<p>We will be visiting UArts next week and staying near the college. Does anyone have ideas for where to get dinner, places to see or any thing going on next week Monday to Wednesday? We will be at the Doubletree which appears to be very near U Arts.</p>
<p>Philadelphia has a gizzillion restaurants in the vicinity of where you will be staying (Broad and Locust Sts, which is a block south of the Terra Building where freshmen MT’s have most if not all of their classes). There are very good but pricey chain restaurants such as Palm and Capital Grill on Broad St but if you are looking for restaurants that locals frequent and are more interesting, there’s plenty to choose from. </p>
<p>Here are some of my favorite restaurants that are a 5-15 minute walk from the Doubletree. In getting a sense of the walking distance, keep in mind that Broad St is the equivalent of 14th St (but no one calls it that) and UArts’ campus on Broad St runs from Walnut St down to South (Walnut, Locust, Spruce, Pine, Lombard and South, going from north to south on Broad). All of the restaurants are located in areas that are very walkable and safe at night.</p>
<p>La Viola East and West - Located on 16th St between Locust and Spruce. 2 locations, across the street from each other. Great Italian food at very reasonable prices. When you get the check, you won’t believe you had a meal that good for the price. Small one room dining rooms, which get crowded and you will end up knowing the people sitting at the table next to you, but that’s part of the atmosphere and the fun. Reservations are a must from 6 pm on because of the small size and popularity. It’s BYOB. Cash only, no credit cards. 215-735-8630, 215-735-8631.</p>
<p>El Vez - Located at the corner of 13th and Sansom. (Sansom is one block north of Walnut.) Very interesting, fun, upscale, delicious Mexican food at moderate prices. It turns tacos and guacamole into gourmet feasts as well as offering a variety of delicious fish, meats and chicken dishes. It’s definitely Mexican but you won’t believe how innovative and different it is. Margaritas and sangria that’re out of this world. Very cool decor and atmosphere with lots of young professionals, grad students and some college students on a “splurge”. Reservations highly recommended. 215-928-9800.</p>
<p>Estia - Located on Locust St between Broad and 15th. Greek food specializing in a broad variety of fresh fish. A bit upscale and pricey but very good. Reservations recommended. 215-735-7700.</p>
<p>Joe Pesce - Located on Walnut St between 12th and 11th. “Continental” menu with a real mixed bag of meats, fish, pasta and chicken. Special Grilled Caesar Salad (never on the menu but always offered as a “special”) with shrimp and crabmeat is out of this world and one serving is good for 4. Moderately priced. Always seem to run into UArts students working there. Reservations recommended. 215-829-4421.</p>
<p>Mixto - Located on Pine St between 12th and 11th. Upscale Cuban food at moderate prices. Another fun restaurant with great food and atmosphere. Black bean soup is to die for. A good variety of meat, fish and chicken dishes. Another great place for sangria. Very popular with UArts students looking for a “splurge” night out. Reservations are recommended but sometimes they won’t take them. Still trying to figure out what their reservation policy is but if you get there by 6 pm, you should be ok. 215-592-0363. </p>
<p>I could come up with another dozen within the same walking distance but you can’t go wrong with any of the above.</p>
<p>As to things to do, if you are looking for theatre, check the websites for the Walnut St Theatre, Arden Theatre, Wilma Theatre, Suzanne Roberts Theatre and UArts’ website for shows that are running. If interested in ballet, opera, orchestral music etc, check the websites for the Kimmel Center and Academy of Music. Other than the Arden, all are within a 5-15 minute walk from where you will be. The Arden is a 10 minute taxi ride.</p>
<p>If interested in historic sites, there’s Independence Hall (where the Declaration of Independence was adopted and signed) and the Liberty Bell, about a 15-20 minute walk east at 6th and Chestnut. If museums are your thing, there’s the Franklin Institute (with an Omniverse Theatre), the Academy of Natural Sciences and the Philadelphia Museum of Art. They are along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, about a 15-20 minute walk or 5-10 minutes by taxi.</p>
<p>Enjoy your visit.</p>
<p>Wow! What a great list - very helpful. We will check on the different theaters you suggested. Btw I think it may be your daughter who is conducting our tour on Monday at 1 but I could have this confused. Thank you so much!</p>
<p>Checked with my daughter, she’s in class at 1 on Mondays, so it must be someone else. Glad the info was helpful.</p>
<p>I stayed at the Doubletree last year when I brought my D to visit. Incidentally, we LOVED Uarts, so it was a great visit. The Doubletree is within walking distance to EVERYTHING for Uarts. (If you haven’t already done so, make sure you tell them you are visiting Uarts…they give you a discount)
We went to the Starbucks across from the Hamilton Hall building. We ate a wonderful meal at McCormick and Schmidt’s on the corner of Broad and ??, right across from city hall. We went to a performance at the Walnut Theater, walking distance from the hotel, 7 or 8 blocks, up Walnut St. from Broad.
I’m a US History teacher, so of course I went to Independence Hall, also walking distance from the hotel. We also booked a tour at Uarts, and we met with from students in MT that I met on this discussion forum. They were VERY helpful.<br>
I hope you have a great trip.</p>
<p>Also, I had emailed Charlie Gilbert, and so we were able to meet with him personally, and he suggested classes my D could visit and sit in on. She did so, and this was really fun for her. Everyone, including MichaelNKat’s D was very nice to her and she felt so welcomed!</p>
<p>So we are back from U Arts visit which was wonderful for my daughter and I loved it too. She was able to sit in on two mt classes and meet with two professors. A student aka “Broadwaywannabe” took us for a great tour of the college buildings. Super representative for U Arts and we got to see her in a play run through too. We also had a dorm tour (nice!). Took Michael’s advice on a couple of restaurants and especially liked El Vez. Saw a run through of “Batboy” - or most of it - what a talented cast!! My daughter went to U Arts thinking it was the place for her and left absolutely sure it is. What a great experience - and we are so glad to have reached a decision. Thanks to all on CC for information and encouragement. This has been a special and fascinating time.</p>
<p>Glad your visit was so enjoyable and rewarding. Congratulations to your daughter!</p>
<p>Congrats to your daughter also. My D had the same experience last year and is SO glad she did now that she is finishing up her freshman year. She has had a great year.</p>