Philadelphia, PA

There are many things you can do in Philadelphia. If you are in Center City, you must check out Chestnut and Walnut Street. It is like Boston's Newbury Street. Many retailers and good restaurants. If you have a car, try to explore northeast Philadelphia. For example, the Franklin Mill Outlet Mall is a great place to spend a day in. If you want to go sightseeing, check out the Liberty Bell, the Big Love sign in Center City, and the art museum.

Quick Tips:

When planning a trip to Philadelphia, you should check out the website http://www.aroundphilly.com/. It will provide guides to Philadelphia in shopping, dining, sightseeing, etc.

Best Way To Get Around:

The best way to get around Center City is to take SEPTA (public bus and subway) or train. That way you don't have to worry about parking, as parking in center city is very hard. If you want to explore other parts of the city, I would recommend that you rent a car.

The selection of food is huge and the food is really good. On weekend, lunch buffet is $6.99 and dinner is $11.99. There are snow crab legs, clams, oysters, a good selection of sushi, prime rib, etc. It is definately worth a try since the price is so low but yet the taste is great.

This place is located in South Philadelphia and it is in a shopping center. It is quite crowded as it just opens not long ago.

Since it is a buffet, the server didn't do much except taking my empty dishes out of the table. However, he is very nice.

The snow crab legs seem to be gone everytime the server brought it out to the buffet bar. However, they refilled it very quickly. I ate a lot there!

Franklin Mills Mall is a great outlet mall with many different retailers. Unlike other outlet mall, it is an indoor one with 4 main entrances. They are all connected and thus, even though it is raining out there, you can still enjoy shopping there the whole day without getting wet. They even have a theater. If the husbands and kids get tired shopping with the lady, you can send them to the theater to catch a movie. Also, there is a Dave and Buster. They have Arcades, pool tables. I’m sure both the adults and kids will enjoy it. Last time I went there, they even have glow miniature golf in one of the stores. It is definitely a great place for family.

Some of the stores included: Banana Republic, Polo, BCBF, GAP, Bed Bath & Beyond, Children Place, H&M, JCPenny, Levi’s, OFF 5th Saks Fifth Avenue, Old Navy, etc.

This is the website if anyone is interested in visiting this place: http://www.franklin-mills-mall.com/.

Philadelphia Chinatown is located at 10th and Arch Street. There is a big gate indicating the entrance of Chinatown. When I was in high school, I had a part-time job at a video store in Chinatown. For those who want to know more about the Chinese culture, you should definitely check it out. The best way to get there is by train or subway. You can get off at 11th street. It is right next to the Convention Center. If you decide to drive there, I suggest you to park in the parking lot on 10th and Arch Street, right next to the fire department. They have the best rate. It is $7 per day. If you are lucky, you can find a meter parking.
Philadelphia Chinatown is not that big. It is about 3 to 4 blocks. I would suggest trying some pastries at one of the bakeries. You will be surprised how cheap and good they are. Also, you should try the bubble tea. There are many flavors to choose from. There is also a temple there. You can visit the temple to see how the Buddha looks like. I think it is very unique.