Philadelphia - what to do for 5 days?
Jun 5th, 2008, 02:41 PM
#21
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Hello Stephie, I am from Philadelphia and have taken my nieces and nephews to the miniature golf in Franklin Square. Every hole is a miniature replica of an historic site or tourist attraction in Philadelphia. The kids loved it as did the adults who went along! The square also has a carousel and a play ground and benches to sit on while the kids enjoy the playground http://historicphiladelphia.org/fran...activities.php
If you are there on a weekend, the West River Drive that runs by the schuykill river is closed to traffic until noon each day for the entire length of the drive and until 5 for a mjor portion. You can rent bikes and ride along the river and the river from that side is really very pretty, looking across at the boat houses and riding under trees. It is really nice and (before I moved to the UK last September) was something I did every weekend in summer.
I would advise against going to NYC unless you are truly keen to go there. Trains do not go directly to NYC from Philadelphia unless you take Amtrak which is really quite expensive. Otherwise, you have to take the train to Princeton then change to NJ transit train and it take quite a long time - at least 2 hours if not more depending upon connections.
If you want to go sit by the river and see some rowing, check out the regatta schedule to see if there is a regatta when you are there. http://www.boathouserow.org/sked08.html Most regattas in the summer are quite small, but pack a picnic and sit on the Kelly Drive side of the river and enjoy the rowing
If you are there on a weekend, the West River Drive that runs by the schuykill river is closed to traffic until noon each day for the entire length of the drive and until 5 for a mjor portion. You can rent bikes and ride along the river and the river from that side is really very pretty, looking across at the boat houses and riding under trees. It is really nice and (before I moved to the UK last September) was something I did every weekend in summer.
I would advise against going to NYC unless you are truly keen to go there. Trains do not go directly to NYC from Philadelphia unless you take Amtrak which is really quite expensive. Otherwise, you have to take the train to Princeton then change to NJ transit train and it take quite a long time - at least 2 hours if not more depending upon connections.
If you want to go sit by the river and see some rowing, check out the regatta schedule to see if there is a regatta when you are there. http://www.boathouserow.org/sked08.html Most regattas in the summer are quite small, but pack a picnic and sit on the Kelly Drive side of the river and enjoy the rowing
Jun 10th, 2008, 02:57 PM
#22
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Will second the idea of hitting Reading Terminal Market. It's a great place to graze from stand to stand. Good spots to hit there are DiNic's (get the pork sandwich with aged provolone and greens, arguably the city's best), Bassett's (ice cream), Salumeria (Italian hoagies), Termini Brothers (pastries), Rick's (cheesesteaks), Fisher's Soft Pretzels (pretzels), Dutch Eating Place (Penna Dutch stuff, scrapple and other things), and Famous 4th Street (cookies).
Also outside of the RTM, try the Franklin Fountain (for excellent ice cream and old fashioned phosphates) and Jim's (the best cheesesteak I've had in Philly). Estia is an excellent if a bit expensive Greek seafood spot. There's also a Chinatown in Philly, and I really liked Rangoon, the one Burmese place there.
Also outside of the RTM, try the Franklin Fountain (for excellent ice cream and old fashioned phosphates) and Jim's (the best cheesesteak I've had in Philly). Estia is an excellent if a bit expensive Greek seafood spot. There's also a Chinatown in Philly, and I really liked Rangoon, the one Burmese place there.
Jun 11th, 2008, 04:53 AM
#23
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Thank you Janster and Bachslunch for your recent posts. Franklin Park sounds like a must, and I like the idea of renting bikes and watching the rowing. I don't think we'll be bored! I'm still taking in as much info as possible, as we leave this week. You've all helped fuel our excitement about our trip to Philly.
Thanks for all of your great advice!
Thanks for all of your great advice!
Jun 25th, 2008, 06:47 PM
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We returned recently from our trip to Philly, Point Pleasant Beach, NJ and NYC.
Thank you all so much for your wonderful advice on Philly. We found it very walkable from the Loews Hotel, the Reading Terminal Market is literally right across the street - we ate great food there often. We walked to the historic area almost each day and saw Independence Hall, the LIberty Bell, Carpenter's Hall, 2nd National Bank Portrait Gallery, Visitor's Center, took the double decker bus tour - I would recommend all of this, walked around Penn's landing (not too much to see there besides ship and sub & seaport museum which we did not tour.) Took the kids to Franklin Square for an afternoon of mini golf, the carousel & playground.
We loved the Loews hotel - our room was huge and a corner room which afforded us windows on two sides and wonderful views from the 28th floor of the Delaware river and city below. Their fitness facility is very nice, and the kids even enjoyed the 2 lane lap pool quite a bit. Only complaint is that they never vacuumed our room floor - I'm not picky, but the carpet is black, and there was hair everywhere when we first walked in. I left a tip and a note asking them to do so nicely, but it wasn't done. Loews management would probably not want to know that I eventually just asked a maid on our floor to borrow her vacuum cleaner and do it myself. She agreed, I was just happy to have it done.
Anyhow, we loved Philly, the cradle of our nation. THanks again!
Thank you all so much for your wonderful advice on Philly. We found it very walkable from the Loews Hotel, the Reading Terminal Market is literally right across the street - we ate great food there often. We walked to the historic area almost each day and saw Independence Hall, the LIberty Bell, Carpenter's Hall, 2nd National Bank Portrait Gallery, Visitor's Center, took the double decker bus tour - I would recommend all of this, walked around Penn's landing (not too much to see there besides ship and sub & seaport museum which we did not tour.) Took the kids to Franklin Square for an afternoon of mini golf, the carousel & playground.
We loved the Loews hotel - our room was huge and a corner room which afforded us windows on two sides and wonderful views from the 28th floor of the Delaware river and city below. Their fitness facility is very nice, and the kids even enjoyed the 2 lane lap pool quite a bit. Only complaint is that they never vacuumed our room floor - I'm not picky, but the carpet is black, and there was hair everywhere when we first walked in. I left a tip and a note asking them to do so nicely, but it wasn't done. Loews management would probably not want to know that I eventually just asked a maid on our floor to borrow her vacuum cleaner and do it myself. She agreed, I was just happy to have it done.
Anyhow, we loved Philly, the cradle of our nation. THanks again!
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