How to get to Wikipedia:Meetup/Philadelphia 2

I'm going to assume that there's interest in attending the next wikimeetup in Philadelphia from Wikipedians hailing from a geographically large section of the Delaware Valley, if not the Mid-Atlantic states. These directions to the restaurant should be adequate for most people coming in from outside the city. If it's not adequate for you, or you have any questions, leave a talk page message, and I'll be happy to answer any questions I can.

By SEPTA Regional Rail or Amtrak

Abraccio's is conveniently located to SEPTA's Route 34 Subway-Surface Trolley Line, which runs down Baltimore Ave. from 30th Street Station (Philadelphia), the hub of the city's public transport system. If coming in by Amtrak, or SEPTA Regional Rail, get off at 30th Street, then follow the signs to the subway station across the street. Buy a pair of tokens for $2.60, then take the next westbound Route 34 trolley to 47th Street.

By the Market-Frankford Line (El) or Broad Street Line (subway)

Just change at 30th Street from the El or City Hall from the Subway for the next westbound Route 34 trolley to 47th Street.

By PATCO

Take PATCO to 8th and Market, connect to the SEPTA Market-Frankford Line westbound, make the free transfer at 30th Street to the next westbound Route 34 trolley to 47th Street.

By car

Now, why would you want to do a thing like that? Seriously, while it's not as bad as New York City or Boston, driving (and then finding parking) in the city of Philadelphia is not for the faint of heart, especially on the highways approaching Center City. So, as far as is possible, I will include information for park and ride options, for those who decide to not be heroic.

From the west, via Interstate 76

Ah, the Surekill Distressway. If there's a road in all of Philly that you don't want to be on, it's this one. Coming from the Pennsylvania Turnpike, you might consider parking at Gulph Mills SEPTA station, then taking the 124 or 125 express bus into Center City, or taking the 100 to the El. Both have inconveniences, but will not be nearly as stressful if you plan ahead. If you are planning to do this, ping me ahead of time so that I can walk you through one of the more obscure parts of SEPTA's byzantine fare structure.

On the road, take I-76 all the way in to University Avenue (EXIT 346B). Bear right onto University Avenue heading north. 2-3 blocks from there, turn left onto Baltimore Ave (of the two left-turning lanes, be in the one to the right). Continue to 47th Street, and look for parking.

From North Jersey and New York, via the New Jersey Turnpike

Very simple advice here: park it. The roads and bridges of the Philadelphia area are designed to get you around or through, but not to a local destination. Take the Turnpike south to EXIT 4, and follow the signs for Interstate 295 south. Take EXIT 31 to Woodcrest station on the PATCO line, then follow above instructions for #By PATCO.

If you must drive all the way in, take the Turnpike to EXIT 6, the PA Turnpike. Get off at EXIT 358 (US Route 13), and, once past the toll plaza, follow the signs to connect to I-95 via US 13 south and PA 413 north. The right column of this page gives good sign landmarks for how to do this. After that, follow the directions on the section immediately below.

From Trenton and the northeast suburbs via Interstate 95 (Delaware Expressway)

If you're parking and riding, you have the option of the huge parking lot at the R7 SEPTA) station at Cornwells Heights. However, the R7 runs only once per hour; check the schedule before leaving to avoid a long wait.

Coming south on I-95, take EXIT 22 to Interstate 676 west, then at the end of that road, take I-76 east (signed for either "Airport" or "Walt Whitman Br"). Take the third exit, University Avenue (EXIT 346B). Bear right onto University Avenue heading north. 2-3 blocks from there, turn left onto Baltimore Ave (of the two left-turning lanes, be in the one to the right). Continue to 47th Street, and look for parking.

From South Jersey

If you can, strongly consider taking PATCO.

If you drive in, take your favorite route to the Walt Whitman Bridge. Continue on I-76, then take EXIT 346B to University Avenue. Turn left at the traffic light for Grays Ferry Avenue, then right after the bridge, turn right onto 47th St. Continue north; the restaurant is two blocks beyond Springfield Ave on the left. Look for parking.

From Delaware and points south via Interstate 95

First the bad news: your park and ride options are the worst. In fact, I'm still trying to get outside input, because I don't know of a really good option.

Luckily, driving isn't nearly as painful as it could be. Take I-95 north to EXIT 13, (PA 291 to I-76) then cross the Platt Bridge. Turn left at the traffic light after the bridge, which will take you to I-76 west. Take EXIT 346B to University Avenue. Turn left at the traffic light for Grays Ferry Avenue, then right after the bridge, turn right onto 47th St. Continue north; the restaurant is two blocks beyond Springfield Ave on the left. Look for parking.

Local parking

There is a decent-sized (for an urban neighborhood) parking lot, managed by the Philadelphia Parking Authority, adjacent to the restaurant, accessible from Warrington Ave or Baltimore Ave. The Warrington Ave side is easier to locate and navigate into.

If that is full, there may be on-street parking available nearby.

I don't know of any really close parking garages; the nearest I know of is at 40th and Walnut. See http://www.business-services.upenn.edu/parking/map.html for details on that and other locations in University City.

Google satellite imagery

Google Maps satellite imagery of the meetup location. The white building is the restaurant, the parking lot to the left is the PPA parking lot mentioned above, and the major street running east-west just to the north of the building is Baltimore Ave, where the trolley runs.