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Warning! This wiki is not complete. Please read through the thread for more info.. Info Outdated. Check before you go!

Attractions
Franklin Institute
Please Touch Museum
National Constitution Center
US Mint
Adventure Aquarium (just across the river in Camden, NJ)
Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, PA (about 45 minutes south-west of the city)
Eastern State Penitentiary
National Museum of American Jewish History
Philadelphia Zoo
Independence Seaport Museum
Smith Playground
Philadelphia's Magic Gardens
One Liberty Observation Deck
Liberty Bell (plus a bunch of other historical sites nearby)
Independence Hall
Trolley tour bus

For discounts on admission, consider the Philadelphia Pass or the Philadelphia City Pass (if your visiting enough attractions), or buy the Entertainment book for the coupons. If you order it online, you should be able to print out all of the coupons you need immediately.

Hotels
The Ritz-Carlton located near City Center was originally a Bank and worth a visit.
Sheraton Society Hill is near the Liberty Bell area and the River. (probably the best place to stay for shabbos)
the Westin is by Rittenhouse Sq and City Center is North of City Hall area closer to Museum Row.
The Westin on 17th & Liberty. has some Old World charm to it
Sheraton City Center - was fine. clean, neat, pool and fitness but nothing special
Le Meridian across from city hall
Hyatt at the Bellevue on Walnut and Broad st.
Hyatt Penn's Landing
Homewood Suites City Avenue

Westin a plain hotel over the River in Mt Laurel , NJ
Aloft - Mt Laurel. (Aloft is  not your typical hotel. Very young crowd. Relaxed staff. Place is nice and new).

Restaurants

Center City:
Burger.org - 1901 Chesnut Street CLOSED
Mama's Vegetarian CLOSED
Center City Soft Pretzel Co. - unusual hours

University City:
Kosher Dining at the University of Pennsylvania - check hours/dates, only open during academic year

Lower Merion (20-25 min from center city, but up to 45 in traffic):
Shalom Pizzeria
Citron and Rose - more upscale. Make reservations in advance. Closed but recently reopened (as of May 17, 2017)
The Dairy - very nice dairy restaurant. CLOSED

Star of David Kosher grill- 942 Montgomery Ave, Narberth, PA 19072. Cheaper option for meat, Chinese, sushi
Nana's kitchen in the JCC-Address: 45 Haverford Rd, Wynnewood, PA 19096 Phone:(703) 586-3103- Call before, but usually open in the daytime with seating. Don't have to be a member to attend. Excellent dairy food options and very reasonably priced.

Northeast (35 min from downtown):
Holy Land Grill-permanently closed
Espresso Cafe

Cherry Grill in Cherry Hill, NJ is just across the Delaware River (via Ben Franklin Bridge.). Fairly classy ambience, better than decent food. 3/5 stars. Hechsher by the O-K and the Cherry K Vaad Hakashruth.

This is a pretty good list of the generally accepted kosher restaurants in Philly.
This is the website for the generally accepted community hechsher: http://www.keystone-k.info/

Shuls
Orthodox Jewish Philadelphia Directory
www.phillyshul.com (actually 2 shuls which they alternate between). Run by a very nice chabad rabbi.
Sephardi shul (www.mikvehisrael.org)
Mekor Habracha

Lower Merion (15 min drive from downtown):
Lower Merion Synagogue
Young Israel of the Main Line
Philadelphia Community Kollel - next door to Citron and Rose

Northeast (35 min drive from downtown):
Congregation Ahavas Torah

Bensalem (10 min drive from Sesame Place)
http://www.bensalemoutreach.org/

Eruv Maps
http://www.philly-direct.com/frum/eruv.html


Author Topic: Philadelphia Master Thread  (Read 180396 times)

Offline bosoxfan

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Philadelphia Master Thread
« on: April 28, 2009, 11:30:14 PM »
i'm looking to take the wife to philly for night/day any ideas/suggestions?

Offline Mikeoracle

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Re: Philly hotels/attractions
« Reply #1 on: April 29, 2009, 08:36:17 AM »
Franklin Institute is a pretty interesting science museum with lots of interactive activities.

Offline bosoxfan

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Re: Philly hotels/attractions
« Reply #2 on: April 29, 2009, 03:46:26 PM »
looking for hotel ideas


Offline username

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Re: Philly hotels/attractions
« Reply #3 on: May 20, 2009, 01:16:06 PM »
If you have time, Longwood Gardens in Kenneth Square PA (http://www.longwoodgardens.org ) about 45 minutes south-west of the city is a georgous place to go to. Your wife will love it, and you will too.
« Last Edit: May 20, 2009, 01:24:37 PM by username »
^^^

Offline me

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Philadelphia Master Thread
« Reply #4 on: December 17, 2009, 08:31:55 PM »
Can anyone suggest a good SPG hotel in the greater Philadelphia area... Something that would be worth my while and accepts cash and points!

Thanks!!
« Last Edit: June 08, 2010, 05:27:53 PM by Dan »

Offline steve2

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Re: Philadelphia SPG Hotel
« Reply #5 on: December 17, 2009, 09:08:06 PM »
Can anyone suggest a good SPG hotel in the greater Philadelphia area... Something that would be worth my while and accepts cash and points!

Thanks!!

 there are a few , any particular part of the City as for C&P just go onto www.spg.com put in the date/s and look at the 3rd box on each Hotel listed , if theres a check mark then its available , click that box and it will tell you how many Pts and how much $$ as well (remember theres tax on the $$ part).
If youdont find what you want then call SPG, sometimes there is availability but it wont show online

 Sheraton Society Hill is near the Liberty Bell area and the River, the Westin is by Rittenhouse Sq and City Center is North of City Hall area clsoer to Museum Row. SH is also right off the I-95 I would think these are probably the best of the SPG Hotels with maybe The Westin being the best but not if you want to be in walking distance to the Historical area then SH is better

 Now if a minyan is important theres The Westin a plain hotel over the River in Mt Laurel , NJ theres Sons of Israel and a YI that is maybe a 5-10 min drive away, in Cherry Hill,NJ and over here free parking unlike the other Hotels
 
« Last Edit: December 17, 2009, 09:18:45 PM by steve2 »

Offline me

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Re: Philadelphia SPG Hotel
« Reply #6 on: December 17, 2009, 09:10:19 PM »
I dont need any specific location... Im flexible.

I was just wondering if someone stayed somewhere in the area and the hotel was something not to be missed...

Thanks!

Offline steve2

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Re: Philadelphia SPG Hotel
« Reply #7 on: December 17, 2009, 09:21:18 PM »
I dont need any specific location... Im flexible.

I was just wondering if someone stayed somewhere in the area and the hotel was something not to be missed...

Thanks!

 Sorry then I think you are out of Luck if you are looking for a Dream of a Hotel. Heck in NY theres the St Regis and in my book thats all in that type of category

 Could be The Westin on 17th & Liberty would be your best bet then, it does have some Old World charm to it

Offline me

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Re: Philadelphia SPG Hotel
« Reply #8 on: December 17, 2009, 09:46:40 PM »
Thanks Steve!

Offline jack

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Re: Philadelphia SPG Hotel
« Reply #9 on: December 23, 2009, 11:31:51 PM »
stayed at the sheraton city center - was fine. clean, neat, pool and fitness but nothing special

Offline Columbiadorm

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Re: Philadelphia Master Thread
« Reply #10 on: November 22, 2011, 05:28:45 PM »
Staying at the Aloft - Mt Laurel tonight. Will advise if any issues etc.

Offline Columbiadorm

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Re: Philadelphia Master Thread
« Reply #11 on: November 23, 2011, 06:16:52 PM »
Nice place. Aloft is  not your typical hotel. Very young crowd. Relaxed staff. Place is nice and new.

Only one suite in this building. I think they said about 150-160 rooms. 6 floors. Bar, pool (aka Splash), wxyz Bar, pool table, free wifi, workout room.

Offline Columbiadorm

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Re: Philadelphia Master Thread
« Reply #12 on: November 29, 2011, 09:43:31 PM »
Was there again last night. Got them to upgrade me to the Suite.

Half of it was the typical setup and size of the regular rooms. Then there was a dining room with tables for 6. Long couch and another large flatscreen in the living room area. Kitchen with a full size fridge/freezer (the bedroom had a small one as all of them do). Nice kitchen along with a few dishes even a KitchenAid dishwasher! and a second bathroom.

Pool table, computer bar, lounge/bar all in the lobby area. Also have a Gym (24hr) and a pool.

Not bad for $103 after tax :)

Offline seemorehabs

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Re: Philadelphia Master Thread
« Reply #13 on: January 19, 2012, 01:08:38 PM »
any good indoor kids activites in phily? kids 8 and under?
all i got so far is camden aquarium and please touch in philly

Offline Ergel

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Re: Philadelphia Master Thread
« Reply #14 on: January 19, 2012, 10:31:52 PM »
Franklin Science museum
Life isn't about checking the boxes. Nobody cares.

Offline bubbles

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Re: Philadelphia Master Thread
« Reply #15 on: April 09, 2012, 10:56:18 AM »
anyone else here right now? whats there for someone by himself  to do around here for a couple of hours?

Offline joeb1

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Re: Philadelphia Master Thread
« Reply #16 on: April 09, 2012, 12:43:17 PM »
liberty bell... phili is pretty overrated

Offline dd321

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Re: Philadelphia Master Thread
« Reply #17 on: April 10, 2012, 08:46:50 AM »
Easter state penitentiary

Offline A3

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Philadelphia Master Thread
« Reply #18 on: April 10, 2012, 09:03:45 AM »
anyone else here right now? whats there for someone by himself  to do around here for a couple of hours?

Are you staying in the Hyatt penns landing?
I'm staying there. There around two
Minyanim of Jewims there with me.


Gonna check out the battleship today (got half of through living social a couple Weeks back)
Then driving to Baltimore  for the Yankee game. Tom prob liberty bell and the jail.
« Last Edit: April 10, 2012, 09:11:29 AM by A3 »

Offline bubbles

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Philadelphia Master Thread
« Reply #19 on: April 10, 2012, 09:09:45 AM »
Are you staying in the Hyatt penns landing?
I'm staying there. There around two
Minyanim of Jewims there with me.


Gonna check out the battleship today (got half of through living social a couple Weeks back)
Then driving to Bolt for the Yankee game. Tom prob liberty bell and the jail.

Not there anymore but will prob be back wed afternoon