Philadelphia Travel Forum

Are there City Hall Tower tours on Monday, October 13, 2008? If so, what are the available times?

I'll be visting Philadelphia for a business trip at the conference center. All the hotels right around there seem to be booked (because I left it too late I guess.) I'm on a little bit of a budget. I'm female, not a complete rube, but will be by myself. I'd like to be able to walk to and from my hotel. I don't mind walking a mile or so. I've had warnings from friends that some neighborhoods near the downtown area aren't so safe. Are there some areas that I should avoid? Any hotels to recommend?

I'll arrive at the airport on Nov. 16, 6am. Have a four hour layover. Trying to get a few ideas of something to do to kill the time. I won't have a car. Is there anything within a short walking distance to explore. I would imagine the fall colors are in full swing at that time. Perhaps a park close by I could walk to. Or is it best to just sit tight in the airport and avoid missing my flight. Any suggestions or ideas would be great. Thanks so much

We will be entering the city at Amtrak 30th street station with luggage for a 4 day conference. What is our best way to get to the Downtown Marriott and back to train station afterwards?

Does anyone know of any available accomodation in the City Center during 1 Nov - 10 Nov, preferably near the Convention Center and Metro. Budget is around $80-100. Thanks

Hi,

Does anyone have any suggestions for a small hotel/B&B from which I can reach the airport conveniently (I don't mind using subway or other public transportation). Airport hotels seem to cost $156 (ouch) per night, and I sure hope I can find something more reasonable than that. I'll be traveling in October.

Thanks for any suggestions you can give.

Cathy

Could anybody please tell me how safe is area between market and chestnut st, from 2nd st block to ~ 13th? How safe is to stay in hostel in this area?
Thank you

hi,
is anyone running the philly marathon this year? nov 23?

Hi, on vacation in the US this summer, I will have a 4 hour stop in Philadelphia around lunch time. Where is the best place to stop, park, and which has a few restaurants to choose from and is near some interesting places to visit...? ..and what would be the top 2 or 3 things to see in this admittedly quick stop-over ? Thanks very much.

Can I find what bus goes from Market East Station to 4th and Ransteed anywhere on the web? Getting driving directions on the web is easy but I would use public transportation more if I knew how to get directions.

I'd like to use Phlash bus from Philadelhia Museum of
Art to Penn's Landing and afterwards- in several hours- from Penn's
Landing to Market East Station.
Please, tell me may I buy tickets inside Phlash bus,if not then where, and
where is Phlash bus Stop located near Phila Museum of Art.

Thank you

My husband and I are visiting Philadelphia for the first time at the end of July. I've done hours of research online to locate the perfect hotel. It seems we're better off staying in Center City rather than staying in a suburb and driving in everyday. However, before I make the final decision on a hotel, we are now trying to decide if we should take Amtrak instead. We're coming from Richmond, VA, so it would be easy for us to hop on the train and ride to Philadelphia. However, if we do that, I'm wondering if we'll have a hard time once we arrive getting from the station to our hotel. Keeping in mind I haven't yet bookd a hotel I have the following questions:

1. Are there acceptable hotels near the train station? And if so, do you know the names of those hotels or on which streets they are located?

2. If we don't stay near the train station, will it cost us an arm and a leg to take a taxi to a hotel in Center City?

3. How far is the train station from the tourist attractions? (i.e. Independence Hall, Liberty Bell, etc...)

I appreciate any advise/information that anyone can provide.

Thanks!

What are you doing July 4th while in Philly?
What are some nice events to attend??

My family and I are going to Philadelphia in August and we plan to stay 3 days. We will arrive driving a rented car. We actually know nothing about the city: can you help me with these questions?
1. Which area should I choose to find a hotel? Not very difficult to find, not very difficult to park, safe area, etc
2. Should I walk, drive or use public transport?
3. Any place to avoid (unsafe, "too for tourists only", etc)
Thanks in advance

A friend and I are making a pilgrimage to the Magic Gardens on South Street and are looking for a place to stay within walking distance. Any out-of-the-way places you could recommend? Thanks for you help. Connie

Hello, my daughter and friend are planning on attending a concert in August Around the 300 block of South Street. I am struggling with a 19 year old on her own but I know I need to so I am asking your help in making this a safe night. She will be driving into city from the west via 76. We don't need directions as much as safety tips and possibly parking tips. On a weekday, after what time are street parking meters free etc?
Jim

I'm headed to Philly in late June to attend the US Olympic Trials for gymnastics. It's my first time going there as a "grown up" where I won't be attending a conference or trade show and will actually have time to see the city. Most of the tips I've read are about visiting historical sites, many of which I saw as a kid and frankly am not that interested in (horrible and unpatriotic, I know). I've already identified a couple of museums that I'd like to check out but what else is there to do/see?

Almost everything closes around 6pm. Anything to do after that in the downtown area for a family? Any recommended walks or night views of the city?

Hi there,
My husband and I fly off to Philadelphia tomorrow and are looking forward to all the sights!
However, someone has just suggested to us that it is possible to do a daytrip to New York on public transport which we had never thought about before...
If anyone has any info or suggestions on how to do it - in a fairly easy way, lol - it would be much appreciated!
We leave tomorrow morning, arrgh! and are there til June 3rd.
Many thanks for anyone kind enough to offer some advice x

We're driving from Philadelphia to Wilkes Barre about mid-day on Friday, May 23, the start of Memorial Day weekend. We heard that traffic on the highway that leads directly from Philly to WB will be packed with people going to the Poconos for the weekend. We're looking for an alternate route that might be less crowded.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thank you.

We're planning our big East Coast trip to check out universities for our son. My question is, should I rent a car as soon as we arrive in Philadelphia (and pay the $21/day parking charge, plus additional parking at UPenn, etc.)? Or, should we wait until the day we leave for Princeton, NJ, and rent the car that morning, drive up to Princeton, spend a couple of days there and New Brunswick visiting universitis and family friends? Do we need a car to go from downtown Philadelphia to UPenn and back, and other places in Philadelphia?

I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THERE IS A MENU THAT I CAN GET EMAILED TO ME FROM NAPPY NIKKI'S RESTAURANT IN PHILADELPHIA. VBENEDICT@PROCALLONLINE.COM THANKS

What is the inscription on the Unknown Soldiers Tomb Washington Square?

Can anyone suggest a Philadelphia suburb motel that's located near the SEPTA subway line? What are some small towns connected by the SEPTA toward the DT area? what area of the city should I try to avoid?

Bob

My husband and I will be traveling through PHL later this month and will have a 4 hour lay over going and a 6 hour layover coming back. I was wondering if someone could tell me if there are cheap options that would allow us to take a bus, train, etc. into Philadelphia central where we could take an hour or two to look at the Liberty Bell etc. The thought of hanging out that long at an airport between flights does not sound appealing. I would love to hear your opinions as to whether or not this would be feasible time wise or if the transportation system is good and efficent. Thanks in advance for your help.

I find from fellow VT member that on May 31 & June 1 will have the Air Exposition with F-15 & Airforce Thunderbirds at McGuire AirForce Base. Is it far from the Franklin Square or the downtown area ?

I will be visiting the area in Setember and I really wanted to do somthing close to the University or on camus. I woud love to do something that was very active no museums and could be great for a group of engineers. Also a good place to eat that is within that range. Can anyone suggest anything?

Co-workers and myself (from NJ) are walking the Susan G Komen 5/11/08.
Can a person walk from 30th Street Station to Art Museum? How far?
We will cab ride if weather does not permit but prefer to trek it.

A couple of years ago, we visited the Liberty Bell. I remember that we parked at a food court/shopping mall within a block or two of the Liberty Bell. We plan on visiting again this summer and would like to park at the same food court. Can you give me any information about this mall? Thanks.

hi
i will be travelling with US AIRWAYS from manchester,england to manchester,NH and having philadelphia as my connecting city, do i need to re-claim my luggage in philadelphia and also go through their immigration even though new hampshire is my final destination? i would be really grateful if anyone could help me with the step by step guide of what to do in the airport from the time i'll disembark the plane and towards catching my connecting flight. do you think 2 hours lay over is enough? i'm sure you've got a hint now that i'm not a well travelled person that's why i'm asking anyone who can advise me with this journey to help make it more organize as much as possible...
thanks in advance!