Thanks again.

We live in area of Manhattan where we get the "Crusties." Under 30's who travel around the country to where the weather is warm. They are here from April until about now. You can only imagine why they are called the "Crusties."

Add to that a renewed problem with the homeless.

IM, re the last point you made (a renewed problem with the homeless), we noticed it on our last trip (Labor Day 2015) vs. last fall (2014)

Yes, the Mayor is working on it, but we shall see.

Since two of the three places you'd like to go are in the eastern part of Center City, why not stay in a hotel walking distance from those (Independence Hall and Jewish Museum), and take a bus or cab or uber to the Art Museum? Or better yet, the inexpensive Philly Phlash - I believe it runs in May, you can google it and its route, I think it goes right up to the door of the Art Museum.

And while I often don't comment on q's about Philly if Amy has already replied because her answers are so chock full of good advice that I feel it's all been said already, I actually disagree with her on this post: especially with one group member who tires early, I don't think the places mentioned are worth leaving Center City for, when there are also so many good choices right where you are.

Btw I was born and raised in Philly, and have been back in a nearby 'burb for the last 10 years, and I and most people I know often refer to it as Philly so I'm not sure where the idea it could be offensive, came from.

"most people I know often refer to it as Philly so I'm not sure where the idea it could be offensive, came from."

Probably extrapolating from the objection to 'Frisco, for that scruffy city by the bay. I understand the residents really hate it, for some reason. However, it was good enough for Otis Redding.

Go_laura, I actually agree with you that IMDone should stay in Center City (or maybe venture a bit into South Philly.) I just wanted to include some outliers as he seems to be very conversant with the "neighborhood" food scene in his home town.

IMDonehere, this list is old and some of the stuff has been updated later on down the list, but you might find it interesting reading: http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...iladelphia.cfm

Yes, do look at that link for food suggestions, it's a great one that gets revived time and time again.

"most people I know often refer to it as Philly so I'm not sure where the idea it could be offensive, came from."

I'm not sure either. I know that my neighbors and coworkers, back in the early '80s, told me that they didn't like that nickname. So just this week, I asked a distant relative who now lives in the city; he said that sports fans are happy to call the city "Philly," but that people who don't put a priority on sports dislike that nickname. But who knows? I'm certainly not trying to suggest an answer to a question that might now be moot....

Thank you for your advice. We will certainly take a look at your suggestions.

Btw, Amy, thank you for that tip about the seared scallops at Pearl's Oyster Bar. That's not one of the places I tend to go when at RTM but now that's where I'm going to head next time! (I don't get there nearly as often as I did when I lived walking distance, but I can't allow too many months go by before finding an excuse to get my RTM fix)

I was actually kinda shocked when I sat down at Pearl's and saw their new (at that time) menu: it used to be a "shrimp salad made with mayo" type place. But those scallops really were one of the best things I've had at the Reading Terminal.

I just got back from a PA trip that started with three days in Philadelphia, spent mostly in the Rittenhouse Square area where I used to live (and RS, along with Chestnut Hill, are still my favorite neighborhoods). Stayed in the Latham Hotel, which came with an unexpected bonus: they keep an Audi A8L and driver on hand, who will drive you anywhere in the general Center City area for free (tips appreciated), first come, first serve. The drivers are great and it was much more relaxing to be driven to the Barnes Museum and 30th Street Station in a new luxury car than in a tatty taxi.

Dined at Estia, Oyster House, and Zama. Estia wasn't as good as last year, but still ok, Oyster House was fun (and loud) and I had very good crab cakes there, and Zama's sushi was excellent.

Re the Barnes Museum, everyone raves justifiably about its great Impressionist collection, but don't overlook the outstanding examples or early American, particularly Pa Dutch, furniture that can be found in almost every room. I talked to the ladies at the gift shop about it and they said there have been so many people seeking more info about the furniture collection that the board may commission a book on it.

I walked all over Phila on my October 2015 trip and did NOT find the sidewalks to be filled with excrement and trash. For example, I walked from Fitler Square to 2nd via Pine, Spruce, Delancey and Clinton streets and they were perfect for strolling. Beautiful homes with window boxes full of late-blooming flowers and autumnal wreaths on the doors, friendly people saying hello as I walked past, etc.

Thank you Weisser for the tips and observations.

If your hotel is close to the Art Museum, it won't be close to much else (besides Boathouse Row and the Waterworks, which are adjacent). I'd stay close to Independence Park, and just take a cab when you do the Art Museum. Sheraton Society Hill is one option that's VERY walkable to most of the historic sites.

I don't find cleanliness or homelessness to be a bigger issue than in any other city. One thing to watch for is cell phone snatch-and-grabs, so just don't get immersed in your phone and ignore your surroundings (always a good suggestion while traveling anyway, haha).

Philly fans boo with love, FYI. And no one objects to "Philly" -- I've lived outside Philly my entire life and never called it anything else.

Don't miss the gardens in Independence Park. They're gorgeous. And definitely check out Magic Gardens! I disagree that you don't have to go in -- while the outside mural is amazing, you could go inside the building 50 times and still notice new things hidden in the mosaics. And it's only something like $5-7, all of which goes towards keeping the project alive and running community events in the space.

WeisserTee....you stayed at the Latham just in time. They will be closing their doors Monday and will be converted to apartments.

Oh no! Thanks for the tip. They didn't say anything to me when I checked out, even when I said we'd like to stay there again next year. They do change the buildings around, don't they? I remember freelancing for an agency that was based in what is now the Parc Rittenhouse (or Rittenhouse Parc, forget which) condos.

Just looked up some online news links about the closure and seems employees were kept in the dark until the last minute. Sad. Oh well, I'm glad I got to stay there at least once. I guess next year it will be back to the Radisson Blu, Rittenhouse 1715 or maybe try the Roost Rittenhouse (although, as an ex-RS resident, I don't consider anything on Chestnut Street as truly Rittenhouse Square). I'd like to stay in the Rittenhouse Hotel itself, but IMO, it needs renovating.

Thanks again for all the insights and tips.

I tried to scan the above posts to see if anyone mentioned the Philly Phlash bus. We used it one day and found it great for getting to all the major sites.

www.visitphilly.com/tours/philadelphia/phlash