48 hours in Philadelphia

[Anonymous]

The light show at Macys is back. Really geared towards little kids but a great tradition.

Book iceskating tickets at city hall for same time if you plan to walk through the Christmas Village! There’s ice skating at Penns Landing (go to Franklin Fountain after) but nothing beats being right in the city!

The Nutcracker at the Academy is always fun. And Walnut Street Theatre currently has Christmas story.

The PMA (hate the new branding!) is always lively on Friday nights but even more so during the holidays!

If you have young kids the train display at Morris Arboretum is always fun but a bit of hike up to Chestnut Hill.

And echo everything else about the Barnes and Reading Terminal.

[Anonymous]

Gritty!!!!

[Anonymous]

Pro tip: Gas stations make the best cheese steaks.

[Anonymous]

The beer at Human Robot and Other Half is top notch.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Pro tip: Gas stations make the best cheese steaks.

Nope - but also don't go to Pat or Genos. The best cheese steak is the one you have while drunk late evening after a great night, but I'd also say one that's just convenient. No need to wait in huge lines. You will have no issue finding a convenient one in the city.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The beer at Human Robot and Other Half is top notch.

Highly recommend both and especially Other Half if you happen to be heading to Fillmore for a concert

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Pro tip: Gas stations make the best cheese steaks.

Nope - but also don't go to Pat or Genos. The best cheese steak is the one you have while drunk late evening after a great night, but I'd also say one that's just convenient. No need to wait in huge lines. You will have no issue finding a convenient one in the city.

This is good advice for locals, but not tourists. Tourists should absolutely try Pat’s and/or Geno’s once - they’re not the “best” cheesesteaks necessarily, but they are iconic Philly institutions. Plus they’re going with kids and probably won’t be drunk eating. I say this as someone who lived in Philly for three years and didn’t go to either of them once - but I did go as a teenager when visiting and I’m glad I did.

That said, Angelo’s has a great cheesesteak if you’re by the Italian Market. But I would still try to hit Pat’s or Geno’s for the experience.

[Anonymous]

Reading Terminal Market is alone worth the trip.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Pro tip: Gas stations make the best cheese steaks.

Nope - but also don't go to Pat or Genos. The best cheese steak is the one you have while drunk late evening after a great night, but I'd also say one that's just convenient. No need to wait in huge lines. You will have no issue finding a convenient one in the city.

+1 or at a Wawa

[Anonymous]

No one thinks the Constitution Center is a must do for a first time visit to Philadelphia? Way more interesting than the Liberty Bell.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No one thinks the Constitution Center is a must do for a first time visit to Philadelphia? Way more interesting than the Liberty Bell.

+1.

[Anonymous]

Not the OP, but hoping to see the Macy Light Show this Christmas Eve. Would it be worthwhile to make a day trip there? We would take the train which is 2 hours in the morning, and plan to comeback that evening. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Check out the Wanamaker organ. That’s the largest organ in the world and while Macy’s was open, they played it twice a day (I bet you never get as close to an organ as you could with that one). I heard that some free concerts are still happening even though the store is closed, so worth checking out.

[Anonymous]

Of course you’ve heard of the contest in which 2nd prize was 48 hours In Philadelphia, and 1st prize was 24 hours In Philadelphia?

[Anonymous]

Fool can’t taste enough in 24 hours.

Consider Calder Gardens if near Barnes. It would probably be more fun in spring when the new garden is in bloom, however, it’s a tiny sweet setting for the sculptures.
https://caldergardens.org/

Go Birds