Fodor's Philadelphia

by Fodor's Travel Publications Inc.

Written by locals, Fodor's travel guides have been offering trusted advice for all tastes and budgets for 80 years.

Fodor's Philadelphia  highlights the best the City of Brotherly Love has to   famous historic sites in Independence National Historical Park, world-class museums along Ben Franklin Parkway, and the ongoing culinary renaissance. Every recommendation has been vetted by a local Fodor’s expert to ensure travelers plan the perfect trip, from the cobblestone streets of Old City to the local cuisine at Reading Terminal Market to Philadelphia’s iconic landmarks like the Rocky Steps, the LOVE Statue, and Boathouse Row in Fairmont Park.

This travel guide
· Dozens of maps
· An 8-page color insert with a brief introduction and spectacular photos that capture the top experiences and attractions throughout Philadelphia
· Hundreds of hotel and restaurant recommendations, with Fodor's Choice designating our top picks
· Multiple itineraries to explore the top attractions and what’s off the beaten path
· Major sights such as the Independence National Historical Park, Fairmount Park, Reading Terminal Market, Rittenhouse Square, Parkway Museums, Old City, and South Street
· Side trips from Philadelphia including the Brandywine Valley, Valley Forge, and Bucks County
· Coverage of Historic Downtown, Center City, Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Fairmount, South Philadelphia, University City and West Philadelphia, Northwestern Philadelphia, Northeastern Philadelphia, and City Line Avenue

Genres: Travel, Nonfiction

232 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1985

About the author

Fodor's Travel Publications is a United States-based producer of English-language travel guides and online tourism information. It was founded by Hungarian Eugene Fodor in 1936.
Fodor’s was acquired by Random House in 1986 and sold to Internet Brands in 2016.

Reviews

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Our daughter has encouraged us to visit Philadelphia on our upcoming trip to New England once it's safe to travel again. I was surprised at just how many things there are to see in Philly. This book is very comprehensive and was extremely helpful for planning our itinerary. I thought I already knew a lot about the American Revolution, but I learned more. I'm also especially eager to visit their fine museums of art.

[Steven Peterson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have been to Philadelphia quite a few times; this volume is always a great help.

Any book that purports to be a guide to a large city is going to run into difficulties: restaurants come and go--even good ones, so that there will be some obsolescence in the work; some good places will not be listed, simply because of the large number of possible places to visit, dine at, stay at, etc.

All that said, this is still a good help for those wanting to spend some time in Philadelphia and the surrounding region. The maps are very helpful in getting a sense of what attractions and facilities are where. The section on dining is quite nice, although it does leave out some estimable restaurants; the discussion of hotels is very helpful and has informed me when I have planned trips to the city. Interested in cultural opportunities? The book does a good job of outlining attractions to visit.

And another positive aspect of this particular volume is the description of nearby attractions--from Bucks County to Lancaster County to Hershey to Gettysburg.

In short, if you are thinking of a trip to Philadelphia and/or the surrounding area, this is a good companion to have with you to help plan itineraries.

[Susan Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this in preparation for a trip to Philly my husband and I will be taking with our granddaughter for her 11th birthday. I love Philadelphia, and used to visit a lot when our daughter (our granddaughter's mother) was in school there and newly married, but I haven't made the trip in about a decade. I read this book to "revisit" my old favorites, get caught up on what is new, and scout things to do with my granddaughter. She is not interested in history OR museums; she really just wants to eat sushi. And since this is her birthday trip, she is driving the agenda!

After reading virtually the whole book (very easily digested), I have some possibilities lined up for our trip. We will definitely hit the Reading Terminal Market, something I never got to back in the day. Our granddaughter can get sushi there, and I can get something else ( not a sushi fan). We also will go to Pod, a very futuristic restaurant in University City I remember walking past during my daughter's college days. The sushi there is highly recommended!

[Jim Bowen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Usually I buy Rough Guides when I visit a city. They are usually quite detailed, but intimate when describing what to do there.

For one reason or another I couldn't find a Rough Guide, so tried a Fodor's travel guide instead. It's perfectly fine when describing what to do in Philadelphia. It has all the regular things new tourists want, and a few off the beaten path ideas for the repeat visitor.

So why the low score? It's just a little too formal for me I think. If you wants facts about where to go, and what to do, this will be perfect for you. If you want more gossip and chit chat, you might like a Rough Guide instead, if one exists.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book and it was incredibly helpful. Obviously, I use the internet and Google maps when I am planning travel, but it often doesn’t help me figure out everything I need. Google maps didn’t have the things I needed marked when and where I needed them. I was so grateful to have the resource to show me interests and attractions as well as giving a better idea of where things were in relation to other parts of the city. The color photographs make for great souvenirs from my visit, as well.

I couldn’t find it here in Goodreads, but I read a more recent version of the book that was updated since 2020.

[Dr. Kat]

lots of information about the city, broken up into categories like food, culture, arts, etc. wish it had more pictures.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Section on Amish/Lancaster County was especially helpful. Not too keen on the hotel recommendations, prefer Frommer's.

[Rita · Rating 2 out of 5]

Made Philly seem pretty lackluster - sections on surrounding areas a bit more interesting. Overall, not enough photos or off-the-beaten path recommendations.

[Jeff · Rating 3 out of 5]

Used this travel guide book for a recent college visit to Philadelphia and it provided very useful information on the city and surrounding area

[Emilyfn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great guide for a side trip to Philadelphia on a work project. This book enabled us to see the historical sites with good background information and excellent location points.