Grew up in NJ 50 years ago and went to Philly many times, but not since the 60s, so I%26#39;m looking to reconnect with the history and culture as an adult. Traveling alone and would like to do the historics, Art Museum, and Franklin Institute. Is there a central location/hotel area where SEPTA service will take me easily to these venues? Is SEPTA as easy to maneuver as the T in Boston or the L in Chicago? Coming in from Seattle and don%26#39;t plan on a car if I can work it. Looking for a hotel under $300 for 3 nights 3rd week of July, 21-24th or thereabouts.
Philadelphia Newbie, sort of...
Just to clarify any ambiguity, when you say ';a hotel under $300 for 3 nights,'; do mean a total of $300 for the 3 nights or $300 per night?
Philadelphia Newbie, sort of...
Sorry, meant $300 per night...obviously, the lower, the better....thanks for asking for the clarification!
Some hotel options for 7/21-24 via Expedia:
Sofitel is $200/night
Radisson Warwick is $167/night
Best Western Independence Park is $230/night
Sheraton Society Hill is $239/night
Hyatt Regency Penn%26#39;s Landing is $269/night
If you are willing to use Hotwire, I checked the same dates as above and there is a 4* hotel in Center City East for $189/night that is either the Westin or the Sofitel - good deal for mid-week in Philly - to be honest, that is what I would go for - both very nice hotels in a central location.
I%26#39;ll let someone else handle the Septa question...
Let me know if you have questions regarding the hotels. Welcome back to Philly!
Suzanne
Because Center City is so compact, and since you%26#39;re interested in sites from one end to the other, no one hotel on Suzanne%26#39;s list is more convenient than the others. I%26#39;d choose the best hotel for the price. Probably more practical than SEPTA for your purposes is the Phlash, a tourist bus that runs the length of Center City from Penn%26#39;s Landing to the Art Museum, but you%26#39;ll also have easy access to buses and the subway from any hotel you choose.
I%26#39;d add the Holiday Inn Historic district to the list (sorry I can%26#39;t check rates/avail right now)... Great location and just renovated.
Like Tom said, I would go with the Phlash shuttle instead of Septa for the art museum and FI...
The city has changed dramatically since you were last here, so you may decide to just walk everywhere (weather permitting) so you can soak in everything. You won%26#39;t recognize the place. One major change is that there are now many buildings that are taller than City Hall.
Restaurants have outdoor seating on the sidewalk. The only department store is in the old Wanamaker%26#39;s, but that is now a Macy%26#39;s. Walnut STreet between Broad and Rittenhouse Square (which is now surrounded by expensive condo buildings and hotels)is a strip of expensive shops and restaurants. There is a downtown mall (The Gallery), but that is having its own problems. The Reading Terminal no longer is a train station, instead it is a part of the Pennsylvania Convention Center, and a new train station has been built below ground, connected to The Gallery. This staion also connects with Suburban Station, uniting the entire SEPTA rail system. South Street is now on the tourist route. The waterfront looks nothing like it did, as I-95 now runs through town next to Delaware Avenue, which is now called Columbus Blvd. The PSFS building is now a hotel. Many buildings have switched purposes. Some office buildings are now either hotels or condos.
Even the Franklin Institute has changed. It has expanded. Certain exhibits are still there, but the place is now geared more towards small kids. Independence Mall has been rebuilt.
Some buildings to stop inside of and take a look around: Liberty Place, 17th %26amp; Market/16th %26amp; Chestnut. There is a mini-mall and large food court inside, and a lovely rotunda area. The Comcast building, where the old Sheraton Hotel used to be on JFK Blvd betweeen 17th %26amp; 18th. Look up when you go inside. Then check out the renovated Suburban Station, right underneath.
You will not need or want a car.
Owlyn%26#39;s great list of changes since the 60s made me think of a few more that I remember from that time:
Academy of Music is still there and going strong, but the Orchestra now has moved down Broad Street to the new Kimmel Center; there are more theatres for plays and concerts along Broad Street (a portion of which in Center City is now called the Avenue of the Arts); the Zoo has changed quite a bit, but is still in the same location; Northern Liberties is a ';work in progress'; place that people go for bars and restaurants (instead of being an obscure reference on old maps), the historical area is referred to as Old City, an area much larger than Society Hill; Old City hotels, clubs and restaurants are scattered around and include the hottest venues; there is a ferry across the Delaware once again; the Barnes with its amazing Impressionists collection is still adjacent to St. Joseph%26#39;s University (renamed and expanded from ';college';) near 54th and City Line, but is now know fairly widely; lots of other Center City museums could keep you busy for a week if your interests lie in arts, history, or the off-beat (Mummers Museum, Fireman%26#39;s Hall).
Philadelphia experts undoubtedly will have many more changes to point out. Have a great trip. Oh, one final point. Compared with the 60s, Philly has become a really great restaurant city, so post your food preferences and budget and this very friendly forum%26#39;s contributors will make suggestions for a gastronomic welcome home.
Thanks for all the info. I got a decent deal at the Club Quarters as far as my hotel, now I%26#39;m interested in walkable restaurants in the area that 1. Serve a decent breakfast and 2. Dinners which don%26#39;t break the bank (not over say, $60) in the area. I know there is an Italian restaurant associated with the hotel (Davio?), but I%26#39;m not especially crazy about Italian and the menu looked a little overpriced- prefer Asian, seafood, or perhaps Cuban/South American.
Davio%26#39;s is more of a steakhouse, and a very good one, but it IS a little pricey,
Some options nearby are the Nodding Head Brewery, Alma de Cuba, and the Continental Midtown. All are about a 5-7 minute walk away.
There is a good Sushi bar named Wok I think near there as well.
Hi,
I agree with the other posts- the Phlash is a great way to go.
Please check out the following:
www.gophila.com
www.philadelphiausa.travel
www.philly.com
www.museum.upenn.edu
The Philadelphia usa site has an interactive map to plan your walking route.
I worked in Philly for many years and now love to go back to dine or do something fun. Last year I took my son to Penn%26#39;s Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology. This is a fab museum with amazing mummies and Egypt related exhibits. As for dining- this is out of your budget but my all time favorite is the Fountain Dining Room in The Four Sesons Hotel. We have dined there many times for special events ( birthdays, anniversaries, etc.). We just ate there in June and I still rate it a 10!
A few years ago my husband and I did the Lights of Liberty tour/walk. At sunset you wear lightweight headphones and walk with a guide and hear and see the history. We enjoyed it.
Another new attraction that has rave reviews is the New Constitution Center. I have not been there so I can not tell you much.
There are many great places to eat. You may want to use www.opentable.com. I have used this site to make reservations with no trouble.
I hope you enjoy your trip and I would enjoy hearing about it!
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