biddingforhotel Posted August 16, 2006 Report Posted August 16, 2006 Glad to get this Courtyard after rejected on 2.5* bid at $45 on Philadelphia airport, add downtown and $1, got it!This is nice Courtyard right next to the City Hall that we always passed, even last week on the way back, and right next to it is a Marriott, then will be able to walk to Chinatown to visit this wonderful buffet for $4.50 (was $4 but saw the sign changed to $4.50 last week, which is fine...) on 12 St.Maybe can visit Natural Museum and Frankin Institute ... Philadelphia Library also had very nice children section ... May also check out Univ Penn that it ranks top on business school ... my son read lots of economy books lately on the trip and seems to be more interested in the subject. What can he do? with SAT full score and SAT-2 full scores on Biology and Chemistry? major Economics? who knows!Ritton House area will be visited again as we always did when in Philly... Last time find out that Pilly now has loop bus for tourist, may want to check it out, that way, no need to dry; it seems cover dozens of places and provide family pass ...
dahammer Posted August 16, 2006 Report Posted August 16, 2006 Philadelphia Museum of Art is "pay as you like" on Sunday Mornings, this is a bargain. The loop Bus is called Pflash and a family pass (2 adults, 2 children) is only $10 per day. PS, University of Penn has a Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology which is free on Sundays after Labor Day and before Memorial Day
biddingforhotel Posted August 17, 2006 Author Report Posted August 17, 2006 Philadelphia Museum of Art is "pay as you like" on Sunday Mornings, this is a bargain. The loop Bus is called Pflash and a family pass (2 adults, 2 children) is only $10 per day. PS, University of Penn has a Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology which is free on Sundays after Labor Day and before Memorial DayMuseum of Art is always a good place to visit, inside or outside, and Duck Tour passed it too as last time we took. Phlash is very eye catching, I got the brochure last time at Franklin Inst, and it has a stop right there. The senior lady waiting for the Phlash told me that it is FREE to senior citizen!!! What a great combination of the "charity" and "tourism"...Museum is great info, but it seems can not visit this time ... "The Museum is located at 3260 South Street in Philadelphia. Summer Museum hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (closed Sundays from May 28, 2006 through September 3, 2006)."
biddingforhotel Posted August 17, 2006 Author Report Posted August 17, 2006 Just called the hotel, and was told the valet parking is $32 plus tax, and no self parking ... :)
dahammer Posted August 18, 2006 Report Posted August 18, 2006 you might want to try the Autopark at JFK Plaza at 15th and Arch Streets. This lot is owned by the Philadelphia Parking Authority. They have a special weekend rate of $7.00 a day. If you move your car during the 24 hour period, you will need to re-park and pay another $7.00. But, after all, you will be taking the Pflash, right?? You won't need a car.... :)PS, the U of P Museum is open on Saturday, its just about an hour from Wilmington :)
biddingforhotel Posted August 18, 2006 Author Report Posted August 18, 2006 Cool! that's great info ... will check it out ... thanks!Someone also told me the park at Filbert and 12th is $1 an hour and Filbert and 13th is good price a night and that's exactly the valet parking of Courtyard use ...So, I will do as at Maryland Inn or other similar situation. I would park the car at door and check in, then get everyone unload the luckage and all come back to the car to do city tour before parking to the garage, then walk back to hotel as walking tour ...
biddingforhotel Posted August 20, 2006 Author Report Posted August 20, 2006 When I arrived at this Courtyard, there were many cars in front, and the entrance circle was very small, but I managed to get a spot and called the porter to unload all the luggage after check in and sent to room. Then we went out to check around ... Here are what I found ...1. Courtyard valet $32 and Marriott valet $35 (right behind Courtyard).2. The parking deck at Filbert and 13th St that Courtyard valet use is $23 for 24 hours, save $9 ...3. The Autopark Dahammer suggest is at Arch and 15th St, the weekend rate is $7; there are other parking around with weekend rate $8 ...etc. Any way, just park at Dahammer's JFK Plaza underground parking. Chat with the parking staff and security guards to make sure everything is fine ... Yes, it is $7 weekend rate, and will be valid for 24 hours!!! It got too much lights!!! and 3 block walks back to Courtyard, passing Courthouse, city hall, ...etc. not too many people on street, very quiet. I asked everyone with the car parked on the street, and found out along the street only for people working at government, like city hall, courthouse ...etc. I guess Dahammer's solution may be the optimal ...We then walk around the area, check out Marriott, very nice, and pick up Dunkin Donuts as someone suggested, and pick up Phlast map and other info from Residence Inn right next to Courtyard, their front desk is awefully nice and spend 10 minutes to show lots of attractions on map to us ...
dahammer Posted August 20, 2006 Report Posted August 20, 2006 the ultimate cheap parking spot for the weekend is Philadelphia Gateway Parking Garage at 1540 Vine Street, from 5:00 PM Friday to 9:00 AM Monday, the rate is $5.00. This is just a few more blocks away from the 15th and Arch Parking Garage.
biddingforhotel Posted August 21, 2006 Author Report Posted August 21, 2006 Dear Dahammer, I got to say you are very informative on the parking!!! You know I did parked at this Autopark at JFK Plaza for $7 weekend rate!!! When I went to pick up my car this morning, I was so excited that above the underground parking (like Boston Commons parking), was the famous LOVE park with gorgerous fountain view that I did not realize last night.I guess I would use JFK Plaza next time I stay at Courtyard Downtown ... Somehow, only dozen cars at the parking lots and 3 security guards were very excited to see us last night and chat with us, and answered numerous questions to make us feel 100% comfortable and safe with this parking lot.First, we parked right at below of the staircase of the entry booth and go right up the staircase and walk out the way we entered at JFK Blvd near 13th St. There are many other exit around, but those doors are "EXIT only" during night time for security reason ...Second, they told us that Weekend Rate $7 starts 5pm Friday till 9am Mon for any 24 hours period. So, I think it would be very useful to park a full 24 hours, say, from 7pm to 7pm.The other one for $5 sounds like the minimum weekend rates, but it would be TWICE farther than this one, but it would be sure to use it for other hotel stay near that parking lot ... By all means, it would be still very good to use it for day trip ...
biddingforhotel Posted August 21, 2006 Author Report Posted August 21, 2006 you might want to try the Autopark at JFK Plaza at 15th and Arch Streets. This lot is owned by the Philadelphia Parking Authority. They have a special weekend rate of $7.00 a day. If you move your car during the 24 hour period, you will need to re-park and pay another $7.00. But, after all, you will be taking the Pflash, right?? You won't need a car.... :) Somehow, I did not use Phlast. For one reason, as you said it would cost another $7 to get back in, but I did need to drive back to pick up family and luggages. It was fun to walk 3 blocks at night without luggages, but it may not be so fun to do so otherwise... For another reason, I do know many street parking in Philadelphia is free on Sunday. Oh, by the way, just so many people who used valet parking, waiting at the lobby for porter to get their cars back, so crowd...So, I figured out if I have to park again, why not park at the attraction I was heading to? So, I end up parked at the Lombard St at Juniper FREE when visiting the theater area. Kimmel Theater has a FREE tour at 1pm every day; that was a great tour to see this new (2001) theather. I also talked to people parked on that street to make sure it was indeed FREE (Sunday free) and safe. I normally just asked quick questions "Can I park here?" "sure" "Is it free?" "yes for Sunday" "Is it safe? I mean do you live here and park here often" "yes, I live here and park here every day ..."
biddingforhotel Posted August 21, 2006 Author Report Posted August 21, 2006 Philadelphia Museum of Art is "pay as you like" on Sunday Mornings, this is a bargain. ... PS, University of Penn has a Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology which is free on Sundays after Labor Day and before Memorial DayPS, the U of P Museum is open on Saturday, its just about an hour from Wilmington :) Since we spent too much time at Delaware (oh, do you know all highways jam in that area, I-95, Rt-7, Rt-1 ...etc, no matter which route we tried to chicken out, we hit traffic, long lines, so we were forced to eventually take Rt 141-N back to Hagley Museum ... but that's great since this time we got more hours to see, and walk along the creek and check into to many NEW exhibit. can't believe what the museum did these years, no wonder they have 2005 Choice Awards ...), we did not get to come back to catch UPen Museum.And, of course, we were busy checking the night views of the Center City, we did not get to sleep too early, besides, we set up a "wireless router" (Hey, I got another much faster one at home, and bring the old one with us as, now, standard luggage.) and got all portable running ... Then, you know, the basketball game between US and China started at 6:30am ... We wanted to watch how NBA stars play in the game, after all, no NBA for a long time now ... and that has been part of out trip since we do not have NBA channel at home ...So, we did not get a chance to visit Museum of Art, but I am sure we will soon ...
dahammer Posted August 21, 2006 Report Posted August 21, 2006 The other one for $5 sounds like the minimum weekend rates, but it would be TWICE farther than this one, but it would be sure to use it for other hotel stay near that parking lot ... By all means, it would be still very good to use it for day trip ...This $5 rate is not the daily rate, it is a flat rate for the entire weekend! You could leave your car Friday evening and return early Monday morning and your rate would be $5 for the weekend. It is right across the street from Hahneman Hospital (and Medical College :) )
biddingforhotel Posted August 24, 2006 Author Report Posted August 24, 2006 Wow! That's amazing!!!How about weekday? Any good idea?
dahammer Posted August 24, 2006 Report Posted August 24, 2006 weekdays are tough, especially if there is a show at the Pennsylvania Convention Center. Also, your hotel is directly across the street from City Hall and other office buildings, so usually the only bargains are on the weekends. You should get your best parking deals from the lots and garages owned by the Philadelphia Parking Authority, check the website and you will see the list of all city owned parking facilities along with the daily rates and specials. Parking on the street is also difficult and you might end up spending a lot of time driving around looking for a spot. Good Luck!
biddingforhotel Posted August 26, 2006 Author Report Posted August 26, 2006 That makes sense ... so I took SEPTA train to Philadelphia on Friday ...What a shame! that the City Hall has EVERY weekday on 12:30pm a one and half hour to two hours FREE tour, starting at Rm 121 right across street of Courtyard at the center courtyard of City Hall ... We missed it to day :) There are also small tours, 4 each to take the elevator to the top to see William Penn, the guy used to own the whole PA and standing on top of the City Hall facing New York City ... :) But we did checked out the Reading Terminal Market, the oldest farmers market in this nation since 1893 ...Also checked out the PA Transit Museum on Market St Nearby ...The best thing is the Macy's (formerly Lord & Talyor) at the corner of City Hall and Market and Juniper. There is a free organ concert every day 12:30pm and 5:30pm, except Wed and Friday on 7pm for 45 minutes, the store closed on 8pm. Sitting at the Cafe at 3rd floor listening the performance is as great as sitting at the nice sofa of the shoe area of ground floor looking at the huge building that is in fact an attrium inside. You got a feeling like you are in a church ...Of course, today we also caught the wonderful $4.50 buffet at 11th St near Race, :o it is a 4 dish and soup and rice meal, if you just need 2 dishes (big portion anyway), it is only $3.90 If you do not like soup, you can get soda...Then I all of sudden realized that you can take Todays' Bus from NYC Midtown Penn Station area, at 31st St to Chinatown for $10 one way and $20 round trip, then you can walk right over to this Courtyard... no parking issue... This seems to be a good solution for weekdays trip ... Along 11th and 10th street across Hilton Garden Inn (self park $22) seems quite a few such direct bus between Philly and NYC and to DC as well ... There are some go direct to NYC Chinatown... $6 one way and $10 round trip!!!I also found out this 1018 Race street has a HUGE Chinese store (two stories, staircase inside) that has lots of Chinese instruments, clothes, DVD, movies ... and on 2nd floor, there is an Internet Cafe, what a surprise!! I was told the store was there 7 years, never knew its exisitence, passed there all the time ...Today also checked out the Pennsylvania Convention Center on Market, two blocks away, and what a surprise! at the Gallery Mall, the basement is the subway station, much nicer than in NYC ... Many security guards, all very friendly and willing to help ...This Courtyard is really a very very convenient place to stay at Philladelphia ...p.s. By the way, tonight we got the hotel at Residence Inn Conshohoken PA, so we were indeed take the train to Philadelphia to check out City Hall that we were not able to last weekend when we were at this Courtyard. It would be great if we had known all this when we stayed at Courtyard, but I guess it is NOT too late for whoever going to ...
dahammer Posted August 26, 2006 Report Posted August 26, 2006 here is a bit of history regarding City HallWilliam Penn, the guy used to own the whole PA this was in lieu of lieu of about
biddingforhotel Posted August 31, 2006 Author Report Posted August 31, 2006 By the way, I did visit the Museum of Art last Sunday, and, as you said, it was "donate as wish", so I took a look at the membership cost $90, so I divided it by 9 and donate $10 ... I guess that's about the cost we pay as members of most museums ... Averagely we visit 9 to 12 times of a museum each year if member ...There were no problem to find free parking at the "rear" of the museum, and I have found this museum is wonderful, my older kids start able to appreciate ... we join the guided tours and some mates told me that they came form Austrilia and that was the 2nd tours they joined, they were here last Sunday as well ...
biddingforhotel Posted September 3, 2006 Author Report Posted September 3, 2006 University of Penn has a Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology which is free on Sundays after Labor Day and before Memorial DayAs soon as got off R6 train at University of Penn station, only two blocks away, I saw this wonderful museum ... but it did not open today ... but it will Tue to Sun during school year ... :) But that's ok, we just walk over to the auditorium to join the new students training ... and listen to the Law Professor speech and others ... that's great like we were at MIT last year, so my kid got a feeling as student here ... :) Now, I am at their nice student Union ... pool table $3 per hour, kids love it ... and free Internet surf and all other campus link info ... :o
biddingforhotel Posted September 4, 2006 Author Report Posted September 4, 2006 Later of the day, I decide to walk over to Rittenhouse Square, and along Walnut St, catch another U Penn professor, philosophy, so we chat and discuss some issues and exchange some questions and answers till reach his car. He told me that the street parking on Sunday at Walnut is FREE, and even more valuable, he said he always parked there when he came to U Penn on Sundays ... no problem, very safe. So, I guess, next time I come to visit the museum Dahamar mentioned would just drive to park here
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