I may have to go to Philadelphia to take a test in the next few months. Trying to get out of having to travel, but may not be able to.
If I do have to go, I’m wondering if I should make a trip of it - maybe a long weekend, take my test, and see the sights.
Mr. Athena says there’s not much to see in that area of the country, but it’s been years since he’s been there.
So what’s the story? Is it worth it? For what it’s worth, we like historical things, museums, good restaurants, good hotels. Not so interested in spectator sports. Walking/biking/hiking is fun.
Well, aside from the whole “birthplace of the nation” history thing, we’ve got a bunch of great museums – the Barnes, of course, but also the Art Museum, the Penna. Academy of Fine Arts, the Museum of Contemporary Art, a nice little Rodin museum – plus, in addition to art, the Franklin Institute (science museum with a major Tut exhibit coming up), plus the University [of Pennsylvania] Museum (archaeology and anthropology), and the Mutter Museum (19th-century collection of medical oddities – no, it really is worth a visit.).
Walking biking hiking – higher proportion of green area than any other major city in the country – there’s a huge swath of parkland (Fairmount Park) through the western and northwestern part of the city – and for ordinary walking, it’s one of the most walkable cities I’ve ever visited.
Theater, music, dance – oh wait, you didn’t list those, so I won’t either.
Plus a very friendly Doper community – let us know when you’re coming and we’ll organize a dinner.
I was in Philadelphia last Friday visiting some friends and while we mostly hung out around their apartment, we did take a tour of the Mutter Museum and it was pretty fascinating although probably not for the squeamish. The wall of skin diseases freaked me out a bit since that’s one of my triggers and the Soap Lady corpse creeped me out as well but the wall of human skulls and the skeletal displays in general were really interesting.
If you are going, plan ahead. Its not easy to get a reservation unless you are really ahead of the game. It’ll be easier once they move out of Lower Merion.
You must go to the Franklin Institute.
You must find the giant heart.
You must walk through it at least once.
You may not go to Philadelphia without touring the Giant Heart. Flodnak has spoken.
(My kids “make” me walk through it at least three times every time we’re in Philly. It’s a ritual. The rest of the Institute is also Pretty Damn Cool, of course.)
There is so much to see and do in the Philly area, you won’t have time enough to do even a quarter of it, believe me. You must try a cheesesteak and a hoagie as well. There’s even an area (Norristown) that has it’s own brand of hoagie called a Zeppelin (or Zep for short). The definitive Zep, I’m told, is from Eve’s Lunch in Norristown - I missed it on my last trip to Philly in December, though. The cheesesteak battle is between Geno’s and Pat’s, both in South Philly (which is a great place to visit too), although there are plenty of natives who will tell you that some place else has a better cheesesteak.
There’s an aquarium in Camden, just across the Delaware River. The transit system in Philly is pretty good too, between Septa trains, subway and Amtrak. Boathouse Row on the Schuykill is beautiful, all lit up at night (you can drive past it on East River Drive, which goes through Fairmount Park). I haven’t been to Independence Hall is many, many years, but it’s definitely a great place to visit, and the Betsy Ross house (boy, those houses were small!!). I don’t know who/what owns the old Wanamaker store now, but it’s still there and I think the eagle is still there, as well as the organ & fountains - they did a beautiful show during the holiday season (I think they still do), so there’s definitely shopping downtown. Also Reading Terminal Market - a wide array of food stalls and vendors, definitely a must-see and downtown Philly.
I love Philly - don’t get there very often and when I do, I don’t get to do half of what I want to. Hope you will take a few extra days and explore.
Since the King Tut show is at the Franklin Institute, you can see the boy king and the giant heart in one trip.
If that doesn’t tire you out, in the same neighborhood are the Academy of Natural Sciences, Rodin Museum and Philadelphia Museum of Art. Not to mention the main Free Library, the Friends of the Free Library’s bookstore (lots of used books), and a number of good restaurants. The nearby neighborhood (Fairmount) is one of the city’s restaurant clusters; another is the Rittenhouse Square area.
Old City has the major historical things: the Liberty Bell, Constitution Center, Independence Hall, Betsy Ross House, Franklin Court, Christ Church and its graveyard, and so on. All are within easy walking distance of each other. Two of my favorite sights in that area, both free, are the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier of the American Revolution in Washington Square, and right across the street, Tiffany and Parrish’s stained-glass mosaic “The Dream Garden” in the lobby of the Curtis Building.
Although I never quite took to Philadelphia, am I one of the only ones that sees the tone of the question as totally bizarre (I know twickster does and rightfully so)? It is basically the same as someone asking about the same about Boston. Nope, we don’t have any history, universities, good restaurants, or other things of interest. Most of that is located in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan so move along.
It sounded very odd to me. Especially when you consider that most people probably consider “that area of the country” to include not only Philly, but New York, Baltimore, and possibly DC. Which, of course, have nothing of any note or interest.
Nobody has mentioned the naval history museum? GUUUUUYYYYS!
You have different tickets available, depending on whether you want only the Museum (philly side), museum+boat+freaking big battleship on Jersey side, or museum+boat+battleship+aquarium (also on Jersey side). The veteran who showed us around the teeny weeny widdle boat had served in another one from the same series. Lilbro, who until then hadn’t really bothered trot out his English, had a great time talking with him. I have a picture where you can really see where Spielberg got his Star Cruisers (or whatever they’re called in English, gee, change the sky and this looks familiar!)
2nd street has nice bars; 3rd street, antiques stores. My favorite chesesteak is not from any of the places that claim to have “the best cheesesteak in the world”, it’s from a little takeout/eat in place on 3rd street a couple blocks N of Market, owned by a Greek family. The sign is a bell.
I love going to The Market.
The “little Rodin museum” is little as museums go. It’s also the biggest Rodin collection in the world. The view from the Art Museum’s stairs is spectacular. The view from the back of the Art Museum isn’t in any movies but I love Boathouse Row as seen from up there. Oh, and the museum’s contents are worth several visits. Unless you suffer from a serious allergy to pretty stones (large geology section), metal weaponry (Lilbro, please don’t slobber on the swords) or pictures, that is.
If you’re going out of Philly, the whole area is full of antique and crafty stores. There’s several mansions in Delaware that can be visited, with huge gardens (some English-style, some French-style).
Anything to do around Philly? Nooooo… heck, I’m an oyster and Philly managed to get me to go out of the shell!
I just wish I’d known about the Dope when I was living there Would’a loved a chance at meeting some of the folks here.
There’s also the mint - watch them make coins, just a block or two away from Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell and the Benjamin Franklin historic sites.
You must try a cheesesteak and a hoagie as well. There’s even an area (Norristown) that has it’s own brand of hoagie called a Zeppelin (or Zep for short). The definitive Zep, I’m told, is from Eve’s Lunch in Norristown - I missed it on my last trip to Philly in December, though. 
The cheesesteak battle is between Geno’s and Pat’s, both in South Philly (which is a great place to visit too), although there are plenty of natives who will tell you that some place else has a better cheesesteak.
(or whatever they’re called in English, gee, change the sky and this looks familiar!)