First time from the UK to Philadelphia, which area to stay?

Hi All,

Ok, so for the past 3 months I%26#39;ve been getting and giving advice on Las Vegas and now that trip is over we are starting to plan some things for next year.

We have done a lot of the USA both on individual holidays and also on a round the world trip last year, but we never made it to Philadephia. We also didn%26#39;t get to New York in the end despite planning to fly home from there (we flew from Boston instead). So that leaves us with an ideal multi centre holiday to NY %26amp; Philly......

We (Wife and I) are thinking of a mid March 08 trip flying into NY (it%26#39;s pretty cheap from the UK then) having 5 nights there and then getting Amtrak down to Philadelphia for 3 nights. We would then Amtrak it back to NY to go home.

We have been to NY before but it was pre 9/11 and it was only our 2nd ever time in the USA. It will feel to us probably like a new city as it is will be 7 years+ since the last visit.

Anyway NY is not why I am on here. I need advice on Philadelphia.

Firstly do you think the split 5/3 between NY %26amp; Philadelphia is a fair one? We will get to see most things in 3 fullish days in Philly?

Also where to stay? I have been recommended the Society Hill area and quite like the look of the Sheraton. However from reading posts on here the city centre area seems to very popular as well. The Courtyard by Marriott seems to be highly recommended. I don%26#39;t mind mixing with business and convention people, in fact when in Boston we always stay at the Sheraton Boston and that is chock a block full of convention traffic.

Main purpose of Philly will be to sample the historic district and city centre, do some shopping, eat and drink well etc.

What do you think to the plan? Any suggestions?

First time from the UK to Philadelphia, which area to stay?

Honestly, I think the 5/3 split should be the other way around. 5 in Philadelphia, and 3 in NYC- unless you%26#39;ve never been to Washington, in which case I would do that instead of NYC. And I%26#39;m not saying that out of prejudice for Philadelphia. I think there%26#39;s more to do her, especially if this is your first visit..

Regarding where to stay- any of the places you mentioned would fit your needs. I happen to like the Sheraton Society Hill%26#39;s location better than the others. It is in a mostly residential neighborhood, but just a few blocks from the sites and great restaurants. The Marriott is more centrally located, but the area is somewhat deserted at night.

Also, be aware that early March%26#39;s weather can be quite nasty here. Cold, wind, and snow are not uncommon. Bring warm clothes and some fold-up boots (like Totes), and of course, a good, strong brolly.

First time from the UK to Philadelphia, which area to stay?

I would actually do 4 days in each - 4 in Philly, 4 in New York. The Old City/Society Hill area is a great place to stay, in my opinion. I have stayed at the Sheraton Society Hill and while it is not a 5* hotel, I think they do a good job for what they are (a 3.5* property.) Other options in that area include the Omni Indepedence, the Best Western Indepedence Park, the Hyatt Regency at Penn%26#39;s Landing and the Penn%26#39;s View Inn (if you are coming as adults, I wouldn%26#39;t go to Penn%26#39;s View with kids.)

The Courtyard is a very good hotel as well and I wouldn%26#39;t hesitate to stay in that area, either, but it is a (doable) walk to the historic district (where the above hotels are located) but if you score some kind of deal, I%26#39;d recommend that area as well.

Hope this helps get you started and feel free to ask questions. Good luck!

Suzanne

WOW, I didn%26#39;t expect two in depth answers quite that quickly. Thank you very much.

Split is important to me and that is why I brought it up. I must admit I prefer to stay in one place on a break of a week or so but the lure of being able to see two first class cities, one of which I%26#39;ve never visited and the other that I haven%26#39;t been to for 7+ years is too much.

Good point on Washington, but we managed to get out there for Xmas in 2005 for 6 nights and had a blast.

The thing about flying into NY from the UK is that you can pretty much bag an outward flight at any time of the day. So I was thinking of an early UK departure (8-9am) which would get us into NY for lunchtime the same day. So that%26#39;s almost 2/3rd%26#39;s of a day to explore which isn%26#39;t normally the case on transatlantic. With that in mind maybe we could split it 4 in NY and 4 in Philly. I%26#39;m guessing if I posted this question on the NY forum the answer might be the other way round :)

All I would look for in Philly is some classic sightseeing, for example we loved just walking the Freedom Trail in Boston. Shopping would be good, although we have NY for that as well and of course some good quality restaurants and bars to while away the night. Our recommendation stated that Society Hill is a great place in the evening and both your posts above seem to back that up?

On the subject of transport. What is the station and area like where Amtrak arrive and depart from, and how far away is it from the Society Hill area?

Obviously we want to experience the Philly Cheesesteak (I actually had one in the MGM Grand last week) but won%26#39;t ask the question that seems to provoke a few arguments on here about which is the best!!!!! I have the recommendations noted and will follow my nose and the queues.

Let the major planning commence.....

I agree on staying in Society Hill or Old City. Society Hill and Independence Park are stunning after a snowfall and there are many cozy restaurants and bars in the area, perfect after walking on a wintery day. I especially like the Plough and the Stars because of the wood-burning fireplace.

Lynn

The AMTRAK station (30th Street Station) is in a good area, but you would still need to make your way to the hotel from there. There are several options, but if you have luggage, a cab is your only good one. Cabs are generally plentiful at 30th Street, unless the weather is bad. Even so, the wait isn%26#39;t horrible. Fare would probably be in the $7-$10 range.

Cheesesteak- whatever you had at the MGM Grand was not a Philly cheesesteak. The two best places in the downtown area are Campo%26#39;s at 2nd %26amp; Market and Jim%26#39;s at 4th %26amp; South. Both very easily walkable from the Society Hill Sheraton.

Based on the kind of sightseeing you want to do, the Society Hill Sheraton is your better choice of the two hotels. It is right on the edge of the ';historic area';. Philadelphia isn%26#39;t great for shopping- you can do better in NY. That being said, there is a stretch of really nice $tores on Walnut Street between Broad and 19th. Think Burberry%26#39;s. With the dollar/Euro conversion in your favor, you would probably do quite well there.

Thanks again everybody for the advice.

I think I am going to aim for the Society Hill area and may well give Hotwire a go on this occasion. It seems the 3.5 rated Historic Area /Penns Landing hotel is the Sheraton and I like the look of that hotel.

If I remember rightly the savings would be $66 a night against the rate I saw on Sheraton.com, but in fairness I am getting nowehere near some of the rates I have seen quoted on TA (below $100 in some cases). Still $150 (拢75) a night isn%26#39;t too bad I think? I mean we pay that for a Premier Travel Inn in York city centre here in the UK and that is very much a budget hotel.

Agreee on the Philly Cheesesteak btw. The one in the MGM Grand was magnificent even if it might not be classed as a ';proper'; cheesesteak. Something I am very much looking forward to is samping the delights of the Philly food.

Once again thanks for your help and I promise to come back and let you know when I have booked up, and again when I return from Philadelphia.

Ju123

Ditto on the Sheraton. If you haven%26#39;t seen on other posts on here, I%26#39;d recommend a hop on hop off bus tour on day 1. Helps get your bearing and the pass is good for transport as well on the second day.

Also, if you are flying BA, I%26#39;d check to see what the difference is between flying back from NY or Philly... If you could fly out of Philly would save you a great deal of time.

Definitely do a cab from 30th Street... there is too much construction around the station.

The Hotwire Society Hill/Historical City is indeed Sheraton. It was OK - very nice lobby, proper 3,5*, non-smoker rooms smelled of smoke, some rooms much nicer than others. If you get a room at the far end of the hotel then the corridors are very long and there is just one set of elevators - ask for a room facing the courtyard.

Now when I read your quote I can%26#39;t believe I got a deal on Hotwire at $65 for a double in April last year. I would try to place a bet on Priceline.