Please help me plan a trip to Philadelphia!

[gobluem82]

My mother is turning 75 next spring, so to celebrate, my sisters and I are planning to take her to the Philadelphia Flower Show--I believe it's in early March. So I'm appealing to those of you who are familiar with Philly regarding hotel, restaurant, and other activities we might want to do. Ideally, we'd like to stay somewhere that is an easy commute to the flower show, but any ideas would be welcome. We'll probably be staying for 3-4 days or so. TIA!

[erin elizabeth]

My parents and I went to see the Wyeth exhibit in Philadelphia earlier this year and I found the Frommer's book to be helpful. We stayed at Embassy Suites because it had a living room with pullout couch where I slept and a separate bedroom for my parents. It was quite expensive and I should have tried to book earlier to have a better selection of hotels. There were some neat sounding boutique/small hotels that sounded good, but they were full on the weeknights. We used the PHLASH bus a lot, but I am not sure it runs in March. There is also SEPTA (subway) and it is very walkable.

We loved Reading Terminal Market--all your Philly food musts in one place--Rick's Steaks, pretzels, Italian pork hoagies, great ice cream, Amish foods.

Also went to Philadelphia Fish & Company and had their bar menu--v. good food for cheap. They also have a dining room and a regular menu.

I was kind of disappointed in the food at Fork (maybe it was just what I got--we had the best scallop ever there), but the experience was great. I actually liked the sandwiches and salads we got the next day for lunch at the takeout/counter/lunch place that they have next door.

We saw Independence Hall and its visitor's center, the Liberty Bell, did a free walking tour of the area (meets in front of Liberty Bell building), Christ Church, Betsy Ross House, Lights of Liberty tour--all were enjoyable. One thing we missed that I might have liked was the tower at City Hall or a tour of City Hall--the building is amazing and the view must be great, but you have to get tickets and know the times they are available. Of course, we did the art museum because of the show (and the Rocky stair run :) ) and it was interesting, but we also walked past the Rodin museum--supposedly the biggest collection outside of Paris. I'd go see that on a return trip.

Have fun--and really, if you can check out the Frommer's book in a book store or at the library, I think you'll get lots of good info. They are straightforward and have always steered me in the right direction.

[gobluem82]

Thanks for your suggestion about the Frommer's book--I just reserved it. (oh, and of course, thanks for all of your other ideas too).

[funniegrrl]

Never been to Philly but have long dreamed of going to the Rodin museum ...

*sigh*

[BucknellAlum]

Where to begin? Are you interested in historical sights, eclectic eating, shopping? Will you have access to a car or take public transportation?

I would recommend the Phila. Art Museum for sure. Also the Liberty Bell, Constitution Center and Independence Hall. For shopping, there is Walnut Street from Broad St to Rittenhouse Square. You may want to check the schedule of music performances on the Ave. of the Arts - the Academy of Music, theaters, etc.

Reading Terminal Market is a foodie heaven, and there are so many great restaurants I don't know where to begin. A good site to start at is

www.gophila.com

For info on the flower show try:

http://www.theflowershow.com/home/5tips.html