Who can answer some ?'s about Philadelphia?

[tessieg]

Hi!
We are planning a trip to Pennsylvania this summer, starting in Philadelphia, with out 3 dd's, 3,6, and 11. We have never been in the state.

We're staying at the Embassy Suites on Ben Franklin Parkway. We figured we could walk to all the museums(with dd3 in a stroller). Then we'll take the Philly Phlash to the zoo and kid's museum. But the one I am not sure about is getting from the hotel to Independence Hall. We have to be there before the Phlash starts running. Can we walk or is it just too far? I have read such mixed things about the subway there as far as safety(I assume tourists don't use it as much? we took the subway in NYC everywhere and felt completely safe--is it different in Philly?). Or, even if the subway is fine, would it be cheaper and just plan easier to take a cab since we're a family of 5?

Then we were also wondering about the Lights of Liberty night time walking tour(with the lights on the buildings). Has anyone done this? Is it something we could take our 3 yo on? We are considering splitting up and each of us taking one of the older girls on different nights so that the little one can stay at the hotel, but it would be much easier to all go together.

The last is about the cheesesteaks!!! A friend told us Pat's or Geno's is the way to go but that they were walk up windows and there is no seating. Is this true? This sounds like it would hard, and very messy, to have three kids eat messy food without being able to sit! If the no seating is true, is there another place with good cheesesteaks that would be more appropriate for young kids?

Thanks to anyone who can share info with me--I really appreciate it! Also, any other tidbits for touring Philly with kids would be great!

 

[NateNLogansDad]

As far as the walking, I wouldn't. Taking a cab would be the best way. It's only a 10 minute ride by car. The subways around here you need to watch after dark, just don't make eye contact.

For a real steak, skip Pat's and Geno's. Honestly they are a tourist trap. It's a shady area they are in and the steaks are so-so at best. Don't get me wrong, at 2am after a long night of partying, they are awesome for the only reason being that they are open. If you want something with flavor, I'd look for Tony Luke's, Slacks, Jim's Steaks or Leo's. Jim's is on South St, Tony Luke's is on Front and Oregon, Slacks and Leo's is a little out of the way I think.

I've never done the tour, but I may eventually just not on a Sunday (if they even do Sundays.) I'm not making any of this up......every Sunday there's always at least one shooting. Ask any Philly Cop, it's called "Shoot-em-up Sunday's."

I know I'm making Philly sound like a horrible place, and it really isn't, I just don't like it. Just like a good steak, take it all with a grain of salt

 

[Belle2007]

I agree with the subway... I wouldn't use it, a cab would be better. I think you'll get a genuine steak sandwich even from a delivery place. I live in Philly and never been to the name places and the delivery places have awesome steak sandwiches.

I know that you can get a bus on Market street to take you to Independence Hall. You may need to walk to Market street though. Do you have a map of Philly?

One thing that Dh and I did last year was the Duck Tours. They are at Independence Hall and you round around with a quaker (the kids would like that) and you get a tour and then then plunge into the Delaware River. Kind of neat.

There are also Horse drawn carriages. Those are fun too... And you MUST have a philly pretzel...

Hope you have fun!!!!

Peggy

 

[DCbride]

FYI there is seating at both Geno's and Pat's. It is outdoor, picnic table style. The cheese fries at Pat's are a must. Adds to the calories and mess, but definitely a must do! DD18 and I usually split a steak and fries, it would be a lot for a kid.

And while you would have to take a cab from your location, the mint is usually fun for kids also.

 

[ses1230]

You can't walk from your hotel to Independence Hall, too far. I would take a cab.

The Please Touch Museum is awesome!! You will have a great time there.

I agree w/ NateNLogansDad about the cheesesteaks. I would choose Jim's on South Street over the other two.

 

[antsss]

We live in South Jersey and are new to the area so we are just now discovering Philly. We LOVED the Ride the Ducks tour and the carriage ride. Our kids are 10, 8 and 6. If you have time, Franklin Park (at 6th and Arch) is a beautiful park with a nice playground, pretty fountain, carousel, Philly-themed mini golf and a small burger stand.

 

[Mathfailure]

My husband is from Philly, so I have visited but never have lived there, so this is an outsiders' view.

Franklin Place is terrific, as is the mall. You have to go to the visitors' center to get a timed ticket for the tour of Independence Hall. Just remember to do this, as the Hall is so amazing to see, gives an appreciation for the scale of things. (so small to our modern eyes)

I have taken the subways and trains with no fears, but only during days.

The steak sandwiches are fine from almost anywhere, although my husband perfers Slacks. Italian ices are also good everywhere, as are the pretzels (with mustard!) not something I enjoy but...

There is a huge out door market that is worth doing, but I cannot remember where it is, and have no idea in relationship to your hotel.

If you are able Valley Forge is not that far away, and keeps some of the same history going. What we went through as a nation to be independent.

 

[tessieg]

Hi everyone!
Thank you so much for all the feedback so far! It is so very helpful.

We are definitely doing Independence Hall. We have timed tickets already. Hope the 3 yo will get through it and not be loud! Has anyone gone with little ones--what was the outcome? We visited Monticello two years ago and did have to step out with her halfway through. But they had an awesome policy where they would let the other parent join the tour right where they left off, if they'd had to go out with a young child. Anyway, she is two years older now and gets through church with minimal talking so I hope we'll be ok.

We have Franklin Square on our itinerary. That should be great to let the kids run and play after all the historic sites. Looks very cute with the Philly icons for mini-golf and such.

I will look into the Ride the Ducks. I had thought about it before but it is pricey. Are there any coupons to be had at the visitor center? Sounds like it is a favorite.

Any other info? Anyone done Lights of Liberty?

Thanks, Tessie

 

[Mkrop]

I dont think you need to go to Geno's or Pat's for good Philly cheesesteaks. I agree with almost any other pizza place will have good ones, but my favorite is Tony Luke's.

I would take a cab, the subways are ok in Philly during the day.

You could cross the river and go to the Adventure Aquarium in Camden NJ.

 

[nmmom95]

I dont think you need to go to Geno's or Pat's for good Philly cheesesteaks. I agree with almost any other pizza place will have good ones, but my favorite is Tony Luke's.

I would take a cab, the subways are ok in Philly during the day.

You could cross the river and go to the Adventure Aquarium in Camden NJ.

Tony Luke's is the best! I also agree that it's easier to trake a cab. Have a great time!

 

[dzaharchuk]

We have a zoo membership, and visit the Philadelphia Zoo two/three times a year. The food is less than stellar, but you can take in a soft-sided cooler with a packed dinner or lunch (take out like hoagies, whatever since you are not coming from home) and drinks! They do also have mediocre dogs/burgers and the ice cream is good! Take a stroller, lots of strolling! It is a beautiful zoo.

Check out their website for more info.

Art Museum is nice, with such little ones, only a short visit with a scavenger hunt (we just made list of generic things we know we'd see like an umbrella, monkey, triangle...)

Academy of Natural Science, Franklin Institute, Insectarium, and Please Touch are all great options in Philly, and close to one another. Have fun!

 

[mjkacmom]

We're a family of 7, and always have to take 2 cabs - not sure about your family. We've stayed across the street from Reading Terminal Market, which has a super-large food court - great for breakfast or lunch, but closes at dinner time. http://www.readingterminalmarket.org/

 

[Liltx]

The subway seemed safe to me but it was pricey IMO compared to other cities. We walked everywhere but we stayed at Rittenhouse Square. The Phily Phlash is good if you want to go far to the zoo or the Museum of art and you are all the way at Independence Hall.
The tour is not too long but will be VERY boring for you 3yo. You can escape though and let him run around the courtyard if needed.
We really liked Jim's steaks but also agree that unless you have had a ton of them they will probably all taste good.
We walked all over even late at night and felt very safe.
Reading Terminal has some great food and desserts.

We only went because southwest had $37 one way fares for their anniversary sale. But we had a great time. Of course we left our kiddos at home so YMMV. You can get some GREAT deals for hotels on priceline if you are willing to go that route.

 

[DisneyDadC]

As far as the walking, I wouldn't. Taking a cab would be the best way. It's only a 10 minute ride by car. The subways around here you need to watch after dark, just don't make eye contact.

For a real steak, skip Pat's and Geno's. Honestly they are a tourist trap. It's a shady area they are in and the steaks are so-so at best. Don't get me wrong, at 2am after a long night of partying, they are awesome for the only reason being that they are open. If you want something with flavor, I'd look for Tony Luke's, Slacks, Jim's Steaks or Leo's. Jim's is on South St, Tony Luke's is on Front and Oregon, Slacks and Leo's is a little out of the way I think.

I've never done the tour, but I may eventually just not on a Sunday (if they even do Sundays.) I'm not making any of this up......every Sunday there's always at least one shooting. Ask any Philly Cop, it's called "Shoot-em-up Sunday's."

I know I'm making Philly sound like a horrible place, and it really isn't, I just don't like it. Just like a good steak, take it all with a grain of salt

I would agree with this post, pretty much how I would have answered.Pretty much like most cities.Stay in and around the tourist areas and you will be fine don't venture out and about to far.Although cabs drivers can be crazy take a cab, subway can be scary at night (not to bad during daytime).For the cheese steak Tony luke's (Pats and Genos are ok).Sorry cant help with info on the tour

 

[Tam1067]

I've visited Philly twice--once with the kids and another time I spent 5 days there for work, but DH joined me, so we did stuff too.

I agree with the Ducks. It is WORTH IT! I thought it would be a rip off tourist thing, but it was so fun and probably the highlight of the kids' visit there.

We went through Independence Hall when my youngest was 3. She made it through but was not interested. They also have interpreters playing parts of Jefferson and other historical figures in that area, and my boys enjoyed that.

We really enjoyed eating at Reading Terminal Market. I had lunch there everyday when I was staying at the Marriott for work, and I had different food each time. It's worth a visit.

I also had a thrill when I got to see Julie Andrews at Macy's. But I digress.

You might also want to walk through Chinatown which is not that big but is kind of fun.

The Franklin Institute is great. Also, stop by the old post office where Ben Franklin used to work, and then walk a few blocks to toss a penny on Ben Franklin's grave.

The Italian market in South Philly is well worth seeing. DH and I walked there from the Independence Hall area one Saturday morning. It might be too far for your kids to walk, but we were on our own and were able to do it. It's really an experience. http://www.phillyitalianmarket.com/

Have a great time!

 

[krcit]

Look into either philadelphia pass or a city pass. You can google them both and see which works better for you. We did the philadelphia pass for 2 days and got our moneys worth for sure!