Help me choose between Philadelphia and Chicago!

melanzana

Special birthday next year MINE!

So we are going Stateside. I will be flying to and from Dublin so need a place in US that has direct flights to and fro. Philly and Chicago fit that bill, but I can't choose! Been to most of the other direct flight airports to Dublin but Philly and Chicago are two that I haven't seen yet.

Will be flying into Washington, then to Nashville (OH a country music fan!), then.....? and back to Dublin.

Am tempted by Chicago, but Philly looks wonderful too, and you can get a train to NY for the day too from there easily enough. Although have been to NY so that is not essential.

Anyone been to either city, and what would you recommend?

Many thanks.

daveyjp

My only visit to the US was Chicago and had a great time. Plenty to keep you occupied for a few days.

Highlights

Hancock Tower bar, Billy Goat Tavern burgers and an afternoon at the Cubbies Baseball followed by a few of the local bars in Wrigley Field area and a huge Chicago pizza pie to finish the day off.

SailorSam

When i saw your thread title i thought you couldn't decide on what cheese you wanted.

melanzana

SailorSam wrote: »

When i saw your thread title i thought you couldn't decide on what cheese you wanted.

LOL. :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

pogofish

I've never been to Chicago (one day!) so I can't offer a direct comparison but FWIW, Philadelphia is a great city to visit, with a cracking history and a whole lot to see and do in a fairly compact/walkable area and decent public transport. I'd highly recommend visiting it.

You will also recognise parts of it from so many films where it has stood-in for other more famous US cities - and of course the scene outside its library from Rocky and the USS United States languishing in the docks !

And yes, train/bus to NY is easy and the bus IIRC was fairly cheap.

blindman

melanzana wrote: »

Special birthday next year MINE!

So we are going Stateside. I will be flying to and from Dublin so need a place in US that has direct flights to and fro. Philly and Chicago fit that bill, but I can't choose! Been to most of the other direct flight airports to Dublin but Philly and Chicago are two that I haven't seen yet.

Will be flying into Washington, then to Nashville (OH a country music fan!), then.....? and back to Dublin.

Am tempted by Chicago, but Philly looks wonderful too, and you can get a train to NY for the day too from there easily enough. Although have been to NY so that is not essential.

Anyone been to either city, and what would you recommend?

Many thanks.

You do not say what month you are going.

Both cities can fill 2 days easily.

Chicago has the Lake and Architure (Frank Lloyd wright) as well as other mentioned here.
Has high end shops if that's your thing.
Transport from Airport to city is good, as is around town.

Philly has the Libery Bell and history re Independence.
Train to NYC is easy and cheap from Philly.
Smaller than Chicago and walkable

Both have expensive hotels!

Tough choice.

Alice_Walker

Philadelphia bored me, I'd booked four nights and left after two, I'd done all the tourist spots and there didn't feel like much else to do. I found it a bit scruffy in comparison to other US cities.

I love Chicago! There's lots to see and do, but it's also a lovely place to do nothing at all. If you want to do some shopping on your trip this would be an excellent location too, all based around the Magnificent Mile so everything is easy to find.

melanzana

Thanks for advice folks. I think Chicago might just be edging it at the moment.

Will be going either mid May or mid September, to be decided!

Backbiter

Chicago is fantastic. Philly's great, too, but Chicago has more to offer IMO.

colazombie

I've only been to Chicago but i highly recommend it.
Would love to go back one day

ferrychristian

Chicago is best, this city is lively in nature, and if you talk about food , you will get the best pot pie pizza at Chicago Pizza and Oven Grinder Company, They make it heavenly ,. The skyline of the chic ago, its beautiful.
My vote goes to Chicago.