Visiting Philadelphia

[tcufrog]

My DS15 and I will be visiting Philadelphia during Spring Break to look at colleges and check out the city. We haven't narrowed down the total school list yet but we know we will visit the University of Pennsylvania. We haven't decided what we want to do except visit The National Consitution Center, the Museum of the Revolution, and Independence Hall.

I'd love advice for what area of town to stay in. We're hoping to use the subway and other public transit and since we'll be busy I don't mind paying more to be centrally located near local restaurants and other things to do. I'd also like activity recommendations. We love history and like to see what makes a place special and unique.

 

[RUDisney]

In the area of Independence Mall and the other locations you mentioned are Ben Franklin's grave, Betsy Ross' house, the US Mint and the Unknown Revolutionary War Soldiers' grave. The Unknown Revolutionary Soldiers' grave is in Washington Park. If you're looking at Independence Hall, go behind it to Walnut Street and it's kitty corner to the right. When you first enter the park, there is a sycamore tree that was planted in the bicentennial year after its sapling went to the moon. It is marked as such. The grave is across the park. The park itself was a potter's field for those who died during the Revolution.

Ben Franklin's grave is to the left side of the Mall if you're looking at Independence Hall. Turn around and head towards the Mint. His grave is across the side street from the Mint and is open at it. You can pay to go inside the cemetery, but you don't have to do that to see the grave since it is right at the wall/fence. The Betsy Ross house is nearby to this, too.

You can head over to City Hall. That's the building with William Penn on top of it. It's a unique building that is quite pretty, especially if you can walk through it. IDK if this is still possible.

You can go to any of the museums. The large art museum has the statue of Rocky and the steps he ran up to the top. The Franklin Institute currently is showing Disney 100: The Exhibition.

A nice place for lunch when you're at Penn's campus is Sabrina's Cafe. It's at 227 N 34th Street. It's considered to be on Drexel's campus. It's quirky and quaint and has really good food. Make a reservation so you don't have to wait that long.

When you're in central city, you can walk through/eat in the Reading Terminal and you can also walk or drive through Society Hill. Basically, watch National Treasure and you'll get your brief tour of Philadelphia, although they run around in a way that can't be done in the timeframe that they show.

There are plenty of nice places to stay in University City, or you can stay in central city, closer to the historical places. You'll pay to park your car overnight, too. It can be $35 per day/night, so be prepared for that, too.

Where else are you planning to tour? Philadelphia is easy to get around and depending on how long you plan to actually be in the city vs. other schools, you may be better off to make day trips into it than to stay overnight. I've done both and there are pros/cons to each.

Have fun!

 

[holden]

If you are there to see the historic stuff, you might want to stay nearby in Old City. Talulah's Garden is a fantastic restaurant to try.

Rittenhouse Square is a nice area too. We have stayed there when we've done overnights in the city at both The Rittenhouse and the Kimpton Palomar. It's probably more expensive in that area compared to Old City.

The Art Museum and Franklin Institute are great, as are the historic sights in Old City. Reading Terminal Market is fun too.

As with any city, be cautious and have your guard up. There has been a lot of violence in Philadelphia recently.

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

John's Pork for lunch Tuesday through Saturday if you can get there. They have one of the best cheesesteaks in town and their signature sandwich, roast pork which is even better. And you won't find orange plastic in any of their sandwiches. It's imported provolone. They don't do dinner so it has to be lunch.

 

[mousefan1972]

Your son is 15 and is already looking at colleges? What year is he?

 

[NJlauren]

Just so you know, since this is a Disney board. The Disney 100 exhibit is at the Franklin Institute. The overall institute is great, and close to the rocky steps. I can’t speak to the exhibit as it opens in 2 weeks but just something to consider.

 

[mrs. magoo]

If you love off the beaten path things we loved Eastern State Penitentiary - Very fun to visit.

https://www.easternstate.org/

My son graduated from St. Joseph's University in Philadelphia and never returned home. He loves the city and going to Phillies, 76er and the occasional Eagles game. We have done Independence Hall many times as well. We stayed in Center City as it is in walking distance to my son's home and we could get breakfast at Reading Terminal Market. I have never felt unsafe in Philly.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

In the area of Independence Mall and the other locations you mentioned are Ben Franklin's grave, Betsy Ross' house, the US Mint and the Unknown Revolutionary War Soldiers' grave. The Unknown Revolutionary Soldiers' grave is in Washington Park. If you're looking at Independence Hall, go behind it to Walnut Street and it's kitty corner to the right. When you first enter the park, there is a sycamore tree that was planted in the bicentennial year after its sapling went to the moon. It is marked as such. The grave is across the park. The park itself was a potter's field for those who died during the Revolution.

Ben Franklin's grave is to the left side of the Mall if you're looking at Independence Hall. Turn around and head towards the Mint. His grave is across the side street from the Mint and is open at it. You can pay to go inside the cemetery, but you don't have to do that to see the grave since it is right at the wall/fence. The Betsy Ross house is nearby to this, too.

You can head over to City Hall. That's the building with William Penn on top of it. It's a unique building that is quite pretty, especially if you can walk through it. IDK if this is still possible.

You can go to any of the museums. The large art museum has the statue of Rocky and the steps he ran up to the top. The Franklin Institute currently is showing Disney 100: The Exhibition.

A nice place for lunch when you're at Penn's campus is Sabrina's Cafe. It's at 227 N 34th Street. It's considered to be on Drexel's campus. It's quirky and quaint and has really good food. Make a reservation so you don't have to wait that long.

When you're in central city, you can walk through/eat in the Reading Terminal and you can also walk or drive through Society Hill. Basically, watch National Treasure and you'll get your brief tour of Philadelphia, although they run around in a way that can't be done in the timeframe that they show.

There are plenty of nice places to stay in University City, or you can stay in central city, closer to the historical places. You'll pay to park your car overnight, too. It can be $35 per day/night, so be prepared for that, too.

Where else are you planning to tour? Philadelphia is easy to get around and depending on how long you plan to actually be in the city vs. other schools, you may be better off to make day trips into it than to stay overnight. I've done both and there are pros/cons to each.

Have fun!

And the Liberty Bell.

I know it’s hokey and supposedly not the best sandwiches in Philly, but we enjoyed the fun of going to Pat’s and Geno’s for cheesesteaks and trying both.

 

[mjkacmom]

I‘ve been to the reading terminal market many times, keep in mind it closes around 6 pm (that was a disappointment the first time).

 

[TheIncredibles!]

We stay in the Kimpton Hotel Monaco when we go to Philly. It's in Old Town next to the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall. We love the location also it's a quirky boutique style hotel vs a standard room so if that's something that appeals to you this is definitely a place to try.

 

[greeneyedchick]

Franklin Institute, Eastern State Penitentiary and the Mutter museum are cool. The Rodin museum is small but amazing, if you like his work.

 

[WEDcryoHEAD]

Disney 100 at the Franklin Institute. Liberty Bell & Independence Hall. Not sure if Lincoln Financial field will still be displaying the Super Bowl Trophy or not but could be an option

 

[Poohlove]

And the Liberty Bell.

I know it’s hokey and supposedly not the best sandwiches in Philly, but we enjoyed the fun of going to Pat’s and Geno’s for cheesesteaks and trying both.

Sadly Jim’s on South Street had a fire and though they are rebuilding have not yet reopened but they were my favorite for a good cheesesteak. Pat’s and Geno’s are not my favorite but going there is more of a cultural experience than a culinary one

The Linc does do tours for the public but I’m not quite sure when they are. On the tour you do get to see the Super Bowl trophy (maybe plural - Go Birds!!) on display in the locker room along with other pretty cool stops such as the players tunnels, press room and you can go onto the sidelines of the field.

South Street/Penns Landing during the day is neat. Just off of South Street on 2nd there’s a board game cafe called Queen and Rook. My daughter was there last week and loved it.

I agree with those who mentioned the historical sites, Eastern State always has events though even just the tour is awesome, and I have my tickets for the Disney100 Exhibition coming to the Franklin Institute - I’m sure it will be worth checking out.

 

[Sanchez]

Sadly Jim’s on South Street had a fire and though they are rebuilding have not yet reopened but they were my favorite for a good cheesesteak. Pat’s and Geno’s are not my favorite but going there is more of a cultural experience than a culinary one

I found a place called Woodrow's Sandwich Shop on South Street. It isn't one of the big Cheesesteak producers and they have many other items, but the Whiz Wit is the best one I have had. They mix in truffle oil and even though I am not a Whiz fan it is outstanding.

I also second John's Roast Pork (someone mentioned above.) The problem is that it is difficult to get to and you might wait an hour.

 

[Poohlove]

I found a place called Woodrow's Sandwich Shop on South Street. It isn't one of the big Cheesesteak producers and they have many other items, but the Whiz Wit is the best one I have had. They mix in truffle oil and even though I am not a Whiz fan it is outstanding.

I also second John's Roast Pork (someone mentioned above.) The problem is that it is difficult to get to and you might wait an hour.

Thanks for the recommendation, I’ll have to check out Woodrow’s. Cheez Whiz is definitely not something I’d eat often but it has its occasional place. Like the saying goes, “it’s a Philly thing”

 

[focusondisney]

We have tickets for the Disney Exhibit in early May. The Red Sox will be there that weekend, so will take in a ball game. Planning to see the Liberty Bell too. Any hotel suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[mikehn]

The 'wit' is wit onions, just so you know what you're getting.

 

[disny_luvr]

The US Mint is right by Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell and I highly recommend it. It’s a self guided tour, but very interesting. Even my 16-year-olds liked it. Make sure you visit Reading Terminal Market. There are a lot of hotels in that area.

 

[tcufrog]

Where else are you planning to tour? Philadelphia is easy to get around and depending on how long you plan to actually be in the city vs. other schools, you may be better off to make day trips into it than to stay overnight. I've done both and there are pros/cons to each.

Have fun!

Thanks for the advice. Because of what you said, I mapped out the colleges and realized it would be best to rent a car at the start of the trip, dive north to Lehigh, and work my way south. I plan to return my car before we go into Central City and use public transit for the rest of the trip. He decided to visit Lehigh, Haverford, Swarthmore, and the University of Pennsylvania. While he plans to major in STEM, he plus my husband and I want him to get a good liberal arts foundation as well. My husband is an engineer but he felt that attending a school that had a liberal arts core curriculum was very helpful for him in expanding his mind and teaching a variety of useful soft skills.

Your son is 15 and is already looking at colleges? What year is he?

He's a sophomore.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

If you are going to Lehigh, then I’d say a visit to Dorney Park is also in order, if it’s open.

https://www.dorneypark.com/