Philadelphia logistics for nationals

[ping72]

I’m looking at logistics for NCAAs in Philadelphia. I did not attend in 2011 so I haven’t been there before. I have been to most tournies since then, and I’ve enjoyed every city so far with Detroit being the only one subpar.

I have never been to Philadelphia, and doing a bit of research preliminarily it doesn’t look like a great host city. So I’m hoping somebody with more knowledge than me can tell me why I’m wrong.

1) are there very many restaurants or bars within walking distance? I did not see much without having to walk 30 minutes.

2) are there better parking options than parking at the arena? All I saw was $35 per session sold from Ticketmaster. So with their fees and double session (especially if there isn’t food nearby) that would be $100 a day.

3) i’m also perfectly fine taking public transportation. But looking at their train/trolley it looks like it only goes straight north past the universities, but where there are not really any hotels. And most of those stops don’t have parking. And transport from the west isn’t really worth the hassle.

4) hotel area recommendations? Most cities have a cluster of expensive ones close to the arena, but Philadelphia appears to have that cluster a decent walk away. Yet they also seem to not have nearly as many suburb clusters that are a 20 or 30 minute drive from the arena like most cities do.

Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[82bordeaux]

I would (and am) staying in Center City Philly. There is a rail line that runs straight to Wells Fargo Arena (Broad Street Line) The arena is the last stop. So if you search Expedia and use City Hall as a waypoint, there are lots of Hotels within a 2 block walk to a rail stop. It is a straight line from City Hall to Wells Fargo underneath Broad St. As far as food/drink near the arena, the only real option is https://www.xfinitylive.com/ which is designed for the captive audience. I'm sure it will be mobbed between sessions. However, you can hop on the Broad St line and hit joints in Center City ot South St. Then hop back on for the next session. I'm pretty sure you can purchase day passes for the rail. It's been 35 years since I lived in Philly.
I would avoid the suburban hotels and the commute via car or train, especially car. Traffic and parking suck. It takes so much longer than staying in Center City and using one short train ride to the arena.

I will add that there are still many good hotels at an array of budgets still available. You can stay at the Ritz with @bnicolls for only $500/night.

 

[Random4598375]

I’m looking at logistics for NCAAs in Philadelphia. I did not attend in 2011 so I haven’t been there before. I have been to most tournies since then, and I’ve enjoyed every city so far with Detroit being the only one subpar.

I have never been to Philadelphia, and doing a bit of research preliminarily it doesn’t look like a great host city. So I’m hoping somebody with more knowledge than me can tell me why I’m wrong.

1) are there very many restaurants or bars within walking distance? I did not see much without having to walk 30 minutes.

2) are there better parking options than parking at the arena? All I saw was $35 per session sold from Ticketmaster. So with their fees and double session (especially if there isn’t food nearby) that would be $100 a day.

3) i’m also perfectly fine taking public transportation. But looking at their train/trolley it looks like it only goes straight north past the universities, but where there are not really any hotels. And most of those stops don’t have parking. And transport from the west isn’t really worth the hassle.

4) hotel area recommendations? Most cities have a cluster of expensive ones close to the arena, but Philadelphia appears to have that cluster a decent walk away. Yet they also seem to not have nearly as many suburb clusters that are a 20 or 30 minute drive from the arena like most cities do.

Thanks in advance for your help.

The arena is in an area of South Philly that is almost disconnected from the rest of the city in an industrial area (where there was enough space to build a whole stadium complex) between center city and the airport. There are restaurants in the stadium complex (XFinity Live, McFaddens, etc.), but not much else around there, and the Philly social life is much better in center city. As Bordeaux said, the best plan is to stay in center city and take the subway to the stadium. The rough area of town is in North Philly, so if you stay anywhere in center city or south Philly, there is no issue with the neighborhood or subway. Look for hotels south of Spring Garden St and between the rivers and you'll be fine (preferably close to Broad St because that's where the subway runs).

 

[ping72]

Thank you both.

 

[Inthecircle]

I’m looking at logistics for NCAAs in Philadelphia. I did not attend in 2011 so I haven’t been there before. I have been to most tournies since then, and I’ve enjoyed every city so far with Detroit being the only one subpar.

I have never been to Philadelphia, and doing a bit of research preliminarily it doesn’t look like a great host city. So I’m hoping somebody with more knowledge than me can tell me why I’m wrong.

1) are there very many restaurants or bars within walking distance? I did not see much without having to walk 30 minutes.

2) are there better parking options than parking at the arena? All I saw was $35 per session sold from Ticketmaster. So with their fees and double session (especially if there isn’t food nearby) that would be $100 a day.

3) i’m also perfectly fine taking public transportation. But looking at their train/trolley it looks like it only goes straight north past the universities, but where there are not really any hotels. And most of those stops don’t have parking. And transport from the west isn’t really worth the hassle.

4) hotel area recommendations? Most cities have a cluster of expensive ones close to the arena, but Philadelphia appears to have that cluster a decent walk away. Yet they also seem to not have nearly as many suburb clusters that are a 20 or 30 minute drive from the arena like most cities do.

Thanks in advance for your help.

Our group enjoyed Philly in 2011. The Wells Fargo Center was a bit of a shit hole it was dirty and run down, hopefully they’ve made upgrades.
Bordeaux is spot on with taking the train to the event. Try and find a hotel on Broad St. or close to it for easy train access. It’s still about a two block jaunt across the parking lots to WF Center when the train drops you.
Philly of course is famous for their hot beef and there are many old restaurants and Deli’s between the arena and Center City.
There is also a lot of history in and around Center City.
If the weather is nice, it’s a huge plus because you can walk around and explore between sessions.

 

[acuhawk]

Hopefully they do better than Pittsburgh because Pittsburgh was by far the worse over the last 10 years for arena Access for the athletes. Cleveland was really bad for access for the fans. Kansas City was probably the best all around I wouldn't mind it alternating with St Louis every year.

 

[ping72]

Hopefully they do better than Pittsburgh because Pittsburgh was by far the worse over the last 10 years for arena Access for the athletes. Cleveland was really bad for access for the fans. Kansas City was probably the best all around I wouldn't mind it alternating with St Louis every year.

I liked Cleveland. It was actually relatively cheap to park right next to the arena, and there was a ton of things to do and places to eat within a short walking distance. The thing that sucked about Cleveland was the scalpers.

 

[manatree]

Philly of course is famous for their hot beef and there are many old restaurants and Deli’s between the arena and Center City.

Are you talking about a Philly strip club or are you thinking that Philly is the Second City?

 

[acuhawk]

I liked Cleveland. It was actually relatively cheap to park right next to the arena, and there was a ton of things to do and places to eat within a short walking distance. The thing that sucked about Cleveland was the scalpers.

The scalping was bad, and the time it took to get in the arena was awful in my opinion.

 

[bnicolls]

I would (and am) staying in Center City Philly. There is a rail line that runs straight to Wells Fargo Arena (Broad Street Line) The arena is the last stop. So if you search Expedia and use City Hall as a waypoint, there are lots of Hotels within a 2 block walk to a rail stop. It is a straight line from City Hall to Wells Fargo underneath Broad St. As far as food/drink near the arena, the only real option is https://www.xfinitylive.com/ which is designed for the captive audience. I'm sure it will be mobbed between sessions. However, you can hop on the Broad St line and hit joints in Center City ot South St. Then hop back on for the next session. I'm pretty sure you can purchase day passes for the rail. It's been 35 years since I lived in Philly.
I would avoid the suburban hotels and the commute via car or train, especially car. Traffic and parking suck. It takes so much longer than staying in Center City and using one short train ride to the arena.

I will add that there are still many good hotels at an array of budgets still available. You can stay at the Ritz with @bnicolls for only $500/night.

I called a Philly pal and the guy who arranged my lunch with Darth Ira in 2018. He said almost the same thing!!

I'm planning on coming in a day or two early to see the historic sites, as I have never been there. I too may go up to Lehigh to check their facility out. Santora and Rey are the best, well next to Tom and Terry.

 

[mcpat]

I lived in the Philly suburbs and worked in the city for a number of years. I got a hotel in Media, which is a nice suburb with downtown bars and restaurants and a short drive or Uber from the arena. I went this route because I considered it safer and far cheaper. I also know the commute well and know it’s typically fine traffic-wise. My Hampton Inn&Suites room is only $478 for three nights total (taxes and fees included).

 

[manatree]

If you've never been to Philly, I always recommend the Italian Market Neighborhood. There are still a lot of family owned bakeries, markets, butchers, sandwich shops, etc. My favorite is George's Sandwich Shop. A very small, but delicious hole in the wall. Every Iowa fan should get the T-N-T sandwich. Stewed Tongue & Tripe and it is fantastic.

https://www.yelp.com/biz/georges-sandwich-shop-philadelphia

 

[82bordeaux]

I called a Philly pal and the guy who arranged my lunch with Darth Ira in 2018.

Ah yes, I remember. When they served you the bad sushi.

 

[Inthecircle]

Are you talking about a Philly strip club or are you thinking that Philly is the Second City?

I took Central City off Google Maps.

We didn’t see any strip clubs. However, we did notice that Friday and Saturday were wash days, because the tubs were out.

 

[Inthecircle]

I called a Philly pal and the guy who arranged my lunch with Darth Ira in 2018. He said almost the same thing!!

I'm planning on coming in a day or two early to see the historic sites, as I have never been there. I too may go up to Lehigh to check their facility out. Santora and Rey are the best, well next to Tom and Terry.

Our group stayed at the Ritz the last time. We got a deal through Marriott Rewards as I traveled a lot at the time.
It’s a great location for seeing the historic sites and a block away from the train. You can take a short cab ride or a long walk to see the Rocky Statue at the Philly Museum of Art. You have to run the steps.

 

[Chickenman Testa]

Whatever you do, try and hit the Reading Terminal Market at least once for food. Get a soft pretzel from the Amish vendors - you will rethink what a pretzel should be (unless you’ve been to Germany and have already experienced the best pretzels on earth)

Reading Terminal Market is Open Daily! - Philadelphia, PA

Welcome to the Reading Terminal Market. Famous indoor farmer's market providing Philadelphia with grocery, dining & shopping needs!

readingterminalmarket.org

 

[Random4598375]

Everyone keeps saying the "train" runs N/S on Broad St. It is a train, but technically it's an underground train called a subway. If cities make you nervous, stay in the Rittenhouse Square neighborhood. Lots of bars and restaurants, and tons of shops for your wives. Beware, many of these shops are very high end.

Things to do in Philadelphia. Of course, you should see Old Town, which is the most historic square mile in the US. Visit the Reading Terminal Market and indulge. Visit the Italian Market on 9th Street, which became somewhat famous in the movie Rocky. Lots and lots of other things to see and do, so ask away.

Oh, if coming from the west, jumping on a train at say Elizabethtown is not a bad idea. Free parking and train will take you to the 30th St Station. From there take the Market/Franford Line which runs East/West.

EDIT: I forgot to mention that Macy's Department store contains the largest working pipe organ in the world, with 28,750 pipes. They play the organ at 12 noon and 5:30PM every day except Sunday. Crowds inside the store start to gather about 10 minutes before each playing. The pipes are built right into the walls so you won't see much, but the sound is unbelievable. It's called the Wanamaker Organ because the Macy's location used to be a Wanamaker Department store and that owner, John Wanamaker, is who had the organ installed.

Macy’s actually just announced that they’re closing their Center City store, possibly as early as March, so it may be closed by then. Fortunately, the 7 story atrium and the organ are registered landmarks, so they can’t be torn down.

 

[Aardvark86]

Our group stayed at the Ritz the last time. We got a deal through Marriott Rewards as I traveled a lot at the time.
It’s a great location for seeing the historic sites and a block away from the train. You can take a short cab ride or a long walk to see the Rocky Statue at the Philly Museum of Art. You have to run the steps.

If you have any desire to see truly great art and an extra day go to the Barnes foundation museum. (Great documentary about it called the art of the steal) Take a walk by the boathouses. Visit the independence hall and society hill neighborhoods and get a cheese steak.

 

[manatree]

If you have any desire to see truly great art and an extra day go to the Barnes foundation museum. (Great documentary about it called the art of the steal) Take a walk by the boathouses. Visit the independence hall and society hill neighborhoods and get a cheese steak.

The Barnes collection is great. The Philadelphia Museum of Art is criminally underrated.

 

[IChawkeye45]

Couple things. Mostly reiterate what others have said. Take the subway to the arena if you are staying downtown. It’s the last stop and drops you off right there.
The parking area is huge because you have the Linc, Citizens, Wells Fargo and the casino all there, if you are driving.
Bars. You can either hit up the casino or Xfinity Live, although with the wrestling and March Madness I bet Xfinity Live could be bonkers even though it’s huge. Not really any bars on site except for Xfinity Live, which is by design.

 

[Random4598375]

Couple things. Mostly reiterate what others have said. Take the subway to the arena if you are staying downtown. It’s the last stop and drops you off right there.
The parking area is huge because you have the Linc, Citizens, Wells Fargo and the casino all there, if you are driving.
Bars. You can either hit up the casino or Xfinity Live, although with the wrestling and March Madness I bet Xfinity Live could be bonkers even though it’s huge. Not really any bars on site except for Xfinity Live, which is by design.

McFadden's is also there in the sports complex (attached to Citizens Bank Park), and there is a Chickie's and Pete's a couple blocks away, but yeah, if you want good bars, go back to center city. I recommend Monk's Cafe at 16th and Spruce (a couple blocks off Rittenhouse Square) with a selection of over 200 beers or McGillin's Olde Ale House, the longest continually operating pub in the city (since 1860).

 

[Inthecircle]

are there any good seafood restaurants in the city off Broad St.?

 

[Random4598375]

are there any good seafood restaurants in the city off Broad St.?

I've had great meals at both Positano Coast and Moshulu. They are both in Old City closer to the river (or in the case of Moshulu in an old tall ship on the river). That's probably a mile or so from Broad St, but if you go to Old City to see the Betsy Ross House or the Museum of the American Revolution, you can make as stop at one of those places.

 

[ping72]

Keep in mind that Philadelphia is a big city, and with that comes a wide variety of restaurants to meet tastes and budgets. If you want decent recommendations, please elaborate on the type of seafood you prefer along with a per-person budget, your hotel location, and your ability to use Uber or Taxis. If you don't/won't use Uber or Taxis how far are you willing to walk? Do you want to sit at a bar and eat or do you want high-end?

For example, I love Italian Seafood and therefore almost every Italian restaurant in the city will have what I consider good seafood. You may like Asian seafood, and I'd recommend heading to China Town. Perhaps you'd prefer a typical raw bar type place with mouth watering crab cakes?

Is this AI??

 

[smalls103]

If you have any desire to see truly great art and an extra day go to the Barnes foundation museum. (Great documentary about it called the art of the steal) Take a walk by the boathouses. Visit the independence hall and society hill neighborhoods and get a cheese steak.

good call. when i think Hawkeye Wrestling Fans, i definitely think connoisseurs of fine art.

 

[mcpat]

It’s been awhile since I lived in Philly. But I was there just a few years ago on business and took my work crew to my favorite old bar/restaurant: Monk’s Cafe in Center City. Great beer and incredible burgers. Still awesome as always last I was there. Highly recommend.

Another great bar is Dark Horse Inn on Head House Square in Society Hill. Cobblestone streets and a bar that can handle a crowd.

Definitely buying beers for you Iowa fans that make the trip.

 

[Inthecircle]

good call. when i think Hawkeye Wrestling Fans, i definitely think connoisseurs of fine art.

Oh!…....You are too kind, you short, bald, portly little man.

Go Hawks!

 

[Hawkeye4lifee]

Anyone know how close the arena is in relation to paddy's pub?

 

[Aardvark86]

good call. when i think Hawkeye Wrestling Fans, i definitely think connoisseurs of fine art.

I’m sure the typical hawk grappling fan is closer to E. Buzz Miller, but you never know…

 

[ff141]

good call. when i think Hawkeye Wrestling Fans, i definitely think connoisseurs

Anyone know how close the arena is in relation to paddy's pub?

Looks like a 10 min drive from the arena or 7 min walk from the nearest subway terminal

 

[Random4598375]

Anyone know how close the arena is in relation to paddy's pub?

If you're talking about Paddy's on Race St in Old City, it's not very close (probably a couple miles - definitely not a reasonable walk). That's in Old City closer to the historic sites (Liberty Bell, Betsy Ross House, Elfreth's Alley, etc.).