Philly Layover

Have yourself a good hoagie, and you'll understand why Subway has virtually no franchises in the Philadelphia area. You can get one at the before-mentioned Reading Terminal Market. I haven't visited my hometown in years, but I always liked the Benjamin Franklin museum (built below where his house used to stand), and the Art Museum (to actually see the art, not to run up the steps and jump at the top). I never understood the appeal of the Liberty Bell, though. It's just an old, poorly made bell, with no particular history behind it. It's the Paris Hilton of historical objects... famous for being famous.

Stash your carry-ons in a locker and take the train to Center City. Trains run every half hour and it takes about 30 minutes to Market East Station. Take a wander through the Reading Terminal Market. Being a unrepentent carnivore, not familiar with any vegetarian restaurants, but a bit of googling should bring up plenty. The schedule is: http://www.septa.org/schedules/rail/pdf/air.pdf
Visit the Liberty Bell and Independance Hall about 8 blocks away. Easy walk or take the Market Street subway. The round trip is $14 when you buy from the conductor. There is an $11 Independence Pass you can buy online, but must be delivered by mail, 7-10 day. Allows unlimited travel on SEPTA trains, subways, buses after 9:30 am.

Thanks. Actually, I'm looking for a fine omnivore last supper before I meet up with my enlightened vegetarian group.

Hi Sarah, My absolutely favorite east coast restaurant is Legal Seafoods. They have one in the Philly airport. The best crab cakes and crab soup ever! If you like crab, just stay in the airport and go here. Maybe splurge on a one day pass in the Star Alliance lounges. We are headed to Rome via Philly on Thursday and I cannot wait to have the crab cakes. :) Happy travels.

Sarah - Philly is a FABULOUS town for food - your choices are nearly endless, and it will be very easy to combine some sightseeing with a good meal. Have you ever been to the area before? Do you have any ideas of what you may want to see? Liberty Bell? Art Museum? Betsy Ross House? Also, do you have any idea what kind of food you want? Colonial American? Italian? Indian? PA Dutch? Are you seeking more of a "fine-dining" experience, or some authentic Philly street food, like hoagies or cheesesteaks? . Will be helpful to know a bit more info. in order to give you some additional ideas ...
Also please note - a 7 hour layover seems ample. You have plenty of time to leave the airport, and getting downtown is really easy. However, the security lines at PHL can sometimes be REALLY long, so plan accordingly. In addition, as already noted, you will need 20 mins or so to get downtown. So plan on maybe 4/12 - 5 hrs max free time.

Sarah, Let me save you a few dollars, in case you are thinking about April's well intentioned suggestion that you treat yourself to a lounge day pass. I had a freebie for the U.S. Airways lounge at the Philadelphia airport last year. In the domestic terminal where I was, it a quiet place to wait with clean toilets, but nothing more. All food and drink beyond coffee and apples was extra. Perhaps an international lounge would be different. I was spoiled by the Air France lounges at CDG, where quality food and drink are provided buffet style at no extra charge. Enjoy your trip. Enjoy Philadelphia.

Yes, and the Liberty Bell has a lot of security involved with visiting. Someone thinks it must be a huge terrorist target. I go for a real cheesesteak when I'm in town, there at the Terminal Market as well plus the canolis. Locals will bend your ear to no end about the best cheesesteaks and which South Philly joint makes them. My unrefined palate finds any cheesesteak made within 30 miles of South Philly is pretty good. There is the new Barnes Museum near the big Philadelphia Art Museum (Rocky!). Crinittti's restaurant at the Oregon Ave subway station. Wait a minute, its 5 hours, not 5 days in Philly.

"Yes, and the Liberty Bell has a lot of security involved with visiting." Funny you mention that. Years ago, you could just walk in and look at the bell without waiting in line. There may have been one attendant, at the most. Then, they moved the bell to a new building, limited access to people with tickets, and added all kinds of security Voila, limit acess and you create artificial demand! Last couple times I've been in the area, there's always been a long line. Likewise, you could previously simply open the door to Independence Hall and walk straight in. Oh, by the way, back to the original question. You could do far worse than to spend an hour or two walking around Old City. You would never mistake it for Europe, but it has the same sort of sense of history that makes many European cities so memorable. Finally, let me weigh-in on that never-ending question of "the best cheese steak". I don't have a specific recommendation, because for me, it's just a matter of not screwing it up. It's a fairly simple sandwich. Just use the basic ingredients, use the right kind of sandwich roll, don't get too fancy and don't overcook the meat. Any deli or pizzeria in the area will get it right. And yeah, I miss a place where canolis are simply delicious dessert pastries and not that God-damned "Godfather" quote that everyone else always brings up when you mention the word...