Even with living just 2 hours from Philly, I never had interest in visiting.
Although I have family members visiting me that want to do a day trip there in a couple of weeks on a Saturday.
Main things they want to visit is the Liberty Bell, possibly a couple of history museums, Rocky statue and a cheese steak stop.
Any suggestion on what else would be worth checking out too while there? Best place to try a cheese steak and where would be a good place to park that would be near these locations?
The zoo is apparently a good one. I just never went.
Go for drinks in Fishtown/Northern Liberties...lots of outdoor seating.
Don't know if Reading Terminal is open on weekends, but that place is insane for food.
John's Roast Pork has a great steak. But I keep hearing about Angelo's on 9th in S. Philly having not only great steaks, but the pizza is awesome too (and I think Philly pizza sucks).
If you get hungry again, Philly has the best Chinatown on the East Coast in my opinion. Dim Sum Garden, David's Mai Lai Wah (wings!) and Sang kee are all top notch.
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*in the
I am kind of in agreement with this--it is just a bell. Maybe in this age of everything being a photo opp, people like it more so they can get their photo. I am always of the opinion if there is a line avoid it.
The Franklin Institute on the other hand is amazing and so is Independence Hall (right near the Liberty Bell). The Franklin Institute if I remember correctly is not too far from the Rocky statue. John's Steaks is where I would go for Cheesesteaks. Pat and Geno's are fine, but not the best and tourist traps. Philly is a great day trip.
It's a fun city to visit, but wouldn't want to live there and hate their sports teams.
There are several good museums and obviously the Franklin Institute being the most well known. Within walking distance from the Liberty Bell which is newer this the American Revolution museum which is pretty cool. It’s also in an area called Old City which is highly walkable with numerous options for food including a couple cheesesteak spots, Campos and Sonny’s.
My friends and I have done a cheesesteak tasting event 4 times with a brief Covid hiatus. Johns roast pork is the best. Period. It has won every single year in a blind test. It’s a bit out of the way and has nothing of consequence around it. This doesn’t feel like a cheesesteak hunt kind of day trip but if you wanted more thoughts I’d be happy share.
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The Liberty Bell is kinda disappointing
I am kind of in agreement with this--it is just a bell. Maybe in this age of everything being a photo opp, people like it more so they can get their photo. I am always of the opinion if there is a line avoid it.
The Franklin Institute on the other hand is amazing and so is Independence Hall (right near the Liberty Bell). The Franklin Institute if I remember correctly is not too far from the Rocky statue. John's Steaks is where I would go for Cheesesteaks. Pat and Geno's are fine, but not the best and tourist traps. Philly is a great day trip.
Frankin institute hasnt been cool in over a decade. Its kind of beat to shit and and the workers suck.
I never got the allure of the Italian market. Its cool if you are shopping to stock your fridge, but NBD to me.
The Rocky statue is by the Art Museum, which is a great museum but you won't have time for it. You can still do the steps and the statue though. Parking is miserable.
Most of the best cheesesteak shops have been mentioned, but most of them are inconvenient to center city. If you want to stay in the general area of independence square, then I would just go to Sonny's. Is it the best? No. But not bad and far better than the tourist traps. Then get dessert at Franklin Fountain down the street. And maybe grab some chocolates for the road at Shanes.
That's a pretty good day with a minimum amount of getting around.
And the homeless druggies... Can't miss 'em
Hit up the Museum of Art, which is right by the stairs up to the museum. Check out the Liberty Bell. & have a pint or 10 of Pliny the Elder at Monk's, this really great pub in Center City.
City Center is where the statue is. If that is one of your "must sees" I'd recommend a "drive by" even if you had to circle a number of times. The parking in that area is outrageously priced (as are the restaurants) . Nothing struck me as "family attractions" other than the statue.
These observations go back 10 years when my brother had a home in the historic district on 2nd street, originally 2 blocks from the port. (subsequent land filling moved the river bank further East.)
If you've never been, corner where Gino's and Pat's is pretty cool, much better cheesesteaks elsewhere (go to John's Roast Pork)
I like taking family to Independence Hall
City Tavern - you can have a meal like Revolutionary times.
City Center is where the statue is. If that is one of your "must sees" I'd recommend a "drive by" even if you had to circle a number of times. The parking in that area is outrageously priced (as are the restaurants) . Nothing struck me as "family attractions" other than the statue.
These observations go back 10 years when my brother had a home in the historic district on 2nd street, originally 2 blocks from the port. (subsequent land filling moved the river bank further East.)
Rocky statue is NOT in Center City. It is at the Art Museum.The neighborhood right by the Art Museum is NOT Center City. Its Fairmount with a touch of Brewerytown.
If you've never been, corner where Gino's and Pat's is pretty cool, much better cheesesteaks elsewhere (go to John's Roast Pork)
I like taking family to Independence Hall
City Tavern - you can have a meal like Revolutionary times.
City Tavern closed…
Hit up the Museum of Art, which is right by the stairs up to the museum. Check out the Liberty Bell. & have a pint or 10 of Pliny the Elder at Monk's, this really great pub in Center City.
The beer selection at Monks is insane pair that with the veal cheeks and pomme frites
I would do Silk City. Not only is the menu absolutely terrific, but the decor is wild and its only a ten min cab/uber right from the art museum. Outdoor bar is probably open by now.
Sabrinas is good, but Silk is insane.
Independence Hall, ( a must visit). Congress Hall and the Supreme Court Building
Also next to Liberty Hall is the dig of the house Washington lived in when he served as President in Philadelphia
Constitutional Center is also in that area
Worth a visit,
Carpenter s Hall home of First constitutional Congress, Ben Franklin s Home and Museum, Christ Church and Betsy Ross s home
You could do that in a day and still visit Reading Markets
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Sabrina's Cafe near the art museum. The portions are insane and the food is awesome
I would do Silk City. Not only is the menu absolutely terrific, but the decor is wild and its only a ten min cab/uber right from the art museum. Outdoor bar is probably open by now.
Sabrinas is good, but Silk is insane.
Comfort and Floyd is the best breakfast in the city. I'll die on this hill.
Question, if I park near the historic sites to visit Liberty Bell, Independence and Congress Halls. How is public transportation from that area to the Art Museums and Rocky statue? Is there a subway\metro that connects the two locations or would it be better to go by car and find parking in that 2nd location.
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In comment 16130253 Larry in Pencilvania said:
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Sabrina's Cafe near the art museum. The portions are insane and the food is awesome
I would do Silk City. Not only is the menu absolutely terrific, but the decor is wild and its only a ten min cab/uber right from the art museum. Outdoor bar is probably open by now.
Sabrinas is good, but Silk is insane.
Comfort and Floyd is the best breakfast in the city. I'll die on this hill.
Mis C&F just breakfast? Or is it brunch? Because I was going with brunch, plus the bar, plus the greak patio/beer garden.
Is Honey's still around? Because that place made great breakfast too.
Wanna get drunk? Go to Loco Pez and have a street dog.
Philly's food scene is insane.
Question, if I park near the historic sites to visit Liberty Bell, Independence and Congress Halls. How is public transportation from that area to the Art Museums and Rocky statue? Is there a subway\metro that connects the two locations or would it be better to go by car and find parking in that 2nd location.
Unless you want to learn the bus routes, public trans is a problem going from site to site like you mentioned. My advice would be to Uber there. You COULD walk like 20 blocks and just look at Philly. If you get over to fairmount and 15th after the Bell (5th and market), the walk up Fairmount is a nice area. Lots of spots to stop for ice cream and other food. You also got Eastern State Penitentiary which hasnt been mentioned but I heard was cool. Its also right down the street from the Art Museum and Al Capone's cell is on display.
Fairmount might be my favorite part of Philly.
The Rocky statue is by the Art Museum, which is a great museum but you won't have time for it. You can still do the steps and the statue though. Parking is miserable.
Most of the best cheesesteak shops have been mentioned, but most of them are inconvenient to center city. If you want to stay in the general area of independence square, then I would just go to Sonny's. Is it the best? No. But not bad and far better than the tourist traps. Then get dessert at Franklin Fountain down the street. And maybe grab some chocolates for the road at Shanes.
That's a pretty good day with a minimum amount of getting around.
Your answer is awesome….great details provided. I don’t plan on going but if I did, your answer is all I would need. No offense to the others who chimed in. Also, seeing Chris from PHILLY wrote this just makes you seem to be more of a guy in the know.
But that is just me….beauty is always in the eye of the beholder, right?
Question, if I park near the historic sites to visit Liberty Bell, Independence and Congress Halls. How is public transportation from that area to the Art Museums and Rocky statue? Is there a subway\metro that connects the two locations or would it be better to go by car and find parking in that 2nd location.
Unless you want to learn the bus routes, public trans is a problem going from site to site like you mentioned. My advice would be to Uber there. You COULD walk like 20 blocks and just look at Philly. If you get over to fairmount and 15th after the Bell (5th and market), the walk up Fairmount is a nice area. Lots of spots to stop for ice cream and other food. You also got Eastern State Penitentiary which hasnt been mentioned but I heard was cool. Its also right down the street from the Art Museum and Al Capone's cell is on display.
Fairmount might be my favorite part of Philly.
The Art Museum area is the one you will have trouble with there. You should just uber from Independence Mall (where all the revolutionary sites are) to the museum and back. Everything else you can walk to.
I may take the train if it is.
I may take the train if it is.
It's brutal if you are coming down 95. We haven't seen how the other routes will be affected yet. But I would take the turnpike all the way down and cross over the Walt Whitman or Ben Franklin Bridge. The other alternative is to take exit 6 and follow the PA turnpike to 476S and come down that way around the city. Depends on what part of the area you need to get too. Just avoid 95.
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but I'm headed to Philly tomorrow - Thursday for work, is the overpass collapse snarling traffic terribly?
I may take the train if it is.
It's brutal if you are coming down 95. We haven't seen how the other routes will be affected yet. But I would take the turnpike all the way down and cross over the Walt Whitman or Ben Franklin Bridge. The other alternative is to take exit 6 and follow the PA turnpike to 476S and come down that way around the city. Depends on what part of the area you need to get too. Just avoid 95.
I'm headed to Logan Square (basically)
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In comment 16131844 pjcas18 said:
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but I'm headed to Philly tomorrow - Thursday for work, is the overpass collapse snarling traffic terribly?
I may take the train if it is.
It's brutal if you are coming down 95. We haven't seen how the other routes will be affected yet. But I would take the turnpike all the way down and cross over the Walt Whitman or Ben Franklin Bridge. The other alternative is to take exit 6 and follow the PA turnpike to 476S and come down that way around the city. Depends on what part of the area you need to get too. Just avoid 95.
I'm headed to Logan Square (basically)
Yeah the Whitman or Franklin will be your best bet. But I am guessing volume will be higher than normal. Give yourself some extra time.
Did you blow up the overpass?
Yes, Monk's is terrific.
One of the countries best beer bars!
Have to go to Philly Thursday also but more near Manayunk. Will take 1 to the PA Turnpike I think.
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In comment 16131844 pjcas18 said:
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but I'm headed to Philly tomorrow - Thursday for work, is the overpass collapse snarling traffic terribly?
I may take the train if it is.
It's brutal if you are coming down 95. We haven't seen how the other routes will be affected yet. But I would take the turnpike all the way down and cross over the Walt Whitman or Ben Franklin Bridge. The other alternative is to take exit 6 and follow the PA turnpike to 476S and come down that way around the city. Depends on what part of the area you need to get too. Just avoid 95.
I'm headed to Logan Square (basically)
Personally, I would recommend the train. But there is a bus (Mega/Bolt) that does from Boston to Baltimore. Chris is right, taking the blue route (Penn Tpke/476-> 76E) is another option and takes you along the Schuylkill which is def a nicer drive. Avoid rush hour around that "Conshy curve" as it can be very slow.
Also, if you go that way, you can hit up D'Alessandros for a steak on the way out of the city!
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in Philly this weekend, Monk's Cafe is awesome
Did you blow up the overpass?
Yes, Monk's is terrific.
I used to work near Monk's and would go there for my lumch break. After a burger and one of those big Belgian beers, going back to work was....tough.