Although I feel extremely safe in Center City Philadelphia and University City, it is always wise to be cautious and street smart.
For instance, when I had already lived in the city for about five years, I went for lunch at the Shops at Liberty Place and put my purse over the back of my chair-- BIG MISTAKE! The back part of your chair is NEVER a good place for purses, or coats with important stuff in them. Crowded restaurant-type places can be an easy place for slippery people to get into your stuff, so just use common sense with your belongings. Put purses over your knee, or leave them slung across your chest when you sit down-- or put them on the table where you can see them, if there's room.
You don't need to wear a money belt (which a certain person used when he first visited me in Philadelphia-- I had to laugh at that one) because we don't have gypsies who are actively trying to bait and switch you on the street... but just know where your stuff is. This is common sense wherever you go-- just keep it in mind!
Saturday, June 2, 2007
The Shops at Liberty Place
The Shops at Liberty Place are in the bottom of the impressive buildings by Helmut Jahn, known affectionately as Liberty One and Liberty Two. Although the shops are what you would find at any high end mall, and not much of an attraction in and of themselves, the buildings are really cool, and you can get a feel for the architecture when you stand in the middle of the courtyard. Although everyone always would rather go to the top of buildings like these, it's not possible unless you have business with one of the high powered firms up there. So if you see the buildings on the skyline (and you WILL) and want to take a look inside, go to the corners of 16th & Chestnut, 17th & Chestnut or the 1600 block of Market Street. Take a little stroll inside-- it's kinda cool. And if you want to pick up some chocolates at Godiva, some lotion at Douglas Cosmetics, or a t-shirt at J Crew, etc., you're in the right place to do it. There's also a food court there with your standard fast food places if you need a soda or some nibbles.
As always, keep an eye on your purse though-- don't put it on the back of your chair in the food court. That's exactly how I had my wallet stolen once!
As always, keep an eye on your purse though-- don't put it on the back of your chair in the food court. That's exactly how I had my wallet stolen once!
Reading Terminal Market
Reading Terminal-- YAY! This bustling warehouse of food vendors, produce stands, and sit down diners is a classic Philadelphia gathering place, and when you're at the Convention Center you are only a hop skip and a jump away. Ask anyone to point you toward Reading Terminal (there'a a little tunnel almost directly opposite the front door of the convention center that puts you out directly across the street from the Market-- it's basically a block north).
There's such a diverse selection of places to eat at reasonable prices. Amish vendors bring in their delicious buttery foods, or you can stop by the Jewish Deli. There's an ice cream counter, candy counters, Middle Eastern stuff-- everything! It will be crowded, I guarantee, and it may be a little hard to find seating inside. If you can't find a spot at a table, you can always go outside to find a table, or grab a bench outside (you may see a little park with funny, pebbly sculptures across the street for the market, on the same side as the convention center--aka the west side of 12th street). It's casual, yes, but yummy and relatively cheap!
Definitely check it out. Everyone at the convention will be-- trust me!
There's such a diverse selection of places to eat at reasonable prices. Amish vendors bring in their delicious buttery foods, or you can stop by the Jewish Deli. There's an ice cream counter, candy counters, Middle Eastern stuff-- everything! It will be crowded, I guarantee, and it may be a little hard to find seating inside. If you can't find a spot at a table, you can always go outside to find a table, or grab a bench outside (you may see a little park with funny, pebbly sculptures across the street for the market, on the same side as the convention center--aka the west side of 12th street). It's casual, yes, but yummy and relatively cheap!
Definitely check it out. Everyone at the convention will be-- trust me!
The Gallery
The convention center links up (I believe) with a sort of underground mall called The Gallery. I hate to speak ill of any part of Philadelphia, but I really do not like The Gallery. It's typically crowded, loud, a bit dirty, and the stores are nothing special. I would not waste time here. There is a Kmart at one end of the mall, if you absolutely need a discount chain store (Walmart and Target require a car to get to). The larger drug stores, like the Rite Aid at 10th and Market, will probably have anything you might need from the Kmart, and is a block closer, I believe. It also might be nicer, but I can't guarantee that.
If you're looking for a place to eat, The Gallery does have a food court, but it's in the basement, so to speak, and is pretty unpleasant if my memory serves. Go to READING TERMINAL MARKET instead. It's got SO MUCH MORE PERSONALITY, and natural light to boot. There's no contest-- Reading Terminal is the best place around the convention center to eat for variety, quality, and value.
I recommend avoiding The Gallery. Enough said.
If you're looking for a place to eat, The Gallery does have a food court, but it's in the basement, so to speak, and is pretty unpleasant if my memory serves. Go to READING TERMINAL MARKET instead. It's got SO MUCH MORE PERSONALITY, and natural light to boot. There's no contest-- Reading Terminal is the best place around the convention center to eat for variety, quality, and value.
I recommend avoiding The Gallery. Enough said.
Macy's on Market Street
One of my favorite places to shop used to be Strawbridge and Clothier on Market Street, but they were bought out by Macy's and their flagship store was closed. So, the last grand department store left on Market Street in Philadelphia is Macy's at 13th and Market Streets-- very close to the convention center... caddycorner, I think.
The deparment store is called the Wanamaker Building because it used to be Wanamaker's Department store, then was Lord and Taylor, and now is Macy's (if you want a local perspective on the story, check out this article) -- whatever it's called, it's a landmark, and worth seeing since you'll be so close to it anyway.
There's a huge pipe organ on the second floor, as well as a famous statue of an eagle, and also has a little cafe on the third floor that overlooks a huge center court in the middle of the building... which I've heard is a nice place for lunch (but I can't find their menu on the web!). Christmas is the really beautiful time for the store, but I think you'll enjoy a stroll through in the summer, too. Browse the designer labels and maybe get a little something at the cafe... or just take in a little air conditioning.
The daily schedule for the Wanamaker Organ (that I got off it's "Friends of the Wanamaker Organ" page) follows:
Here is the schedule for regular daily 45-minute recitals:
Monday-Saturday 12pm
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday 5:30pm
Wednesday, Friday 7pm
This is one of the better places to shop, preferable over The Gallery... perhaps I should write a little warning post about The Gallery right now...
The deparment store is called the Wanamaker Building because it used to be Wanamaker's Department store, then was Lord and Taylor, and now is Macy's (if you want a local perspective on the story, check out this article) -- whatever it's called, it's a landmark, and worth seeing since you'll be so close to it anyway.
There's a huge pipe organ on the second floor, as well as a famous statue of an eagle, and also has a little cafe on the third floor that overlooks a huge center court in the middle of the building... which I've heard is a nice place for lunch (but I can't find their menu on the web!). Christmas is the really beautiful time for the store, but I think you'll enjoy a stroll through in the summer, too. Browse the designer labels and maybe get a little something at the cafe... or just take in a little air conditioning.
The daily schedule for the Wanamaker Organ (that I got off it's "Friends of the Wanamaker Organ" page) follows:
Here is the schedule for regular daily 45-minute recitals:
Monday-Saturday 12pm
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday 5:30pm
Wednesday, Friday 7pm
This is one of the better places to shop, preferable over The Gallery... perhaps I should write a little warning post about The Gallery right now...
Independence Park
All right, teachers. I know everyone wants to see the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall. And I kid you not, they are inspiring, even to someone like me who's seen them over and over again. But these are not the only gems of Independence Park! Far from! The best advice I can give you is to start at the wonderful Independence Visitor's Center at 6th and Market Streets, where friendly, knowledgeable park rangers are practically jumping out of their seats to give you a hand with planning your visit to this world heritage site.
THE MOST IMPORTANT THING TO REMEMBER: The Visitor's center is the ONLY place to get your FREE, TIMED tickets for Independence Hall. The Liberty Bell is free and you don't need a ticket, but you MUST HAVE A TICKET FOR INDEPENCE HALL! They make reservations for large groups, but if you're going on your own you will have to pick up your ticket in the morning, so the earlier you get there the more options you'll have for when you can go.
Also, you'll find a gift shop there, a cash machine (which is NOT free like the WAWA ones I mentioned previously), a cafe, some exhibits, and racks of brochures about other stuff to do. The guides at the desks have great big maps to help you get around the many attractions within a few blocks of the Visitor's center, including:
The National Constitution Center
Betsy Ross House
Ben Franklin's Grave
Ben Franklin House and Museum
The US Mint-- The Mint won't let cell phones into the building. There is no storage for your cell phone at the door. DON'T BRING YOUR CELL PHONE TO THE US MINT!
And more! Start here for your journey into the exciting birth of our nation...
THE MOST IMPORTANT THING TO REMEMBER: The Visitor's center is the ONLY place to get your FREE, TIMED tickets for Independence Hall. The Liberty Bell is free and you don't need a ticket, but you MUST HAVE A TICKET FOR INDEPENCE HALL! They make reservations for large groups, but if you're going on your own you will have to pick up your ticket in the morning, so the earlier you get there the more options you'll have for when you can go.
Also, you'll find a gift shop there, a cash machine (which is NOT free like the WAWA ones I mentioned previously), a cafe, some exhibits, and racks of brochures about other stuff to do. The guides at the desks have great big maps to help you get around the many attractions within a few blocks of the Visitor's center, including:
The National Constitution Center
Betsy Ross House
Ben Franklin's Grave
Ben Franklin House and Museum
The US Mint-- The Mint won't let cell phones into the building. There is no storage for your cell phone at the door. DON'T BRING YOUR CELL PHONE TO THE US MINT!
And more! Start here for your journey into the exciting birth of our nation...
The Phlash
A great thing for tourists in Philadelphia is the Philly PHLASH. These trolleys/buses (see the photo on the linked webpage) are super handy if you're trying to get from one attraction to another, and at $1 per ride or $4 for the whole day, they are very affordable. Unlike the buses and subways, which go mostly in straight lines, the Phlash winds around the city on a loop and stops at lots of hubs of activity. The only constraint is time-- service starts at 10am and ends at 6pm, which pretty much covers you if you're just going to museums and stuff, but if you go down to Old City for dinner, the Phlash won't be there to take you back-- you'll have to catch the subway, a bus, or a cab. So just remember to plan ahead!
If you're going to ride, make sure you get a route map (they usually have copies on the bus itself) so that you can find the stop nearest you when you're ready to hop back on. You can also print it out ahead of time using this route map pdf.
If you're going to ride, make sure you get a route map (they usually have copies on the bus itself) so that you can find the stop nearest you when you're ready to hop back on. You can also print it out ahead of time using this route map pdf.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)