Hi everyone! Starting to plan a summer vacation trip to Philadelphia with husband and two sons (18 and 11). My sister might also join us. We will be flying in from Providence. We want to see the historical sights and take in a Phillies game while there. We like museums and music, too. Are four days enough to see all the highlights? Would appreciate hotel recommendations. I have starwood points I can use (or save for another time) - looking for something convenient, clean and not super expensive...we might need two rooms if my sister comes. Also, can we take public transportation to the ballpark? Is it safe at night? There is also a day game during the time I'm looking at. Any suggestions on what to do, where to stay, good simple meals (atmosphere and gourmet food is lost with my kids) will be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

The Battleship New Jersey is right across the river from Philadelphia in Camden, and is definitely worth a visit if you have time.

> Are four days enough to see all the highlights?
Yes.

> can we take public transportation to the ballpark?
The south terminus of the Broad Street subway (also called the Orange Line) is Pattison, right at the sports complex. I think you'd be crazy NOT to take public transit there.

> Is it safe at night?

I've ridden the subway scores of times at night and have never felt unsafe. And there are parts of Philly I don't like to drive in during the daylight!

> Any suggestions on what to do

Independence Hall, Constitution Center, Art Museum, Reading Terminal Market, Academy of Fine Arts, City Hall Tower (ONLY on a clear day), South Street, Franklin Court, Mutter Museum, Mummer Museum, Academy of Science, Franklin Institute, Italian Market (on a Saturday morning)
Hmmm. Maybe you WILL need more than four days :^)

> good simple meals
Go to Pat and/or Genos just to experience the corner. Have a hoagie or a white pizza at any of the 8217 local pizza joints. If you're daring, try some scrapple.

< I have starwood points I can use (or save for another time) - looking for something convenient, clean and not super expensive...we might need two rooms if my sister comes. >

I checked starwoods for you. There are 3 hotels in Philadelphia downtown area:
Westin
Sheraton Rittenhouse Sq
Sheraton Society Hill

I would choose either Westin or Sheraton Society Hill.
Westin is closer to Rittenhouse Sq, where as Society Hill is closer to the historic area.

I recall reading some unfavorable reviews on the Shearton Rittenhouse Sq (even though it is at prime location).

4 days would be plenty for Philadelphia.

Check out www.gophila.com They usually have some great hotel deals and a LOT of info about Philadelphia.

So far there's a only a spring training schedule here, but this url will eventually get you to the Phillies' regular season schedule: http://philadelphia.phillies.mlb.com...x.jsp?c_id=phi

If you like music, one of our local public radio stations has a performance venue near the University of Pennsylvania:
http://www.worldcafelive.com/

There's also the Mann Music Center in Fairmount Park where you can see a concert and picnic on the lawn:
http://www.manncenter.org/Pages/index.html

And outside of the museum experience, there are First Friday art gallery openings when people wander in and out and around the art scene in Old City:
http://www.oldcityarts.org/start.html

Another site for events listings is

http://www.phillyfunguide.com/calendar/home.do

BTW, the link at the top of the page takes you to a registration form to receive email notification of half-priced tickets to events for the following week.

PaulRabe mentioned the Reading Terminal Market--plan on lunch there (not open on Sundays). DeNic's hot pork sandwich gets raves.

http://www.readingterminalmarket.org/

And on South Street, head for South Street Souvlaki.

One addition to PaulRabe's great list of things to do--if you and the family are interested in anthropology/archaeology, don't miss the University of Pennsylvania museum for Native American as well as Chinese, Greek Roman, and Egyptian treasures.

www.upenn.edu/museum

Enjoy Philadlephia!

Budman, your comment has reminded me to make definite plans to visit the ship! I've been meaning to go...

As a native Philadelphian I think you've been given a lot of great ideas. However, nobody has mentioned kid specific activities and you may "museum out" and 18 and 11 year old boy. If you have time, take them to Dave & Busters on Columbus Blvd. to blow off some steam.

or better yet, drop them off there while you are going to the museums...

The Westin is a great hotel. There is a shopping area attached with great stores and a fabulous food court. The stadium is awesome, great seats , great food. Try to get an afternoon game. Our seats are in left field lower level. You can't beat it. If you want to talk to the players they're only 10 yards away. Of course in Philly we only yell at the players. Its a great town. PS The Westin is the old Ritz Carlton, so you know its nice. Instead of 2 rooms try to get upgraded to a suite. Enjoy I'm jealous.

Thanks to everyone for their help. Glad to hear that four days would be fine... we can always return! The boys are interested in checking out the ballpark - public transportation is the way we'll go. I will now start checking all the websites. PaulRabe - we have tried scrapple in PA Dutch so it sounds good to us! Thanks everyone!

Here's an idea...

The are great bike trails in Fairmount Park and can rent bikes right next to the art museum.

You can ride from the Art Museum all the way up to the Valley Green section of the park. Valley Green is beautiful and heavily wooded with waterfalls, a covered bridge, and awesome scenery - you won't believe you are still in a city. Check this link for some Valley Green photos http://www.gophila.com/photos/gallery03.htm#04

From Valley Green, it's a 10 minute ride to Chestnut Hill which is a very cute historic section of the city with great restaurants and old mansions. You could stop for lunch or snacks before heading back downtown.