Hotel Locations in PA (Philadelphia, King of Prussia: best city, rent, hotels)

[melsssa]

I am from the west coast and we will be going to PA for the Jr. Olympics for Roller Hockey and I have been given the job to find the best city to stay in while there.

Please Please help. We have the following cities to choose from.....Trevose, Bensalem, Philadelphia, Horsham, Fort Washington or Willow Grove.

Could you please give me 2 good cities. We are going to have alot of kids ages ranging from 2-17 and we want to make sure we end up in a safe and family oriented area.

Thanks so much for your help.

[Tone509]

Where will the Junior Olympics be held? I tried doing a search but could not find it.

Depending on the location of the event, it might be prudent to find a hotel as close as possible to that venue. Besides Philly, all of the towns mentioned are northern suburbs. I would consider all of them safe. If it matters, Willow Grove would be the closest to a shopping mall (Willow Grove Park) that the kids might enjoy on their off time. Regarding Philadelphia, staying in Center City (downtown) would give the kids access to numerous historical and cultural sites. The hotels in Old City/Historical District/Society Hill might be best in this scenario. The Convention Center area hotels are fine if a bit quiet on the outside after the commuters depart. If the kids have spent significant time in any major West Coast city, nothing they see in Philadelphia should surprise them. Responsible adults like yourself should be able to be able to guide them towards the best that Center City has to offer... and it has a lot!

Originally Posted by melsssa

I am from the west coast and we will be going to PA for the Jr. Olympics for Roller Hockey and I have been given the job to find the best city to stay in while there.

Please Please help. We have the following cities to choose from.....Trevose, Bensalem, Philadelphia, Horsham, Fort Washington or Willow Grove.

Could you please give me 2 good cities. We are going to have alot of kids ages ranging from 2-17 and we want to make sure we end up in a safe and family oriented area.

Thanks so much for your help.

[rainrock]

King of Prussia/Valley Forge are a bit west of those towns but it would be well worth looking into if you can expand your options.

King of Prussia is the biggest "shopping" mall in the usa and a couple miles away is Valley Forge National Historic Park. Should be a must see for west coasters.

Of those you listed I personally would choose Center City Philadlephia Horsham or Fort Washington.

[melsssa]

Originally Posted by Tone509

Where will the Junior Olympics be held? I tried doing a search but could not find it.

Depending on the location of the event, it might be prudent to find a hotel as close as possible to that venue. Besides Philly, all of the towns mentioned are northern suburbs. I would consider all of them safe. If it matters, Willow Grove would be the closest to a shopping mall (Willow Grove Park) that the kids might enjoy on their off time. Regarding Philadelphia, staying in Center City (downtown) would give the kids access to numerous historical and cultural sites. The hotels in Old City/Historical District/Society Hill might be best in this scenario. The Convention Center area hotels are fine if a bit quiet on the outside after the commuters depart. If the kids have spent significant time in any major West Coast city, nothing they see in Philadelphia should surprise them. Responsible adults like yourself should be able to be able to guide them towards the best that Center City has to offer... and it has a lot!

Thanks for the reply. The Jr. Olympics are going to be held in Feasterville. We were given a list of approved hotels. The ones in Philidelphia are a Travelodge Northeast on Rossevelt and Candlewood Inn (Montgomery County) on Presidential Blvd. Are those Center City? We are very much looking forward to doing the most site seeing as possible. And some families will be there threw Independance Day. Is there anything that possibly comes to mind that we must do and can not miss. Besides the Liberty Bell.

Thanks again...the posts have been a great help.

[newmarlig]

No, they are not center city, but they are not so far away that you won't be able to come into the city. You should plan to do that on Independence Day (night) and see the fireworks and laser light show on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway.

[rainrock]

The Presidential Blvd. hotel is only a couple miles from Center City.That area is a business hub and St.Josephs Univ is right there. Easy commute to Center City and easy access to highways that will get you to Feasterville.Its generally a safe area but I wouldnt classify it as a family area. Its more college students/business oriented.

Horsham and Fort Washington are more suburban in nature and family friendly if that is what is most important to you. Id pass on Bensalem and Trevose, no offense to anyone.

One of the best things to do in Philly is just to walk the great historic neighborhoods that run right through the middle of Center City (Walnut-Locust-Spruce-Pine- Lombard Streets.) Be sure to stop and have lunch around Rittenhouse Square.


Philadelphia Zoo its a good one.

Take in a Phils game maybe.

Boathouse Row + Kelly Drive Recreation River trail -you can rent bikes and roller blades behind the Art Museum I believe

Franklin Institute of Science(great for kids)

Philadlephia Museum of Art

Please Touch Museum.

Constitution Center(Great for kids)

University of Pennsylvania is a great old Ivy league campus.

South Street is a very interesting diverse street and is kind of the hip destination for 15-24 yo age bracket of every race creed and religion.

Penns Landing(Concerts)

Fireworks +concert on 4th July (Art Museum-Ben Franklin Parkway)

Camden Aquarium is across the river in NJ.

Great Adventure is our version of Disneyland. (Jackson NJ)

If you have a free day Cape May NJ is a great historic beach town(1 3/4 hour drive from Philly) Wildwood just north of Cape May has a 3 mile long boardwalk with bunch of amusement piers /water slides for the kids.

Valley Forge National Park

King of Prussia Mall

New Hope/Washingtons Crossing Pa. has river tubing on the Delaware River.

here is photo of the schuylkill river trail(Kelly Drive)
courtesy B Maule

[Suzanne Fayard]

Marriott has several great lodging choices in the Philadelphia suburbs. Courtyard and SpringHill Suites are family friendly and offer free parking, variety of local restaurants and close proximity to the city and other attractions. Plymouth Meeting and Willow Grove are great areas for teams and family visitors. Go to Marriott.com