One Philadelphia food mecca is the Reading Terminal Market. So much to see in Philly, hard to say what's best. I hate the traffic and parking though. My favorites have been Constitution Hall, the Franklin Institute and Academy of Natural Science, Bartram's Gardens and the Morris Arboretum. I'm a weenie. There's great art there too but I could never afford the art museums. Even those I listed are kind of out of my price range any more. I love Fairmount Park's statues.

No suggestions because it sounds like you’re ONCE AGAIN avoiding me. I guess an invite to the Hamptons wasn’t good enough for you? Pffft!

Missing out on the Hamptons was an ouch......you could always meet us somewhere.

Just got back a few minutes ago from 3 days in North Myrtle Beach SC - it is just 30 min south of Wilmington. Free beach access and free parking, not crowded at all on those glorious warm (not hot) days there. Ate at Backfins Grill (it's a very good chain - elegant not cheesy). North Myrtle Beach is not nearly as commercialized as Myrtle Beach and has fewer garish "amusements and attractions" on Hwy 17.

As far as Philly goes, it all depends on what you love and how long you have. And the variety is huge. Art museums, at least the two big ones (Art Museum and Barnes) take a full day. But there's history, natural history, medical, on and on. Outdoors? Valley Forge and then there's everything around Independence Mall. Food? Italian Market and Reading Terminal. I know there are many ultra-fine places that I don't get to, but there's always the simple pleasure of cheesesteak and pretzels. And brew pubs, oh my!

My son and DIL recently went to Zahav, and were completely wowed by it. Reservations far in advance. http://www.zahavrestaurant.com/

American History is big wth us as is music , American art and DH loves all things to do with planes and ships........which is why this trip. He wants to go to Kitty Hawk and Annapolis.

Annapolis is one very neat little town. We loved it, tho it's been many years.

Battleship New Jersey? https://www.battleshipnewjersey.org/

Sushi..the will be a for sure. Bet I have seen more American battleships than most Americans !!!!

So you'll be a week in Philly? ;-)

be sure to look for a regional cookbook. then you can explore the tastes of the area at home at your leisure. I like the church cookbooks ....

I forgot Valley Forge because I used to work there. Very special place and not difficult to access. Audubon's home nearby but now I'm verging back into weenie territory.

And don't forget that Valley Forge is a stone's throw from King of Prussia, great mall with incredible shopping and dozens of restaurants. Also more food at Town Center, across the highway. (We're partial to Habit Burger, closest thing to In-n-Out.)

That sounds like a great trip, Sharon. I like road trips better than flying, and I'm also kind of a "weenie" in that I like the National Parks far more than I like cities. Well, I like cities for about two days, then I want to go somewhere with fewer people, LOL.

I have absolutely no suggestions, although the Outer Banks are one of the places I've told Elery I'd actually like to see. He says there is also a battleship in Wilmington: http://www.battleshipnc.com/

Have fun and travel safely!

Annie

If you're going to Philly make sure to reserve tickets for Longwood Gardens. I believe Joanne is a tour guide there.

Don't miss the Barnes.....really!!!

Swansboro, NC used to be a charming, little known town. It was hit hard by hurricane Florence last year, so I don't know how it is now. Also, Southport is charming - and very close to Wilmington.

I have not been to the harbor area of Philadelphia but I think there is one or more battleships on display. There are also tour boats that leave from there for cruises along the Delaware. This is an area of Philly I'm not familiar with though, maybe others will chime in.

The Barnes has a lovely restaurant. The new restaurant at the Art Museum got pretty poor reviews when it first opened recently.

And LP, you're probably thinking of the Battleship New Jersey, which is on the Camden side of the river.

Had to look it up. Penn's Landing, big tourist area. Independence Seaport Museum. I've never been there, but I always wanted to go on a cruise leaving out of there. Not sure which ones are best. http://www.phillyseaport.org/fieldtrips

There are even dinner cruises, (to make it food related) but I don't know if they are anything to write home about. The only foodie restaurant I have ever been to is the White Dog Cafe in University City. It was good. There are so many others though. Hard to go totally wrong.

Kitty Hawk was great. We also got to see Jamestown, the archeological center at the actual site. They were doing more excavations when we were there -- so it's probably even better now. At any rate, I love historical sites, too.

There's Historic Williamsburg, but it is rather touristy - I'm sure you already know about that one.

Now, this was years ago and I don't know if the place has stood the test of time, but I really had a great lunch at Dirty Dick's Crabhouse - it's a chain of two or three restaurants, and one is on the Outer Banks, and another on Nag's Head. (Yes, I bought a T-shirt that reads, "I got my crabs at Dirty Dick's"...).

Kevin and I will be in Philadelphia in early August - maybe our paths will cross! I have no idea what to do there - Kevin is going for a 4-5 day convention, and so I'll be on my own. My best friend who lives there will be out of town that week. We will probably not rent a car, unless I need one to visit friends in New Jersey.

We can meet up for lunch, Lars. Is Kevin's meeting at the downtown convention center? That's adjacent to the Reading Terminal Market and the train station where I'd be coming in from Chestnut Hill.

In Virginia Beach, Leaping Lizard, Bubba’s and Doumar’s in Norfolk for yums. In OBX, stay at the Sanderling.

Thanks all , great ideas ....will report back.

Lunch would be nice! Kevin's conference is August 6-10. I should be available any of those days, if that works for you. It will be at Philadelphia 201 Hotel, and Kevin plans to make reservations to stay at that hotel, as he can get a very good discount. He hasn't make the reservation yet, but I don't think they will run out of rooms.

Excellent! Reading Terminal is at the Jefferson Station. Maybe 6 blocks? Your dates are in my calendar!

We'll be arriving late on August 6, but the other days are available. We are also going to Michigan the week before, and so maybe we'll be able to run into Laurie. I thought she lived in Michigan, but then I think Annie told me that she moved to Indiana, which we will not be visiting.

Kevin did make the reservation at the hotel, and so we'll definitely be downtown. It looks like I will be able to walk to a lot of interesting places from the hotel.

I live near the OH/IN/MI border, but I'm only claiming citizenship in southern MI. DO plan on stopping by, I can take some time off that week. I would love to show you some Midwestern hospitality. Maybe we can find your cousin, or traces of him . . .

Nope, that was Sherry that moved to Indiana! L, I'm glad you saw this, I was going to send you an email.

Annie

In a reply far up-thread, I recommended Zahav in Philly. Just yesterday it was named James Beard winner of Best Restaurant in the country. Reservations two months in advance. My son and DIL say if's fantastic.

OMG that Zahav restaurant sounds so good and so fun! We have a similar place near me about a half hour away. I'd go once a week if I could afford it! Husband and I both love Mediterranean cuisine.

Come to Longwood Gardens! You can be my guests and I'll give you a tour. The most beautiful gardens imaginable

If you don't make it this far, the Barnes museum in Center City is a must-see

Reading terminal is fun, but it is VERY crowded. Not really my kind of food, but they do have some spectacular donuts (and I don't like donuts. Much.)

do you like impressionism?

Jojo, would love to see your gardens and DH is a nut for impressionist art.

We will only be there two days so not sure how much we will get in. I'm thinking I should have made it three......

Day one we will likely do a " hop on hop off " of the city....then day two visit the spots that caught us. The Barnes is a for sure....the Terminal not so much...but then how can you not !

Trip pretty much planned ..........really looking forward to it.

This is where we are staying in Philly.......hope the location is good.

https://morrishousehotel.com/

Chase, just let me know if you can squeeze in Longwood and the dates. I can arrange tickets and a tour if you'd like. But I totally understand if you are too pressed for time. It is definitely a hike from Philly. Could it be on the way to your next destination if you are driving?

Jojo, I would love to visit. Our next destination after Philly is Annapolis....when I look at the website it kinda looks like Longwood may be on the way but I need to look at our actual route map . Is it on the way to Annapolis?

Chase, Longwood is kinda, sorta, on the way. According to Mapquest, Philly to Annapolis is 126 miles. Mapquest says Philly to Longwood to Annapolis is 135 miles. If you have the time, it might be the perfect stopping point.

Reading Terminal Market is nice, but not a "must see" in my book. I'd go for the history, art and gardens. All are amazing.

Jojo, I'll check our trip route in the morning...sounds Ike it may be doable : )

Longwood Gardens is beautiful...I'd definitely make the stop...nearby Kennett Square we ate at a nice restaurant called Portabellos

http://www.portabellosofkennettsquare.com/ which had the most delish mushroom humuus. We stayed around the corner from Longwood at a nice B&B: Inn at Whitewing Farm https://www.innatwhitewingfarm.com/

Of course there's so much to see in that area...de Nemours, Winterthur, Hagley Museum, Brandywine River Museum...

Sounds like a great trip... enjoy!

Hey Jojo ...looks doable !!! We could stop there June 7th but unfortunately only for an hour or two in the AM. Is that too short a time?

Thanks for the restaurant tip Annie but we won't have time for lunch . I wish I could add another day to the schedule but we have fixed reservation in Annapolis.....and DH really wants to see the Naval Academy.

Anybody got a tip on a restaurant in Annapolis????

I can work with that! Two hours would be ideal, but we'll take what we can get.

.....perfect. We'll work out our exact times but I'm thinking we will be there no later than 10 AM and stay until 11:30 or 12:00 ......that should give us time to get to Annapolis and do the Naval Academy tour before dinner.....although I'm thinking we can do that the next morning...details , details

So much to see ....so little time......but we are so bessed to have these opportunities

Big shout out to jojoco! Spent a wonderful few hours wth her at Longwood Gardens this AM. The gardens are spectacular as was our gracious hostess! Clive was absolutely blown away with complexity of the water fountains and the architectural elements. I was captured by the beauty, tranquility and history.

Great day Jojo, thank you so very much.

PS Thanks to all who recommended the Barnes in Philly ( loved the city ) it was awesome. Tonight crab cakes in Annapolis......just to keep this "foodie"

Nice to hear that you loved Philly. I know very little about it but as I said earlier, Kevin and I will be there the first week of August. I'm taking a day trip from Philly to NE New Jersey to visit a friend there, and she said I could take a train and she would meet me at the station. I assume there are a lot of trains between Philly and Manhattan.

I would like to know what you liked best about Philadelphia and if you have any special recommendations. Kevin and I will be visiting Annie1992 in Michigan on our way and will spend more time in Michigan than in Philadelphia.

Did you get to meet Sushipup in Philly? Pam is in Europe right now, and she won't be around to meet us either.

I am so sorry to have missed you, but sounds like you had a great stop. And I'm happy you loved the Barnes. That place just is my bliss place! So where's you eat while here? Have fun in Annapolis---- a lovely town!

Chase, it was my absolute pleasure to be your tour guide today! I loved sharing the story of Longwood Gardens with you and Clive and your enthusiasm was absolutely infectious! I hope you come back again!

OBX must eats:

Arts Place. Locals spot, small, just a few tables and a counter. Incredible breakfast and fabulous burgers.

Hurricane Mo's. Shrimp, wings and tacos - all absolutely deelish. Great ambiance, and a large deck too.

Grits Grill. Breakfast or lunch, very very good!

Kill Devil Grill. Incredible fried chicken on Fridays, only, but get there early, it's gone by 11:30!

Thanks chessie ! Can see Hurricane Mo' s in our future. Wings are my guilty pleasure and himself loves tacos.

If you get close to Morehead, NC, try Sanitary Seafood Market and Restaurant.