| A Bed and Breakfast Connection | |
Philadelphia on a Budget
Summer Specials
Summer 2013 Newsletter
|
You want to enjoy the history, the culture, the food and the fun that Philadelphia has to offer and you don't want to spend too much money. No problem. Read on for some suggestions and special offerings. With a little planning, Philly can be affordable for all who visit the City of Brotherly Love.
|
|
|
Philly on a Budget
| |
Even if you are on a limited budget, free and inexpensive fun can still be found in Philadelphia. Head to the historic district. Many of the historic sites have free admission including Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, Carpenters' and Congress Halls and the Edgar Allen Poe house to name a few. If you want to take a walking tour, try Free Tours By Foot. These are "name your own price" tours- the tour itself is free; you decide, at the end of the tour, what it was worth, if anything, by tipping your guide. These tours are informative and highly entertaining. Choose from a variety of tour options; historic tours, food tours, ghost tours, even off the beaten path "Real Philadelphia" tours. Reservations are required to guarantee your spot.
If it's art that you want to admire, the Institute of Contemporary Art in University City offers free admission thanks to a generous grant. The Philadelphia Museum of Art has a "pay what you wish" policy on Wednesdays after 5:00 p.m. as well as the first Sunday of every month. The Barnes Foundation also offers a limited quantity of free admission tickets on the first Sunday of the month. Free tickets can be obtained at the Barnes Foundation on the first Sunday beginning at 10 a.m. on a first-come, first-served basis. Advance reservations are not available for Free First Sundays.
There are always options for inexpensive drinking and dining in Philadelphia. A nice option in the summer is to head to a Center City Sips Happy Hour on Wednesday evenings between 5:00-7:00 p.m. Enjoy half-price appetizers and $3 beer, $4 wine and $5 cocktails at the numerous participating restaurants.Some restaurants offer a 15% discount on dinner after 7:00 p.m.
If it's a beautiful Thursday night, grab your own bottle of wine and go to Sister Cities Park for "Pairings on the Parkway". Each Thursday  evening from 5:00-8:00 p.m.until September 26, bring your own bottle of wine and Milk and Honey Cafe will have cheeses and other goodies for sale that will pair with your selection. There is also live music from 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Speaking of bringing your own bottle of wine, did you know that Philadelphia has over 200 BYOB (bring your own bottle) Restaurants? Whether you are looking for casual or 4-star dining, you will be able to find a restaurant in Philadelphia that suits your tastes where you can bring your own bottle. It's a great way to enjoy a delicious meal and yet save a few dollars at the same time.
Seeing a movie can be quite an expense, but not if you catch the weekly movie playing at Penn's Landing on Thursday evenings in the summer. Admission is free to Screenings Under the Stars, the summer movie series at Penn's Landing. Sit on the banks of the Delaware River and catch a breeze while watching a blockbuster movie on a big screen. Movies begin at dusk (8:00-8:30 p.m.) on Thursdays through August.
Head back to Penn's Landing's RiverStage on Friday nights in the summer and enjoy free, alfresco concerts. Smooth jazz will fill the air every Friday in August starting at 7:30 p.m. Stick around for a spectacular fireworks display. Fun and free!
|
Parking and Getting Around
| 
While there are certainly areas in the city where you can park on the street for free, most areas in and around Center City either require a permit, or are metered (look for the kiosk to pay). Center City street-parking rates are $2/hour. However, if you are coming in to Philadelphia on a Wednesday evening, meter parking is free in Center City after 5:00 p.m.(on rush hour streets, free after 6:30 p.m.).
If you decide to drive, many garages offer special rates, so it's best to check-out the parking deals before you drive in to the city.
People often ask us if they need a car to get around in Philadelphia if they are coming to see the sights, and the answer is "no". The public transportation system in Philadelphia is convenient, easy to use, and there are many options. Buses, trolleys, subways, and commuter trains are all run by SEPTA, the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority. Their website is easy to navigate, and if you enter your starting and ending address you will be given options for every mode of transportation.
If you plan to use several modes of public transportation in a day, the best deal is the Independence Pass, a convenient and economical option that provides unlimited one-day travel on SEPTA services. The pass is $12 for an individual or $29 for a family of up to 5 people (at least one person, and no more than 2, must be 18 years or older).
The Philly Phlash, which is in service seven days per week from Memorial Day through Labor Day (and weekends in May, September and October), is the distinctive purple and yellow trolley that provides access between 19 Philadelphia locations. This is an inexpensive way to travel between the sites, only $2 per person per ride or $12 for an all-day pass (seniors and children under 4 are always free). See the Phlash website for a complete list of stops and more information.
|
|
|
It is really very easy to find free and inexpensive things to do in Philadelphia during the summer. Spend a few moments before your trip and look for discount coupons or special deals. Take advantage of the beautiful weather and plan outdoor activities, many of which cost nothing (See a few of our suggestions in the Quick Links sidebar). Stay in a private home or small B&B in town, live like a native Philadelphian, walk to your destination.You can create a memorable vacation even if you're frugal!
Give us a call, get our travel tips and learn about our special deals for August. Enjoy the rest of your summer.
Sincerely,
Bridget Cowell
A Bed and Breakfast Connection
800-448-3619
610-644-8790
|
|
|
|
August Special!
$10 Restaurant Discount Cards
| |
|
Book a stay of 2 or more nights at any of our Center City listings and receive a $10 discount card to a locally owned restaurant. Stays must be booked for the month of August. Mention this special promotion when you make your reservation and we will send you a $10 discount card to a restaurant in the neighborhood nearest your accommodation. We have a limited number of discount certificates.They will be distributed while supplies last.
|
 |
|
Featured Property:
Casa Buona B&B
| |
| Tucked between South Street and the Italian Market, the Casa Buona B&B is in a perfect location to be your home base when visiting Philadelphia. This accommodation is just a few blocks south of the hustle and bustle of center city, and yet close enough to everything that you can walk. Many great restaurants and the famous cheesesteak rivals, Pat's and Geno's, are nearby.
The Casa Buona B&B has multiple rooms, each unique with vibrant colors or eclectic design. Rooms have a variety of bed sizes, baths can be shared or private. All rooms have access to a kitchenette and many suites have full kitchens. You will enjoy feeling like a local Philadelphian when you stay at the Casa Buona B&B.
Nightly rates range from $95-$150 and until August 30, the Casa Buona is offering a great summer special. Ask us about this special offer! Please contact us or visit our website to learn more about the Casa Buona B&B.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Offered by the Parkway/Museum District, get a coupon for $2.00 off the full price adult admission (up to 4 adults) at these Parkway Museums District institutions: the Academy of Natural Sciences, the Eastern State Penitentiary, the Franklin Institute, the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts and the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Present the coupon to the ticketing desk to redeem your discount. Click here for the coupon.
| |
Offer Expires: May 31, 2014
|
|
|
