I'm heading to Philadelphia for a conference in mid-May. The conference is inside the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown.

Because of company budget limits, I can't afford the Marriott. I managed to get a room at the Hilton Garden Inn, which is supposedly near the Marriott. Can someone comment on that?

I'm also taking the train in from NYC. Is the Amtrak train station in Philadelphia near the hotel & conference area??

Thanks.

I can;t help on htoel---haven't stayed at the Hilton Garden Inn. But your train will arrive at 30th St Station and the Convention Center hotel are at 11th St---a fairly short cab ride.

I'm pretty sure that the Hilton Garden Inn is literally a street away from the Marriott. I have never stayed at either, but have been to conferences at the Marriott - the hotel is very nice.

As you said that you will be arriving to Philly by amtrak, your amtrak ticket enables you to ride SEPTA (regional rail) from 30th st station where amtrak stops to downtown Market East Station which is directly connected to the convention center, thus saving you taxi fare. I have ridden it myself.

I think that is the hotel we stayed for a long weekend a couple of years ago (the Marriott was sold out). It was new then, so very clean, etc. Not fancy, but fine. Tiny, tiny room for 2 people. The entrance was a bit tricky to find. I would stay there again, as a budget alternative.

Did you check the reviews on www.tripadvisor.com?

If you get a free few minutes, try to check out Reading Terminal Market. It's a great, bustling, farmer's market right near there (may be closed Sundays). It's also a good place to get a quick lunch, from several stands/restaurants.

Yes, the Hilton Garden Inn is very close to the Marriott.

We stayed at the Hilton Garden Inn 2 years ago. It was ok. Make sure you DO NOT get a room on the top floor. The hotel has a restaurant on the top floor, and it can get quite noisy at night (esp weekends). We also saw some fruit flies flying around in the hallway...

joethekay gave you the correct information about Amtrak & SEPTA.

BTW, if you are a member of Marriott Rewards, you can try using "M11" as the coupon code. I found out that it gives a great discount.

Thanks for the Amtrak/SEPTA tip, joethekay.

Yes, I did check tripadvisor.com but I rather hear from you guys. And thanks for the Reading Terminal Market suggestion, Travelgirl2.

Thanks for all the feedback, everyone!!

Ming

I live in Philadelphia and can make some recommendations. There is plenty to do in the city.

HOTELS
- There are several hotels that would be manageable -- Sofitel, Wyndham, to name a few. For upscale I'd recommend the Rittenhouse Hotel, the Ritz and thr Four Seasons, in that order.

For great food:
- Definitely spend some time at Reading Terminal Market (which is fun on a Saturday morning - great for all kinds of food). Amish breakfast is excellent. NOT open on Sunday
- the Italian market area
- any restaurant on Walnut Street
- Marathon Grill (chain) is good for reasonably priced sandwiches and breakfasts

MUSEUMS:
- the Franklin Institute,
- the Philadelphia Museum of Art,
- the Rodin Museum (people always forget that one -- its houses the largest collection of Rodin's outside of Paris)

PARKS:
- Fairmount Park (walking along the river, right by the museums -- great to see the folks rowing crew)
- Rittenhouse Square Park -- near good shopping on Walnut Street. Tons of people will be out if the weather is nice. Very small park. Farmer's market on the weekend
- Penn's Landing (there may even be a concert or event going on)

HISTORY: Old City/Society Hill. On that front, I'd suggest either the duck tour, the Phiily Plash, the double decker bus or even a horse and buggy rider that will take you around and show you the historical sights and the driver will give you some commentary. Its kind of fun. Must sees:
- Liberty Bell
- Constitution Center
- Independence Mall
- walk by Betsy Ross House (right next to the house where the kids lived on MTV's "Real World" (your oldest will understand that) and Alfreth's Alley

SHOPPING:
- Walnut Street (from Rittenhouse Square down to Broad Street)
- Some on Broad Street itself
- Old City (cool galleris and kitschy shops)