So day 1, was very low cost! I was pleasantly suprised at how much I got to see.
Philadelphia Magical Gardens is a definite must! I ended up buying the student membership and received four free passes for guest. My 10 year old nephew used one and my 2 year old nephew got in for free. Also around town are many murals which are part of the art initiative and attempt to curb graffiti.
Penn Landing is fab! There was an old steamship, looked like the Titanic, named United States. Apparently the Sweeds (?) purchased it and were told they are not allowed to move it by the Historical Society after the purchase. There was also an old battleship, don't know much history on it, but I sure will look it up! We stopped off at Tony Luke's for their famous Philly Cheesesteak, I can tell you people were parked in the middle of the street to get their subs! I tried and fell in love with their Pork and Cheese sandwich. My sister loved the pork. Had we continued down the road we could have stopped off at the Philadelphia Eagles Stadium, which is pretty neat with two huge Eagle statues sitting atop the wall.
We went to Sugar House Casino, signed up for the Players Card Program (free). Got a free polo shirt as a welcome gift and 5x points.
We went to the Penn Treaty Park overlooking the Delaware River. There is a monument for William Penn. Gorgeous view and dog friendly!
Stopped off at (30th Street Station) Penn Station. For anyone into architecture, this is a must!!! Gorgeous tribute for WWII and a beautiful engraved into the wall painting called the Spirit of Transportation. The only cost associated was parking and it does have the old fashioned meters.
Passed by the Comcast Center. Ever wonder why your cable bill is so high? Take a look at the building and it will all make sense! This 58 story building has 3 humongous televisions that broadcast a combined picture on the lower level. It's the tallest building in Philly. It has an art installation of people walking on floating poles, it's called Humanity in Motion.
In downtown Philly by the gorgeous City Hall (Which I mistook as the Masonic Temple) was a park with a couple of game pieces as statues. I saw the Monopoly Iron and a Sorry piece. I'm told there are others, but it was raining and wet and I sooo didn't want to leave the comfort of the car!
In Fairmount Park (free), by the Schuylkill River is BoatHouse Row, I recommend visiting after twilight as they light up the 12 buildings/houses. During the day is you plan your trip right, you can catch team practicing or competing at rowing.
And of course we saw the famous Rocky stairs at the Museum of Art. And in front is a statue of Rocky, all proud of his achievement.
I ended my night by going by the famous Geno's, which was packed beyond belief. Love the lights on the building and I also liked their support of service workers, ie police, firefighters, ambulance drivers, etc.
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Pennsylvania
Our Trolley or Big Bus Tours take in all of Philadelphia's main sights. Take a look at their full list of stops:
Stop 1. Independence Visitor's Center
Stop 2. Betsy Ross House
Stop 3. National Constitution Center
Stop 4. Chinatown
Stop 5. Convention Center Marriott
Stop 6. Love Park / City Hall
Stop 7. Cathedral Basilica of Sts Peter And Paul
Stop 8. Rodin Museum
Stop 9. Eastern State Penitentiary
Stop 10. Philadelphia Museum of Art
Stop 11. Philadelphia Zoo
Stop 12. Memorial Hall / Please Touch Museum
Stop 13."Rocky Steps"
Stop 14. The Franklin/ Logan Circle
Stop 15. Four Seasons Hotel
Stop 16. Hyatt at the Bellevue
Stop 17. Antique Row
Stop 18. South Street/Head House Square
Stop 19. Society Hill Sheraton
Stop 20. Penn's Landing/waterfront
Stop 21. Old City/Christ Church
Hours:
April – November: Tours Depart Daily from 9:30 am – 5:00 pm weekdays, 6:00 pm weekends (July-August)
December – March: Tours Depart Daily from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Rates:
Adults: $27.00/ea for 24 hours, $43.00/ea for 48 hours
Seniors: $25.00/ea for 24 hours, $40.00/ea for 48 hours
Children (Ages 4-12): $10.00/ea for 24 hours, $18.00/ea for 48 hours
Ride The Duck!
Every Philly Duck Tour is an adventure! Join us for 70 minutes of fun! Ride through the historic streets of Philadelphia, Splash into the Delaware for a cool cruise, Quack along with your Captain as you rock n' roll through town .
Rates:
Adult 18-61 $27.00
Senior 62+ $25.00
Student 13-17 $23.00
Children 3-12 $17.00
Infant* 0-2 FREE
***Save $3 on an Adult Ticket when you Ride before 11:00 am or after 5 pm.
On-line sales only. Not available on 3-day holiday weekends.***
Stop 1. Independence Visitor's Center
Stop 2. Betsy Ross House
Stop 3. National Constitution Center
Stop 4. Chinatown
Stop 5. Convention Center Marriott
Stop 6. Love Park / City Hall
Stop 7. Cathedral Basilica of Sts Peter And Paul
Stop 8. Rodin Museum
Stop 9. Eastern State Penitentiary
Stop 10. Philadelphia Museum of Art
Stop 11. Philadelphia Zoo
Stop 12. Memorial Hall / Please Touch Museum
Stop 13."Rocky Steps"
Stop 14. The Franklin/ Logan Circle
Stop 15. Four Seasons Hotel
Stop 16. Hyatt at the Bellevue
Stop 17. Antique Row
Stop 18. South Street/Head House Square
Stop 19. Society Hill Sheraton
Stop 20. Penn's Landing/waterfront
Stop 21. Old City/Christ Church
Hours:
April – November: Tours Depart Daily from 9:30 am – 5:00 pm weekdays, 6:00 pm weekends (July-August)
December – March: Tours Depart Daily from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Rates:
Adults: $27.00/ea for 24 hours, $43.00/ea for 48 hours
Seniors: $25.00/ea for 24 hours, $40.00/ea for 48 hours
Children (Ages 4-12): $10.00/ea for 24 hours, $18.00/ea for 48 hours
Ride The Duck!
Every Philly Duck Tour is an adventure! Join us for 70 minutes of fun! Ride through the historic streets of Philadelphia, Splash into the Delaware for a cool cruise, Quack along with your Captain as you rock n' roll through town .
Rates:
Adult 18-61 $27.00
Senior 62+ $25.00
Student 13-17 $23.00
Children 3-12 $17.00
Infant* 0-2 FREE
***Save $3 on an Adult Ticket when you Ride before 11:00 am or after 5 pm.
On-line sales only. Not available on 3-day holiday weekends.***
Pennsylvania
They have a CityPass!
Adult: $59, Child (3-11): $39
Included Attractions in the CityPass:
The Franklin Institute
The Philadelphia Zoo
Adventure Aquarium
Philadelphia Trolley Works/Big Bus Company
The Academy of Natural Sciences OR National Constitution Center
Please Touch Museum OR Eastern State Penitentiary
Franklin Institute (222 North 20th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103) Museum Admission includes admission to Museum exhibits, live science demonstrations, and one show in the Fels Planetarium. Admissions to the Tuttleman IMAX® Theater and to Franklin Theater require an additional ticket. Adult 16.50, Child 12.50
The Philadelphia Zoo, (3400 West Girard Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19104) America's first zoo, is a 42-acre Victorian garden that is home to more than 1300 animals, many of them rare and endangered. Rates: Adult $18, Child (age 2-11) $15, Child (under 2) FREE
Adventure Aquarium (1 Riverside Drive, Camden, NJ 08103) Come explore nearly 200,000 square feet of sharks, hippopotamuses, free-flying birds and sea life from around the world. Adults $23.95, Children(2-12)$17.95 (Children under 2 are FREE)
National Constitution Center (525 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102) located just two blocks from the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall, it is the only museum devoted to the U.S. Constitution and the story of we, the people. Adult $14.50, Senior (Age 65+) $13.00, Active Military $0.00, Student w/ ID $13.00, Youth (Ages 13-18) $13.00, Child (Age 4-12) $8.00
The Liberty Bell Center is located on Market Street between 5th and 6th Streets. The building is open year round, though hours vary by season. The Liberty Bell Center offers a video presentation and exhibits about the Liberty Bell, focusing on its origins and its modern day role as an international icon of freedom. Taped presentations about the history of the Liberty Bell are offered in a dozen languages for the convenience of foreign visitors. The Liberty Bell itself is displayed in a magnificent glass chamber with Independence Hall in the background. Rate: Free
Independence Hall tickets are required (except January & February). Pick upfree tickets to tour Independence Hall at the Independence Visitor Center (6th & Market Sts.) open daily from 8:30am to 6:00pm. Rate: $1.50 a person
Adult: $59, Child (3-11): $39
Included Attractions in the CityPass:
The Franklin Institute
The Philadelphia Zoo
Adventure Aquarium
Philadelphia Trolley Works/Big Bus Company
The Academy of Natural Sciences OR National Constitution Center
Please Touch Museum OR Eastern State Penitentiary
Franklin Institute (222 North 20th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103) Museum Admission includes admission to Museum exhibits, live science demonstrations, and one show in the Fels Planetarium. Admissions to the Tuttleman IMAX® Theater and to Franklin Theater require an additional ticket. Adult 16.50, Child 12.50
The Philadelphia Zoo, (3400 West Girard Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19104) America's first zoo, is a 42-acre Victorian garden that is home to more than 1300 animals, many of them rare and endangered. Rates: Adult $18, Child (age 2-11) $15, Child (under 2) FREE
Adventure Aquarium (1 Riverside Drive, Camden, NJ 08103) Come explore nearly 200,000 square feet of sharks, hippopotamuses, free-flying birds and sea life from around the world. Adults $23.95, Children(2-12)$17.95 (Children under 2 are FREE)
National Constitution Center (525 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102) located just two blocks from the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall, it is the only museum devoted to the U.S. Constitution and the story of we, the people. Adult $14.50, Senior (Age 65+) $13.00, Active Military $0.00, Student w/ ID $13.00, Youth (Ages 13-18) $13.00, Child (Age 4-12) $8.00
The Liberty Bell Center is located on Market Street between 5th and 6th Streets. The building is open year round, though hours vary by season. The Liberty Bell Center offers a video presentation and exhibits about the Liberty Bell, focusing on its origins and its modern day role as an international icon of freedom. Taped presentations about the history of the Liberty Bell are offered in a dozen languages for the convenience of foreign visitors. The Liberty Bell itself is displayed in a magnificent glass chamber with Independence Hall in the background. Rate: Free
Independence Hall tickets are required (except January & February). Pick up
Pennsylvania
Philadelphia Museum of Art
Rates are: Adults: $16, Seniors (ages 65 & over): $14, Students (with valid ID): $12, Children ages 13–18: $12, ages 12 & under: Free
A visitor shuttle between the Perelman Building (Fairmount and Pennsylvania Avenues
Philadelphia, PA 19130) and the Museum's main building (26th Street and the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia, PA 19130) operates every 10–15 minutes Tuesday through Sunday, 10:00 a.m–5:00 p.m.
They offer Membership for:
Student $40 ($26 is tax-deductible)
Proof of current, full-time enrollment required
•Membership benefits for one student, age 28 and under
Individual $70 ($56 is tax-deductible)
•Membership benefits for one adult
Dual Plus $115 ($87 is tax-deductible)
•Membership benefits for two adults
Family & Friends $185
•Four free exhibition tickets for adults
Academy of Natural Sciences (1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia, PA 19103) is America’s oldest natural history museum and a world leader in biodiversity and environmental research, with three floors of exhibit galleries and more than 18 million specimens in our collections.
Rates: Adults (age 13 and above): $15.00, Children (age 3 through 12): $13.00, Children (under age 3): free, Seniors (age 65+): $13.00, Military & Students (with ID): $13.00
Masonic Temple (One North Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107) Rates: PA Masons (with Dues Card) Free, Active Military and Children (under 5) Free,
Adults $8.00, Students (with ID) $6.00, Children (12 & under) $5.00, Senior Citizens (65 & Over) $5.00, Family (4 or more) $20.00
Eastern State Penitentiary (2027 Fairmount Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19130) Visitor Center Hours: Every day, 10 am to 5 pm, free to the public.
Tour Times: Weekdays: 10 am, 12 pm, 2 pm, 3 pm, 4 pm and Weekends: Every hour, 10 am to 4 pm, Tour Length: 1 hour
Admission: Adults: $12, Seniors: $10, Students & Kids (7-12): $8 (Not recommended for children under the age of seven.) Use Promo Code: WEB for $1 off admission.
Belmont Mansion and the Underground Railroad Museum (2000 Belmont Mansion Drive, Philadelphia, PA 19131-3713) Experience 18th and 19th century history through the events and lives of people associated with Belmont Mansion in Fairmount Park in Philadelphia, PA. Our house museum is dedicated to colonial history and the 19th century network of people and places known as the "underground railroad." Open Weekends from Noon – 5pm. Admission is Adults $7, Children (6 – 18) $5, Students $5, Seniors (64+) $5, Children under 6 free
Valley Forge (1400 North Outer Line Drive, King of Prussia, PA 19406) was the site of the 1777-78 winter encampment of the Continental Army. The park commemorates the sacrifices and perseverance of the Revolutionary War generation and honors the ability of citizens to pull together and overcome adversity during extraordinary times.
A pass is your ticket to more than 2,000 federal recreation sites. Each pass covers entrance fees at national parks and national wildlife refuges as well as standard amenity fees at national forests and grasslands, and at lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management and Bureau of Reclamation. A pass covers entrance and standard amenity fees for a driver and all passengers in a personal vehicle at per vehicle fee areas (or up to four adults at sites that charge per person). Children age 15 or under are admitted free.
Rates are: Adults: $16, Seniors (ages 65 & over): $14, Students (with valid ID): $12, Children ages 13–18: $12, ages 12 & under: Free
A visitor shuttle between the Perelman Building (Fairmount and Pennsylvania Avenues
Philadelphia, PA 19130) and the Museum's main building (26th Street and the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia, PA 19130) operates every 10–15 minutes Tuesday through Sunday, 10:00 a.m–5:00 p.m.
They offer Membership for:
Student $40 ($26 is tax-deductible)
Proof of current, full-time enrollment required
•Membership benefits for one student, age 28 and under
Individual $70 ($56 is tax-deductible)
•Membership benefits for one adult
Dual Plus $115 ($87 is tax-deductible)
•Membership benefits for two adults
Family & Friends $185
•Four free exhibition tickets for adults
Academy of Natural Sciences (1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia, PA 19103) is America’s oldest natural history museum and a world leader in biodiversity and environmental research, with three floors of exhibit galleries and more than 18 million specimens in our collections.
Rates: Adults (age 13 and above): $15.00, Children (age 3 through 12): $13.00, Children (under age 3): free, Seniors (age 65+): $13.00, Military & Students (with ID): $13.00
Masonic Temple (One North Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107) Rates: PA Masons (with Dues Card) Free, Active Military and Children (under 5) Free,
Adults $8.00, Students (with ID) $6.00, Children (12 & under) $5.00, Senior Citizens (65 & Over) $5.00, Family (4 or more) $20.00
Eastern State Penitentiary (2027 Fairmount Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19130) Visitor Center Hours: Every day, 10 am to 5 pm, free to the public.
Tour Times: Weekdays: 10 am, 12 pm, 2 pm, 3 pm, 4 pm and Weekends: Every hour, 10 am to 4 pm, Tour Length: 1 hour
Admission: Adults: $12, Seniors: $10, Students & Kids (7-12): $8 (Not recommended for children under the age of seven.) Use Promo Code: WEB for $1 off admission.
Belmont Mansion and the Underground Railroad Museum (2000 Belmont Mansion Drive, Philadelphia, PA 19131-3713) Experience 18th and 19th century history through the events and lives of people associated with Belmont Mansion in Fairmount Park in Philadelphia, PA. Our house museum is dedicated to colonial history and the 19th century network of people and places known as the "underground railroad." Open Weekends from Noon – 5pm. Admission is Adults $7, Children (6 – 18) $5, Students $5, Seniors (64+) $5, Children under 6 free
Valley Forge (1400 North Outer Line Drive, King of Prussia, PA 19406) was the site of the 1777-78 winter encampment of the Continental Army. The park commemorates the sacrifices and perseverance of the Revolutionary War generation and honors the ability of citizens to pull together and overcome adversity during extraordinary times.
A pass is your ticket to more than 2,000 federal recreation sites. Each pass covers entrance fees at national parks and national wildlife refuges as well as standard amenity fees at national forests and grasslands, and at lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management and Bureau of Reclamation. A pass covers entrance and standard amenity fees for a driver and all passengers in a personal vehicle at per vehicle fee areas (or up to four adults at sites that charge per person). Children age 15 or under are admitted free.
Pennsylvania
So I just checked out the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology and Mutter Museum
University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, 3260 South Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, 215-898-4000, offers a "Pay-what-you-want" general admission during the last half hour of everyday(Thursday – Sunday 10:00 am - 5:00 pm).
No specials for Mutter Museum, 19 South Twenty-Second Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103-3097, 215-563-3737
Rates for the museums are as follows:
Mutter Museum Admission Prices
• General - $15
• Military * - $13 *requires valid id
• Senior (65 and over) * - $13 *requires valid id
• Youth (6-17 years) - $10
• Student * - $10 *requires valid id
• Children (5 & under) – free
Penn Museum Admission Donation
• $10 general admission
• $7 senior citizens (65 and above)
• $6 for children 6 to 17 and full-time students with college ID
• FREE for Museum members, children 5 and under
University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, 3260 South Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, 215-898-4000, offers a "Pay-what-you-want" general admission during the last half hour of everyday(Thursday – Sunday 10:00 am - 5:00 pm).
No specials for Mutter Museum, 19 South Twenty-Second Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103-3097, 215-563-3737
Rates for the museums are as follows:
Mutter Museum Admission Prices
• General - $15
• Military * - $13 *requires valid id
• Senior (65 and over) * - $13 *requires valid id
• Youth (6-17 years) - $10
• Student * - $10 *requires valid id
• Children (5 & under) – free
Penn Museum Admission Donation
• $10 general admission
• $7 senior citizens (65 and above)
• $6 for children 6 to 17 and full-time students with college ID
• FREE for Museum members, children 5 and under
Pennsylvania
So I found some great deals for activities while we are in PA. Keep in mind my entourage consists of two adults over the age of 21, one tween and one toddler.
My sister is determined to go to a spa - and I found some great deals on massages and facials on Groupon.
The first tourist spot I checked into was the Philadelphia's Magic Gardens (www.philadelphiasmagicgardens.org), the website is a little busy and its not really easy to get info on what you are looking for. Entrance fee is $5 for adults, $2 for ages 6-12, FREE for children 5 and under. Or the PMG Basic Membership includes free member entry for one year, 3 guest entry passes, 1 free tour voucher, reduced prices to many PMG public events, and a 10% discount on PMG gift shop merchandise and Isaiah Zagar's mosaic artworks up to a $550 value. $15 Student, $20 Educator, $25 Adult or $50 for a family (3-5 people no more than 3 adults).
A little blurb from their site on what they have there: Explore the fully-mosaicked gallery spaces and labyrinth sculpture garden at your own leisure. Visitors can spend as little as 20 minutes or stay for hours, viewing the thousands of diverse tiles, intricate sculptures, and varied texts embedded in the walls.
Just to go for the day it will cost us $12, I think I will buy the student membership
My sister is determined to go to a spa - and I found some great deals on massages and facials on Groupon.
The first tourist spot I checked into was the Philadelphia's Magic Gardens (www.philadelphiasmagicgardens.org), the website is a little busy and its not really easy to get info on what you are looking for. Entrance fee is $5 for adults, $2 for ages 6-12, FREE for children 5 and under. Or the PMG Basic Membership includes free member entry for one year, 3 guest entry passes, 1 free tour voucher, reduced prices to many PMG public events, and a 10% discount on PMG gift shop merchandise and Isaiah Zagar's mosaic artworks up to a $550 value. $15 Student, $20 Educator, $25 Adult or $50 for a family (3-5 people no more than 3 adults).
A little blurb from their site on what they have there: Explore the fully-mosaicked gallery spaces and labyrinth sculpture garden at your own leisure. Visitors can spend as little as 20 minutes or stay for hours, viewing the thousands of diverse tiles, intricate sculptures, and varied texts embedded in the walls.
Just to go for the day it will cost us $12, I think I will buy the student membership
Pennsylvania
The first state on my list is PA!
I am venturing down there this weekend. Heading down on Friday and returning home on Sunday. It's a short trip, but I hope to fit a lot in during that time. Sunday, with my sister and her kids, we will visit National Constitution Center and the Liberty Hall and Liberty Bell Center.
According to the travel guide I am going to Philadelphia and the Countryside. Now to see how much I can squeeze in! Time to research prices and times ...
Getting excited!
I am venturing down there this weekend. Heading down on Friday and returning home on Sunday. It's a short trip, but I hope to fit a lot in during that time. Sunday, with my sister and her kids, we will visit National Constitution Center and the Liberty Hall and Liberty Bell Center.
According to the travel guide I am going to Philadelphia and the Countryside. Now to see how much I can squeeze in! Time to research prices and times ...
Getting excited!
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)