Planning a trip to historic Philadelphia in the near future? Knowing how to get around will enrich your experience and enable you to avoid sluggish traffic patterns and detours. Visiting the city's rich historic sites? I would highly recommend public transportation. Road closures and detours can pop up at any time and even with a GPS, you should consider leaving the driving to the professionals.

SEPTA is Philadelphia's regional rail, busing, subway and trolley provider. Visit www.septa.com for schedules and routes. For travelers with a car, I recommend driving into South Philadelphia via I-95 and exiting at Broad Street. There is plenty of public parking in the area and the Broad Street Subway will whisk you right into Center City and the City Hall area. 

Eight blocks east begins the historic district. You can transfer from the subway and exit at Market East.  Allow a full day to tour the city's magnificent sights and don't forget to grab a cheesesteak and some soft pretzels!

If you really want the inside scoop on navigating the city without a car check this out from the Philadelphia Public Transportation Examiner,Sandy Smith.

SEPTA is the optimum choice to get around the city but what else brings you to our area? Twice each year, NASCAR runs races at Dover International Raceway in nearby Delaware. (Dover is about 90 minutes south of Philadelphia) The second NASCAR Pocono race is scheduled for the first Sunday in August. If you are one of the thousands of out of state visitors in the area for a race, there are plenty of things to do and see. 

Touring by car is probably the best choice for visitors exploring outside of the city.  The Jersey Shore with it's sun and beaches and Atlantic City's casinos top the list of attractions to the east. www.atlanticcitynj.com Bear in mind that many of the beaches require bathers to purchase a tag to go on the beach. From Brigantine to Cape May, you can visit these resorts via the internet to determine which offer free access to the beach. If you travel eastward, your most expedient travel path from Philadelphia would be via I-95 or I-76 to the Walt Whitman Bridge, using the Atlantic City Expressway to connect to the Garden State Parkway. Atlantic City is fairly north along the South Jersey coast and the Parkway runs due south along each of the resort towns, all the way to Cape May Point. 

North of the city (about an hour) is an artisan's paradise, the little village of New Hope. www.newhope.com  This is a great day trip with lots of shops and places to eat.  If you are looking for more in the area, try www.buckscounty.com  This website will show alternate attractions in the New Hope area if you are looking for something different.  I-95 North is the preferred travel path to Bucks County and New Hope. 

West of the city by car (via I-76) includes Valley Forge www.valleyforge.org (about 30 minutes) and Hershey. www.hersheypa.com  (Allow 90 minutes)  Moving west southwest includes the city of Reading with wonderful factory outlet shopping at Vanity Fair. www.vfoutlet.net

About 30 minutes from Reading, visitors will be captivated by Adamstown, PA, known as the antiques capital of the world.  www.antiquescapital.com  Traveling south again from Adamstown brings you to Lancaster County, home of the Pennsylvania Dutch and some of the best dining and picturesque countryside in the state. www.padutchcountry.com 

As you can see, there is much to do and see around Philadelphia. Taking the time to plan your travel path will enhance your trip and enrich your experience.  See ya on the road!