Things to see and do in Philadelphia?

[Pumpy Tudors]

In a couple of months, I'm going to Philadelphia with my lovely wife and her lovely aunt for 2 or 3 days. Right now, we have absolutely no idea what we're going to do there (we're really just going for no apparent reason). All I know is that it's a huge city, so I'm wondering which areas are good for people to see tourist attractions and historical landmarks. Do any of you folks have suggestions on what we could see or do there?

Really, we're open to just about anything. Like I said, we're not going for any specific event, so it's pretty much going to be at least 48 hours of just hanging out and seeing whatever we can see.

Any ideas? Thanks!

[sabotai]

Two words, Mutter Museum

[sabotai]

dola, The Art Museum if you want to see the steps Rocky ran up.

I dunno, I've lived around Philly my whole life, but I'm not sure what to suggest for "Tourist Philly".

[Pumpy Tudors]

These are both good ideas, sabotai. I'll run that by the ladies and see what they think.

[Karlifornia]

Cream Cheese factory

[adubroff]

Pat's Steaks. Or Jim's steaks on south street.

[JediKooter]

Definitely Pat's or Jim's. I really wish someone on the west coast knew how to properly make a Philly Cheese Steak sandwich.

[EagleFan]

The Liberty Bell and Betsy Ross' house are two good historic locations.

South Street is good for entertainment.

If the Phillies are in town, the new park is great to see a game at.

The Franklin Institute, but that might be aimed more at kids.

The Art Museum as was previously mentioned.

Valley Forge isn't too far away.

No visit is complete without a cheese steak.

If I think of more, I'll let you know.

[sabotai]

No visit is complete without a cheese steak.

Definitely. You now have a chance to find out first hand what it is all of us Philly and (South) Jersey FOFCers have been talking about all these years with our talk about cheesesteaks. :)

[M GO BLUE!!!]

Pat's Steaks. Or Jim's steaks on south street.

I was gonna say Pat's...

Wit onions.

Make sure you get fries too!

[Dr. Sak]

If you want to see the actual Rocky statue it is in front of the Spectrum

[MrBigglesworth]

The Franklin Institute, but that might be aimed more at kids.
Actually the King Tut exhibit is at the Franklin Institute right now. You'd also like the Franklin Institute if you like sciencey stuff.

Independance Hall and the National Constitution Center if you like history. The Eastern State Penitentiary tour is a good time too.

If you or the wife like animals, the Philadelphia Zoo is the oldest zoo in America.

Reading Terminal Market if you like to eat.

Morris Arboretum if you like looking at trees.

If you like art, not only is there the Philly Museum of Art, but also the Rodin Museum and the Barnes Foundation

[bosshogg23]

If you want to see the actual Rocky statue it is in front of the Spectrum

The Rocky statue was moved to the art museum last year.

I went to the King Tut exhibit last month, its a big fat waste. It should be called the Possible Artifacts of Tuts Friends & Relatives. Almost nothing in the exhibit is believed to be Tuts. The only sarcophagus is of an inlaw of his. The information about his death is outdated by at least 2 years. It was just a terribly disappointing exhibit.

Boathouse Row is neat to see at night, all the houses light up. Whenever I have to show family the area I always try to include that, its something neat that isnt "touristy".

[RedKingGold]

Ironic as I was just in the "Old City" yesterday.

While the Philadelphia Zoo is a pretty cool place, do NOT go sightseeing in West Philly (unless you feel like touring a third-world country).

The best places to sight-see and tour are in Central and South city. Both are safe places that have pretty nice places to shop and historical places to see.

Also, I highly recommend going to see a Phillie's ball-park game, even if you don't like baseball. The park itself is a pretty neat attraction.

Finally, I agree about Jim's or Pat's. The problem is, the only time to go where your not waiting at least an hour in line for a cheesesteak is in the late afternoon on a weekday. However, if you must have the cheesesteak experience, I suggest SOS (Steaks on South). Me and a couple of friends just ate there yesterday and their meat is likely of better quality than Jim's or Pat's.

Also, if you go to Jims, make sure you know what you want b/c the people behind the counter get very agitated if you don't know what to order. Think of the Soup Nazi......with cheesesteaks.

[Lathum]

I'll echo the new ballpark. They have standing room only seats that are usually available gameday and are pretty cheap. The view is good and all the concesion stands are right there.

[Dr. Sak]

The Rocky statue was moved to the art museum last year.

Oh they must have moved it back for the movie. When I was there a few years ago for a playoff hockey game it was in front of the Spectrum.

[RedKingGold]

Oh they must have moved it back for the movie. When I was there a few years ago for a playoff hockey game it was in front of the Spectrum.

Yeah, but it's now to the side of the Art Museum (instead of front and center)

[cuervo72]

The Franklin Institute, but that might be aimed more at kids.

Not the Floyd laser light show in the planetarium. ;)

(I was once on the lam in the Franklin Institute. Jr High class trip, and another kid decided to play volleyball/kickball with the "floating" beach ball. Security was on our tail for quite some time before they finally caught up to us. We even tried switching jackets, but um, that plan didn't exactly work.)

[cuervo72]

And nobody likes Geno's?

[MrBigglesworth]

Finally, I agree about Jim's or Pat's. The problem is, the only time to go where your not waiting at least an hour in line for a cheesesteak is in the late afternoon on a weekday.
The lines at Pat's and Gino's aren't that long around 5am either (both are open 24/7).

[CleBrownsfan]

If you (they) like shopping then the King of Prussia mall is where to go... it was one of the largest malls when I lived there a few years ago.

South Street is a sight - you'll see some interesting people at night ;)

[cuervo72]

Is it larger than that multicolored sprawl that is Franklin Mills?

(my story there is that I once found it was a convenient place to um, "borrow" I-95 signage)

[RedKingGold]

South Street is a sight - you'll see some interesting people at night ;)

Heh, South Street definitely does have its "quirks". ;)

FYI, South Street is safe at night, but it is also where the majority of the gay community live and party. So,....I wouldn't take the kids down South Street on weekend nights unless you're prepared to explain same-sex relationships.

Not that there's anything wrong with that.

[RedKingGold]

dola

I echo the thoughts about the King of Prussia mall. That's where the Chesecake Factory is. Also, a really nice steak place (Sullivan's) is in that complex as well. Basically every single conceivable store that exists in the world can be found at King of Prussia. You can spend a whole day there and not see everything.

[RedKingGold]

double dola

Also, another neat place to go is IKEA. I'm not sure how prevelent they are in the U.S., but it's basically a large furniture store that's a really fun place just to walk around. Also, the prices there are very modest, especially for a big city.

[bosshogg23]

Is it larger than that multicolored sprawl that is Franklin Mills?

(my story there is that I once found it was a convenient place to um, "borrow" I-95 signage)

Yes KoP is larger than Franklin Mills.

If you want to go to IKEA, you can see Penn's Landing, Betsy Ross's House, National Constitution Center all with minimal effort. They are all relatively close to each other and the waterfront. The beginning of South Street is about 1 mile south of Betsy Ross's House as well if you dont mind walking.

[Pumpy Tudors]

"Shopping" is probably a keyword for these ladies. Once I mention this thread to my wife, she'll pick on on the King of Prussia Mall immediately. All of the other suggestions are good, too, and we're going to start mapping things out in the next few weeks.

Thanks for everything so far, guys!

[MrBigglesworth]

Is it larger than that multicolored sprawl that is Franklin Mills?

(my story there is that I once found it was a convenient place to um, "borrow" I-95 signage)
The King of Prussia Mall is actually the largest mall in the country in terms of actual retail space (Mall of America is bigger but has theme parks, etc). It's outside the city though, about a half hour from downtown during non-rush hour times. You don't want to take 76 west anywhere near 5pm though.

[adubroff]

And nobody likes Geno's?

Nobody that's not a communist.

[stevew]

double dola

Also, another neat place to go is IKEA. I'm not sure how prevelent they are in the U.S., but it's basically a large furniture store that's a really fun place just to walk around. Also, the prices there are very modest, especially for a big city.

I'm pretty sure there is an ikea in pittsburgh too.

[sabotai]

You don't want to take 76 west anywhere near 5pm though.

I make it a rule never to be on 76 between 4pm and 7:30pm. Write that down, Pumpy. (Although I don't know bad it is on Sat. and Sunday, but if it's during the week, don't even think about it.)

[Chubby]

Oh they must have moved it back for the movie. When I was there a few years ago for a playoff hockey game it was in front of the Spectrum.

That IS a pretty long time ago :D

[Logan]

I went to the King Tut exhibit last month, its a big fat waste. It should be called the Possible Artifacts of Tuts Friends & Relatives. Almost nothing in the exhibit is believed to be Tuts. The only sarcophagus is of an inlaw of his. The information about his death is outdated by at least 2 years. It was just a terribly disappointing exhibit.

Agreed. Disappointing is the best word to describe it. Definitely not worth the $40 or so per ticket. You'll see some cool things, but nothing that will amaze you.

[MrBigglesworth]

That IS a pretty long time ago :D
Word, the last Flyers home playoff game was almost 11 whole months ago.

[Dr. Sak]

That IS a pretty long time ago :D

Actually I was there when they played in the ECF against Tampa. Before the lockout so it was a long time ago.

[bosshogg23]

In a couple of months, I'm going to Philadelphia with my lovely wife and her lovely aunt for 2 or 3 days.

Pumpy did you end up in Philly yet?

I just took my mother on a Philly tour on June 23rd. We were able to park near Penn's Landing(on a Saturday, very easy, cheap parking), see the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, U.S. Mint, Franklin's Grave, Franklin Square, eat a cheesesteak and walk South Street all within 6 hours or so.

Independence Hall tickets, which are free, were totally unavailable by 11:30 am. So if you plan on seeing that, go early, get tickets. I was at the box office at 9:30 am and the earliest tickets I could get were for 12:15 pm.

[PSUColonel]

Eastern State Pen
Art Museum
Franklin Institute
Philly Zoo
Valley Forge
South Street
Rittenhouse Square
Old City (historic District) Independence Hall, Liberty Bell, Betsy Ross House etc....
Citizen's Bank Park (Philies game)
Delaware Avenue (riverfront)
Kelly Drive & boathouse row
Manyunk
Brandywine River Area
Pat's & Geno's

[bosshogg23]

Steve's Prince of Steaks

Fixed that for ya ;)

[PSUColonel]

Fixed that for ya ;)

actually, the best is a little place in Whitpain Twp. called "Pudge's" - Best Cheesesteak I've ever had period...not in the city though


http://search.cityguide.aol.com/philadelphia/restaurants/pudges-blue-bell/v-108133736

[bosshogg23]

actually, the best is a little place in Whitpain Twp. called "Pudge's" - Best Cheesesteak I've ever had period...not in the city though


http://search.cityguide.aol.com/philadelphia/restaurants/pudges-blue-bell/v-108133736

I get my haircut about 10 miles from there. Might have to make a sidetrip....you know...to test your cheesesteak judging ability :D

[PSUColonel]

I get my haircut about 10 miles from there. Might have to make a sidetrip....you know...to test your cheesesteak judging ability :D


I used to do Sports Trivia with a guy named George on Wednesday's at Steppe's Sports Bar and Grill (in the Facenda Bowling Alley)

[bosshogg23]

I used to do Sports Trivia with a guy named George on Wednesday's at Steppe's Sports Bar and Grill (in the Facenda Bowling Alley)

Only been there once, after earring shopping at Jewelry Exchange(Jewelry Factory then).

I played Quizzo once where the double or nothing question was....

"What is the number and who was the player of the only universally retired baseball number in MLB history."

Of course its Jackie Robinson. Then I got my ass kicked on Cheers trivia......bastards

*edit* Quizzo wasn't at that location, just reminded me of that story ;) *edit*

[MrBigglesworth]

I used to do Sports Trivia with a guy named George on Wednesday's at Steppe's Sports Bar and Grill (in the Facenda Bowling Alley)

Thursday is the night for Steppe's, two dollar bud lights and 10 cent wings.

I've never had a cheesesteak at Pudge's, but the hoagies are incredible. Best cheesesteak I've had is Ray's in Lansdale off Valley Forge Pike.

[Pumpy Tudors]

Pumpy did you end up in Philly yet?

I just took my mother on a Philly tour on June 23rd. We were able to park near Penn's Landing(on a Saturday, very easy, cheap parking), see the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, U.S. Mint, Franklin's Grave, Franklin Square, eat a cheesesteak and walk South Street all within 6 hours or so.

Independence Hall tickets, which are free, were totally unavailable by 11:30 am. So if you plan on seeing that, go early, get tickets. I was at the box office at 9:30 am and the earliest tickets I could get were for 12:15 pm.
We pretty much just did the Liberty Bell area. I don't know what that part of the city is called, but we stopped in the visitor center, saw the Liberty Bell, and then just walked around for a while. We also did the tour of Congress Hall, and that was very interesting.

We would have done more, but to be honest, I wasn't expecting the security x-rays and such. I guess I should have expected it, but I didn't know any better. We had a little bit of stuff on us from shopping, and we frankly didn't want to send it through another x-ray machine (plus having to empty our pockets, etc.). Doing it at the Independence Hall area once was really enough, and it was too long of a walk back to the car to dump our stuff. I don't know if we would have had to do it again anywhere else, but we were getting hungry, so we left.

I kind of wish that we had seen a few more things, but it turns out that we really only had two days in the area. We were staying in King of Prussia, and the traffic was so bad that we couldn't bring ourselves to take another trip into Philly on the second day, so we just stayed in King of Prussia and spent the day at the mall.

I know that we missed a lot of stuff while we were out there, but we're less than 300 miles away, so we could always do it again. If we actually stay in Philly, it should be much easier for us to wander around.