Need help planning a 3 day Philadelphia caching trip

[+wandering4cache]

Flying in from MA due to cheap Southwest DING $34 fare. Sole purpose is 3 days / 2 nights of geocaching. Oct 19 -21 (Thurs - Sat)

 

We'll start with Center City area, Society Hill & the touristy historical places. Haven't picked a hotel yet since I'm trying to learn the areas of the city & transportation system. I'm partial to Sheraton's. I like their super comfy beds. Any suggestions - Sheraton or similar - that would be convenient to public transportation & those cache areas, & be safe at night? We get military discount which is a bit more than 1/2 rack rates. So ok spending up to $150 / night if have to. (so max $300 rack) But, we are simple county folk & not into fancy dining or clubs, but like NICE hotels. What areas of city close down at night & what are safe to do a bit of night caching -- maybe up till 9pm???

 

Will we need a car?? I understand parking is a problem. And it seems hotels charge $25/night to park. How cumbersome will it be to rely on public transportation in the areas I've mentioned? Or how much of pain in the butt will it be to find parking near caches in those areas?

 

Any tips you can give for planning this would be great!! Thanks. Can't wait to try my first Philly Cheesesteak with onions & cheese whiz. Now, how do I order that? We are street food kind of people. Any other must tries?

 

Oh....and not living in a city just confuses the heck out of me when someone says its just 3 blocks away. Why can't they say it's 1/2 mile (or whatever it is) away. How long is a block?

Edited September 11, 2006 by wandering4cache

[+wandering4cache]

UPDATE: I've picked a hotel. Philadelphia Marriott Downtown -- 1201 Market St. Good govt rate of $138.

 

So, now just need answers to other questions.

Do we NEED a car or will it just be an expensive hassle?

Cheesesteaks?

 

Any thing else anyone would like to share about your fine city?

 

Thanks.

[+J10fly]

I live right over the bridge from philly. I would rent a car because if you are there for 3 days you will want to hop the bridge (walt Whitman or Ben Franklin) and hit some in NJ. There are quite a few over the bridge. I haven't really done any in Philly but i tried one with no luck but it is a really neat idea. It's called Sara Douglass Cache (GCGN0D) I think I was just looking into it too deep. Go to Tony Luke's for Cheesesteaks. Pats and Ginos are all hype. It's over by the waterfront right off of 95. I eat there a lot. Dont go to the actual restaurant, get the full experience and eat outside across the street at their original place.

 

-=Jayman11=-

Edited September 12, 2006 by jho135

[magellan315]

Check out SEPAG, this is the website for the Southeastern Pennsylanvania Geocachers, which includes Philadelphia and the surronding area. They should be able to help. There are caching loops set for many of the caches around Philly so you can leave your car behind an walk.

 

Check out this thread. You should be able to see it without registering to the site. If you can't regsiter and look for the Caching Loops section in the forums.

Edited September 12, 2006 by magellan315

[+wandering4cache]

Excellent info so far. Thanks for those LOOP links!!!!!

 

I'll check out NJ too. I suppose we could always just rent a car for one day & not have to worry about the $30+ the hotel wants for parking. That's NUTS!!!

 

Keep the info coming!!

[+hndlbr]

the loops are great and the hotel you picked is right in the center of Philly and close to the loops. You are also close to train terminals and could do suburb loops including one in Lansdowne which has my caches. ontact me on monday or friday and if i'm free maybe we could get togeter. I have not seen any that are in risky neighborhoods. Also contact sepag they love to help.