Pennsylvania suggestions, please
 

Hi. I'm going to Philly for a work conference, but I will be arriving four days early so that I can explore Pennsylvania (early May). I'd like to spend two days in Philly looking around. Other than going to Gettysburg and the Amish Country (which I think I can swing in one day), any other suggestions for places to visit?

Also, any recommendations for hotels outside Philly while I'm traveling would be much appreciated, as well as hotels in Philly that are mid-range, as well as any suggestions as to which part of Philly I should stay in.

Thank you!

You may want to explore the Philadelphia forums on tripadvisor.com -- they're a lot more active in city-specific issues. I'd also check the city's own website, where you can find out about exhibits and events -- for instance, if you're into art, the Phila Museum of Art (a gorgeous place you'd want to visit anyway, if just for the great vistas from its steps) will be having a big Andrew Wyeth retrospective until July. It's the 5th largest city in the US, so there is a TON to do, depending on your interests. The one must-do is a tour of Independence Hall, where it all started - log onto the website and reserve a (free) ticket for the date you'll be there. When the guide points out Washington's chair and talk about Franklin's comment about the rising sun, it brings a tear to my liberal patriotic Democratic eye every time! Also, Google "Dream Garden" - a gorgeous Tiffany-Parrish glass mural in the lobby of an office building right off Independence Hall - a nice place to stop and rest your feet!

You don't want to cram Lancaster and Gettyberg into one day - Gettysburg really needs deserves a full day or two itself. I'd splurge and get a registered guide to ride around with you, at very least, be sure to climb and explore Little Roundtop, and walk the length of Pickett's charge, then spend the evening at one of the nice taverns in town for dinner. If you read "The Killer Angels" or the "The Stars in Their Courses" first, or rent/download the Gettysburg episode of Ken Burns' "The Civil War", it will REALLY add to your appreciation of your visit. The hotels there are pretty reasonable - one or two are almost ON the battlefield.

What you might want to do is reserve a full day & evening for Gettysburg, then drive through Lancaster on the way back to Phila, with a stop in Valley Forge (all in a straight line heading back on the Turnpike). Well worth seeing for its importance to our country's battle for independence, but unlike Gettysberg, Valley Forge is quieter, and demands a LOT less time for a visit (you can see what you want to see in an hour or two). If you're a shopper, you may want to spend that evening right there, and visit one of the country's largest and most upscale malls. At least for now, PA doesn't tax clothing purchases, so a visit to the King of Prussa Mall (Bloomingdales, Macy's, Neimann-Marcus, Nordstrom, plus a lot of upscale mens & womens boutiques) next to Valley Forge might be in order. Otherwise, back to the city, where you'll be more likely to get a great non-chain-restaurant dinner. Whatever you do while you're in Philadelphia - NO MEALS AT CHAINS ALLOWED.

One last caveat about Philadelphia. Because of a restaurant boom in a city with a limited supply of liquor licenses, many of the best-priced and most interesting new places are BYOB with no corkage fee. Which means you track down a state Liquor Store on the web, go there and buy your wine, then bring it to the restaurant, and save a lot of $$$. A headache for the out-of-towner, but a blessing to financially strapped locals who like wine with their meals. (Most places in Gettysbg and K of P DO have liquor licenses, however -- this applies mostly in the city itself)

Enjoy, but be SURE to get that Gettysburg sidetrip in -- well worth it!

Wow! Thank you so much for all of this information. Just reading about this has got me all geared up and excited about the trip. I will definitely check out your suggestions. Thanks!

You're welcome -- oddly enough, I'll be working in YOUR fair city for 2 days in April. For the first time ever, I won't be at a chain - I'm trying the Handlery on Union Square. A visit to the chowhound.com website has be interested in trying the "French Quarter" restaurants on Belden alley - got to get away from sushi for every meal and try something different!

I noticed you asked for hotel suggestions. Of the major chains, our clients prefer the Marriott Convention Ctr, the Westin or the Sofitel, none of which are cheap. Anything with "Rittenhouse Square" in the name is nice, if pricey, and it's a long (but do-able) walk to the tourist area (although the Rittenhouse Square area is lovely and historic and has lots of cool restaurants). On the other hand, check maps if the hotel says "Society Hill" or "Historic District" -- that could mean Columbus Blvd, which is something of a hike to most places you want to go. If you're between 6th and 13th, you're close to most places tourists want to see.

If you're on a budget, I've had friends rave about the Alexander Inn, which has REALLY TINY rooms (NY-sized) rooms (some rooms are so small that the TV hangs from the ceiling), but is very clean, comfortable, chic, cheap and centrally located. When she first arrived here to work, a friend lived at what is now the Travellodge Philadelphia in Chinatown for a few weeks, and she loved the location. Check the tripadvisor reviews.

Enjoy!

If it's not too late, I'd suggest the Hilton Garden Inn for your time in Gettysburg, or for a B&B, try The Farnsworth House Inn. Some believe it to be haunted. Likewise, if you're into that sort of thing, take the Ghosts of Gettysburg walking tour.

I really agree with the suggestion of doing a whole day at Gettysburg and getting a certified guide. Well worth it in my opinion.

If you like quaint little artsy towns, you'll like New Hope. New Hope is on the banks of the Delaware on the border with NJ. It's a fun town with some good restaurants.