What's there to do in Philadelphia?

[Telamond]

So I'm applying for a travel scholarship to visit one of the conferences that will be hosted in Phliadelphia next fall. Just wanted to ask what there's to see there for the week I'll be staying there.

Was mainly thinking of applying for it's closeness to New York... but won't be able to travel there while the conference is on-going.

I should probably add that I've never been in America before.

I know that Philadelphia used to be the capital of America before so there's probably some landmarks and places to visit.

How are the people there? Someone told me that the crime is high there. Should I be worried about getting mugged?

Any input of places to visit (or stay away from) and clubs/bars/restaurants during the evening would be appreciated.

[Qalbert]

Paddy's Pub

[Hyan]

Chilling-out, maxing, relaxing all cool & shooting b-ball outside of school?

[Soa]

Whatever you do don't drive or try to park anywhere in the city. I've seen Parking Wars, the PPA don't fuck around.

[Conrad]

Paddy's Pub

Mac's Tavern does exist, y'know. 3rd & Market. It's okay.

Anyway there's tourist-y stuff to do: Independence Hall, Liberty Bell, that sort of thing. If you like museums, there's the Art Museum, Franklin Institute. The first Friday of every month has events throughout town. Go to South Street for nightlife and shopping. Go to a Phillies game. Marvel at the way we pronounce "water." Gain 10 pounds on the food -- get a cheesesteak and a pretzel, at least.

[Telamond]

Anyway there's tourist-y stuff to do: Independence Hall, Liberty Bell, that sort of thing. If you like museums, there's the Art Museum, Franklin Institute. The first Friday of every month has events throughout town. Go to South Street for nightlife and shopping. Go to a Phillies game. Marvel at the way we pronounce "water." Gain 10 pounds on the food -- get a cheesesteak and a pretzel, at least.

Oh right. I've seen National Treasure. It seemed like a nice city (at least if it was filmed on location), not too many skyscraper.

Being from Sweden, I have to ask this: How's the weather there around late august, early september (temperature, humidity)?

[Conrad]

Varies but it's still summertime. We had nothing but rain for the last 2-3 weeks, but that was due to hurricane systems that are fairly rare. Expect 80-90 degree temperature (low 30s in Celcius, I guess) and a fair degree of humidity.

[altwight]

visit my friend timmy and his gf

[Izzy]

Throw batteries at people as they walk by.

[Telamond]

Looking at hotels in Philadelphia now. Which neighbourhood should one stay at/keep away from? (the search engine I have only searches by proximity to tourist attractions)

[Headspace]

Throw up on little girls at baseball games

[Telamond]

From the sound from the posts in this thread, is this how people view people from Philadelphia?

[greenhills]

From the sound from the posts in this thread, is this how people view people from Philadelphia?

philly is a jewel in this great nation.

[Rhinox]

Cheer loudly when someone is seriously injured on The street.

Also visit the new black panther party outside of voting places. They're like Americas version of the buckingham palace guards.

[Soa]

From the sound from the posts in this thread, is this how people view people from Philadelphia?

Our sports fans have a less than stellar reputation when it comes to sportsmanship, and the posts about throwing batteries etc are referencing past incidents. The city itself is no worse than any other US city.

As for hotels I would stay away from the Airport Ramada Inn, my wife works there and it is an absolute shithole. Anything in Center City should be fine, or any suburbs but Chester would work too if you are close to a train station or have a car.

[barber2006]

Run up the Rocky stairs?

[Lucienne]

Cheer loudly when someone is seriously injured on The street.

Oh common! He didn't ask how to melt in the native crowd.

What other choices do you have? To be honest if it's your first time in US, I'm not sure Philadelphia is that thrilling, especially if you're stuck there and can't even get to NYC or DC.

[Headspace]

From the sound from the posts in this thread, is this how people view people from Philadelphia?

Just Skirkle

[Conrad]

Oh common! He didn't ask how to melt in the native crowd.

What other choices do you have? To be honest if it's your first time in US, I'm not sure Philadelphia is that thrilling, especially if you're stuck there and can't even get to NYC or DC.

Another sports thing, Lucie.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael...n_Philadelphia

[Trichocyst]

Philly gets a lot of shit heaped it's way, but it's a great city. Whenever anybody I know comes in from out of town I always make sure they check out the Mütter Museum of medical oddities. It's a pretty amazing experience (http://www.collphyphil.org/site/mutter_museum.html). If you like art and museums there's no end of places to go. The art museum (the Rocky steps), the Rodin Museum, the Franklin Institute, etc. There are historical sites like the Freedom Center and the Liberty Bell. Old City is a district filled with historical landmarks. The city also has a great independent music scene if that's your thing. There's plenty to do. There are some shitty parts of the city, but unless you find them by accident you won't run into anything frightening.