Thanks @amom2girls will keep you posted of our plans.
But I think due to everyone’s suggestion we will look to stay in town or at the airport. We have just had a couple of days in London with Airbnb and enjoy staying with people, that I naturally lean that way for accommodation. I will re-look and see if I can find an Airbnb in the centre. So much nicer than a hotel even if we are just having a flying visit.
Also leaning towards the museum with its extended hours. We love art and the view etc sounds good. I do realise that we mustn’t try and cram too much in as although it is a long layover it is a short time to do sight seeing.
On our return flight we have 7 hours in the airport so may get to do another thing then. A trip to the Reading Terminal market for a bit to eat maybe?
There are definitely air bnbs in Philadelphia. My sister had a lot of her overseas guests staying in them. For convenience you probably want center city/society hill/olde city because they are near 95 and easy to get to in an Uber. If you opt for the airport septa line then somewhere around suburban station. A lot will depend on where you opt to stay. Feel free to check in with potential addresses.
Reading Terminal is open to 6pm but will start closing down a bit earlier. Great to walk around and grab an early meal?
The Art Museum is wonderful and there is a great view of the city from the top of the steps. Behind it is the river and is where Boat House row is with all of the rowing club houses, which I love. My rising high school sophomore rows there and we really like the Cosmic Cafe, which is behind the museum and on the river at the start of the boat houses. Open, I think until 8pm but I’d go there earlier since it gets dark before then. The Barnes and Rodin are easy walking to the Art Museum and I love the Barnes. Look up the history of the museum.
The airport trains go to and depart from all 3 center city train stations - 30th St (near the Art Museum), Suburban Station (16th and JFK Blvd, the most center part of the city) and Jefferson (10-12th St & Market St, east of City Hall and closest to Reading Terminal Mkt and Independence Mall.) At the airport, the train stops outside of each terminal. Google Septa Regional Rail Airport Line to check out the schedules. Staying within walking distance of any of these stations will allow you to get a great feel for the city even if you only end up having a few hours.
Thanks for the info @Embracethemess I will use this to look at a map of potential Airbnbs.