30th Street Station neighborhood (Philadelphia, Washington: crime, safe area, live)

[USroute1]

Hello Philadelphia residents. I have two questions about the neighborhood that 30th Street Station is in. Are the JFK Blvd, Chestnut, Market, or Walnut St bridges across the Schuylkill River pedestrian friendly? Is the neighborhood from the 30th Street Station to the restaurants @ Market and Chestnut Streets at @ 19th St safe? Thinking of taking a train up and checking out those restaurants. Thanks.

[newmarlig]

No problem during the day. Late at night, I'd just take a cab. It won't be that much. BTW - which restaurants are you talking about? I hope Matyson is one of them.

[USroute1]

I was looking (online) at Le Castagne, but that area appears to be a 'restaurant row'. Kinda looking for authentic Italian.

[newmarlig]

That's a very good restaurant. I don't know what you mean when you say it appears to be a restaurant row. There are other restaurants along there, but that does not make Le Castagne less Italian.

[USroute1]

Originally Posted by newmarlig

That's a very good restaurant. I don't know what you mean when you say it appears to be a restaurant row. There are other restaurants along there, but that does not make Le Castagne less Italian.

No disrespect was intended. Le Castagne *is* what I am interested in. I meant that those couple of blocks appear to be a restaurant district. An attractive thing. So, are the JFK or Market St bridges across the Schuylkill River pedestrian friendly with sidewalks, should I decide to walk from 30th Street Station?

[newmarlig]

I didn't take it as disrespect. I suggest walking across the Market Street bridge. But again if it's late I'd hop in a cab.

[pman]

Originally Posted by USroute1

Hello Philadelphia residents. I have two questions about the neighborhood that 30th Street Station is in. Are the JFK Blvd, Chestnut, Market, or Walnut St bridges across the Schuylkill River pedestrian friendly? Is the neighborhood from the 30th Street Station to the restaurants @ Market and Chestnut Streets at @ 19th St safe? Thinking of taking a train up and checking out those restaurants. Thanks.

well, I don't know actual crime statistics, but I've walked that trip at 1 am Monday night (and much to my surprise there were a few other people going about their business...meaning to/from work) and late Friday night. I've never had any issues. It's not generally an unsafe area. they're all relatively pedestrian friendly though I would opt for the market st bridge late at night over JFK which is deserted after rush hour. you can take a cab, but I wouldn't hesitate to walk either.

FWIW, there's also suburban station if you're taking SEPTA.

[USroute1]

Thanks, all, for the encouraging responses. If I further wished to make a day trip out of this (I am in the northern Virginia suburbs of Washington), how is the 2 mile walk from and back to the 30th Street Station to Independence Hall? Safe? Other points of interest in the neighborhood worthy of visiting? Of course, this would be capped off with the original intent of dinner at Le Castagne.

[newmarlig]

Originally Posted by USroute1

Thanks, all, for the encouraging responses. If I further wished to make a day trip out of this (I am in the northern Virginia suburbs of Washington), how is the 2 mile walk from and back to the 30th Street Station to Independence Hall? Safe? Other points of interest in the neighborhood worthy of visiting? Of course, this would be capped off with the original intent of dinner at Le Castagne.

Since you would be going to the historical (Independence Mall area) first you would only be walking to that area not back to 30th Street from there, but rather to 30th Street from 19th and Chestnut. That said, it is very safe, you will be walking through center city from Rittenhouse Square down to Old City. It's a long walk, but if you like walking it's very doable. You can always hop on a bus along Market Street if you get tired. You may want to check out the Constitution Center National Constitution Center: Home

Enjoy yourself.

[USroute1]

Thanks. Beyond center city, are there any ethnically Italian enclaves of the city that may be interesting to visit? When I lived in Massachusetts, it was always fun to visit the north end of Boston. On the other hand, East Boston, which was also mostly Italian at that time, only really offered Logan Airport (not much to see).