University of the Arts (Philadelphia, Allentown: home, safe area, theater)

[toobusytoday]

My college son will be driving up from VA Friday night. He has a friend who has asked him for a ride to Philadelphia, where she will meet up with her boyfriend at the University of the Arts. He is not familiar with the city but is a good driver and has been driving for almost four years. It looks like this is on Broad Street so a pretty safe area. Is that right? Any driving tips to get in and out quick and not end up in a bad area? Or should I try to talk to him about perhaps his friend going on the train in Harrisburg instead?

Slightly worried Mom who lives in a small town

[Tone509]

If your son has any experience with larger urban cities - perhaps he's spent time in DC? - then he will be perfectly fine in that section of Center City (downtown). that section of Broad Street is promoted as the "Avenue of the Arts" because of the many theaters and other arts-related entities on those blocks. It borders the upscale Rittenhouse Square neighborhood to the west and Washington Square West, the welcoming "gayborhood" to the east.

The only thing I would advise him about is that parking will be expensive and limited. On weekends, a parking garage might charge perhaps $10 a day. I would advise against overnight street parking even if it happens to be available. The good news is that he won't need to take out his car again until he's ready to drive home as Center City is a compact two square miles.

If he takes I-95 north to I-76 west, that will take him straight into Center City.

Originally Posted by toobusytoday

My college son will be driving up from VA Friday night. He has a friend who has asked him for a ride to Philadelphia, where she will meet up with her boyfriend at the University of the Arts. He is not familiar with the city but is a good driver and has been driving for almost four years. It looks like this is on Broad Street so a pretty safe area. Is that right? Any driving tips to get in and out quick and not end up in a bad area? Or should I try to talk to him about perhaps his friend going on the train in Harrisburg instead?

Slightly worried Mom who lives in a small town

[billb7581]

Tell him, if in doubt, head in the directon that the numbered streets get lower!

That area's OK, and Center City is basically a big grid.

[newmarlig]

What Tone said. He'll have a great time.

[john_starks]

The only thing I would advise him about is that parking will be expensive and limited. On weekends, a parking garage might charge perhaps $10 a day.

i think its more like $20 a day

[toobusytoday]

Okay, that doesn't sound too bad. He's not staying or visiting, just dropping off. At first he thought he was driving her to Temple and I suggested they spend the night here and then he drive her down the next morning. He doesn't really have much city driving experience - his college is in Southwest VA - but I'm slightly less worried now. Thanks!

[newmarlig]

Originally Posted by toobusytoday

Okay, that doesn't sound too bad. He's not staying or visiting, just dropping off. At first he thought he was driving her to Temple and I suggested they spend the night here and then he drive her down the next morning. He doesn't really have much city driving experience - his college is in Southwest VA - but I'm slightly less worried now. Thanks!

That's too bad. He should visit and see the big city. Maybe next time.

[Tone509]

That's a generous son you have to drive someone a few hundred miles only to turn right around. Hopefully he'll at least rest a bit and take in a few of the immediate sights.

[toobusytoday]

No, no, he's not that nice! We live just south of Allentown so it's just adding about an hour drive to his 6 hour one. We've been to Philadelphia before but he's never driven.

[Tone509]

Ah for some reason I thought you were from Virginia. My mistake.