Looking to stay in Philly. Last time I went I was at center city. Not sure if thats still the spot? We plan on doing Eastern State Penn, eating some cheesesteaks and checking out Independence Hall. So any cheesesteak places and hotels would be welcomed!

Thanks!

We were there for our anniversary last month (33 years!) and stayed at the Loews. Nice room, centrally located in downtown (2 blocks or so from city hall), so we walked everywhere except to the art museum. We booked through Hotels.com and got a decent rate (for downtown) for Friday-Sunday nights, but parking is expensive.

Got to consider Reading Terminal Market for some good eats. A lot to choose from under one roof.

quote:

Originally posted by Gman010:
...checking out Independence Hall......

Be aware carry is not permitted at Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, and may other buildings designated as Federal Property!

WEC

quote:

Originally posted by sgalczyn:

quote:

Originally posted by Gman010:
...checking out Independence Hall......

Be aware carry is not permitted at Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, and may other buildings designated as Federal Property!

What are PA carry laws anyway? Id have to get thru NY and NJ so Impossible for me anyway lol

quote:

Originally posted by TRIO:
Got to consider Reading Terminal Market for some good eats. A lot to choose from under one roof.

It's been more than a few years since I've been there. The food was pretty good and the ice cream at Bassett's was great!

quote:

Originally posted by Gman010:
What are PA carry laws anyway? Id have to get thru NY and NJ so Impossible for me anyway lol

For you reading pleasure....................

https://forum.pafoa.org/showthread.php?t=7582

https://www.usconcealedcarry.c...ity_map/pa-gun-laws/

Assuming you'll have a car, maybe consider staying in NJ-- Cherry Hill or Mount Laurel, for example-- just for the lower hotel prices. You'll pay for parking in Center City for your excursions there, but it'll still come out in the wash, and not have to deal with the down sides of the city.

Center City is a mixed-bag of "OK" and "Not OK" after hours. Lots of "street people," more visible since COVID (many of the big employers, including mine, have been in pretty-much-constant telework since shutdowns started.) Combined with generally emboldened criminals (thanks, DA Larry Krasner) you need to be extra-aware of your surroundings if you stay down there. Plus side, many of the restaurants are starting to reopen under semi-normal conditions.

Sandwiches: Decent pork sandwiches at a few stands in Reading Terminal. Really good cheesesteaks are to be found in the various neighborhoods (Geno's actually is decent, though a tourist trap.) If you're staying in Cherry Hill, Chick's is one of our regular lunch places (bring your appetite, these are big sandwiches.)

I stay near Comcast Center. Any of the 3+ star hotels near Rittenhouse Square should do. Very walkable area. I am unsure of the Covid affect on the area though. My last trip there got cancelled in April 2020 due to the 'rona.

I went to a conference in Philly in 2017 and stayed right across from the City Hall. Went to the Reading Terminal 3 days straight, and probably gained a lb each day. I can say even in 2017 I made a late evening walk to get a snack and it had a dicey feel in terms of street people taking an interest in what I was doing out at 11 pm on a Thursday night...

Check out the USS Olympia and the museum that's there. She is an awesome ship.

We stayed at the Embassy Suites a few years ago. Very nice hotel. Looks like they had just finished a nice remodel when we went.

Another vote for Reading Market. That was an incredible eatery. Lots and lots of different options.

As far as cheesesteaks, we just did the touristy thing and had Pats and Gino's. Both were decent enough, but I suspect there are better ones if you do your homework.

Eastern State Penn was a great tour as was Independence Hall and the Liberty bell. The US Mint was fun to see and we also enjoyed the Ben Franklin Museum.

I also recommend one of the double decker bus tours. Those are very informative and a great way to see a lot of the city. The hop on/hop off one we used had a stop about a block, if that, away from the hotel so it made it easy to get around.

Chris

I've stayed at the Renaissance Philadelphia Downtown several times. It's on Chestnut Street, right in the middle of Old City, which puts all the historic and river stuff within a few blocks.

Definitely hit RTM one day for lunch (or just exploring). If you do stay in old city, one of the best cheesesteaks I've had was from Campo's on Market Street.

-Rob

I haven't been back in a few years but we stayed several times at the Warwick Hotel on Rittenhouse Square. It's a cool area of town!