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Traveling to Philadelphia...

The TVClubHouse: General Discussions ARCHIVES: Jul. 2007 ~ Sept. 2007: Traveling to Philadelphia... users admin

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Chandler
Member

06-08-2002

Wednesday, July 18, 2007 - 11:52 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Chandler a private message Print Post    
I am going to be spending next week in Philadelphia, and would like to know if anyone can recommend some things I should definitely do while there. I'm traveling with my daughter, but she has to work every day, so I'll be on my own. We are staying at Sheraton University City, and I will not have access to a vehicle. Any tips, suggestions, etc., will be greatly appreciated. Restaurants, attractions, day-trips..

Sweetbabygirl
Member

08-31-2002

Wednesday, July 18, 2007 - 6:49 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Sweetbabygirl a private message Print Post    
Chandler, I have lived in Philly all my life...the following links should help with any questions you may have.

www.gophila.com
www.gophila.com/C/Things_to_Do/211.html
www.gophila.com/.../211/Dining_and_Nightlife/223.html

Regarding getting around, you can either walk or take SEPTA, which you will love (said with heavy sarcasm!)

Have a great time!!

SBG

Urgrace
Member

08-19-2000

Wednesday, July 18, 2007 - 7:09 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Urgrace a private message Print Post    
<Hi SBG!>

Tishala
Member

08-01-2000

Thursday, July 19, 2007 - 7:51 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Tishala a private message Print Post    
If you're staying in University City, go to the White Dog Cafe, a very good restaurant on the 3400 block of Sansom (about 4 blocks from where you will be staying). You might also want to try Zocolo, a Mexican restaurant on the 3600 block of Lancaster Avenue. It's not too far, but it might be easier to take a cab when you go there.

If you venture into Center City, I know tons of restaurants to go to. Just let me know. [I love Brasserie Perrier on the 1600 block of Walnut, but it's kinda pricey, but excellent...but I know places in all price ranges).

But in Center City, you should probably see South Street and the Independence Mall area. I'd also suggest going to at least one restaurant in South Philadelphia, cuz they really do have good Italian places, mostly informal atmosphere.

Hi SBG!

Chandler
Member

06-08-2002

Thursday, July 19, 2007 - 9:06 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Chandler a private message Print Post    
SBG, I really appreciate the links. I have printed off a few things -- is the University Dining Days experience something that is real popular? That would be starting my last day there, so I might try to get in on that. Is SEPTA a train? I have looked at the Trolley and double-decker bus tours that offer a look at the city, and am considering doing that one of the days. From what I can find, the area around University City where my hotel is seems to have a lot of shops, cultural experiences, dining, etc. I might also look for a spa in the neighborhood. Thanks for the info...

Chandler
Member

06-08-2002

Thursday, July 19, 2007 - 9:12 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Chandler a private message Print Post    
Thanks Tish! This info along with that from SBG is just exactly what I was hoping to get! Is seafood a big draw in the area? It looks like there are countless ethnic restaurants - I was thinking that there may be some that specialize in seafood as well. I will check into a day trip to Center City as well. I really appreciate the response!

Tishala
Member

08-01-2000

Thursday, July 19, 2007 - 10:01 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Tishala a private message Print Post    
Chandler, for seafood you might want to try Striped Bass at 1500 Walnut--again, expensive but very good (although for the money I'd rather go someplace else). Also, the Sansom Street Oyster House is very good (I think it's the 1600 Block of Sansom Street). In Old City, if you're down there to see Independence Hall and Ben Franklin's/Betsy Ross's place, go to Philadelphia Fish and Company on 200-something Chestnut. But the best place to go, IMHO, is Little Fish in the Bella vista section; you NEED to make a reservation, but you can usually do it on the same day you want to eat there.

All that said, you are likely to get good fish in Philadelphia at a restaurant that doesn't "specialize" in fish as one that does.

Let me list a couple places that I have found to be reliably good over the years (I moved away from Philadelphia ~8 years ago, but I go back often and I eat out almost every night when I do...so, these may not be the most au courant places, but they are very good)

Judy's [3rd and Bainbridge]
Friday, Saturday, Sunday [21st north of Spruce]
Audrey Claire [20th and Manning, right off Rittenhouse Square]
Buddahkan [300 Block of Chestnut in Old City]
Beau Monde, a craperie [6th and Bainbridge]
The Continental martini bar/tapas [3rd and Market]
Tangerine [near 3rd and Market]

I also love Monk's Cafe on 16th Street between Locust and Spruce--it's very simple and has the best selection of Belgian beers I have ever seen (and if you haven't had belgian beers...well, you just have to go!) and it has good, inexpensive entrees. The fries and mussels are great...Oh and I like Fork, too.

And you can't go wrong going to the Reading Terminal Market with vendors selling lots of local foods...including the best sweet potato cheesecake you'll ever eat.

I could go on and on. I'm sorry none of these choices aren't in University City, but I grew up in Center City so I mostly know places there. You'll probably want to spend most of your time in Center City, to tell the truth, so just take a cab into town, get off at Rittenhouse Square, and go around. From there, you can practically walk to almost all the places I've listed here.

SEPTA is our bus/train system. They are a pain and it might be easier to take a cab.

If you go around Independence Hall, be a real tourist and take one of the horse ride tours through Old City/Society Hill.

Also, if you have the chance, go to the Art Museum. It's excellent. I don't know if there is a special exhibit there now (which might make admission difficult), but normally it provides a lovely respite. And you'll get to see the view from the Benjamin Franklin Parkway--at the risk of sounding too much like the Chamber of Commerce, I think it's one of the prettiest urban landscapes I've seen.

And from the Art Museum, you can walk about 200 yards to see the Rodin Museum.

OK, I have to stop now...

Maris
Member

03-28-2002

Thursday, July 19, 2007 - 10:11 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Maris a private message Print Post    
I love love love Philadelphia and would move there if I could. My favorite place? The Ben Franklin Institute. I just love it.

Mocha
Member

08-12-2001

Thursday, July 19, 2007 - 10:36 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Mocha a private message Print Post    
Go to Stucky's for a hoagie. I think it's Stucky's or Stacky's? Something with an S.

Chandler
Member

06-08-2002

Thursday, July 19, 2007 - 12:16 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Chandler a private message Print Post    
You guys are really making this fun! I am printing off all your suggestions, and can't wait to set off and see what I can fit in. When I get back, I'll be sure to let you know what we did!

Chandler
Member

06-08-2002

Monday, July 30, 2007 - 1:37 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Chandler a private message Print Post    
Just returned from a wonderful week in Philadelphia, and I really appreciate the good advice I got here! I did end up spending three days in Center City, and loved everything I saw! I went to Reading Terminal twice -- didn't get tired of that. I experienced a real Philly Cheesesteak, but found it was waaayyy too much for me! lol! We found a really modern sushi/seafood place called "Pod" that was a really interesting, and ate at "Penne", which is Italian. The city was busy, hot, and exciting. Thanks for your input.