Help needed to plan trip!

I am looking to visit Philadelphia next june from England and would love some help in planning. Where is best to stay for approx 4 nights that is close to the historical attractions? Any ideas for a 6 year old? Also we want to end up at Hilton Head, would it be better flying or could anyone suggest any great stop offs enroute? A tall order so thanks!

Help needed to plan trip!

To get you started, check out gophila.com for an overview of the city%26#39;s attractions.

For a 6 year old, historical wise I would recommend the Liberty Bell (kids love it for some reason) as well as maybe the Franklin Court museum. First thing I would do is book a hop on-hop off bus tour to get the lay of the land.

Also, there is the Please Touch Museum and The Franklin Institute, both kid friendly, as well as the Academy of Natural Sciences.

For hotels in the Historic District, I like the Holiday Inn - Independence hall, clean, usually reasonable. What%26#39;s your budget, type of stay preference and I can make some other suggestions?

PHL - Hilton Head. Depends how long you have to travel. There are TONS of places to stop en route, not the least of which are Baltimore%26#39;s inner harbor and Washington DC (can spend 3-4 days there alone).

Note that 4 days 3 nights is probably sufficient to hit the main items, especially with child in tow...

Help needed to plan trip!

This is so helpful, thank you! We%26#39;ll be in the US for around 18 nights so have plenty of time to get to Hilton Head. With regards to budget, we want reasonably priced but do tend to go for nice hotels as we%26#39;ve travelled so far. I%26#39;m going to check out the historic sites you%26#39;ve recommended. Anything else would be very much appreciated. What is Washington DC like? I know the White House is there of course but what else would there be to see?

I think it would be helpful for you to know that the historic district is a pleasure to walk around, has many restaurants of all different types, and there is a small playground called Three Bears Park on the 300 block of Delancy Street, in the heart of Society Hill. Other good spots with a six-year-old:

Independence National Historical Park - In the summer the park and surrounding area come alive with actors portraying craftsman, soldiers, and other individual from the Revolutionary Era. Also, there is a series of story-telling benches provided by Once Upon A Nation.

Fireman%26#39;s Hall - the museum of the Philadelphia firefighting. Antique equipment, vehicles, and more.

The Betsy Ross House - while much of the Betsy Ross story is myth, the house gives the visitor a look at the Colonial working person%26#39;s home life.

Franklin Square - a little amusement park with Carousel, playground, and minature golf.

Philadelphia City Hall - Your child is too young to appreciate the City Hall Tour, but you can all enjoy the views from the clock tower, Until the 1990%26#39;s this was the tallest structure in Philly.

Chinatown - always fun though sometime is can get a little smelly around the fish stores.

Reading Terminal Market - a must see for anyone. This historic market captures the essence of Philly. readingterminalmarket.org

Your child is probably too old for the Please touch Museum. My daughter lost interest at age 3, when the Academy of Natural Sciences caught her attention.

Penn%26#39;s Landing - this is the Center CIty waterfront along the Delaware River. There are often special events, like ethnic festivals or concerts, held there.

For you research look at ushistory.org

Lynn

Thank you so much. I love to know as much as I can about a place before I vist (I drive my husband bonkers as I always seem to know loads when we get there!!)

Just thought of something else. The Arden Theatre in Old City has productions geared toward children. We%26#39;ve really enjoyed them.

Lynn

Loonbeam gave you some good information about where to start with regards to Philly. With a 6 year old in tow, I%26#39;d recommend the following hotels (they all have an indoor pool, which I find to be a bonus with kids after a long day of touring):

Omni Hotel

Courtyard Philadelphia Downtown

The Four Seasons

The Rittenhouse Hotel

Hampton Inn Convention Center

Loews Hotel

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown

Hyatt Regency Penn%26#39;s Landing

Sheraton Society Hill

Hilton Garden Inn Center City

Residence Inn

Sheraton City Center

Doubletree Hotel

All good hotels in Philly, all centrally located. Philadelphia%26#39;s Center City is very walkable, so location at any of these is really not an issue.

With regard to DC, there is a TON to see, especially with kids! In my opinion, the White House is really the least of it. All the Smithsonian museums are free (of particular interest to my kids, ages 6 and 9, are the Air and Space Museum and the Natural History Museum.) Also of interest are the monuments (Lincoln Memorial, the Washington Monument and the Jefferson Memorial.) Another very fun thing for kids is the International Spy Museum (there is a fee for that one.) They have a great National Zoo and that is free as well. I%26#39;d take a look at the DC forum for more suggestions, the people over there are really nice and would be more than willing to assist you with your trip planning.

Good luck and let us know if you have additional questions.

Suzanne

Lynn3 give great info as well!

Suzanne

Thanks Suzanne. You know it%26#39;s awfully hard to bruise my ego, but I appreciate the acknowledgement.

Lynn

Cheers to you all, I%26#39;m new to the %26#39;forum thing%26#39; but can see it%26#39;s going to be very helpful!

With 18 days, I%26#39;d definitely consider the drive (even with a 6 year old!).

Assuming you are flying into Philly, a sample agenda:

Day 1 Arrive Philly, get settled in

Day 2-3-4 in philly

Day 5 Philly cleanup, drive to Baltimore, 1 night in Inner Harbor (about 2-3 hour drive if you avoid rush hour)

Day 6 Balt Inner Harbor and Aquarium - At night, drive to Washington (another 2-3 hours)

Note, in Washington I recommend the Holiday Inn Smithsonian if avail. Great location, you walk out the door, around one building and are on the national mall (where all the museums and monuments are)

Day 7-8-9 Washington DC, Arlington, National Zoo (I am sure the Wash forum can help)

Day 10 - Drive to the Raleigh Durham area (about 6-8 hours

Day 11 - Drive to Charlotte, just outside Hilton Head (but nice in its own right

Day 12 - Arrive Hilton Head for a week!

Please note, all drive times are assuming 6 year old potty stops!

Also, to add to my Philly list...

Camden Aquarium and Battleship NJ across the river (take the ferry)

Philadelphia Phillies baseball game if they are in town