Anonymous wrote:My boys love Angelo’s pizza in Italian market. Try to go on an off-time, though. The line can be crazy. Walking around the Italian market neighborhood is fun in general.

My teens (and I) still love Franklin inst science museum.

Angelos also happens to have the best Cheesesteak in Philly. It's what Bradley Cooper modeled his cheesesteak restaurant after.

I like the Reading Terminal Market.

Anonymous wrote: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!

No freaking way. First of all, you have to have grown up with the Wanamaker light show to really love it - it's entirely nostalgia factor. The show itself is a couple of outlines of candy canes and soldiers lighting up while music plays. Secondly, you need tickets in advance and you need to line up and I think there is close to zero chance you will get tickets for Christmas Eve.

The light show, in combination with the Comcast building show, is fun to do if you are in Philadelphia. It's a nice add-on to a holiday outing. But unless you have deep nostalgia for the show it's not a destination on its own.

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

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?

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.

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 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.

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 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

Reading Terminal Market is alone worth the trip.

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 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