Topic Wiki

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 Info Outdated.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 181879 times)

Offline MarkS

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Re: Philadelphia Master Thread
« Reply #100 on: January 19, 2014, 10:59:48 PM »
anyone know of a minyan for shachris at about 7AM? around downtown area would be great.
Also, is there any kosher food to be had around downtown Philly?
For food, in Center City there is Mama's Vegitarian http://www.mamasvegetarian.com/ 20th between Market and Chestnut
and Burgerorg  http://burgerorg.com/ at 19th and Chestnut

Offline Yehoshua

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Re: Philadelphia Master Thread
« Reply #101 on: January 19, 2014, 11:50:11 PM »
anyone know of a minyan for shachris at about 7AM? around downtown area would be great.
Also, is there any kosher food to be had around downtown Philly?
Don't know about near downtown, but there are minyanin in Lower Merion/Bala Cynwyd around 7:00am.

Offline MarkS

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Re: Philadelphia Master Thread
« Reply #102 on: January 20, 2014, 12:27:12 AM »
I don't know if this is accurate but supposedly there is a 6:45 at 20th and Chestnut.

http://www.godaven.com/detail.asp?Id=3762&Name=19103

Offline ybeeds

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Re: Philadelphia Master Thread
« Reply #103 on: January 20, 2014, 01:49:13 AM »
I remember going to a decent restaurant in cherry hill... but don't remember the details...
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Offline Smartypantz

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Re: Philadelphia Master Thread
« Reply #104 on: January 20, 2014, 09:58:25 AM »
Cherry Grill in Cherry Hill....

Offline eliteflyer

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Re: Philadelphia Master Thread
« Reply #105 on: January 20, 2014, 10:20:46 PM »
anyone know of a minyan for shachris at about 7AM?
I've gone to the 7:15am  minyan at Mikvah Israel on my past trips. Though it was tight, they got a minyan both times. They really like and depend on visitors for the minyan. http://www.mikvehisrael.org/

Offline reed

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Re: Philadelphia Master Thread
« Reply #106 on: January 21, 2014, 01:43:26 AM »
All depends on the actor you get I suppose. I was there for a private event and it was a very nice part of the evening. Our actor was a very excited lady that everyone seemed to enjoy.

Ugh I was there years ago. Law school dragged us there,
Everyone though it was boring and childish besides for the real do gooders.

Offline jj1000

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Re: Philadelphia Master Thread
« Reply #107 on: January 21, 2014, 01:46:24 AM »
Ugh I was there years ago. Law school dragged us there,
Everyone though it was boring and childish besides for the real do gooders.
Guess that makes me a do gooder. And my section seemed to like it. Like I said really depends on the actor though.
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Offline reed

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Re: Philadelphia Master Thread
« Reply #108 on: January 21, 2014, 01:51:50 AM »
Guess that makes me a do gooder. And my section seemed to like it. Like I said really depends on the actor though.

Don't remember much about the actor think she did a fair amount
Of excited shouting. But I imagine things have changed in the past years.

Offline CS1

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Re: Philadelphia Master Thread
« Reply #109 on: April 05, 2014, 11:44:02 PM »
Boruch Dayan HaEmes: http://www.theyeshivaworld.com/news/boruch-dayan-emmes/225399/levaya-of-rav-chaninah-nadoff-zl.html
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Offline dirah

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Re: Philadelphia Master Thread
« Reply #110 on: April 08, 2014, 12:16:42 AM »
I am doing a last-minute hit-and-run on Philly with my kids, spending around three hours tomorrow afternoon.

With me are several kids ranging from 12-7, and then a younger toddler of 2.
I am looking to do ONE thing - something both exciting and hands on to keep the older kids engaged, but also something doable with a younger one tagging along.

This is a stopover on a drive from NYC to DC, so I am looking for the smallest detour possible.

Which is most recommended?
a)   Franklin Institute
b)   Easter state penitentiary
c)   Liberty Bell and Independence Hall
d)   Adventure Aquairum
e)   Please Touch Museum

Also, it seems from this thread that the best place to eat lunch is at “Mama's Vegetarian” – are any of the above attractions relatively close?

I know this is last minute, so TIA!
« Last Edit: April 08, 2014, 12:21:19 AM by dirah »

Offline Joe4007

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Re: Philadelphia Master Thread
« Reply #111 on: April 08, 2014, 12:36:17 AM »
We did the duck tour there about 4 years ago and we really enjoyed it especially the kids.

Liberty bell and Independence hall are quite boring IMHO, unless you're into American history.

I've heard good things about Franklin Institute, but haven't been there myself.

Offline reed

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Re: Philadelphia Master Thread
« Reply #112 on: April 08, 2014, 01:02:21 AM »
Franklin institute is closest to mamas followed by Independnce Hall and please touch museam. Acquirium is not in Philly it's across the river in Camden. If your going there might be kdai to go for lunch in cherry hill. No idea where the eastern state penetitary is.

Offline Ergel

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Re: Philadelphia Master Thread
« Reply #113 on: April 08, 2014, 01:34:28 AM »
I am doing a last-minute hit-and-run on Philly with my kids, spending around three hours tomorrow afternoon.

With me are several kids ranging from 12-7, and then a younger toddler of 2.
I am looking to do ONE thing - something both exciting and hands on to keep the older kids engaged, but also something doable with a younger one tagging along.

This is a stopover on a drive from NYC to DC, so I am looking for the smallest detour possible.

Which is most recommended?
a)   Franklin Institute
b)   Easter state penitentiary
c)   Liberty Bell and Independence Hall
d)   Adventure Aquairum
e)   Please Touch Museum

Also, it seems from this thread that the best place to eat lunch is at “Mama's Vegetarian” – are any of the above attractions relatively close?

I know this is last minute, so TIA!

Eastern State penitentiary would be cool for the older kids, but the 7-9 year old I don't think would find it interesting.
I would reccomend the franklin institute
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Offline asks

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Re: Philadelphia Master Thread
« Reply #114 on: April 08, 2014, 09:02:33 AM »
I am doing a last-minute hit-and-run on Philly with my kids, spending around three hours tomorrow afternoon.

With me are several kids ranging from 12-7, and then a younger toddler of 2.
I am looking to do ONE thing - something both exciting and hands on to keep the older kids engaged, but also something doable with a younger one tagging along.

This is a stopover on a drive from NYC to DC, so I am looking for the smallest detour possible.

Which is most recommended?
a)   Franklin Institute
b)   Easter state penitentiary
c)   Liberty Bell and Independence Hall
d)   Adventure Aquairum
e)   Please Touch Museum

Also, it seems from this thread that the best place to eat lunch is at “Mama's Vegetarian” – are any of the above attractions relatively close?

I know this is last minute, so TIA!
Your age kids might really enjoy seeing the US Mint there.and no admission charge :)

Offline Saver2000

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Re: Philadelphia Master Thread
« Reply #115 on: April 08, 2014, 09:11:34 AM »
The mint is actually pretty boring for kids. 

There's no hands on activities,  and unless  they like reading about how money is made, there's nothing else to do.

You can't even takes pics IIRC.

You're up on bridge,  and you're able to look down into the mint.  That's as far as the excitement goes. 


Online skyguy918

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Re: Philadelphia Master Thread
« Reply #116 on: April 08, 2014, 10:11:55 AM »
Eastern State penitentiary would be cool for the older kids, but the 7-9 year old I don't think would find it interesting.
I would reccomend the franklin institute
+1. Plenty of things for kids to interact with there, plus there's a planetarium show. Please Touch Museum might bore the older kids, and the aquarium is in Camden. Eastern State Penitentiary and the historical stuff are definitely not the best choice for kids those ages. Another good option is the Independence Seaport Museum, which has an actual museum portion which is appropriate for kids, and more importantly 2 actual ships that you can tour - a submarine and an old wooden warship.

Offline ybeeds

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Re: Philadelphia Master Thread
« Reply #117 on: April 08, 2014, 11:30:05 AM »
Eastern State penitentiary would be cool for the older kids, but the 7-9 year old I don't think would find it interesting.
I would reccomend the franklin institute
+1. Also check online if you can get coupons... they often have...
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Offline lunatic

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Re: Philadelphia Master Thread
« Reply #118 on: April 08, 2014, 11:37:01 AM »
I am doing a last-minute hit-and-run on Philly with my kids, spending around three hours tomorrow afternoon.

With me are several kids ranging from 12-7, and then a younger toddler of 2.
I am looking to do ONE thing - something both exciting and hands on to keep the older kids engaged, but also something doable with a younger one tagging along.

This is a stopover on a drive from NYC to DC, so I am looking for the smallest detour possible.

Which is most recommended?
a)   Franklin Institute
b)   Easter state penitentiary
c)   Liberty Bell and Independence Hall
d)   Adventure Aquairum
e)   Please Touch Museum

Also, it seems from this thread that the best place to eat lunch is at “Mama's Vegetarian” – are any of the above attractions relatively close?

I know this is last minute, so TIA!


Definitely do please touch museum, my kids loved it.
If you want to drive, there is a place with really good schwarma - holyland grill

Offline lunatic

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Re: Philadelphia Master Thread
« Reply #119 on: April 08, 2014, 11:37:42 AM »
Definitely do please touch museum, my kids loved it.
If you want to drive, there is a place with really good schwarma - holyland grill

And if you have an annual membership at certain museums, you can get in free