Recommendations for Philadelphia trip???

[aprilisis]

I'm visiting Philadelphia for the first time at the end of July & I was wondering if any of you have suggestions or recommendations for what to see while I'm there. Thanks in advance!!!

 

[jlewisinsyr]

University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology - Absolutely amazing museum. If you go through the small entrance, its kind of underwhelming at first (some localized island artifacts, etc.) but as you enter the main museum halls, it's crazy, some of the Egyptian and Oriental artifacts are amazing!

Morimoto's: Great restaurant, if you can, sit at the sushi bar and watch the chef's at work. Love the food!

 

[FlightlessDuck]

Philadelphia Zoo
Franklin Institute
Philadelphia Museum of Art
Independence Hall
If you like baseball, watch a Phillies game (they are at home between July 24 and July 31)
If you like football, tour Lincoln Financial Field

Get a cheesesteak from Pat's or Gino's. If there is more than one of you going, get one from each and share (to compare contrast). They are right across the scree from each other.

 

[nmmom95]

I agree with pp's and would like to add:
The Constitution Center
Reading Terminal Market
The Academy of Natural Sciences

and Flightless Duck, I respectfully disagree with you...you gotta try Tony Luke's!

 

[Mickey'sMainMami]

I agree with Reading Terminal Market, make sure you get a cheesesteak from there, awesome. Sorry people, born and raised in the Philly area, and IMHO there are much better places than Pat's and Ginos to get a cheesesteak. I prefer Jim's on South Street. That's another place you could visit, South Street is very eccentric, but cool. There is a pizza place on 2nd and South, I think it's Delorenzo's, the pizza slices are huge about as big as my arm, and delicous!

I still prefer the Art Museum, I had to go there to do a paper for my college Cultural Anthropology class, some really beautiful exhibits! Also, the art museum is the steps where Sylvester Stallone ran up them in the Rocky movie, also has a really pretty view of the skyline.

Independance Hall too of course, how can you not go there when you come here to visit!

I hope you have a wonderful time when you come here to visit!!!

 

[wdwmom2]

I would visit Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square. According to Google maps it is 31 miles from Philly.

I have been there and it is beautiful!!!!

 

[krcit]

Eastern State Penitentiary!!!

 

[Mkrop]

I agree with pp's and would like to add:
The Constitution Center
Reading Terminal Market
The Academy of Natural Sciences

and Flightless Duck, I respectfully disagree with you...you gotta try Tony Luke's!

The best!

 

[Planogirl]

I second Eastern State Penitentiary. It's eerie and beautiful all at once and actually quite interesting too.

 

[NYEmomma]

I'll third (or fourth?) Eastern State Penitentiary! So fascinating & eerie.

Don't think anyone's mentioned the Mutter Museum before. Another insanely interesting place.

I enjoyed South Street... just people watching. Went to a tasty vegetarian restaurant there and a GREAT record store.

 

[waltskids]

Ok, my list comes from both my own personal favorites along with field trips I schedule for my students:

National Constitution Center
Philadelphia Art Museum
University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology (I am glad another poster mentioned this, truly a gem!!!)
Franklin Institute
Independence Hall/Liberty Bell area
Philadelphia Zoo
Eastern State Penitentiary
Phillies Game
A great cheesesteak!
Any of the Steven Starr restaurants (love the Continental and Buddakan)
City Tavern Restaurant
If you have little kids, the Please Touch Museum is also excellent

Have a great trip!

 

[Epaima]

I'll second the Mutter Museum. It is such an awesome place as long as you are okay with medical oddities and body parts and the like. I went there on a field trip a few years ago and it was both educational and thrilling!

 

[aprilisis]

WOW!!! Thanks, everyone! I'm overwhelmed by the response! I will definitely post photos after the trip. Now I REALLY can't wait!

 

[mlynn]

check out city pass.com.They have discounts for some of the best things o do in Philly.

 

[ckay87]

On South Street, you'll see mosaics all over the place. The man responsible for those, Isaiah Zagar, went NUTS with it in a few buildings down the street (somewhere around 9th or 10th I think). He gutted and mosaic-ed every single corner, floor to ceiling and more! Created tunnels....more to see than your brain can take in. It's incredible. Called Philadelphia Magic Gardens and only costs a few bucks (maybe 3) to tour. Really do NOT miss it if you visit South Street! Last time we were there, we met the old guy wandering around town, buying wine (more bottles for his art, I imagine).

 

[tazdev3225]

One of my favorites is the Delaware River waterfront. There is the Seaport Museum, and self-guided tours of the USS Olympia and the USS Becuna. The Olympia was Admiral Dewey's flagship during the Spanish-American War. The Becuna was a sub during WWII. You can also take the ferry across the river to see the USS New Jersey and the aquarium. It has changed names a few times so I can't remember what it is called.

If you plan on visiting alot of the places mentioned they are a little spread out. Last year I bought an Independence Pass. It's around $11 a person and is good for unlimited use of public transportation for the day. There is actually one bus that does a loop for the main attractions called Philly Phlash. I live in Philadelphia and will use public transportation before driving in Center City. The Phlash was a great way to go from an attraction at the waterfront to one at 19th and the Parkway and then to the zoo which is really not in walking distance. Enjoy the city. It's really a great place to visit.

 

[aprilisis]

You guys are the BEST! I'm going to print out this thread & do some research this weekend. It sounds like there is waaaaay more to see than I can in just 2 days. I'll just have to visit again! The more I see online & the more suggestions you guys make, the more excited I get. Philly really sounds awesome! Thanks to everyone for great suggestions & tips!!