<p>I’m thinking of going with my 20 year old daughter to Philadelphia for two days and a night in August. I’m not unfamiliar with the city but definately don’t know it well. We’ve both done the historic stuff but might be willing to see the new Constitution Center. Here’s my tenative plan, but would appreciate any suggestions. We live about 1 1/2 hours north of Phil. :</p>
<p>Drive to train station, park and take the train. Walk or take cab to center city hotel from train stop, maybe Sofitel or Latham? Hope they will store our bags since it would be too early to check in. I am not used to city driving and am not keen on paying lots of money to park if I won’t be driving once we get there anyway. Go to…here’s where I need help. I’d love to bargain shop and daughter prefers sort of quirky clothes. Not a clue about where to look for this…, or get on the phlash buses and just jump off here and there? Have dinner - where? Daughter and I both love thai food. Then a play, that looks like it needs investigation too. Back to hotel. Next day, go to Reading terminal market and then take train back. Help, anyone?</p>
<p>Any hotel will hold your bags until you can check in. In addition, it’s my experience that they often let you check in early. Hotels.com often has good last minute prices. </p>
<p>The train and taxis may cost you as much as parking at the hotel, and may not be as easy as driving to the hotel and parking there. However, if you don’t like city driving, it may be worth it.</p>
<p>The South Street Market was in the past a quirky street market. It would be a 2 mile walk from any center city hotel. They have a web site (<a href=“Home - South Street”>Home - South Street) and you can take a look to see what you think. </p>
<p>A tour of the Kimmel Center is worth doing, even if there’s no music going on (a la the Met in NYC.) It’s architecturally fantastic. I took some Parisian relatives this spring, and they were really impressed…which is hard to do.</p>
<p>Quirky clothes aren’t my thing, but quirkiness abounds on South Street. I’m sure your daughter could find something there!</p>
<p>Kathiep - I’m from Philly, and would also like to offer some suggestions, although the other posters have done a great job. Olde City Phila. is quite a happening area on Fri. and Sat. nights. in terms of restaurants/nightlife. They have what is called “first Friday” every month during this time of year - so all of the art galleries are opened late. Our daughter always looks forward to it every month. It’s right next to South Street, so you can just walk to it. <a href=“http://www.oldcityarts.org/start.html[/url]”>http://www.oldcityarts.org/start.html</a> Also, South Street is perfect for vintage clothing shopping. Also, you might want to look into staying in the olde city area, only because there seems to be a high concentration of restaurants/tourist attractions in this area. I would recommend the Sheraton in Olde City as a possibility, but there are other hotels in that area as well. Also, I would recommend dining at a Steven Starr restaurant (Budakkhan, Jones.etc.) <a href=“http://www.jones-restaurant.com/[/url]”>http://www.jones-restaurant.com/</a> for either lunch/brunch or dinner. Don’t forget about our wonderful museums - Phila. Museum of Art, The Franklin Institute, and the Academy of Natural Sciences, just for starters. Also, if you’re in the mood for an independent flick - the Ritz Theatres <a href=“http://www.ritzfilmbill.com/[/url]”>www.ritzfilmbill.com/</a> is our favorite - they actually have 3 sets of theatres in olde city, and they’re all wonderful. Try to get a copy of the Phila. Inquirer - either the Sunday Entertainment section or even better, the Friday weekend section, because that has all of the info. that you’ll need to plan your itinerary.</p>
<p>Isn’t there a “private” art museum in the NE part of the City. I believe it was someone’s private collection and there is a “story” as to why it is not part of the City’s art museum.</p>
<p>This lack of firm information is what happens when you visit a city years ago and remember a blurb from one of the city magazines they place in the hotel room.</p>
<p>Great ideas, more are welcome! We get the Phil. Inquirer 7 days so know about that, I just don’t usually pay attention to entertaining stuff in the city. Have visited fodors. Best website so far though is <a href=“http://www.gophila.com%5B/url%5D”>www.gophila.com</a>. Have been to the Academy of Natural Science with two fifth grade classes. nyumom, great idea about going to a Steven Starr resturant for lunch or brunch. Thanks everybody!</p>
<p>kathiep, I would also suggest the area around Penn. There’s usually lots of people out and about. For quirky clothes, your daughter could try Urban Outfitters, although it is a bit expensive. There’s also lots of cafe’s, restaurants, and shops surrounding Penn’s campus, so you would never run out of things to do.</p>
<p>Check out the Warwick Radisson - nice hotel, reasonably priced, great location.
Definitely eat at Monks Cafe - especially if you like Mussels. It’s a real landmark in Philly and always gets good reviews.
The Rittenhouse Square area - near the Warwick - is very nice - lots of good restaurants.
Alma de Cuba is another great restaurant - on Walnut Street I think.
Tangerine is a great restaurant in the South Street area.
Phila Museum of Art is great - skip the Franklin Institute unless your daughter is 10.</p>
<p>I don’t really think South Street has a lot of ‘vintage’ cothing shops. There are boutiques but not necessarily old clothing. There is , let me see. I think it is on 6th or 9th, more llikely 9th, right south of South, (like 30 feet, east side of street) an old synogoge that is no longer and is now an antique mart. There are individual dealers and many have vintage clothing and jewelry. I would say the items sold there reflect the character of the people who frequent South Street. The building is also very interesting for it’s architecture. Also, there is on South Street, a north corner, an antique music shop with fabulous old guitars and interesting old music.
You could also wander up Pine from about 10th -Broad and check out the antique shops. These are not at all like New Hope (which I assume you know well). But interesting none the less.
I have on occasion enjoyed lunch in Chinatown. Philly’s Chinatown is small, so you could enjoy seeing the Chinatown Arch, and when there I always wander into the shops to purchase tea, unusual paper products, etc.etc., and just shop about admiring all the imported items.Chinatown is right near the Convention Center and extends to race on 10th from Market.
I always enjoy the University Museum of the University of Pennsylvania. There are many departments, 30ft Buddas to sanskrit and gold statues. Really culturally a facinating and unusual place.Another neat place is the Atwater Kent Museum, on 8th I think south of Market,they have a huge collection but not so much on display anymore. And then there is the Historical Society of Philadelphia where they have John Wanamakers office just the way he left it the day he died in the 1920’s. If you go to the Philosophical Society at 4th and Chestnut the people inside will show you Benjamin Franklin’s library if you ask. The whole library is in one room there and they will show it to you if you ask.
In the evening I have been meaning to take in the light show at Independence Hall. There is an outdoor evening light show on Independence Hall in which you need tickets in advance. I really would lke to see it sometime. And of course, there are always those evening guided walking tours for somethin to do. Interesting and many guides are quite good. (nothing compares wandering through St Peter’s graveyard with a lantern!) And of course, if in the same area, City Tavern, on 2nd and Walnut, is a fine place to dine. So much old ambience, where Washington and Jefferson dined! A place to remember.Or, if there earlier in the day, have lunch on the Moshulu, which is an old clipper ship turned into a restaurant and docked at Penns Landing. Then walk down to 2nd and Market and visit Shane’
s Candy Store, like walking back in time to 1900. Old fashioned hand dipped candy.</p>
<p>Here’s a list of some of the “vintage” shops around South Street. Daughter has frequented them, and says they’re pretty good. Some of them have old band shirts, belts, member’s only jackets, etc. - you get the idea. I guess it just depends what you’re looking for, but they’re fun to browse. It’s a start anyway. <a href=“http://www.aroundphilly.com/article-1414.htm[/url]”>http://www.aroundphilly.com/article-1414.htm</a><br>
Also, there’s a new old-fashioned ice-cream parlor that opened up last year, and it’s definitely worth a visit. It’s called the Franklin Fountain, and it’s located at 116 Market Street. It’s owned by two young (20’s) brothers, and they have all kinds of unusual flavors. Plus, they’ll make all kinds of sundaes, milkshakes, etc. <a href=“http://www.aroundphilly.com/cdp.php?i=1817[/url]”>http://www.aroundphilly.com/cdp.php?i=1817</a> Enjoy!</p>
<p>And right across the street practically from the ‘Franklin’s Fountain’ is Christ’s Church on the corner of 2nd and Market on 2nd. At one time it’s steeple was the tallest structure in Philadelphia. It really is an interesting very old church and a nice place to go and sit if it’s hot.
That entire area right along there, the side streets and it’s buildings, are very old. Recently, I was at an auction and a tintype, very old photograph, of Market Street at this location sold for, get this, $40,000. What struck me about the photograph (it was from @1840) was how much the street looked the same as today! I recognized the location immediately.</p>
<p>nyumom, and backhandgrip, thanks for the info. I feel like I have a lot more choices now. Now, to get that daughter back from camp and get her input!</p>
<p>We stayed at the Sofitel for a Penn reunion dinner at another nearby hotel; Sofitel is a very convenient Center City location. Cab from train station to hotel might be $$$ but am not sure how the nearby area is for walking from rr station to hotel – you should check that out. Have fun. We love Philly!</p>
<p>I may be off by a street concerning some locations (Philosophical Society is on 5th south of Chestnut, Atwater Kent is on 7th, I think) I know my tastes range towards the historical but there isn’t a whole lot to do in the evenings other than take in a ballgame or movie and you could do that anywhere. Could spend some time walking in Rittenhouse Square as there are now cafes lining the park there. There are many young people wandering around at night in Philly, just use some caution.</p>