metereological memory!

I may be able to provide a rare perspective, having lived in Austin for nine years and just outside Philly for the last five. Thus, I'm fairly familar with both areas.

I'll vote for Philly. Weather in each area will be about the same -- hot. Both have a quaint downtown, good shopping, and easy access for walkers. Philly beats San Antonio for history (not even close), museums, gardens, food (unless you must have Tex-Mex), diversity, and sports. The SA Aquarium probably beats the NJ Aquarium, right across the river, but not by much -- and there's no battleship next to the SA one. The Riverwalk is nicer than Old Town or South Street. The nearest Six Flags park is closer to SA than to Philly, but it's going to be an all-day thing no matter what.

Overall, IMHO, it's an easy choice.

I too would vote for Philly. Philly has so much to offer:history, museums, restaurants, shopping, etc. The other advantage with Philly is that the Jersey Shore is about 1.5 hr. away for a sidetrip to Atlantic City, Ocean City, or Cape May.