Philadelphia trip - summer or Christmas??

[mouseclick1]

We were thinking of taking a four day trip to Philadelphia. Our options are to go next summer, or this year between Christmas and New Year. At first I thought next summer would be great for taking in the historical sights, but now I think it might be nice to see the sights decorated for the holidays. Any suggestions?

 

[RUDisney]

I love Philadelphia. I spent so much time there when my friends were in med school. I love taking my family there now.

Really, it's a personal decision for you to make. You live in MI. It will be warmer in Philadelphia, typically, in December than in MI, so that shouldn't dampen your choices.

Everything historic is pretty much within walking distance of everything else.

That said...

There are smaller crowds in the winter, though I'm unsure about Christmas Week. I took my kids for the first time at the beginning of December a few years ago. We walked everywhere and they enjoyed themselves very much.

Last summer, I took my DD, my Dsis and her French friend for a day trip. We did all of the same things and more than we did in December. The benefit to going in the summer is that all of the buildings in Independence Hall are open. We got to go into Congress Hall for the first time. The Continental Congress met on the first floor and the Senate used the second floor. That was the only thing different than going during winter.

Make sure you go to Washington Park. From the back of Independence Hall, across Walnut Street, it is a potter's field. There is a sycamore tree that went to the moon and back and there is the Tomb of the unknown Revolutionary War Soldier.

Betsy Ross' house is nearby as is Ben Franklin's grave. Take a penny to throw on his grave with the other ones. You are not allowed to take cameras or cell phone cameras into the Mint. We opted to not go in last summer because we all had cameras and we were on a limited time at that point and couldn't split up by going in two different groups.

Chinatown is close by. My favorite dim sum is at the Imperial Inn on 10th Street. Ask to go to the bell tower at City Hall. I was told that you can do that after our last visit. That would offer a nice view of the city.

Pennsylvania Hospital is at 8th and Spruce and is the oldest hospital in America. There are pictures inside that show what it was like way back when.

While you're into history, head to City Tavern at 2nd and Walnut. It is the oldest restaurant in Philadelphia. You eat on pewter plates and they have duck and rabbit on the menu to be authentic to what Ben Franklin, Thomas Jefferson an George Washington, etal would have eaten. Don't worry... they also have "normal" food.

So, basically, you decide. You're going to have fun no matter when you go. If you have any specific questions, PM me or ask me on this thread. I can give you advice from a tourist's POV. I was there last in February of this year and I'll be there again in February of 2010... maybe sooner if DH wants to go for the day.

I haven't even gotten started on the Italian Market or the museums, so ask away.

 

[mouseclick1]

Thank you for the great info! Sounds like such a fantastic city!

 

[donald&daisy]

We went after Christmas two years ago and it was a lovely trip. I can't think of anything that wasn't open that we wanted to see....even the Eastern State Pennitentiary was open (and the tour was awesome). It was cold, but it was cold here in Arkansas too. We just bundled up and went about our business. We also enjoyed the Mutter Museum and the more traditional stuff listed above.

 

[kwelch10377]

I would say winter over the summer, winters in Philly aren't too bad at all especially in Dec. I think the PP covered all the good stuff to visit. If you have a car I would also take a ride out to Valley Forge National Park, it is pretty easy to get to.

The only advantage I see of going in the summer is you would be able to go the zoo and maybe a Phillies game or even take a ride out the the Jersey Shore.

 

[LuvOrlando]

I don't like Philadelphia in the summer much. The air is hot and so are the tempers. Also, all the college kids are gone and they add a certain something to the city. I would pick winter.

 

[mickey&minnie04]

We were thinking of taking a four day trip to Philadelphia. Our options are to go next summer, or this year between Christmas and New Year. At first I thought next summer would be great for taking in the historical sights, but now I think it might be nice to see the sights decorated for the holidays. Any suggestions?

My husband and I live about an hour from Philly and we go a couple times a month just to hang out and enjoy the city. I would say Summer is my favorite time to go there is so much to do outside. You have to visit South Street it is very unique lots of quaint shops. Also if you go in the summer a must do is the Duck tour. What it is is a amphibious vehicle that drives around the city pointing out some historical sites along the way then towards the end of the tour you actually drive into the river and then your vehicle becomes a boat! Everyone gets quackers and you are encouraged to quack while on the river as the guide points out things like Will Smith's house and such! It was alot of fun! I also suggest going to the mint while ther, but be warned that you cannot take anything in with you that can take photographs and they have no where that you can check these items! If you have any other questions let me know and I will see if I can help!

p.s. I do know that there are more people dressed in the period costumes in the summer so that may be something you want to consider if you want to see the historical parts of the city.

 

[gracie1]

I would go at christmas. I have always wanted to stay at the rittenhouse square ever since I saw samantha brown from the travel channel stay there! LOL But unfortunately it was way out of my budget. Not sure if they dropped the prices or not.

But I am a christmas nut so I love going to the city in the cold weather looking at the stores decorated, etc.

 

[RUDisney]

You know, thinking about Christmas in Philadelphia has me reminiscing about going to Wannamaker's for its Christmas Show. For an idea about what Wannamaker's was, watch the movie, Mannequin, because it was filmed in that store.

Unfortunately, Wannamaker's is no more and the Christmas show is gone, but to me, that meant Christmas when we got to see the show.

Oh, and when you go, if you go prepared with questions for those dressed in period costume, they are very well versed in Revolutionary War history and can answer most anything. When my kids went to Betsy Ross's house the first time, my DS asked the man out front if he would prefer to be a dragoon or a fuscillor (sp?) I had no idea what these meant, but the man responded that to be a dragoon would be really cool because you'd be on recogniscance and would know things before the generals did, but to be a fuscillor, you'd get to fire the flint lock guns. It was the first time I realized that the computer games my DS was playing were actually teaching him things about history. We spoke to that man for about a half hour. It was a very interesting conversation.

 

[clori]

I just spent a day in Philadelphia with dd9 and dd5 last week. We were there for a conference and had from 9-5pm until the start of the conference. We stayed at Sheraton Society Hill which is right near City Tavern. Since we took Amtrak we really loved that we could walk to all the main historic places. One thing that amazed me was the lack of long lines for anything we did.

We purchased our duckboat tickets after 10:30 and rode the duckboat at 11am. We all loved the ride. We saw the Underground Railroad exhibit at the National Visitor's Center and went to the liberty bell. The kids loved the audiotour at Betsy Ross's house and enjoyed all the extra outdoor activities. There was a stage set up for entertainers, roaming characters such as Betsy, Sam and Rachel and a Once Upon a Nation Storyteller. On the way back to the hotel we stopped at the Liberty Museum and even though it wasn't a lot hands on the girls loved visiting. We didn't really eat at anyplace special - a food court at Boursh Mall or something like that. Sunday after the conference ended we visited the National Constitution Center before our train back. Since the conference was the real purpose for our trip I felt we were able to see a decent amount in our limited time. Now I can't wait to go back for longer when dh is also with me.

I think I would prefer summer. The girls liked stopping at the storytelling places which aren't open in the winter. Also we went on a warm but not hot/humid day and I liked not carrying around coats etc. The showers on Sunday though did prevent us from riding the double decker bus.

 

[tazdev3225]

You know, thinking about Christmas in Philadelphia has me reminiscing about going to Wannamaker's for its Christmas Show. For an idea about what Wannamaker's was, watch the movie, Mannequin, because it was filmed in that store.

Unfortunately, Wannamaker's is no more and the Christmas show is gone, but to me, that meant Christmas when we got to see the show.

Oh, and when you go, if you go prepared with questions for those dressed in period costume, they are very well versed in Revolutionary War history and can answer most anything. When my kids went to Betsy Ross's house the first time, my DS asked the man out front if he would prefer to be a dragoon or a fuscillor (sp?) I had no idea what these meant, but the man responded that to be a dragoon would be really cool because you'd be on recogniscance and would know things before the generals did, but to be a fuscillor, you'd get to fire the flint lock guns. It was the first time I realized that the computer games my DS was playing were actually teaching him things about history. We spoke to that man for about a half hour. It was a very interesting conversation.

Wanamakers is now Macy's and they still have the light show. They also have the Dicken's Christmas story which is a lot of fun to go through.
Here is a picture of the light show

Dickens Christmas Carol

THere is also a free train exhibit in the Convention center.
There are pros and cons to both seasons. The winter can be cold and you need bulkiier clothing. The summer can be quite hot and humid. The historical things are open year round. Either season can be fun it just depends on what your interests are and the weather you can tolerate. I live in Philly and take full advantage of my city. If you want to travel a little further Northwest there is a place called Koziar's christmas village up around Reading. It is open during the christmas season and has some amazing Christmas lights and displays. Enjoy no matter when you go.

 

[RUDisney]

Taz, thank you for that information. I thought the light show ended with Wannamakers. I'll have to take my kids this year to see it.

 

[tnkr mom]

I live in suburbs of Philadelphia and both of your mentioned season hold value! Yes the summers are hot, but alot going on, especially with July 4th season. Christmas makes it that much more beautiful. I love to do the summers with Once Upon a Nation entertaining history talks around the city, so interesting. And as mentioned above don't miss the Christmas light show and display! Chinatown is another must; see the arch on Arch Street recently redone and hit Vietnam Restaurant on 11th Street, a city favorite for great affordable eats! - (NOT V. Palace). Reading Terminal Market, you could get to Atlantic City and see the boardwalk in about an hour south. And an hour north/west hit Valley Forge Park. I live hear and haven't done them all yet! Duck or double decker bus is a good way to see any city, rather than trying to find all these places yourselves. Let us know what you decide!!)

 

[tazdev3225]

Taz, thank you for that information. I thought the light show ended with Wannamakers. I'll have to take my kids this year to see it.

Your very welcome. I was thrilled that they kept the tradition alive. I have taken my DGD for the psat 2 years and it is still as wonderful as when I was a kid.