Need help organizing 2-day trip to Philadelphia...

Will be visiting Philly in July 2007. Family of 6 - two senior citizens, 3 middle-age adults and one teen 15 years. Want to visit the following sites and not sure how to group into 2 separate days:

Reading Terminal Market

Penn%26#39;s Landing

Elfreth%26#39;s Alley

Betsy Ross House

U.S. Mint

Independence Hall

Liberty Bell

Seaport Museum

Is this too much to do in 2 days? Any other suggestions of what to see or do? (We are not much into visiting numerous museums.)

Staying in Swedesboro, NJ. Any suggestions about this area and the easiest way or helpful hints as far as getting into the historic area would be appreciated!

Thanks.

Need help organizing 2-day trip to Philadelphia...

I would group it by proximity. When in July are you going? If it%26#39;s the first half, the lines might be too long to see all the museums. On day two I would start off at Elfeth%26#39;s Alley, Betsy Ross house, then go to penns landing for the seaport museum. If you still have extra time after seeing the olympia and becuna you could take the ferry across the river to see the battleship new jersey. I really enjoyed all the naval exhibits. The only concern is transportation, they are all in close proximity, but depending on how old the senior citizens are it might be too much(especially with the heat). They have the philadelphia trolley tour that will take you to all the destinations (worst case a block away) But might not be cost effective for 6 people, someone else might be able to give advise on that.

http://www.phillytour.com/category.asp?ID=9

If you do take the trolley tour, make sure you take the full loop so you can see south st and the art museum.

day 1

Reading terminal market (go for lunch)

Independence Hall

Liberty Bell

US Mint

day 2

Elfreth%26#39;s Alley

Betsy Ross House

Seaport Museum

Penn%26#39;s Landing

Need help organizing 2-day trip to Philadelphia...

Another option for transportation between the sites is the Philly Phlash, a bus that runs from Penn%26#39;s Landing to the Museum of Art with stops at all the major tourist sites. It%26#39;s not a guided tour, just a convenient way to travel, allowing to the get on and off at your own pace. Tickets are $1 per ride, or you can buy a day pass for $4, or purchase a family pass. If you google Phlash, you can get more details.

I suggest you take a walk through Society Hill, an historical neighborhood of Colonial and Federal era homes, convenient to all the places you%26#39;ve listed above. You could easily add it to either of the days suggested above.

I agree with the walk around society hill. I%26#39;m a big walker -- favorite place in the city is that stone archway/stable on 2nd st near south. Fantastic

edg, that is called Headhouse Square :)

Any stroll through Society Hill should include Delancy Street between 2nd and 4th Streets.

Lynn

Thanks to everyone for your input. I%26#39;ll take your advice and do as you suggest on Day 1 and Day 2.

We will be traveling in early July, so it sounds like we should anticipate some long lines and heat. We will try and get an early start each day to help minimize this.

My father was in the Navy so I think he will enjoy the naval vessels.

Your Dad will certainly enjoy the naval stuff! Fool around on the web %26amp; see whether any tall ships will be moored/visiting Philly or Bristol, PA at the time you will be there. My Dad was Navy too.

Swedesboro is called that because it is in the erstwhile New Sweden, bet you didn%26#39;t know NJ was once the site of Sweden%26#39;s venture into North American colonizing!

Be warned the lines to see the Bell are long %26amp; tedious, esp. at height of tourist time--like July. There is so much else to do %26amp; see that is more gratifying than spending half your morning or afternoon on line waiting to put your bag in an xray so you can look at a bell for a couple of minutes; with only 2 days unless you are especially devoted to it you might want to budget your time elsewhere. It%26#39;s not like you don%26#39;t know what it looks like. The elders might not enjoy waiting on their feet so long for that %26amp; the teen could get antsy too.

Can%26#39;t argue with the recommended schedule--Elfreths %26amp; Betsy Ross house in early am before it gets hot %26amp; crowded! For Indep Hall, book a time slot as early in day as you can, too. Beat the crowds. Indep Hall %26amp; the Bell have the long lines with all the security folderol---everything else is normal although can be crowded in a more usual fashion.

';Do'; Reading Terminal Mkt in early am on way to these other things, grab your breakfast there %26amp; a bag lunch. It%26#39;s a large farmers/ethnic market %26amp; other shops too(bakeries, etc). It%26#39;s abt 8-10 blks from Indep Hall/Bell. Have the 15 year old go to Google Maps %26amp; ';fly'; over the places you will see (click satellite), to get a feel for the geography. If you don%26#39;t already have one, buy a ';passport'; from the Natl Pk Service (website or in any of their shops) %26amp; let the teen get it stamped at NPS sites %26amp; you also (if so minded) buy sheets of photo-stickers to put in the passport. Great souvenir %26amp; you continue to use it all over the country at other NPS places.

Check the schedule---there are fireworks displays off the Ben Franklin Bridge at certain times in summer %26amp; a very loud crowded concert/party at Penns Landing on Fourth with tremendous fireworks at dark. Teen would be in heaven!

Thanks for the additional information! It%26#39;s so nice to have ';pro%26#39;s'; giving advice.

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