Mention the name Philadelphia and you probably think of a large historic stage set, great for school trips to Independence Hall followed by lunches of Philly cheese steaks, but not much else worth traveling for, right? Wrong. Somewhere along the way Philly got cool. Downtown spiffed up, great restaurants and cafes sprung up, and lots of offbeat galleries and boutiques opened. Add to that loads of art and culture and a major dose of history and you've got a perfect weekend getaway!
This week Area goes to the City of Brotherly Love. First stop, our favorite places to sleep:
One of our favorites in Philly is the Morris House Hotel, a historic landmark that has been renovated into a boutique hotel. Here you'll find the coziness of a B&B, in an 18th century setting, combined with all the modern amenities.
Or try the Sofitel in Philadelphia's up-and-coming French Quarter, in the old stock exchange building, a modern-era high-rise tower that's a modernist exception in a traditionally Georgian and Federal city. Although typically not a fan of luxury hotel chains, we love the Sofitel for its terrific location just off Walnut Street, close to Rittenhouse Square and convenient to much of the city's best shopping, dining, culture and nightlife.
For more refined elegance, book a room at Rittenhouse 1715. This sophisticated boutique hotel is on a small quiet street just steps from Rittenhouse Square.
Or relax at the Alexander Inn, a popular boutique hotel with a homey atmosphere that's close to great restaurants, shops, culture, and nightlife.
Tomorrow we continue our tour of Philly with our favorite places to eat and drink.
