KSquared
Literally Hell
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The teenager really wants to see the Mutter Museum and we're thinking about a long weekend in Philly. I'd like to get some advice on where to stay, what to eat (mix of upscale and casual) and the best things to see, both conventional and off the beaten path.
Thanks!
ETA: Other than all these good ones: http://www.columbusunderground.com/forums/topic/philadelphia
:)
Twixlen
Westgate, Columbus
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Being a nerd, I love all the stuff around Independents Hall & the Liberty Bell... seems like there was a couple of off-the-beaten-path museums there as well. I know we went into a ship builder's museum, as I have several pictures of my friends with their heads sticking out portholes.
I forget how new Columbus us, until I'm confronted with how old other places are.
catnfiddle
Giant Corncob District
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When I used to live in the suburbs but perform (and drink afterward) downtown, a bunch of us would rent a room at the Doubletree. It's on the Avenue of the Arts (South Broad to you and me) and not far from the Art Museum. It's also near plenty of public transportation options. The rooms are pretty nice and you get cookies when you check in.
If you decide to stay there, you might want to check out The Academy of Music, if only to see if there's a tour. It's a gorgeous opera house where I've had the pleasure to sing. There's also the Rodin Museum not too far away. Gorgeous sculptures, plus it's much less crowded than the Philadelphia Museum of Art (with fewer tourists running up the steps).
If you're going in the spring and want to do something really cheesy but fun, go to Independence Mall (where the Liberty Bell is) and check out The Duck Tour. Yes, there was an accident on one of the tours last year, but I had no problems when I hopped on one a while ago. It's a ridiculous way to see the historical part of the city.
Sorry I'm not as helpful as I should be considering I'm a native. Since I've left Philly I've let a lot of my knowledge slip out of my head. This is more my home town than there at this point.
Andrew Hall
Dennison Place (The Circles)
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Jose Garces has a batch of restaurants. Link to group here.
Knowing you, Village Whiskey would really be in your wheelhouse as well as serving good grub for your one-and-only.
A.
dru
IV
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if she likes Art, especially French post-Impressionism (Matisse, Cézanne) I recommend visiting the Barnes Foundation.
Andrew Hall
Dennison Place (The Circles)
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dru wrote >>
if she likes Art, especially French post-Impressionism (Matisse, Cézanne) I recommend visiting the Barnes Foundation.
A.
HeySquare
German Village
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You might want to try eating at the Waterworks... it wasn't a restaurant when I used to live there, but I would have loved to eat in this building.
http://www.thewaterworksrestaurant.com/history/
HeySquare
German Village
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I also recommend the art and architecture tour of the Philadelphia Zoo. Not sure if they run them all the time, but was a great tour.
http://www.philadelphiazoo.org/zoo/Visit-The-Zoo/Guided-Tours/History-Tours.htm
spindle
clintonville
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For upscale dining i'd suggest Pod or Morimoto's for asain/sushi, la Famigia on front street for italian (the wine cellar is amazing), le Bec-Fin for frenchâ€â€there are to many good places to list, what is your favorite kind of food?
for casual, Tony Lukes for hot sandwiches like cheesesteaks and esp. roast pork with broccoli rabe and sharp prov (its to die for) and Ricci Bros hoagies on s. 11th for the best hoagie of your life, they make jersey mike's (which i like) seem like subway.
You should also hit the itialian market at 9th and Passyunk. when you are there make sure to stop in at di Brunno Bros and get some food or just to taste some good cheese and get an espresso.
After you have eaten your fill you will want to go to get some gelato at Capogiro at Samson and 13th (i think?) its some of the best stuff I've ever had in my life. then you can walk right up the street about 4 blocks to Chris' Jazz Cafe or Zanibar and hear some great music.
If you are a beer drinker you should check out the Standard-Tap in Northern Liberties (just north of the Vine st. Express way). They have something like 20 local Pennsylvania beers on tap.
I lived there for a long time and go back to meet with clients or shoot about every 6 weeks, so if you want more suggestions or are looking for something specific let me know.
michaelcoyote
!seabus
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Reading Terminal Market is generally worth a visit.
Roland
Clintonville
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I'm gonna back up some of Spindle's suggestions.
Capogiro is an awesome place to visit for the gelato. Reminds me of Jeni's, but with gelato. Good deal of stuff made daily.
And I had the best philly of my life at Tony Lukes.
Damn... I almost forgot how much fun Philly is!
maveric1
5xNW
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michaelcoyote wrote >>
Reading Terminal Market is generally worth a visit.
Love the Reading Terminal Market. It's like North Market but on steroids.
eliza1322
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Sabrina's Cafe in the Italian Village is an awesome brunch spot. http://sabrinascafe.com/
For off the beaten path stuff, check out the Mural Arts program (http://muralarts.org/). Philly has a ton of amazing murals tucked away throughout the city--you can pay for tours of them, but I'm pretty sure there's a map somewhere with all of them labeled too.
RandomVisitor
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You might enjoy a horse carriage ride through Old Philadelphia. You will get a little bit of history and see some historic buildings that you might miss on foot or via car.
Everyone has their favorite cheese steak place. Ours is Jim's on South Street.
Also on South Street is a little dumpy place called Copabanana. They have the very best margaritas anywhere.
There are pretzel vendors all over the streets in Philadelphia but I haven't found a decent one yet.
misskitty
Columbus
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KSquared wrote >>
Another question. Should we pay the extra money and stay downtown or is there another less expensive area where we can park the car at the hotel and take public transportation into the city?
I was thinking about traveling out that way soon.
Have you thought about any Bed and Breakfast places as a possibility? Google maps had some good ones that seemed to have good rates for a place in the middle of town.
KSquared
Literally Hell
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misskitty wrote >>
KSquared wrote >>
Another question. Should we pay the extra money and stay downtown or is there another less expensive area where we can park the car at the hotel and take public transportation into the city?I was thinking about traveling out that way soon.
Have you thought about any Bed and Breakfast places as a possibility? Google maps had some good ones that seemed to have good rates for a place in the middle of town.
Here
Map
I <3 you right now misskitty! This is perfect, great rates and a room with a sleeping loft for the teenager. Thanks! I am booking right now.
misskitty
Columbus
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Glad I could help. It just came to me and I can’t believe I had not suggested the Bed and breakfast route sooner. Hotels are nice but often you can find a character filled B&B in town for about the same if not cheaper. I would like to add that some B&B have huge breakfasts And other nice things.
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