philadelphia travel vacation history recreation museum lifestyle culture demko

Places to Go, Things to See in Philadelphia Dr. David J. Demko, Gerontologist, Editor-in-Chief
AgeVenture News Service 06-20-03

Vacations can give you a mental hernia for a number of reasons. First, selecting a vacation location. Second, deciding what to do once you get there. Three, scouting for a great vacation package that won't make your wallet say, "Ouch". ANSWER. Philadelphia offers surprisingly fun-filled entertainment and cultural enrichment at vacation package prices that would have made Jack Benny smile, and Rocky shout, "YO".

How's this for starters. The Constitutional tour takes you on a walking journey through America's most historic area - the birthplace of our nation. Located in Center City Philadelphia, The Constitutional's 3 mile journey includes many sites such as Independence National Historical Park which is home to the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall.

Come see where The Declaration of Independence and The United States Constitution were created. You can experience The Constitutional on your own as a self-guided walking tour, or as part of a guided tour. Wear sneakers and comfortable, weather-appropriate clothing. Plan to spend around 4 hours on The Constitutional, depending on your itinerary and local distractions along the way. Public restrooms are available at the Visitors Center, Bourse Building, Franklin Court, and the National Constitution Center.

The VALUE: The Philly – You Just Can’t Do It In A Day™ Hotel Package is perfect for a long weekend getaway this summer. Stay one night and get the second night FREE, with FREE hotel parking for both nights. Rates for the Philly – You Just Can’t Do It In A Day™ Hotel Package start at around $149 per room for two nights. Check in Thursday through Sunday, from June 26 through September 14, 2003.

The EXPERIENCE: Philadelphia has history, yes! But we also have some of the best shopping in the country, as well as wonderful museums and children’s attractions. Pick and choose from this top ten list or do it all!

The HIGHLIGHTS: Independence Park, Liberty Bell, Betsy Ross House, Independence Seaport Museum, U.S. Mint, Franklin Institute, King of Prussia Mall, Sesame Place, Franklin Mills, Peddler’s Village

The ITINERARY: If you can, arrive early on Friday so you can hit the area’s two enormous malls before the weekend throngs get there. Although you can do both in one day, it might be better to choose an emphasis.

The SAVINGS: Bargain mavens will prefer Franklin Mills Outlet Mall which is just what it suggests-- a collection of 200 discount outlets like Kenneth Cole Outlet, Off 5th Saks Fifth Ave Outlet and Last Call from Neiman Marcus. Save anywhere between 20 and 60% on designer brand merchandise-- and of course there’s no sales tax on clothing. Food courts plus restaurants such as The Rainforest Café and Dick Clark’s American Bandstand Cafe.

The Plaza and Court at King of Prussia , on the other hand, is a haven for big-spenders, with eight anchor department stores, dozens of boutiques, a massive independent bookseller, and all the high-stepping shoes, swirly scarves, and glittering trinkets a body could hope for. Food Courts plus several standalone restaurants-- Nordstrom’s Cafe for great panini.

After you’ve shopped, you’ll surely be ready to drop. But get plenty of rest, because Saturday is reserved for a romp that will take you to some of the best parts of Philadelphia. Start early with a walk around historic district where you can see several of the region’s most popular attractions, all within a few blocks walk of each other.

At Independence National Historic Park, (6th and Market Streets) you'll find lush grounds connecting Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell, as well as other Colonial buildings that played an instrumental role in the founding of our nation. Be sure to stop uniformed park rangers or costumed guides to get the full story on anything that interests you.

When you’re ready to leave the park, walk out the northern end to Chestnut Street then turn east and walk toward the water. Over a footbridge, crossing Columbus Blvd, you’ll find, to your right, sitting along the Delaware River, the Independence Seaport Museum offering an interactive exploration of Philadelphia’s heritage as a port city.

Cross back over the bridge into the city proper, and walk to 3rd Street, turning north until you reach Arch Street and the Betsy Ross House. Here’s a wonderful example of surviving Colonial architecture which, whether or not you believe Betsy actually lived here and whether or not you believe she actually sewed the first flag, paints a nice picture of everyday life during the period.

From here, the United States Mint is just three blocks west on Arch Street. This is the largest mint in the world-- producing some 35 million coins daily-- and you can get in on the action (sort of) by watching the proceedings from upon high. All of these attractions are housed in the neighborhood of Old City, home to countless restaurants. Try to finish your historic tour by 1p.m. so you can grab lunch in the area. Take your pick by walking along 2nd Street between Market and Chestnut, and along Market and Chestnut Streets, between Front and Fourth Streets.

After lunch, catch the Big purple Philly Phlash bus on west on the corner of 3rd and Market Streets to the Franklin Institute Science Museum. From its massive statue of Ben Franklin at the entrance to its Mechanics Hall to its high-tech goodies and planetarium, there’s all manner of things scientific here.

Back at your hotel, take a much-needed rest before dinner at one of the chi-chi restaurants along Walnut Street near Rittenhouse Square or in Old City. Saturday night is your best chance to really see the city in action. Sunday is reserved for spending time in the rolling Bucks County countryside less than an hour north of the city.
Additional information is available at the "gophila.com" website
Image credit: Photo credit: Photo by Bob Krist © 1999 by Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation.

Dr. Demko reports on lifestyle issues and trends in Aging America. Submit comments to: demko@demko.com