My kid qualified for high school debate nationals to be held in Philly in mid-June. 
I’m sure the National Forensics League people will have stuff for them to do and see… but, is there something that no trip to Philly would be complete without? The kids oftentimes/sometimes have lunches or dinners on their own (with the coaches). Is there a “you haven’t tasted a Philly unless you’ve had…” spot or spots. Any restaurants that just shout “This is Philadelphia!” Anything or any place that is cool but perhaps might be overlooked by the tournament planners, since the planners will be trying to figure out where approx 2700 kids can all be at once.
I believe the debate/forensics kids will mostly be centered around the downtown or “Contsitution Center” area…wherever that is.
If you recommend a place, please be sure it is safe for 2 teenagers and a female coach. Thanks.
Dang it. This was probably the place to post this. :wally
Mods, feel free to move this to IMHO if you wish.
Food: The ultimate Philly food experience is the cheesesteak – Pat’s and Geno’s in South Philly are considered “definitive,” but you can also go to Jim’s at Fourth and South, since South Street is probably an area you’ll want to check out anyway. (Hangout for the high-school and college crowd – CDs, clothes, etc.) No bookstores down there now – the used bookstores near where you’ll be are on 2nds street for a block or two north of Market.
Junk food: TastyKakes – available in every convenience store in the city. Various cake and pie and cookie type delights. Pick whatever looks good – though I myself have a fondness for Jelly Crimpets.
Unusual museum – The Mutter Museum has medical oddities. You don’t say whether you’re escorting boys or girls – the former would, I think, be more likely to enjoy this. Depends on the girls, though, I guess.
Another museum that’s distinctively Philly – The Mummers Museum.(Only two letters different, but a world away 
) This would probably not be that amusing if you’ve never seen the Mummers in action, though – and even if you have, not everyone shares my fondness for this living folk art display.
Plus – Dopers out the ears. Let us know if you want us to organize one of our periodic Doper Dinners for while you’re in town.
Two things for clarity.
First, once again, an apology to posting in this forum instead of what I now think would be the more appropriate forum of IMHO.
Second. I’m not going with the kid. He, partner and coach are on their own.
I just want him to maximize the experience of Philly without me.
I’m probably just an over-excited parent. He just qualified on Saturday, and here I am already planning what he should do in mid-June. He qualified last year too, when the tournament was in Salt Lake City. The wife and I went to be “company” in SLC, but he didn’t really need or want us there… but hey, back then he was only 15 and had just finished his sophmore year. Now he’s an old man of 16 and can handle anything (just ask him). :rolleyes:
Okay – change the “yous” to “theys” and retract the invitation to organize a dinner – I’ll stand by my post.
And if he’s a 16-year-old boy, he’d probably love the Mutter Museum!
my first thought was: “stay inside, where there is air conditioning.” i’m sure they will cover all the historical stuff in the independence/constitution area.
one museum that is overlooked a bit is the “atwater kent” museum. very cool, very, philly. not to far away on 7th street. (the indep./constit. area is on 5th st.)
we have a nifty prison tour, just a bit down the street from the art museum.
y’all can eat at the reading terminal (11th-12th st). that is very philly, and the amish stands are amazing foodwise.
Or, you can come hang with us. That is, if my kids qualify! Districts isn’t for a couple of more weeks, but I’d love to find some Dopers while we’re in town.
Just across the river is the battleship USS New Jersey. (Website.)