The NYT just ran an article on Mutter musuem on October 11:
http://travel2.nytimes.com/2005/10/1...gn/11mutt.html

After the Reading Terminal and Italian Market on Saturday, definitely walk down South Street. It runs for several blocks and is worth at least a stroll. There are several decent restaurants along South Street and the immediate neighborhood.

I second cmrey4's suggestion of The Continental - for pre-dinner cocktails. There's a great Italian restaurant on Front Street, between Second and Arch, but I can't think of the name! Stephen Starr's restaurants are all hip and better-than-decent food (http://starr-restaurant.com/) - my favorite is Jones at 700 Chestnut Street - they have the best mac and cheese and great nachos. Also, they have (for some authentic Pennsylvania cuisine!) pierogies and potato pancakes.

Art Museum is key (and you can run up the steps a la Rocky), as well as the Franklin Institute. Mutter Museum is only for the strong-stomached and non-sensitive crowd, but is very interesting.

If you're in the Liberty Bell/Independence Hall area on Friday, take a moment to dash into the Curtis Center (on the corner of Chestnut and Fifth). The lobby off 5th Street showcases a huge Tiffany glass mosaic, "Dream Garden", by Maxfield Parrish. Steve Wynn (Las Vegas casino guy) bought it in '98, but Philadelphian's got it back after he tried to move it to Vegas! It's a beautiful piece of art, and only takes minutes to run in to see it.

Thank you all for your great suggestions . . . I've written all of them down and now we wish we had more than 3-1/2 days.

We'll post a report when we return . . . thanks again.

Sandy (in Denton)

I thinkg the Italian restaurant that ceb1222 is referring to is called Spasso. It's an excellent place. It's on Front Street between Market and Chestnut.

A couple of comments. The Barnes requires advance timed tickets, so if you want to go, you should look into getting tickets now. They often run out a month in advance. If you like aquariums the NJ State Aquarium in Camden (a few minutes walk from the battleship) is great. Might be a nice backup plan if it is cold or rainy.

Do you know about the ferry that runs across the river (http://riverlinkferry.org/)? It is the best way to get to the aquarium/battleship NJ.

Sabrina's in the Italian Market is a great place for brunch. It is on 9th & Christian. Expect 30-45 minute wait, but you can call ahead to put your name on the list.

The Rodin Musuem is very small, and "pay what you want". If you are fast in musuems you can probably see it in 30 minutes or so. Worth a stop-in though.

While I agree with others that the historic homes aren't that exciting, I took my parents-in-law on a trolley tour of Fairmount park that included several stops at historic mansions, and it was suprisingly interesting. It might be a good option if you get tired of walking. See: http://www.phillytour.com/category.asp?ID=2

I'd second the South St suggestion for walking around in the evening. Or Walnut Street between Broad & Rittenhouse Sq. South Philly isn't that exciting, IMO. Old City (which another poster mentioned) which is very atmospheric, and has lots of good restaurants, is another good evening walking around option.

Some favorite restaurants: Chloe, Buddakon, Tangerine, Fork (all in Old City); Twenty Manning, Audrey Claire, Melangrano (all near Rittenhouse Sq)

Hann: YES! That's it! I couldn't remember, and my parents have been trying to remember the name of it as well, since they enjoyed dinner there with me once. Thanks!

We are visiting Philadelphia next summer. We will be traveling with our 14 year old boy. He mentioned wanting to see the US Mint and Liberty Bell. He also loves sports. Any ideas for us?

Hi jgreat. Why not repost with the question including activities for a 14 year old. How many days? Will you have a car? Where do you want to stay, etc.

I'm a native and might be able to help.

jgreat - a few more ideas...

Take the ferry to Camden and visit the Acquarium and the Battelship New Jersey.

Franklin Institute.

If you don't go in the Art Museum, at least do the "Rocky Steps" :.)