Philly for a Day
 

In August my DH and I have a layover in Philly and we would like to enjoy the "old city". Since we are at the airport, what is the best way to leave and see some sights?

Thanks

There is a train at the airport that goes into Philly. It takes about 1/2 hour. The train stops 5 blocks from old city at 11th and Arch, maybe someone else has the name of the station. You can walk to Old City from there.

If you don't know the city the Old City area is best. If you look at a map
the area bordered by 6th street and Front street and Chestnut and Arch Street is full of cafes and galleries and historic sights, it is all easy to walk to.

We just did this very thing! TKT is right - the SEPTA trains leave from the airport (signs will point you to it). Just ride it to the Market Street East station ($5.50 each way per person). We walked east down Market till we hit the visitors' center, where we got a great lunch recommendation from the staff (Campo's cheesesteaks, down Market between 2nd and 3rd, I think). After lunch we just did a loop - walked down Market to Penn's Landing, which was actually closed, then down Chestnut and back up by the Liberty Bell Center. I think we hit the major things. The visitors' center has maps that will show you where things are. Have a great time!

11th and Arch is near the Reading Terminal Market. It is one of the country's older indoor markets with lots of good food stands to eat lunch. The Amish come in from PA Dutch Country on Thur-Sat, too.

I think you are talking about seeing Independence Square. Independence Square is five blocks away, located bet 5th and 6th Streets and Market and Chestnut. You will want to see the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall. If you are going in July or August, it might be worth it to get advance tickets to Independence Hall for $1.50 online. The tickets are free if you arrive in person, but in July and August the lines can be long and the weather sweltering, even early in the morning. Here is the website--
http://www.nps.gov/inde/

For additional sites to see nearby, you might want to stop at the Visitor's Center on 3rd Street, where you can get maps and ideas.

How long is your layonver in Phila.? Make sure you leave yourself enough time to go back through security at the airport.
Check out ww.gophila.com for great info on the city.

The idea of advance tickets is a good one.

The SEPTA line from the airport to center city - or return, is called the R1 - Airport. It is right in the airport. It runs to Market East which may be called 'the gallery' on some of the signs. I'm sure this doesn't apply but should you be over 65 years of age, be sure to ask about discount tickets priced at $1-$1.50.

I think you will enjoy your visit to Olde Philadelphia. It has a lot to offer.

Thanks for all the great info. We are arriving at 6:30am and leaving at 4:00. One other question- can we store our carry on luggage at the airport?

Thanks

You can't - I emailed them prior to our trip, and they told me that because of security measures, all the lockers had been removed (I believe after Sept. 11).

Hi, PHL is only 7 miles south of downtown. If time is more important than money, the flat rate for a cab is only $25. I recommend taking a cab and getting dropped off at Independence National Park. (Cab should take 95 N to exit 22, Market Street to corner Market/5th). You can see the Liberty Bell (if the line is too long you can see through the glass!), Independence Hall, walk through the cobblestone streets of Old City, loop up to Betsy Ross House, have a nice lunch down on Market at 2nd Street. Skip Penn's Landing. Then take a cab back to the airport; there are a number of fancy hotels (Omni, Sheraton)in Old City so you can easily get a cab. Reading Terminal Market is worth a trip in and of itself; I could spend my whole layover there. Luggage is an issue, you don't want to lug it around, can you check it through to your destination? I can't think of anywhere in Old City where you can take a bag. Safe travels.

Since we are going to Europe coming from Phx we want to have one piece of luggage apiece just in case...can anyone recommend a private driver?

Thanks

If the hotel(s) you are staying at in Europe is a chain, maybe you could find the location in Philly (if they have one) and leave your bags there. Just a thought.

i would walk over to the marriot ( conected to airport terminal) , leave luggage with bellhop stored away. tell him you are there for breakfast.

have breakfast there..( expensive, but nice to be able to leave the luggage).

then catch train ( just outside) to town, and come back in plenty of time, have a coffee, retrieve luggage and you are off.

As for the luggage storage, if you don't want to have breakfast at the Marriott, my suggestion is to head over there with your bags, ask the bellhop to store them and slip him $20. You could always go the route of pretending to be staying there but if you're uncomfortable with that, the $20 should do the trick.

The train is a good option, but I'd probably lean toward a cab -- quicker, easier and not that much more money.

you do not have to be staying at a hotel for them to keep your bags, but i would suggest you "use" an amenity there.. such as the restaurant and spend the $20 on food, rather than the bellhop, although you will be tipping him later anyway.

there´s nothing to feel uncomfortable about. plenty of transient passengers do this. if the Marriot does not want you to do so, they will tell you when you try to.. so no harm /loss but time.

linc: >>spend the $20 on food, rather than the bellhop, although you will be tipping him later anyway.<<
Huh?

maybe i didn´t explain myself.( does not surprise me!!)

to spend $20 on a bellhop??, when you could have breakfast for that price..

breakfast seemed a more logical way to spend the $20.

i certainly would not be giving a bellhop later $20 as my tip to keep two small bags.. but perhaps others would..

whatever. hope it works out for the OP, whatever they do.

My mom and I spent the day in Philadelphia last year and had a blast. In addition to seeing the libery bell and the main historic sights, we took the hop on/hop off tourbus. Kinda cheesy but it gave us a great overview of the city.

Tracy