Philadelphia

[AXO Alum]

A friend of mine is going to Philadelphia for a convention during the first week of November. She is looking to do some fun stuff, but is on a time limit given the meetings schedule. She will be flying into PA, so she will not have a car.

Please give me some ideas of things for her to do & see - thanks!

[stagebear]

head to Indepence Hall, Liberty Bell, etc. It's all in walking distance of each other and those tours are free with a timed ticket. also in that area is the Betsy Ross House, Christ's Church, and other historic landmarks.

if she has time for a genuine Philly Cheesesteak, head down to Pat's Steaks (the best in town - don't settle for less).

[Sophist08edLady]

There is a Trolley tour that will take her to all the historical Philly sites
If she is the bar type she can try South Street and Old City...If she likes comedy clubs the Laff House on South Street is great and they have late shows that she can attend after her conference events.
If she is there on a Sunday, the Philadelphia zoo is free every Sunday in November, December and January.

[adpiucf]

I was born in Philly. Vine Street (I think that's the name!) is home to the Franklin Institute, the Academy of Natural Sciences, the Courthouse and the Main Library.

I LOVE the Franklin Institute-- it's an interactive children's science museum, but there is plenty for grown-ups to enjoy. There is a giant replica of a human heart you can walk through. When I was a kid, I was terrified, but I always made my father pick me up and carry me through it. Later, visiting Philly as an adult, I have no idea why I was so scared about a plaster tunnel with lights and a "bump bump" heart beat sound. LOL. You can climb all over it, too!

The Academy has a great dinosaur exhibit and used to have (might still have!) an animatronic dinosaur in the downstairs commissary.

Definitely check out the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, Penn's Landing (docks/yachts), Ben Franklin's grave, eat cheese steaks (with onions and ketchup!) and soft pretzels. And the Mummer Museum! The Mummers are an old Philly tradition-- they make incredible costumes and floats and parade through the city on New Year's Day. It's a great local tradition.

If there's time for a show, my family used to really enjoy the historic Walnut Street Theatre.

Lots of Irish pubs.

I think the mall down there is the Galleria. It's pretty large. Hope this helps!

[AXO Alum]

Thanks for everything so far. Bars are definitely NOT in the scene for her. She is married with 2 young daughters but will be travelling solo for this trip. She is a deeply conservative Southern Baptist, so no bars/pubs/clubs/etc.

[PreppyTriDelta]

The Art Museum is NOT to be missed, nor is the Reading Terminal Market. She can even get a cheesesteak there- from a family member of Pat's. Walking around Society Hill, Old City and Rittenhouse is nice. Decent boutiques and shops around Rittenhouse Square and Walnut and Chestnut- especially on Sansom.

I can recommend a lot of restaurants too, if you can give me an idea what she might like.

I am a Philly girl through and through. There is so much to love about this city.

ETA: Avoid the Galleria. Not anything worth going to and actually really a blight.