| PHILADELPHIA | |
| CITY OVERVIEW
Stay in Philadelphia
|
Philadelphia
has a fervent and loyal sporting supporter base, which makes going to a
game here one of the more interesting insights into crowd support in the
US. Philadelphia is also renowned as the ‘city of brotherly love’, the
home of ‘the liberty bell’, the country’s ‘friendliest city’ and
many more monikers. One
thing Philly is rich in (besides cream cheese) is history and much of its
attraction is the city’s preservation of historical artifacts. Most
visitors to the city spend their time in the Old City and Center City
precincts, which are positioned around public squares (Penn, Franklin,
Washington, Rittenhouse and Logan) with City Hall the focus. The
area where all the most nationally significant buildings are located is
called the Independence National Historic Park. Although not a park in the
real sense, the closeness of all the attractions make them all within
walking distance. Independence Hall, where the US Government was formed;
Congress Hall, where the Federal Government convened when Philadelphia was
the nation’s capital between 1790 and 1800; Independence Square, where
the declaration of Independence was proclaimed in 1776; the Liberty Bell
Pavilion; Franklin Court (Benjamin Franklin’s workplace); and the
National Portrait Gallery, are all major components of the Park. The
Old City, which is situated in the area between Walnut and Vine Sts and
Front and 6th Sts, was where Philadelphia’s first settlement was
located. It contains Elfreth's Alley, the US’s oldest residential street
with colonial-style houses dating back to 1728. Betsy Ross House and the
US Mint, which is the world’s largest, are also located here. One
of the nicest and most pleasant urban parks in the country is located in
Philadelphia. Fairmont Park, located some 1.5 km north-east of downtown
Philly, is a huge and beautiful park which also houses the famous
Philadelphia Museum of Art. If
you have the time, one of the must sees just outside Philadelphia is a
trip though Pennsylvania Dutch Country - home to the Amish, Mennonites and
Brethren - collectively known as the 'Plain People.' The region is a
stretch of towns, farms and sights that lie to the east of Lancaster, the
area's main base. East of Lancaster, the most visited road is Route 340
(Old Philadelphia Pike), as it is lined by dairy farms, farm guesthouses,
crafts workshops and rolling field tended by people in distinctive
‘plain people’ clothing and hats. Lancaster is easily accessed by bus
or train from Philadelphia |
| GETTING THERE
Fly to Philadelphia Within USA
|
Philadelphia International Airport is only 8km southwest from downtown Philadelphia. The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation System (SEPTA) Regional Rail Route 1 runs from the airport into the city every 30 minutes. The Amtrak and New Jersey Transit train station is on 30th St in University City beside the Schuylkill River. The SEPTA subway system can get you from here to the downtown. The Greyhound bus terminal is closer to downtown at 1001 Filbert Street. Philadelphia has one of the most comprehensive public transit systems in the US. SEPTA provides three subway lines that travel under the city, a light rail service that connects several outlying districts with the downtown area, and a regional rail service that connects the suburbs of Philly and outlying towns and cities across the border. The bits in between are serviced by the bus system. |
| NFL
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES LINCOLN FINANCIAL FIELD |
The NFL’s Philadelphia Eagles actually started in 1933 when the Frankford Yellowjackets franchise was awarded to Philadelphia. They were coined the Eagles in honour of the Federal Government’s ‘New Deal’ initiative of economic recovery under President Roosevelt. The Eagles won their first championship in 1948, repeated a year later – and…..that’s it. In fact, the Eagles have had many losing seasons since then. The Eagles made the Superbowl final in 1980 (losing to Oakland) but have not appeared since, although the part of this decade has seen the Eagles rise to one of the elite teams in the NFL, behind the arm of superstar quarterback Donovan McNabb. |
| NBA
PHILADELPHIA 76ERS |
The original NBA Philadelphia 76’ers franchise was located in Syracuse. The Nationals had been in the NBA since the league's first year of existence in 1949 and went to Philadelphia in 1964 just after the Warriors had abandoned Philadelphia for San Francisco. Thus began the Philadelphia 76ers, an organization that has featured one of the best NBA teams ever to play (68-13 in 1966-67) and one of the worst to be blown off it (9-73 in 1972-73). Along the way such figures as Wilt Chamberlain, Julius Erving, Moses Malone, Charles Barkley and Allen Iversen have played in Philly. Like their NFL counterparts, the early part of this decade has seen the re-emergence of the 76’ers. |
| MLB
PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES |
The MLB’s Philadelphia Phillies franchise goes all the way back to 1883, where they started life as the Philadelphia Quakers. They changed to the Phillies in 1890. The Phillies have had a lean trot throughout their history, only winning 1 World Series, 5 Pennants and 9 playoff appearances. This ranks worse than both the Red Sox and the White Sox, although their World Series win was much more recent than theirs – 1980. The late 70’s and early 80’s was the Phillies best period as they made the playoffs 6 times. Since 1983, the Phillies have only contended once - in 1993, although they have been contenders in their division the past few years. |
| NHL
PHILADELPHIA FLYERS |
The NHL Philadelphia Flyers began life in Philly in 1967-68 and have won two Stanley Cups – in 1974 and 1975. The Flyers have flown high for most of their history, except for a down period between 1989 and 1994 where they couldn’t make the playoffs. |
| WACHOVIA CENTER |
Wachovia Center (formerly First Union Center) hosts the 76ers and the Flyers and is located at 3601 South Broad Street, Philadelphia. Opened in 1996, the Center has a capacity of 21,500 for basketball and 19,500 for ice hockey. One of the claims to fame for the Center is that it was the first indoor stadium to include a pub and restaurant within it. The Center also has several impressive exhibits of the 76’ers and Flyers within the Stadium. It is located south of the Downtown area and can easily be accessed by public transit. By public transit, take the Broad Street train from downtown to the Pattison (Sports Complex) Station. |
| CITIZEN BANK PARK |
Veterans Stadium has hosted the Phillies (and previously the Eagles until this year). However from 2004, the Phillies will play across the road at the new Citizen Bank Park. Another one of the magnificently designed baseball stadiums popping up all over the country, the stadium will have a capacity of 43,000. The key to the design of this stadium is intimacy - it is claimed that this ballpark will feel the 'closest' to the field than any other stadium in the country. By
public transit, take the same directions as listed for the First Union
Center.
|
| LINCOLN FINANCIAL FIELD |
Lincoln Financial
Field is the new stadium in Philadelphia, replacing the famous Veterans
Stadium
as host of the Eagles. The
stadium hosted its first event, a soccer match between Manchester United
and FC Barcelona, in March of 2003. The first NFL game was played at
Lincoln Financial Field September 8 between the Eagles and the Tampa Bay
Buccaneers in a rematch of the 2002 NFC Championship Game. The Stadium has
approximately 3,000 more seats than Veterans Stadium, making it a capacity
of 68,500.
The new stadium is only located a few blocks east of Veterans Stadium on the corner of I95 and Darien Street. By public transit from the City Centre, still take the SEPTA Broad Street Subway Line to the Sports Complex Pattison Station but walk the opposite way from Veterans Stadium from the Station. |
| VILLANOVA STADIUM | Villanova University’s Villanova Stadium hosts the Charge. Further information on Villanova Stadium is provided under NCAA Sports below. |
| TENNIS
Late Oct-Early Nov WTA Advanta Championship, The Pavillion, Villanova University, Philadelphia |
The Advanta Championship has been off the scene for two years after being one of the regular WTA tennis events to pass through the US. It is played out of The Pavillion on the campus of Villanova University. As indicated below for getting to Villanova, from downtown Philadelphia (30th Street Station), you can take SEPTA Regional Rail Route 5 to Villanova Station, which drops you right at the campus. |
| GOLF
Early June - McDonald's LPGA Golf Championship, DuPont Country Club, Rockland Road, Wilmington, Deleware Ticket and Event information at www.pgatour.com |
The
DuPont
Country Club is located some 40km south-west of Philadelphia and about 4km
north of Wilmington. From downtown Philadelphia, catch the SEPTA Regional
Rail Route 5 to Wilmington Station. From the station either catch a cab or
on weekdays you can take the Wilmington Dart Bus Route 28 that goes along
Murphy Street/Powder Mill Road and get of at Rockland Road. It is only a
200m walk north to the Golf Club (however there is no weekend service). |
| HORSE
RACING
Philadelphia Park Race Track, 3001 Street Road, Bensalem, PA. Tickets available at the track |
Philadelphia Park Race Track is located some 25km north-east of Philadelphia – about half way between Philly and Trenton. From downtown, you can take the SEPTA Regional Rail Route 3 to Trevose Station, which is about 2km away. You can either walk to the course south along Street Road or catch a cab from the station. |
| NCAA
SPORTS - DIVISION 1
TEMPLE UNIVERSITY |
The main campus of Temple University is located at 1801 North Broad Street, Philadelphia, which is in the middle of downtown. The Temple Owls have teams in most sports, including football and men’s and women’s basketball. The football team play most of their games at Veterans Stadium, home of the Eagles, and some other games out of Franklin Field, home of the University of Pennsylvania. The basketball teams play out of Convocation Center, which has a capacity of about 10,000 and is part of the multi-function Liacouras Center, which is located on campus. All local SEPTA Broad Street Line subway trains stop at Cecil B. Moore Station (Broad and Cecil B. Moore Avenue), which is located adjacent to the campus. The No. 23 trolley stops on 12th Street (southbound) and 11th Street (northbound) at Berks Mall, Montgomery Avenue and Cecil B. Moore Avenue. Finally, the Regional Rail Loop system has a stop at Temple University. |
| NCAA
SPORTS - DIVISION 1
UNIVERSITY OF DELEWARE NEWARK |
The UD Blue Hens are located in the main campus of Newark, Delaware, which is at the north-west tip of the tiny state of Delaware and some 70km south-west of downtown Philadelphia. The Owls have teams in most sports, including football and men’s and women’s basketball. The football teams plays out of the Delaware Stadium, which is located on campus at South College Road and is part of the large David Nelson Athletic Complex. It has a capacity of about 22,000. The basketball teams play out of the Bob Carpenter Center-Acierno Arena, which is also part of the Athletic Complex, and has a capacity of 5,000. SEPTA’s Regional Rail Route 2 from 30th Street in downtown Philadelphia actually terminates in Newark, and the station is actually located on South College Road, right next to the Athletic Center. |
| NCAA
SPORTS - DIVISION 1
DREXEL UNIVERSITY |
The Drexel Dragons are located at 3401 Chestnut Avenue, Philadelphia, right next to the University of Pennsylvania in University City. The Dragons have teams in several sports, including men’s and women’s basketball. The basketball team play out of the John A Daskalakis Athletic Center on campus and has a capacity of 2,300. To get to the campus, catch the SEPTA Subway Market-Frankford Line to 30th Street Station. The Trolley system also stops at 30th Street and the Regional Rail System’s hub is at 30th Street (with Amtrak and NJ Transit). The campus is located just to the south of these stations. |
| NCAA
SPORTS - DIVISION 1
LA SALLE UNIVERSITY |
La Salle is located at 1900 W Olney Avenue, Philadelphia, which is some 10km north of downtown Philadelphia. La Salle has teams in most sports, including football and men’s and women’s basketball. The football team plays out of McCarthy Stadium, which is located on campus and has a capacity of 7,500. The basketball teams play out of Tom Gola Arena, also located on campus, with a capacity of about 4,000. From downtown Philadelphia, you can take the SEPTA Broad Street Line to Olney Station, which is about 500m walk west of the station along Olney Avenue. |
| NCAA
SPORTS - DIVISION 1
PRINCETON UNIVERSITY |
One of the most famous Universities in the world is Princeton – located in Princeton, New Jersey, which is some 80km north-east of Philadelphia – half way between New York and Philadelphia. The Princeton Tigers have teams in most sports, including football and men’s and women’s basketball. The football team plays out of Princeton Stadium, which is located on the large campus at Washington and Faculty Roads and has a capacity of over 27,000. The basketball teams play out of Jadwin Gymnasium, which has a capacity of 7,500 and is located near Princeton Stadium. From downtown Philadelphia, you can take the SEPTA Regional Rail Route 7 to Princeton Junction via Trenton (or you can take NJ Transit from New York). Princeton railway station is actually some distance away from the township so you must get off at Princeton Junction station and switch to the Princeton rail shuttle, which drops you off at the campus on the western side of Washington Road. The sporting stadium is a short walk to the eastern side of Washington Road. |
| NCAA
SPORTS - DIVISION 1
ST JOSEPHS UNIVERSITY |
The St Josephs Hawks are located at 5600 City Avenue (Route 1), Philadelphia, which is located some 10km north-west of downtown. The Hawks have teams in several sports, including men’s and women’s basketball. The basketball teams play mostly out of the Recreation Center. Some larger games are played out of Pennsylvania University’s Palestra. Take the SEPTA Regional Rail Route 5 to Overbrook train station and walk just under 1km north to Saint Joseph's University campus (north to City Av-Route 1 then east along Route 1) or you can catch the SEPTA Trolley No 10 to Overbrook and follow the same directions. |
| NCAA
SPORTS - DIVISION 1
UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA |
The Penn Quakers are located at 3451 Walnut Street, which is at the western end of downtown Philadelphia next to Drexel University in University City. The Quakers have teams in most sports, including football and men’s and women’s basketball. The football team plays out of Franklin Field, which has a capacity of just over 50,000 and is located on campus at 235 South 33rd St. at Civic Center Blvd. The basketball teams play out of The Palestra, which has hosted more games, more visiting teams and more NCAA tournaments that any other US facility. It has a capacity of about 10,000 and is located on campus. To get to the campus, follow the same directions as for Drexel University. The campus is centred to the south of theses stations on 33rd street, so it is only a short walk from here. |
| NCAA
SPORTS - IVISION 1
VILLANOVA UNIVERSITY |
The Villanova Wildcats are located at 800 Lancaster Avenue, Villanova, which is some 17km north-west from downtown Philadelphia. The Wildcats have teams in most sports, including football and men’s and women’s basketball. The football team plays out of Villanova Stadium, which is located on campus and has a capacity of 12,500. The Stadium also hosts the WUSA’s Philadelphia Storm The basketball teams play out of The Pavilion, which has a capacity of 6,500 and is also located on campus. From downtown Philadelphia (30th Street Station), you can take SEPTA Regional Rail Route 5 to Villanova Station, which drops you right at the campus. |
