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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 Info Outdated.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 186982 times)

Offline churnbabychurn

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Re: Philadelphia Master Thread
« Reply #60 on: July 03, 2013, 10:32:36 AM »
What's the cheapest way to get tickets to the camden aquarium? (I don't need a whole city book pass)

Offline churnbabychurn

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Re: Philadelphia Master Thread
« Reply #61 on: July 29, 2013, 06:58:56 AM »
Closest kosher pizza to CHOP?

Offline MarkS

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Re: Philadelphia Master Thread
« Reply #62 on: July 29, 2013, 08:48:23 AM »
Closest kosher pizza to CHOP?
Your best best is Mama's http://www.mamasvegetarian.com/ 18 S. 20th Street (between Market & Chestnut
Great falafel but I don't think they have pizza.

Offline skyguy918

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Re: Philadelphia Master Thread
« Reply #63 on: July 29, 2013, 11:07:07 AM »
Closest kosher pizza to CHOP?

Shalom Pizzeria is ~20 minute drive away, and they probably deliver. Mama's Vegetarian is closer (<10 minutes) but you're going into the city and parking might be a hassle, and as already mentioned, they don't sell pizza. If you want fleish, Burger.org is right around the corner from Mama's.

Online moko

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Re: Philadelphia Master Thread
« Reply #64 on: July 29, 2013, 11:13:58 AM »
Shalom Pizzeria is ~20 minute drive away, and they probably deliver. Mama's Vegetarian is closer (<10 minutes) but you're going into the city and parking might be a hassle, and as already mentioned, they don't sell pizza. If you want fleish, Burger.org is right around the corner from Mama's.
burger.org is pretty bad imo

Offline MarkS

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Re: Philadelphia Master Thread
« Reply #65 on: July 29, 2013, 11:35:56 AM »
burger.org is pretty bad imo
-1
I like it!

Online moko

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Re: Philadelphia Master Thread
« Reply #66 on: July 29, 2013, 01:15:22 PM »
-1
I like it!
I guess if u like coleslaw made on the spot, dried out schnitzel and tasteless israeli salad, then i guess it's a great place

Offline Ergel

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Re: Philadelphia Master Thread
« Reply #67 on: July 29, 2013, 01:36:48 PM »
al ta'am v'raiach
Life isn't about checking the boxes. Nobody cares.

Offline churnbabychurn

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Re: Philadelphia Master Thread
« Reply #68 on: July 29, 2013, 02:33:38 PM »
I guess if u like coleslaw made on the spot, dried out schnitzel and tasteless israeli salad, then i guess it's a great place
the burgers are not bad. Cute place..

Offline churnbabychurn

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Re: Philadelphia Master Thread
« Reply #69 on: July 29, 2013, 03:22:45 PM »
Shalom Pizzeria is ~20 minute drive away, and they probably deliver. Mama's Vegetarian is closer (<10 minutes) but you're going into the city and parking might be a hassle, and as already mentioned, they don't sell pizza. If you want fleish, Burger.org is right around the corner from Mama's.
shalom pizza was ok. Pie special was $10...

Offline itsyehuda

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Re: Philadelphia Master Thread
« Reply #70 on: August 04, 2013, 01:41:48 AM »
Stayed at Hyatt at the Bellevue on Walnut and Broad st.

They upgraded us to a Bellevue Suite which is really large. We were able to use a nice private meeting room as a dining room for the Shabbat meals. Service was great, they helped us with everything from schlepping chairs to bring water for washing and ice.

We walked to liberty bell, which is free with no tickets required.
I remember when a coke was a nickel, and you could buy VRs in OD.

Offline hocker

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Re: Philadelphia Master Thread
« Reply #71 on: August 04, 2013, 04:57:46 AM »
I guess if u like coleslaw made on the spot, dried out schnitzel and tasteless israeli salad, then i guess it's a great place
I'm no cook but what's wrong with Fresh Cole slaw? Do you like it aged?

Online moko

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Re: Philadelphia Master Thread
« Reply #72 on: August 04, 2013, 08:23:08 AM »
I'm no cook but what's wrong with Fresh Cole slaw? Do you like it aged?
coleslaw is best made at least several hrs before serving, otherwise it's hardly coleslaw. Just some cabbage with mayo

Offline far rockaway

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Re: Philadelphia Master Thread
« Reply #73 on: August 05, 2013, 09:13:55 PM »
I am going to Philadelphia next week and will be using my Hyatt anniversary night. We are debating between the Bellevue and Penn's landing. Anybody who stayed there have any input? Any info on ease of upgrading to larger room. We are going with two little children.

Offline Ergel

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Re: Philadelphia Master Thread
« Reply #74 on: August 05, 2013, 09:22:58 PM »
I am going to Philadelphia next week and will be using my Hyatt anniversary night. We are debating between the Bellevue and Penn's landing. Anybody who stayed there have any input? Any info on ease of upgrading to larger room. We are going with two little children.
Why not reserve one, call/email and ask for an upgrade and if they say no cancel and try the other
Life isn't about checking the boxes. Nobody cares.

Offline dd321

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Re: Philadelphia Master Thread
« Reply #75 on: August 05, 2013, 09:55:50 PM »

I am going to Philadelphia next week and will be using my Hyatt anniversary night. We are debating between the Bellevue and Penn's landing. Anybody who stayed there have any input? Any info on ease of upgrading to larger room. We are going with two little children.
Bellevue was a older hotel, penns seemed a lil newer , Bellevue is downtown

Offline far rockaway

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Re: Philadelphia Master Thread
« Reply #76 on: August 05, 2013, 10:28:37 PM »
Why not reserve one, call/email and ask for an upgrade and if they say no cancel and try the other
IME I've never gotten an upgrade prior to arrival, but I'll try that.

Bellevue was a older hotel, penns seemed a lil newer , Bellevue is downtown
Bellevue is cat 4 while penn landing is cat 3. Is the cat 4 because if the location, or is it also a nicer hotel?

Offline itsyehuda

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Re: Philadelphia Master Thread
« Reply #77 on: August 05, 2013, 10:58:09 PM »
IME I've never gotten an upgrade prior to arrival, but I'll try that.
Bellevue is cat 4 while penn landing is cat 3. Is the cat 4 because if the location, or is it also a nicer hotel?

They upgraded me to a Bellevue Suite. It was very large.
I remember when a coke was a nickel, and you could buy VRs in OD.

Offline far rockaway

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Re: Philadelphia Master Thread
« Reply #78 on: August 06, 2013, 07:13:37 AM »
They upgraded me to a Bellevue Suite. It was very large.

Did you get the upgrade by calling before or by checkin?

Offline itsyehuda

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Re: Philadelphia Master Thread
« Reply #79 on: August 06, 2013, 09:19:23 AM »

Did you get the upgrade by calling before or by checkin?

They wouldn't confirm it before checkin, but they sounded amenable to it.
I remember when a coke was a nickel, and you could buy VRs in OD.