Very short trip to Philly--any suggestions?

[Deleted]

I'm heading to Philadelphia in a few weeks for one night. I will be arriving around 4pm, and have a work conference the next day from 9-12 before driving home again. I'll be staying right at midtown on Walnut Street. The good news is I have a night to myself in Philly. The tough decision is I don't know downtown Philly at all, and what the heck do I do with myself in a cool place when I have only a few hours in the evening after museums close with autumn weather. Any suggestions for restaurants, theater, even touristy things that are open later?

[Deleted]

Oct 31, 2012 13:37:25 GMT -5 @blessed said:

What kind of food do you like?

I'll try to think of touristy things for you to do to. Hmm....

I'm really flexible with food. Obviously it's a good place for a cheesesteak. Since DH won't be with me, I might try to find some Indian/Thai that he normally wouldn't go for.

[LoveTrains]

Autumn in the best. Trust me, its better than August in Philly.

Where on Walnut are you staying? Between what two numbered streets?

There is always the Reading Terminal market. It is indoors and you walk between all these booths of fun food. For cheesesteak my favorite is tony Luke's, but you can't walk there from downtown. You would need to take a cab. If you want one in walking distance, I guess go to Jim's on South Street. Some people like the roast pork from DiNic's but I personally am not a fan.

[Deleted]

It looks like the hotel is between 12th and 13th.

According to the magic of google, Reading Terminal will close at 6, and some vendors may be earlier. Can try to sneak in

[msamyfarrahfowler]

If you're interested in Indian, there's Minar Palace on 13th and Walnut. You're also within walking distance to Chinatown, where the Vietnamese food is better than the Chinese food. There's also a little Burmese restaurant on the outskirts of Chinatown called Rangoon.

[dr.girlfriend]

Oct 31, 2012 14:21:02 GMT -5 @historychick79 said:

It looks like the hotel is between 12th and 13th.

According to the magic of google, Reading Terminal will close at 6, and some vendors may be earlier. Can try to sneak in

I used to live at 12th and Walnut! Welcome to my old hood!

If you are a history buff you can walk by and see the Liberty Bell at night -- it's lit up in a glass building. If you want to go upscale you can try Buddakan for dinner. Or I've been dreaming of Zahav (Israeli food) since miso reviewed it. There's lots of shopping in that area. Depending on when you go the Christmas light show should be going on at Macy's and on the biggest LED display evah at the Comcast building. Or, you could just GTG with Beagle and me! :-D

[doobeedoo]

I think you should take a taxi and go to Amada (or any of the Jose Garces' restaurants). Trust me on this.

[dr.girlfriend]

Oct 31, 2012 15:36:04 GMT -5 doobeedoo said:

I think you should take a taxi and go to Amada (or any of the Jose Garces' restaurants). Trust me on this.

Amada's close! Only 10 blocks or so.

[Deleted]

Thanks everyone Amada's definitely looks good, along with the mysterious Thai on 22/23 and Chestnut and trying Burmese--this is why I hate such short trips, lol.

[dr.girlfriend]

Nov 1, 2012 8:04:15 GMT -5 @historychick79 said:

Thanks everyone Amada's definitely looks good, along with the mysterious Thai on 22/23 and Chestnut and trying Burmese--this is why I hate such short trips, lol.

Pretty much all of downtown (From Market to South, from 35th at least to the river) is walkable, even late at night, but if you're on your own stick to walking east/west on Walnut, it's the nicest and busiest. You're right in the gayborhood which is great, because there are people out late at night but they are usually not drunk, just out dancing, etc. I used to walk my dogs at 3 a.m. when they were sick with no problems. Love that neighborhood. There are some spotty areas but overall great.