Taking my daughter with me to Philly

[FMCoug]

So I have an event in Philly next month and I'm thinking of taking my 15 year old daughter with me. She is somewhat of a history buff and is taking US History this year so I thought it would be a good chance to go see some historical sites. My event is on Saturday so the thought is to fly in Thursday night and home Monday AM. So we'd have Friday and Sunday to explore. I know some here live/have lived in the area so thought I'd ask a few questions:

1. Hotwire shows three downtown areas. Center City East, Center City West, Old City. Which would be the best to stay in and why? It would be fun for her to have a "downtown" experience I think as she has grown up primarily in the Dalls suburbs and now Utah.

2. Aside form the obvious (Independence Hall, Liberty Bell), what are some good sites to be sure and see?

3. I would love to give her a different church experience than she's had thus far. Downtown branch type of thing. So any suggestions there would be great too.

[RC Vikings]

Geno's or Pat's is really the big question when going to Philly. We went to Geno's and quite frankly I was a little disappointed. Earlier on a business trip I had gone to a little place just outside the produce market and it was great. If you're a golfer you can drive across to Jersey and try to find Pine Valley Golf Course. I wanted to see it because Golf Digest ranks it number one in the world and it is almost impossible to find. You won't make it past the guard shack but it's a real challenge to find the course. That's one Philly experience most people won't ever do.

[Indy Coug]

I haven't been to a lot of things in Philly, but here are a couple

Constitution Center

Valley Forge (about 20 miles or so from downtown)

Art Museum (assuming she hasn't been to a major art museum before)

[hostile]

We lived in Philly for 5+ years. I agree w/ Indy - the Art Museum and Valley Forge are both great. Valley Forge is easy to get to and you can spend most of the day there. The Constitution Center was just being finished when we left, so I haven't seen the entire thing but that would be on my list as well. Depending on time, you can travel north to where Washington crossed the Delaware.

One of the things we enjoyed was the historic carriage rides around Independence Hall. You can go for 2 or 4 hours, depending on time and the drivers show you many of the early sites associated w/ colonial america in Philadelphia. They seem kind of kitschy but are actually pretty fun.

There is a museum at the site of Benjamin Franklin's original home which is informative as well.

The country's first hospital is at 7th and Spruce.

University of Pennsylvania is relatively close and is an interesting campus to walk around.

Anything "Center City" will be around the original boundaries of colonial Philadelphia - cobblestone streets, colonial houses, etc. "Downtown" isn't too far away - a long walk.

We enjoyed the Reading Terminal Market and the outdoor Italian Market. Some of my favorite restaurants are in Philly.

When we lived in Philadelphia, there were 3 branches in the city proper - one in North Philly, one near center city, and a student branch. Any of those would definitely be a different experience than what she has had. The proposed temple site is near downtown as well - not sure if anything has been done.

If you get bored you can make the 45 min drive to Atlantic City and teach her how to play craps.

PM me if you have any specific questions.

[Indy Coug]

The proposed temple site is near downtown as well - not sure if anything has been done.

Groundbreaking is allegedly due to happen sometime this spring. It's not too far from the Art Museum and is across the street from a large cathedral, IIRC.

[hostile]

Geno's or Pat's is really the big question when going to Philly. We went to Geno's and quite frankly I was a little disappointed. Earlier on a business trip I had gone to a little place just outside the produce market and it was great. If you're a golfer you can drive across to Jersey and try to find Pine Valley Golf Course. I wanted to see it because Golf Digest ranks it number one in the world and it is almost impossible to find. You won't make it past the guard shack but it's a real challenge to find the course. That's one Philly experience most people won't ever do.

I wouldn't go to either Gino's or Pat's for a steak sandwich - not a fan of cheese whiz. Definitely get a hot pretzel w/ mustard from one of the sidewalk vendors. It will probably still be too early in the year for Italian Ice. The Merion Golf Club, host of the 2013 US Open, isn't too far away from downtown. You can also drive by where Kobe Bryant went to High School (Upper Marion HS) and took Brandy to the Senior Prom.

[hostile]

Groundbreaking is allegedly due to happen sometime this spring. It's not too far from the Art Museum and is across the street from a large cathedral, IIRC.

I think it is near Chinatown, not too far from the museum or from center city.

[Surfah]

Take your daughter to the malls in King of Prussia. She'll thank you.

I think University Center is the most interesting place besides the downtown area. UPenn is a really cool campus. You can get an awesome breakfast sandwich from a roach coach down by Children's Hospital. Geno's and Pat's are world famous. But really, we liked Jim's Steaks best I think.

[Indy Coug]

Take your daughter to the malls in King of Prussia. She'll thank you.

It's also very close to Valley Forge.

[oxcoug]

I haven't been to a lot of things in Philly, but here are a couple

Constitution Center

Valley Forge (about 20 miles or so from downtown)

Art Museum (assuming she hasn't been to a major art museum before)

I went to the Constitution Center for an event a couple of weeks ago and really enjoyed it - beautiful with tons of stuff to look at (good for a cold day). It's basically facing Independence Hall so it's easy to get to.

Plan a walk in old town - can't think of the name of the Church but the place where Franklin is buried was, I thought, very moving.

[wuapinmon]

While I'm not a fan of the city, I will say that the indoor market across from the old train station where all the Amish have their stands had some of the best varieties of pepperoni that I have ever tasted. The Amish also do smoked cheeses really well.

I too was disappointed in Geno's.

[TripletDaddy]

I wouldn't go to either Gino's or Pat's for a steak sandwich - not a fan of cheese whiz. Definitely get a hot pretzel w/ mustard from one of the sidewalk vendors. It will probably still be too early in the year for Italian Ice. The Merion Golf Club, host of the 2013 US Open, isn't too far away from downtown. You can also drive by where Kobe Bryant went to High School (Upper Marion HS) and took Brandy to the Senior Prom.

Whoa.

Kobe went to LOWER Merion. He was an Ace.

Interesting tidbit about Ardmore schools and Lower Merion HS....their motto..."Enter to learn, Go Forth to Serve" :rockon1:

[TripletDaddy]

Also skip pats and genos and get a steak at dalessandros. Yum.

[DU Ute]

I wouldn't go to either Gino's or Pat's for a steak sandwich - not a fan of cheese whiz. Definitely get a hot pretzel w/ mustard from one of the sidewalk vendors. It will probably still be too early in the year for Italian Ice. The Merion Golf Club, host of the 2013 US Open, isn't too far away from downtown. You can also drive by where Kobe Bryant went to High School (Upper Marion HS) and took Brandy to the Senior Prom.

There are a lot of filthy whiz lovers on this board.

[hostile]

Whoa.

Kobe went to LOWER Merion. He was an Ace.

Interesting tidbit about Ardmore schools and Lower Merion HS....their motto..."Enter to learn, Go Forth to Serve" :rockon1:

Thanks for the correction. I was thinking of famous people who went to school around there and had Upper Darby HS (Tina Fey) and Lower Merion (Kobe) on my mind.