[phillytom]

A few weeks ago I put up a thread and solicited ideas from locals for people who are visiting. I tried to focus on things in walking or cab distance of the center city hotels.<br><br>
Here's a list of things to do and places to go while you are in Philly. Feel free to pm or email if you have any questions. And add more in the comments!<br><br><b>Getting around</b><br>
The city is laid out like a grid. Number streets go north/south, names go east/west. Numbers start at the river on the east and go up as you go west. Broad St would be 14th if there was such a thing. Cabs are plentiful downtown. Wear a helmet at all times. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Smile"><br><br><b>Places to Go</b><br><br><i>Historic District</i>: In and around 5th and Arch. Liberty Bell, Constituion Center (DW was a consultant on several exhibits, highly recomended!) Betsy Ross, Independence Hall.<br><br><i>Art Museum</i>: At the start for the marathon (24th & the Parkway). Donation admission on Sundays.<br><br><i>Eastern State Penitentiary</i>: 22nd & Fairmount - cool historic prison. Moe & Beaker have been there. I can probably get passes if anyone is interested.<br><br><i>Franklin Institute, Museum of Nat Sci, Please Touch Museum</i>: Great places for kids, all roughly near 18th and JFK<br><br><i>Mutter Museum</i> Museum of the wierd. Medical oddities. <a href="http://www.collphyphil.org/mutter.asp" target="_blank">http://www.collphyphil.org/mutter.asp</a> 19 South 22nd Street 10-5 Sat & Sun<br><br><b>Places to Eat</b><br><br><i>Nodding Heads</i>: 15th & Samson, my fave brewpub<br><br><i>White Dog Cafe</i>: 34th & Samson, great brunch, great resteraunt, you'd probably want to take a cab since you need to coss the Schuylkill River<br><br><i>Cheesesteaks</i>: Pat's and Genos in South Philly are the most famous, but I'm not their biggest fan. Take a cab to 12th and South. If you go here for lunch, walk over to 9th St and go north to check out the Italian Market. I would recommend John's Roast Pork on Snyder near Columbus or Tony Luke's on Oregon.<br><br><i>Reading Terminal Market</i>: 12th and Arch, plenty of great places for bfast/lunch, great atmosphere<br><br><i>Buca Di Peppo</i>: 15th between Locust and Spruce. Meetup dinner.<br><br><i>Monk's Cafe</i> for Belgian Food and snobby beers!<br><br><b>High end shopping</b> Walnut St

 

[maccabeth]

Thanks, Ptom!! I'm especially excited about the Mutters Museum! I didn't realize that was in Philly. Printed out the coupon, too! <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Smile">

 

[theia]

Here's a great website, <b>fort hose</b> interested.<br><br><a href="http://www.gophila.com/" target="_blank">http://www.gophila.com/</a>

 

[Frankie71]

Thanks <b>P-Tom</b> and <b>Theia</b> for the info!<br><br>
Thinking at some point, maybe Friday morning before I meet up with some folks I might go check out the USS New Jersey over in Camden.

 

[BigGahoona]

DD totally wants to go to Philly she can go to the Mutter museum. She especially wanted to know who the gigantic colon belonged to.

 

[theia]

Must. Resist!!!!

 

[maccabeth]

Well, I'll be sure to find out for her, BigG! <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/biggrin.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Very Happy">

 

[Beaker]

I have been there several times, great place!!! It looks small but you could spend hours in that place!! Definately something to see in Philly!! And I give a big thumbs up to Eastern State, amazingly interesting place to visit. Other than that, Tom's list is perfect! If you get a chance to hit Reading Terminal Market, do it!! Great Amish market with lots of local places thrown in, huge food court section and tons of stalls to buy some great local fod. Be sure to hit the Pennslyvania General Store, lots of cool items and some Philly famous candy!! Wilbur Buds are the bomb!!!

 

[clare]

Thanks for all the great info!

 

[drgenie]

Having been to the Mutter several times, I would highly recommend it. It's very unusual....kinda on the gross side, but in a very cool medical geek sort of way. I always like going.

 

[gatorbob]

I reckon I'll be around long enough on Monday to get a cheesesteak somewhere. Geno's is the one I've been to the most, but I suppose I'm open for something new. Anyone else still be around at lunchtime on Monday?

 

[hally]

Last summer I took my grown nephew and 3 friends to the TUT exhibit. They wanted to go to Pat's or Geno's and I had never been, but growing up in a suburb of Philly I am well acquainted with the sandwich. We got in line at Geno's and as we got to the register one of the guys noticed a sign reading<br>
"speak english or no service" or something to that affect. One of them refused to eat there and went to the mexican place next door. Personally, I like the steaks better at my local sub shop and they put the ketchup on for you. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/biggrin.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Very Happy">

 

[theia]

That was a BIG news story 'round these parts last year.