BootsnAll Travel Community

Going to Philly

looking for a budget hotel within walking distance of the convention centre
suggestions?

also planning to visit the Barnes Foundation in Merion
worth a visit?

have already seen the liberty bell/independence hall
what should the next most important thing on my sightseeing itinerary

Well, I haven't actually been but as a big fan of impressionism, I'm jealous. Just make sure to pay attention to their visitor policies and make advanced reservations:

http://www.barnesfoundation.org/r_main.html

Since I'm assuming you like impressionism, why not also go to the Philly Art Museum which has a great collection.

quote:

Reply

Ok. I'm not sure about lodging, will look for my lp america to see whats in the horizon there.

Budget IN the city? Not very likely, unless you go the hostel route. All our friends stayed about 20 miles outside of town in a budget inn.

Try couchsurfing for the cheapest bed.

Next, sightseeing.

The Art Musuem has one of the countries best collections of impressionism, and an fantastic Eastern Art collection, including a complete hindu temple, the only one in the USA.

Their medieval art collection isn't bad either, nor is their exceptional Rodin museum, which can be visited on the same ticket.

Other non Historic area items often not mentioned are:

Mutter museum.. medical oddities
Masonic Lodge. Its free, and the rooms are very impressive.
South Street, good shopping, nice hoagies, Lees Hoagies especially.
Chinatown
Riverfront park, where there are often concerts


BUT, if you don't get that far, at the mall on 7th to 11th and market, there is a great hoagie stand with lower prices and similar quality.

Its right by the Reading Terminal train station, which is on the same level as the mall.

Fairmount park is always amazing, especially when the skulls are training on the river.

Theres a naval museum on the Delaware...

shall I go on?

Really small rooms but pretty reasonable for Philadelphia

Alexander Inn

Definitely check out the Barnes.

i've been to the Mutter
plan to visit it again

of course i'm going to the Barnes.....gotta check it out before it disbands and reforms

thanks for the suggestions........didn't know about the masonic lodge...was that part of the national treasure movie?

I don't know, but a lot of those rooms are pretty incredible, as is the history of the Masonic lodge in Philadelphia, the USA, and the world. Masons are responsible in part for the French Revolution, and were ejected from Spain for being revolutionary. Meanwhile, in the USA, about 20 of our presidents were members of this organisation, as they will tell you proudly.

It was the first building in Philadelphia to have electric lighting, among other things. It has copies of rooms from places all over the world, including Egypt.

Its not well known, but I've been there twice, and enjoyed it each time.

if you don't go in the art museum, you at least have to run up the stairs and jump up and down, rocky style.

quote:

Originally posted by lauracatherine:
if you don't go in the art museum, you at least have to run up the stairs and jump up and down, rocky style.

Particularly with a screen name like Ramboo.

The Philadelphia Art Museum is free on Sundays before 1pm, and your entry button is good for the entire day.

Sometimes, in the summer and fall, they have regattas, rowing races, down the schukyll. Thats free too if you can get a seat in the stands.

At the Naval Museum, they had a submarine you could visit, and a tall ship you could look at, at least a few years ago.

Then there are the festivals by the river during the summer and up to the winter.

Philadelphia has a Lot happening...