Philadelphia..cheap/kid friendly eats or activities?

[Mom23Disneybelievers]

We will be visiting Philadelphia...we will be staying at a swanky hotel...(due to a VERY lucky bid on a charity auction!! No one else wanted it!!)..The Four Seasons. It is located in Logan Circle. (There is no way that we would be eating at their restaurant $$$$$$$!!!)

Does anyone know of any cool/fun/reasonable restaurants nearby this area?
(We have 3 kids)
How about any other kid friendly activities? We have two days for museums and historical spots...one day with nothing planned.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Also...we have found out that the parking at the hotel is $47 a day! Is this normal for Philadelphia parking rates? It seems high to me..even by NY standards.

 

[Mkrop]

When are you going?

The Philadelphia Zoo is fun but the neighboorhood not so great so just be sure to get there earl;y and park in the zoo parking.

The Franklin Insitute is a great hands on museum for kids.

You can Ride the Ducks and go over to Camden to Adventure Aquarium.

Dave and Buster's is on Columbus Blvd, very fun restuarant with game rooms and such.

I dont know much about hotels since we live outside the city.

Have fun!

 

[ThreeMusketeers]

We live in South Jersey, and go over to Philly by train alot, so i am no help with parking, although, i have seen parking garages that have $10 for 5 hours, so I think the $47 for the day, is probobly reasonable.

I wouldn't want to drive around the city anyway, have you thought of just taking the subway in from NY to your hotel? Save some money there?

We have done, the Franklin Institute, The Museum of Science, walked up to the art museum and ran up the Rocky Steps, gone down to the peir and just watched boats and people, enjoyed some ice cream. Sometimes they will have festivals down their depending on when your coming. You can just walk around old philadelphia, sightseeing on your own. Most everything down that way is free.

Restaruants we like Nicks Diner, its a bar/ restaurant type deal. But the prices are great, and the food is good too.

Ask to see menus before you sit down if menu's aren't posted. We did, and we were thankful, as prices are HIGH. And the food wasn't something a kid would eat.

 

[MontanaZoo]

I took the trolley car thing around that goes from the liberty bell and also to the zoo. You can get on and off all day. I actually only did half of the trip because I had a behind the scenes tour of the zoo. Yeah, the area around the zoo is not good but you can pick up that trolley right in front of it.

 

[nikkistevej]

Is the Spaghetti Factory still open there- my sister lives on the Wilmington side of Philly- and we went there years ago, it was good.

 

[aka-mad4themouse]

The parking rate is high by Phila. standards, too.

As for nearby activities for the kids, try the Franklin Museum. They have a lot of interactive science displays that the kids will love.

In the historical area, visit Independence Hall and the Constitution Center. The Liberty Bell is housed in its own building on Independence Mall (the lawn in front of Independence Hall).

There's also Carpenter Hall, the Betsy Ross house, Christ Church (throw pennies on Franklin's grave, it's a tradition), Elfreth's Alley, Edgar Allen Poe's house.

A great place to eat is the Reading Terminal Market. You'll find a variety of great local cuisine. And it's very affordable.

If you get to South Philly, tour Citizen's Bank Park or Lincoln Financial Field then get yourselves cheesesteaks from both Pat's & Gino's. Decide for yourself which one is the best.

If you won't be here until after March 7, you can do the Duck Boat tour. Right now, they're "in the nest" for the winter.

If you get adventurous, you can head out to Valley Forge to see how the Continental Army spent that horrible winter.

A really cool building to tour is the Masonic Temple, located just north of City Hall on Broad St.

Oh, and City Hall itself is also a neat tour. Take the elevator up to the observation deck. You'll be just below Billy Penn's feet and you can see the whole city on a clear day.

You could actually spend a week touring Phila. It's a very walkable city but you might want to get trolley passes if the kids aren't used to it.

 

[onelilspark]

The parking rate isn't really "normal." But it's definitely one of the nicest (if not the nicest) hotels in the city, which means $$ everything.

I'm still surprised it's that high though.

 

[tazdev3225]

Parking in that area of Philly is really expensive. I was down there on monday and paid $13 for an hour and a half. Logan Circle is right by the Art Museum, Franklin Institute and Acafemy of Natural Sciences. You can take a nice walk down toward the river, or pulic transportation, and head towards Second Street. The Constitution Center, Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, Franklin Court and Betsy Ross House are all down that way. A little further down at the Delaware river is the Olympia and Becuna (a WWII sub) and the seaport museum. Dave & Busters is a little further north of this area. Reading Market is at 8th and Filbert I think. It has a lot of little eateries in it, and the Gallery is right there for shopping and a food court. There really is a lot of things to do down there.

 

[Kim&Chris]

Ride the Ducks! It's so much fun and, believe it or not, very infomative. I've lived in Philly almost my whole life, and it wasn't until I rode the Duck last year that I learned so many things I never knew.....and the best part....our drivers name was Donald.

For a fun meal, try the Hard Rock Cafe. You can't beat that place. We love it. There's also Maggiano's, which is right across the street from the Hard Rock.

 

[DVC Kathy]

Not as convenient, but there is other parking close to the hotel. They're quoting $25 per 24 hours.

http://www.philapark.org/parkinglocator/garagedetails.aspx?FacilityID=258

You're right by the Academy of Natural Sciences and the Franklin Institute.

It's fun to wander around the Reading Terminal Market (12th and Arch), especially on Friday and Saturday. http://www.readingterminalmarket.org/

The Marathon Grill http://www.marathongrill.com/index2.html has a lot of locations and isn't too pricey.

Ted's Montana Grill is on Broad Street at Spruce. Prices aren't bad for downtown, and the choices range from burgers to steaks.

Rittenhouse Square (18th & Walnut) is very pretty.

What sort of things are you interested in doing?

Kathy

 

[Mom23Disneybelievers]

When are you going?

The Philadelphia Zoo is fun but the neighboorhood not so great so just be sure to get there earl;y and park in the zoo parking.

The Franklin Insitute is a great hands on museum for kids.

You can Ride the Ducks and go over to Camden to Adventure Aquarium.

Dave and Buster's is on Columbus Blvd, very fun restuarant with game rooms and such.

I dont know much about hotels since we live outside the city.

Have fun!

February 14th, 15th, 16th. (So, it will be COLD out!) Thanks for all fo the great ideas!

 

[Mom23Disneybelievers]

I took the trolley car thing around that goes from the liberty bell and also to the zoo. You can get on and off all day. I actually only did half of the trip because I had a behind the scenes tour of the zoo. Yeah, the area around the zoo is not good but you can pick up that trolley right in front of it.

This sounds like fun! We went on a day trip to Philly 2 summers ago...and I think I remember seeing the "trolly thing" Do you know what it is called?

 

[Mom23Disneybelievers]

To reply to all of the great ideas..even a parking option....You are all so great!!!!! I have a huge list of things to look in to doing now! Disboarders are so helpful and full of great ideas and tips. Thanks again!!!!!!!

 

[Mom23Disneybelievers]

I have been looking at the restaurants on restaurants.com...to get a discounted gift card and Ted's Montana Grill is one of them. I'm glad that it has your 2 thumbs up! I'm gonna go for it! (Cupid is the Feb. code for 50% off)
I have been looking for stuff that would entertain the kids. We do plan on 1 day for the museums...one day for the historical sights...and we have a third day open for anything.

 

[shelly3girls]

Marthon Grill is great for a quick meal. It is more expensive than fast food but much better quality. There are places all around the city to eat. Even places like Qdoba offer a decent, realtively cheap meal. As someone mentioned before the Reading Terminal Market is great. If you want a sit down dinner Maggiano's is very good especially for a family.

The parking rate you were quoted is for the convenience. Parking in the city is definitely cheaper than that. Parking your car and taking the trolley around is probably your cheapest bet.

Dave and Busters is fun but very expensive. My kids really like the Franklin Institute and the Philadelphia Mint. Depending on their age they may really enjoy things like Betsy Ross' house, the Constitution Center, and the Liberty Bell.

 

[DVC Kathy]

There's a Five Guys Burgers on Chestnut Street between 15th and 16th. They have a very limited menu (burgers, hotdogs, fries), but they're very good and quite reasonable. Just not a place for anyone with a peanut allergy. They cook their fries in peanut oil, and have peanuts in the shell to eat while you're waiting for your order. (I haven't eaten at this location.)

If you listen to the Podcast, John and Kevin love the one in Kissimmee.

Liberty Place Mall is on Chestnut between 16th & 17th. Haven't been in there in a while. Definitely some upscale stores, but also a food court with Chick Filet among others.

Depending on the ages of your children, and how they feel about books, the main branch of the Free Library of Philadelphia is right across Logan Circle from the hotel.

As I said, let us know what you like, and we'll keep trying to come up with things.

Definitely not cheap, but there's a Hard Rock Cafe at 12th & Market Streets (a block from the Reading Terminal Market.) Never been there. I collect Margaritavilles, not Hard Rocks.....

Kathy

 

[Mkrop]

February 14th, 15th, 16th. (So, it will be COLD out!) Thanks for all fo the great ideas!

Well someone mentioned the Ducks being out of comission for the winter but you could drive over the Ben Franklin Bridge to the Adventure Aquarium pretty easily.

We did a whole day at each the Franklin Insitute and the Aquarium. We have not been back to the Academy of Natural Sciences with the kids yet.

Since you are coming Valentines Weekend I would call any sit down place you may be thinking of for reservations.

 

[CPT Tripss]

The parking rate is high by Phila. standards, too.

As for nearby activities for the kids, try the Franklin Museum. They have a lot of interactive science displays that the kids will love.

In the historical area, visit Independence Hall and the Constitution Center. The Liberty Bell is housed in its own building on Independence Mall (the lawn in front of Independence Hall).

SNIP.

The is also the Museum of Natural History and the Art Museum right nearby . . . yes, the Art Museum . . . a great collection of armor and weapons along with a very accessible art collection. Oh and the Rocky steps to run up . . . that will warm the kids on a cold day.

http://www.gophila.com/

 

[KristaBelle]

Depending on how old your kids are, they might enjoy the Please touch Museum. They just recently moved and are in a brand new home. I haven't been since the move, but I hear it's 3 times as big. We went last year and the kids and moms all had a fun time.

If they are older the historic sites are great, the liberty bell, etc. Plan ahead, some things are free but you still might need tickets, some are first come, first serve.
National Park Service Site.
http://www.nps.gov/inde/

There is also the National Constitution Center

If you are into the strange and bizarre, the Mutter Museum is truly a unique place.

I second Reading Terminal Market. They have the best Cannoli's in Philly.

 

[Kathi OD]

We like Moriarity's Irish Pub on Walnut for a quick dinner that isn't fast food.

IMO, forget Pat's & Geno's for the steaks and go to Jim's at 4th & South. YUM!