A trip to the big city (Philadelphia, Reading: house, safe area, cost of)

[toobusytoday]

I'm planning to go into Philadelphia with my son and nephew tomorrow. I just cannot decide whether to spend the night or take the train in or drive and park. Husband would prefer I do the train to save money, I dislike driving in the city and get a little stressed trying to find my way around but have a gps, maps and am somewhat familiar with the main roads. I'd appreciate some help.

If I take the train in from Lansdale, will it be hard to find a parking space at the train station to get the 8:41 am train? My husband just sent me a link and suggested I go park at Fern Rock and take the train from there - looks like a direct train into Philadelphia. Is that a safe area to park and is it hard to get a space for a Friday (past rush hour) morning? We would probably leave the city fairly late to come home Friday night.

I like the suggestions for Boston guys visit, just like a tripadvisor post! You all are so helpful.

[newmarlig]

Remember a lot of people take Fridays off in the summer, so parking at the train station may not be a problem.

[orrmobl]

Take the train. Not worth the hassle or cost of parking. Wear comfortable shoes!

[maf763]

Or park at Jenkintown rather than Fern Rock - more trains come and go from there than Lansdale.

[newmarlig]

Originally Posted by maf763

Or park at Jenkintown rather than Fern Rock - more trains come and go from there than Lansdale.

True - Jenkintown is a Hub.

[toobusytoday]

Here's the thing, Lansdale is just down the turnpike one exit and I sort of know where I'm going there. Getting the boys out early will be the biggest challenge.

I have a pile of things to do and am kind of excited about it all. This is what I've come up with - Arrive at Market Street East and then go to the Reading Terminal Market since we're down at that end. Walk or take the Phlash bus down to Independence Visitor Center. Visit, the Constitution center, Independence Hall (have tickets), Liberty Bell Elfreth's Alley, the Bourse for a bite to eat (teenage boys) and souvenirs, Get the phlash bus to the Eastern State Penitentiary and visit that. Show boys the steps up the art museum ala Rocky. Eat again, visit whatever we missed and go home. Do you think this is doable? Sort of doable?

[rainrock]

Toobusy if you get the chance visit The Comcast Center at 17th + JFK they have an HDTV in the lobby that is 80 feet long and 25 feet high, the largest HDTV in the world. Its definitely worth a visit if you are in that area. And you cant go into the city without taking a walk around the Rittenhouse Square area.18th +Walnut

Good luck

[newmarlig]

You have a great day planned. It's doable, but very busy. Rainrock is right, the HDTV in the lobby of The Comcast Center is amazing, you see grown men gawking at it. (You can also eat in the food court there).

Have fun and if you don't see everything, you can always come back.

[toobusytoday]

I'm back! The Lansdale train station was perfect - about a 30 minute drive from my house and what deal ; only $25 for three of us roundtrip to the Market Street East Station! I think it was the family pass. I did have a stressful moment with the parking lot. We were cutting it close time-wise and I wasn't sure if the lot closest to the train was the right one or if we would be able to cross the tracks since the lot was on the wrong side so we parked across the street at the Rite-Aid. I saw the Comcast building as we were going past but couldn't whip out my paper fast enough to double check if that was the place to stop at and then it was gone.

I will be back though - my older son has an appointment to get a biometric scan for his UK visa in two weeks and it has to be done in Philadelphia. I like this train thing and want to see if we can do that again. Thanks again for the tips!

The boys loved the Reading Terminal Market and we had a nice breakfast there and a soft pretzel to go. We walked down to the Historical area and went to the Visitor Center, Independence Hall, Library of Congress, Elfrith Alley, The Constitution Center and the Bourse. Unfortunately we ran out of time to go to the Eastern State Penitentiary (which I know the boys would have liked) but I wasn't sure how to get back to the center of town since the tourists buses stop after 6:00. Instead we just did the loop with the Phlash bus and then had a delicious dinner in Chinatown.

[newmarlig]

Sounds like a great day. And, you have a good reason to come back to see the Eastern State Penitentiary. The 33 or 48 buses stops close by. Somebody there could tell you where the stop is. Those buses go down Market Street (you could get the train at Suburban Station - 17th and Market, which would come before Market Street East).