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Warning! This wiki is not complete. Please read through the thread for more info.. Info Outdated. Check before you go!

Attractions
Franklin Institute
Please Touch Museum
National Constitution Center
US Mint
Adventure Aquarium (just across the river in Camden, NJ)
Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, PA (about 45 minutes south-west of the city)
Eastern State Penitentiary
National Museum of American Jewish History
Philadelphia Zoo
Independence Seaport Museum
Smith Playground
Philadelphia's Magic Gardens
One Liberty Observation Deck
Liberty Bell (plus a bunch of other historical sites nearby)
Independence Hall
Trolley tour bus

For discounts on admission, consider the Philadelphia Pass or the Philadelphia City Pass (if your visiting enough attractions), or buy the Entertainment book for the coupons. If you order it online, you should be able to print out all of the coupons you need immediately.

Hotels
The Ritz-Carlton located near City Center was originally a Bank and worth a visit.
Sheraton Society Hill is near the Liberty Bell area and the River. (probably the best place to stay for shabbos)
the Westin is by Rittenhouse Sq and City Center is North of City Hall area closer to Museum Row.
The Westin on 17th & Liberty. has some Old World charm to it
Sheraton City Center - was fine. clean, neat, pool and fitness but nothing special
Le Meridian across from city hall
Hyatt at the Bellevue on Walnut and Broad st.
Hyatt Penn's Landing
Homewood Suites City Avenue

Westin a plain hotel over the River in Mt Laurel , NJ
Aloft - Mt Laurel. (Aloft is  not your typical hotel. Very young crowd. Relaxed staff. Place is nice and new).

Restaurants

Center City:
Burger.org - 1901 Chesnut Street CLOSED
Mama's Vegetarian CLOSED
Center City Soft Pretzel Co. - unusual hours

University City:
Kosher Dining at the University of Pennsylvania - check hours/dates, only open during academic year

Lower Merion (20-25 min from center city, but up to 45 in traffic):
Shalom Pizzeria
Citron and Rose - more upscale. Make reservations in advance. Closed but recently reopened (as of May 17, 2017)
The Dairy - very nice dairy restaurant. CLOSED

Star of David Kosher grill- 942 Montgomery Ave, Narberth, PA 19072. Cheaper option for meat, Chinese, sushi
Nana's kitchen in the JCC-Address: 45 Haverford Rd, Wynnewood, PA 19096 Phone:(703) 586-3103- Call before, but usually open in the daytime with seating. Don't have to be a member to attend. Excellent dairy food options and very reasonably priced.

Northeast (35 min from downtown):
Holy Land Grill-permanently closed
Espresso Cafe

Cherry Grill in Cherry Hill, NJ is just across the Delaware River (via Ben Franklin Bridge.). Fairly classy ambience, better than decent food. 3/5 stars. Hechsher by the O-K and the Cherry K Vaad Hakashruth.

This is a pretty good list of the generally accepted kosher restaurants in Philly.
This is the website for the generally accepted community hechsher: http://www.keystone-k.info/

Shuls
Orthodox Jewish Philadelphia Directory
www.phillyshul.com (actually 2 shuls which they alternate between). Run by a very nice chabad rabbi.
Sephardi shul (www.mikvehisrael.org)
Mekor Habracha

Lower Merion (15 min drive from downtown):
Lower Merion Synagogue
Young Israel of the Main Line
Philadelphia Community Kollel - next door to Citron and Rose

Northeast (35 min drive from downtown):
Congregation Ahavas Torah

Bensalem (10 min drive from Sesame Place)
http://www.bensalemoutreach.org/

Eruv Maps
http://www.philly-direct.com/frum/eruv.html


Author Topic: Philadelphia Master Thread  (Read 187111 times)

Offline cozmohoot

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Re: Philadelphia Master Thread
« Reply #540 on: August 25, 2017, 03:50:34 PM »
Any recommendations for a suite that's not too far from kosher food and the Philly attractions? I don't want the heart of town where parking is 40 a night etc... also should have a pool! Tia
Edit. I wanted Hilton to blow points but I can't seem to find so I'm up for anything.

Offline Live N Learn

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Re: Philadelphia Master Thread
« Reply #541 on: August 26, 2017, 04:04:35 PM »
any ideas for things to do with kids in the Philadelphia area/ Ages 4-8? Was thinking of the mint and Zoo. Anyone have any other recommendations. Will be there for a few days.

Franklin Institute is great. Eastern State Penitentiary is also great, but might not be too interesting for the younger ones.
".איזהו חכם, הלומד מכל אדם"

Offline Yammer

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Re: Philadelphia Master Thread
« Reply #542 on: August 26, 2017, 10:56:10 PM »
Franklin Institute is great. Eastern State Penitentiary is also great, but might not be too interesting for the younger ones.
The penitentiary is pretty amazing, but they have restrictions on age. I believe that under 4? you can't enter the facility because of lead.

Offline Hjay

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Re: Philadelphia Master Thread
« Reply #543 on: August 27, 2017, 03:51:18 PM »
Any recommendations for a suite that's not too far from kosher food and the Philly attractions? I don't want the heart of town where parking is 40 a night etc... also should have a pool! Tia
Edit. I wanted Hilton to blow points but I can't seem to find so I'm up for anything.

This Hilton is about 15 min drive from town & right next to yeshiva & lower merion.

Hilton Philadelphia City Avenue
4200 City Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19131
+1 215-879-4000
https://goo.gl/maps/e6QNaDReDVU2

Offline cozmohoot

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Re: Philadelphia Master Thread
« Reply #544 on: August 27, 2017, 09:28:09 PM »
This Hilton is about 15 min drive from town & right next to yeshiva & lower merion.

Hilton Philadelphia City Avenue
4200 City Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19131
+1 215-879-4000
https://goo.gl/maps/e6QNaDReDVU2
Thanks. Ended up reserving a Hilton near king of Prussia- Plymouth area

Offline rileywiles23

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Re: Philadelphia Master Thread
« Reply #545 on: September 05, 2017, 08:04:23 PM »
Whats the best restaurant in Philly for supper ? Will have a few hours there.
Life is as good as you make it...

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Re: Philadelphia Master Thread
« Reply #546 on: September 28, 2017, 06:31:35 PM »
The penitentiary is pretty amazing, but they have restrictions on age. I believe that under 4? you can't enter the facility because of lead.

Is that true? Doesn't seem that way on their website
« Last Edit: September 28, 2017, 06:37:54 PM by nescafe »

Online joeberg

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Re: Philadelphia Master Thread
« Reply #547 on: October 01, 2017, 07:07:03 AM »
Is that true? Doesn't seem that way on their website
IIRC you just need to sign a waiver.

Offline nescafe

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Re: Philadelphia Master Thread
« Reply #548 on: October 01, 2017, 09:57:15 AM »
IIRC you just need to sign a waiver.

Thanks for the info. Planning a trip next week with my 3 month old, and didn't want to run into any problems. From their website it seems that the most of it is accessible with a stroller & it's interesting that they don't mention anything about this issue

Online joeberg

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Re: Philadelphia Master Thread
« Reply #549 on: October 01, 2017, 09:59:36 AM »
I think their main concern is toddlers who might eat the paint chips.

Offline nescafe

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Re: Philadelphia Master Thread
« Reply #550 on: October 01, 2017, 10:00:43 AM »
I think their main concern is toddlers who might eat the paint chips.

I guess that won't be an issue for me

Offline Yammer

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Re: Philadelphia Master Thread
« Reply #551 on: October 01, 2017, 10:05:05 AM »
IIRC you just need to sign a waiver.
Finnaly.
I was there almost 10 years ago and we took turns watching the kids outside.

Online joeberg

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Re: Philadelphia Master Thread
« Reply #552 on: October 01, 2017, 10:07:43 AM »
Finnaly.
I was there almost 10 years ago and we took turns watching the kids outside.
I was there two years ago with 2 and 5 yr old.

Offline nescafe

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Re: Philadelphia Master Thread
« Reply #553 on: October 02, 2017, 11:43:11 AM »
Looking for a decent hotel for a decent price (paying cash) for next week. Any recommendations?

Offline nescafe

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Re: Philadelphia Master Thread
« Reply #554 on: October 02, 2017, 11:52:41 PM »
anyone have a contact email for The Logan hotel? TIA

Offline shapsam

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Re: Philadelphia Master Thread
« Reply #555 on: October 26, 2017, 07:29:10 PM »
How is the new Aloft downtown? And how does it compare with the Aloft mount laural?

Offline Kabrams1618

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Re: Philadelphia Master Thread
« Reply #556 on: November 26, 2017, 11:16:28 PM »
Anyone stay in a center city hotel that had non magnetic keys for Shabbat?  If nit which are most shabbat friendly in center city?

Offline brodes18

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Re: Philadelphia Master Thread
« Reply #557 on: November 27, 2017, 03:00:59 PM »
How is the new Aloft downtown? And how does it compare with the Aloft mount laural?

Reviews look good. Almost stayed there last week. I'll Update this when I get there sometime over the next month or two.

Offline RockaHocka

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Re: Philadelphia Master Thread
« Reply #558 on: November 30, 2017, 03:15:07 PM »
FYI - Just received this email from Rabbi Weinstein (Chabad in Newtown)

"World of Falafel has chosen not to remain kosher. Their last day as a kosher establishment is this Sunday, December 3. Please share this message so everyone knows.

Papillon Cafe just received their permit and will be opening this Sunday as a Cholov Yisroel, Pas Yisroel Kosher Dairy Cafe and Bakery. They are located at 254 N Sycamore Street in Newtown. 818.770.4773
They are under the Keystone K kosher certification."

Offline RockaHocka

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Re: Philadelphia Master Thread
« Reply #559 on: December 04, 2017, 09:25:40 AM »
FYI - Just received this email from Rabbi Weinstein (Chabad in Newtown)

"World of Falafel has chosen not to remain kosher. Their last day as a kosher establishment is this Sunday, December 3. Please share this message so everyone knows.

Papillon Cafe just received their permit and will be opening this Sunday as a Cholov Yisroel, Pas Yisroel Kosher Dairy Cafe and Bakery. They are located at 254 N Sycamore Street in Newtown. 818.770.4773
They are under the Keystone K kosher certification."
Just received notification from the Keystone K that this establishment is not yet under their supervision (or any supervision for that matter), though they are in midst of discussions with management about it and hope to have it certified shortly.
Will update when it's clarified.