Official "I'm visiting Philadelphia" thread

[VelesHomais]

Just like the New York one. Philadelphia is quite popular around here and it would be convenient to share useful information for the city visitors.

I'll start: what's a good parking lot where I could leave my car for the entire day, if I don't want to leave it on the street? I'm looking for something cheap and in center city (preferably closer to the old city part.)

[wheelingman]

I have parked at Penns Landing for $10 all day, but that was several years ago, but it is near Old City.

[xzmattzx]

I parked on a pier along Columbus Boulevard for $8 for I think unlimited time. That was a few years ago, though. I don't imagine prices went up too much since then, if at all. The pier north of the Dave & Busters (itself just north of the Benjamin Franklin Bridge) is the one that I am familiar with; it's located where Callowhill Street meets the Delaware River. It's about a 10 minute walk from the northern part of Old City, like Elfreth's Alley.

[Philly Bud]

Whatever you do, DO NOT park your car on the street unless it's really for just 20 or 30 minutes ... the "meter maids" are voracious! Even if it expired just a minute or two magically a $30 ticket appears. The lots closest to City Hall are the most expensive; there are a lot of lots in the area near the Free Library (the main public library) halfway between City Hall and the Art Museum.

If you're coming from NYC, why not leave the car at home and take either the Chinatown to Chinatown bus ... $12 one way, $20 round trip ... leaves nearly every half-hour from 6 AM 'til 12 midnight (Name of company: "Century 2000"), Or the "Bolt Bus"? I never take my car to NYC anymore. The tolls, gas, parking is too much of a hassle. Last month the driver miraculously made the Philly to Manhattan trip in 1 hour 40 minutes ... no kidding!

[xzmattzx]

An hour and 40 minutes is pretty slow. I've driven from Delaware to the Bronx in 90 minutes (for the Phillies game at Yankee Stadium, a.k.a. World Series preview). I've gotten to Manhattan from Wilmington on the Chinatown bus in under 2 hours, as well. I agree that taking the bus is easier. If you're only going on a round trip, rather than travelling from city to city, then you'll save money by taking the Bolt bus or Chinatown bus.

[VelesHomais]

I do usually take a bus to go to Philly, but then when I get back to the city, tired, I don't always feel like spending another hour on the subway. Plus, if you don't go alone, then chipping in for the gas makes it cheaper to drive. I once parked on an open parking lot near China Town, I think it was on race street or around there, and someone popped my tire - not something you'd expect for a paid parking lot, lol.

Thanks for the tips.

[scando]

A question for Philly locals - I visit relatives in Doylestown with some regularity. From Baltimore I take the highways, but on maps it's obvious that Broad Street becomes route 611, which goes straight to Doylestown. I'd like to stop in the city before heading north. Any idea how long the drive is (time wise) from downtown to Doylestown?

[Philly Bud]

Originally Posted by scando

A question for Philly locals - I visit relatives in Doylestown with some regularity. From Baltimore I take the highways, but on maps it's obvious that Broad Street becomes route 611, which goes straight to Doylestown. I'd like to stop in the city before heading north. Any idea how long the drive is (time wise) from downtown to Doylestown?

Broad Street - Route 611 - is not a good way to go to Doylestown from Philly City Center ... there are lights at every friggin' corner and traffic is heavy. It will take you an hour and a half to drive the 30 or so miles. If you are in no hurry at all then you might want to consider it, you pass a few interesting things like Temple University in North Philly, and Frank Lloyd Wright's masterpiece Temple Beth Sholom in Elkins Park. Actually the drive on Rt. 611 north of Doylestown through Bucks County all the way of to historic Easton, PA (home of Crayola Crayons!) is very scenic and you travel through some very pretty colonial-era villages on the Delaware River.

When I go to Doylestown - and I was there just last week - I take I-95 to the Newtown exit and get off at Rt. 413. After that I take Rt. 313 which it intersects - Swamp Road. Swamp Road straight into Doylestown.

I had lunch at the Cafe Alessio at 24 N. Main Street which is quite good. The Michener Art Museum showcases the "New Hope School" of Pennsylvania Impressionists of the early 20th Century that are really magnificent - be sure to see it if you are into art. Doylestown is a charming town.

[scando]

Originally Posted by Philly Bud

Broad Street - Route 611 - is not a good way to go to Doylestown from Philly City Center ... there are lights at every friggin' corner and traffic is heavy. It will take you an hour and a half to drive the 30 or so miles. If you are in no hurry at all then you might want to consider it, you pass a few interesting things like Temple University in North Philly, and Frank Lloyd Wright's masterpiece Temple Beth Sholom in Elkins Park. Actually the drive on Rt. 611 north of Doylestown through Bucks County all the way of to historic Easton, PA (home of Crayola Crayons!) is very scenic and you travel through some very pretty colonial-era villages on the Delaware River.

When I go to Doylestown - and I was there just last week - I take I-95 to the Newtown exit and get off at Rt. 413. After that I take Rt. 313 which it intersects - Swamp Road. Swamp Road straight into Doylestown.

I had lunch at the Cafe Alessio at 24 N. Main Street which is quite good. The Michener Art Museum showcases the "New Hope School" of Pennsylvania Impressionists of the early 20th Century that are really magnificent - be sure to see it if you are into art. Doylestown is a charming town.

Thanks. I thought that might be the case. I don't like the highways so I might try it one of these times.

Doylestown is a really nice place. It's a nice walking town, with lots of people out and around (at least on Saturday) and it has a good music store.

[nouveau.ukiyo]

Originally Posted by Philly Bud

Broad Street - Route 611 - is not a good way to go to Doylestown from Philly City Center ... there are lights at every friggin' corner and traffic is heavy. It will take you an hour and a half to drive the 30 or so miles. If you are in no hurry at all then you might want to consider it, you pass a few interesting things like Temple University in North Philly, and Frank Lloyd Wright's masterpiece Temple Beth Sholom in Elkins Park. Actually the drive on Rt. 611 north of Doylestown through Bucks County all the way of to historic Easton, PA (home of Crayola Crayons!) is very scenic and you travel through some very pretty colonial-era villages on the Delaware River.

When I go to Doylestown - and I was there just last week - I take I-95 to the Newtown exit and get off at Rt. 413. After that I take Rt. 313 which it intersects - Swamp Road. Swamp Road straight into Doylestown.

I had lunch at the Cafe Alessio at 24 N. Main Street which is quite good. The Michener Art Museum showcases the "New Hope School" of Pennsylvania Impressionists of the early 20th Century that are really magnificent - be sure to see it if you are into art. Doylestown is a charming town.

I live north of Doylestown in Upper Bucks off of 611. It is a pretty special place; it's historical and very old but still remains rural after almost 300 years. Thus far, we've survived the onslaught of suburban sprawl encroaching form Doylestown in the south, the Lehigh Valley in the north and Quakertown in the west.

As for directions, coming from the city, I usual take the Blue Route to Lansdale, then over to Doylestown via 202.

When I was a kid, it was a lot easier to drive down 611; it used to take 30-40 minutes from Doylestown to the city. But these days, the urban sprawl along the 611 corridor is just out of control and 611 just can't handle the increasing traffic volumes. Late at night, however, traffic's not bad and it's mostly green lights.

[MissyC]

What will you suggest to European tourists visiting Philadelphia? ... I 've never been there, but surely will visit it sometime soon in 2010. thanks...

[VelesHomais]

Originally Posted by CharlotteJ

What will you suggest to European tourists visiting Philadelphia? ... I 've never been there, but surely will visit it sometime soon in 2010. thanks...

Everything in city center or depending what you're interested in.

[Aspire]

Originally Posted by CharlotteJ

What will you suggest to European tourists visiting Philadelphia? ... I 've never been there, but surely will visit it sometime soon in 2010. thanks...

I've been there and I say it's worth the visit. Especially if you like history. the city has a nice athmosphere in it.

Tips:
- Go and see the comcast building; You can have lunch downstairs.
- If you have the time take a walk from chestnut street toward the delaware river;
- At the Philadelphia Museum of Art, if your in to it you can tell the ticket seller you just wanna take a picyter of the big stairs inside and than "dissapear", you're are able to see the museum for free. I didn't had the time to do it, and it's not my thing, but you can totally do it.

[MissyC]

Thank you to both of you for the advise on beautiful Philly with its beautiful skyline

However, I changed my mind and skip USA this time of the year due to these new security measures. Not because I am affraid of flying or don't like the waiting and the checks, but just because it is at this moment pretty chaotic and nobody seems to follow any standard procedure. But I will definitly add up a visit a day or three in Philly to my next trip.

I totally suppor these new rules. those who have nothing to hide like us and want to have a safe and sound flight ,should be Ok.