Driving around the city is not for the weak. Bumper-to-bumper traffic, endless road work and limited (plus expensive) parking are all apart of the equation. But, there are several cost-cutting and stress-reducing methods to try the next time you want to visit our beloved city center. Here is a mental list I compiled for any novices while navigating the bustling Philly streets myself earlier this morning:
- Know the Area This might sound like a no-brainer, but it pays to have an idea of how the city is setup before venturing downtown. Like my father always says, Philadelphia was a planned city, starting with a square at City Hall - use it to your advantage! While not perfect, our city is made up of many parallel and same-name streets. For example, 21st Street is going to stay 21st Street (I've traveled to Dublin, Ireland more than once where the street names change about every 20 paces and can appreciate this especially), and it is separated by "South" and "North" on either side of Market Street. Other tidbits include a sequence of streets named after trees and knowing that Broad doubles as14th Street (if you're following the numbered roads). Click here for a great PDF map of Center City, courtesy of GoPhila.com.
- Be Street Smart The roads surrounding our city center are compiled of many tight "two-lane" and "one-way" streets. Keep your eyes peeled before haphazardly trying to turn onto a street with an arrow pointing the wrong way. If you miss a turn, don't fret. Refer to the first bullet point; because of the way Philadelphia is laid out, you should be fine going a couple of streets ahead, making the turn and meeting up with your street of choice.
- Shop for Parking If you have the time, look for any available meter and side street parking in safe-looking areas first. If that doesn't look promising, look at a few different pay-and-park lots. A few things to keep in mind:
+ Outdoor lots generally run cheaper than indoor faciilities
+ Some lots charge per hour and/or per day with varying rates; decide which option is best for your day's activities
+ Certain lots offer "early bird specials" if you park before 9:30 a.m.
+ Don't chance permit-only or "no parking" areas - you will be fined and/or towed - Decide Your Best Route Consult Google Maps before your trip downtown. In addition to finding the route that suits you best, there is a "public transit" tab that tells you which SEPTA mode(s) of transportation will get you where you need to go.
Comments