Chris_B

Thinking about taking a trip via Amtrak to Philadelphia. Will probably stay at the Alexander Inn (good rates) to check out the Eagles and Phillies next week. Would like to know the following:
1. Nearest subway/bus stop to the Alexander Inn.
2. Getting to the Link and Citizens Bank ballpark via subway/bus.
3. What attractions to see and food to eat around the area.
4. What areas to avoid in Philadelphia.

Thanks!!

kaudrey

Well, Philly has lots of history, so you could do the obvious like visit the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall, Betsy Ross' house etc. Also, walk around on South St., grab a cheesesteak at Geno's or Pat's King of Steaks, which happen to be across the street from each other.

For all the info you could need, go to www.gophila.com.

Karen

lesliec1

Philadelphia is an easy city to walk around in, numbered streets going one direction, tree streets running the other direction, and a few exciting streets at an angle! Alexander Inn is on 12th street near Spruce St. Walk about 2 blocks west from your hotel to Broad Street, which would be 14th street if it followed the numbered street rule. The Broad St. subway runs underneath Broad St. Take the subway to the last stop Southbound (Pattison Ave) to reach Linc Financial Field. Use caution when riding the subway, as you would on any big-city metro system. To be honest, after seeing metros in other cities in the US and abroad, Philly's public transit system is an embarrassment, old vehicles with high prices, but it gets you where you're going, usually. Generally speaking, buses run east-west on Chestnut St. (about 4 blocks north of Spruce) and Market St. (5 blocks north of Spruce), and west on Walnut St. (2 blocks north of Spruce), north-south on Broad St. and other numbered streets. But Philly is very walkable, so I'd recommend doing your sightseeing mostly on foot. If you've never been here before, you probably should see the Independence National Historical Park, with Independence and Carpenter's Halls, the Liberty Bell and brand new Constitution Center, around 5th and Chestnut Sts. The Phila. Museum of Art is wonderful and underappreciated. It stays open one night (Wed, I think) and it used to be free on Sun. mornings. Walk north and west to The Ben Franklin Parkway (an angled street!), and walk down the parkway (past lovely Logan Circle and Swann fountain) to the museum at 26th St. You'll recognize the art museum by its "Rocky" steps. Right at the Broad and Spruce St. area near your hotel are the famous Academy of Music (for ballet, opera, and shows) and the brand new Kimmel Center (Phila. Orchestra and other concerts). Phila has two famous "best" restaurants and loads of other good ones. The most famous one is Le Bec Fin on Walnut St. Expensive prix fixe with long wait to get a reservation (but SOOOO worth it), but try to get lunch reservations, a comparative bargain compared to NYC or Paris. A block further on Walnut is their cheaper, more casual bistro restaurant. The other famous restaurant is The Fountain, at the 4 Seasons Hotel, overlooking that previously mentioned Swann fountain. There are too many good places to eat to mention. Half of them are creations of one restauranteur, Steven Starr. Buy a copy of Philadelphia zmagazine and see what looks appealing. Other good places to walk to: Rittenhouse Square, 18th and Walnut Sts, and its chi-chi cafe Rouge--, "South Street" a cool-hippie-area-turned-mainstream, with galleries, restaurants, gourmet condom stores, and funky clothing stores filled with teens from the suburbs. (4th and South Sts.) Old City is a nice area with lots of art galleries. First Friday (of the month), the galleries all have openings and serve wine and cheese. Reading Terminal Market is good for food shopping/eating--11th and Arch Sts next to the convention center. Bassetts ice cream, yum yum. (Philadelphia taught the world about ice cream.) South on 9th Street (probably worth taking the bus) is the famous Italian Market, almost like Italy but with a lot of Philly "Attytood". The cannolis at Isgro's are amazing, cheeses and salamis at di Bruno--ah! From the Italian Market, find Passyunk Ave, pronounced Passhunk, another angled street. Lots of great, small Italian restaurants. Pats and Geno's, rival steak sandwich places, quite overrated, unfortunately. You can get better ones elsewhere. For an excursion out of center city, take the train to Manayunk, trendy renovated mill area north of center city. Lots of cool shops, galleries, and good restaurants. Impossible to park, but that won't be a problem if you took the train. Like nature? The Phila. zoo is good, and Fairmount Park--the world's largest in-city park--has trolley tours of its old mansions, (better see them before underfunding leads to their demise). Phila. has lots of small, unique museums, ranging from the Mummers Museum to the Mutter Museum (of medical oddities) but without knowing your interests, I can't make recommendations. All of the center city area is reasonably safe for walking around at night, as long as you don't court disaster by flaunting money and jewelry. The parts of Philly that are unsafe, you won't be anywhere near, so do not worry. If you go see our sports teams, take lots of Kleenex, as they are often disappointing. Our cruel fans, however, never disappoint! Enjoy your visit!

yk

Regarding food around your hotel:

Capogiro Gelato - 119 S. 13th St.
Pasion! (neuvo latin) on 15th St btw Walnut & Locust

yk

BTW, it's the "Linc" (short for Lincoln Financial Field), not the "Link".