As some people might remember, my husband and I are going to Rome in November. I researched flights and picked one that had one connection that wasn’t too long. Well thanks to American Airlines, my first flight was cancelled and now we have an 8 hour layover in Philadelphia.
It was that or 2 connections with an hour layover each and I wasn’t willing to risk that.
The silver lining is that we are flying on my daughters birthday, she lives in the area and has agreed to come and meet us. We haven’t been together on her birthday since she went to college so I’m excited.
So I am asking if someone with knowledge of the airport and the area has some suggestions for us of where we could go to lunch. Someplace either close to the airport or even in the airport. D is not sure if her boyfriend can make it (although I suspect he will) and she is not familiar with that area and is a nervous driver at the best of times.
Also, I have no idea if this is possible anymore but are there lockers that we could store our carry on? With a long layover, it would be nice to store them.
I find myself in PHL airport often - best you are going to do there is Vino Volo or Sky Asian Bistro. Food is o.k. in both and they have some ambience. There is also a restaurant in the Marriott – think it is called Aviation. Again decent atmosphere and o.k. food.
If you really want a dining experience you will have to go into Philadelphia, which you have the time to do with an 8 hour layover. Rouge on Rittenhouse Square would be a nice spot for lunch.
If you are looking for a Philadelphia sports feeling, you could go to Chickie and Pete’s, right in the airport.http://chickiesandpetes.com/location/airport/ Or like HarvestMoon suggests, you could go into the city. I’ve seen an entrance for it as you walk towards baggage claim. I know one or two of my kids has done that. http://www.septa.org/welcome/airport.html The suburban station exit is right in center city and walkable distance to the historic area and within a block of my favorite place, http://www.readingterminalmarket.org/
You have plenty of time to go into Philly for lunch with an 8 hour layover. What type of food and style restaurant would you like? There are so many places to choose from, giving us an idea of what you like would help us narrow down our suggestions.
I think going into the city might be nice, and it sounds like we can take the train in right from the airport. Maybe it would be better for D to meet us downtown.
We like all kinds of food, probably not Italian since we are going to Rome!
The only problem is what to do with our carry ons? I did a search and it looks like there isn’t any storage at the airport. I can understand why but am trying to figure out what to do.
The 2 places mentioned sound very nice. It will be a Sunday so a nice brunch sounds great?
It just struck me that both Asian Sky Bistro and Vino Volo are located beyond the security checks, so without a boarding pass I do not think they are accessible to your D and her BF.
I love these places for Brunch. Day by Day in Rittenhouse Square and Sabrina’s on the University City side. There is also Honey’s Sit and Eat which I have heard great things about, but have never been.
You can take the train to University City, or 30th street station from the airport and then take a cab or Uber from there, or you can just Uber to and from the Airport. I think (not sure) that Uber is about 30 dollars FROM the airport, but only about 10-15 TO the airport. The train is about 5.50 each way, but then you have extra transportation fees once you get there.
If you have time to kill, Day by Day is in a nice area to walk around with the park and shops. From Sabrina’s you can walk around Penn’s campus which is also nice to do.
Any suggestions for a place within walking distance of the train stations? I’d rather be within walking distance or near the airport or in the airport but outside of security.
Just talked to D and her boyfriend will be able to make it. Thanks for the suggestions for a good Sunday brunch, now I don’t have to worry as we will have a car to get to where we want.
Chickie and Pete’s is an unexceptional sports bar serving the typical unexceptional, greasy sports-bar food. It’s nothing you couldn’t find in any city. It’s like a TGIFriday’s. NOT worth a trip, at all, IMO.
Especially considering its your daughter’s birthday and deserving of a nice brunch, I highly suggest Talula’s Garden. You can make a reservation, which is nice and not something all brunch spots do. A little pricey for brunch but nice setting (can dine outside in the garden if the weather is good), delicious food, and a well trained waitstaff.
Talula’s Garden is a great place too! It is a bit more expensive than the others but is one of my DD favorite restaurants in Philly. For me (not that that matters LOL) I like the brunch choices at Day by Day better.
ETA: On a side note, I just had an unexpected lunch at Day by Day. We went in to pick up something from DD and ended up grabbing lunch while we were there. I guess all the talk about it put it in my mind!
I would also recommend Talula’s Garden. I have a daughter who went to college in Philly and lives there now. We’ve enjoyed Talula’s Garden. We also liked Lacroix, which is in the Rittenhouse Hotel.
Carry on bags - I understand that you can walk to the Marriott hotel from the airport. You could call and see if they would store your carry on luggage there. Alternatively, the Convention center is also at Suburban station and they may have a place to keep your bags. You can walk right from the station into the convention center.
Let us know how you deal with your baggage. Marriott is attached to airport, perhaps they offer this service.
Trains run every 25 minutes- it’s a short ride to 30th street station main terminal. The train stops at penn campus.
Your daughter and boyfriend will be your tour guides, so most likely they will select area and restaurant.
I can highly recommend uber vs taxis in Philly. Had excellent experience taking $5 uber from art musuem to sabrinas- on callowhil ( daughter says may be wait for Sunday brunch- popular casual)
Might be nice to dine near one of parks, rittenhouse park,surrounded by restaruants, PARC open air overlooks park. If not too humid might be option- check yelp, they have always been spot on.
Tulula’s next to Washington square park ( my fav) and a short block or two to historic area. With 8 hour layover, gives you opportunity to see a bit of Philly. If there is a line for liberty bell, just walk up to plexiglass window which gives you photo op for bell, without security checkin and lines.
Another way to see Philly, especially the areas ( parkway) where pope will be in September- is the phlash - continuous trolley cars which loop around city, stopping at main areas- reading termino( food emporium) love park, museums, rodin museum, art museum, penns landing, even going out to fairmount park, site of Philly centennial exhibition and please touch musuem.
Let me know what you find out about luggage- enjoy
If D and BF will have a car, have them pick you up at the airport. The airport is an easy 10 minute drive from Center City (straight down I-95 with clear signage). There is a free parking lot where they can wait for you to call them to say that you’ve arrived. Once they pick you up and you stow your carry-ons in the trunk, it’s 10 minutes back to Center City and the great suggestions made above.