Tuesday, December 9, 2014

Philly Phlash Holiday Evening Loop

Here at Daily Vacationer we love (LOVE!) the Philly Phlash.  We're usually all over the place in Center City, so we're thrilled to have these purple buses that we can quickly hop on and off of to get around faster (for only $5 all day!) or when we're just tired and don't feel like walking all the way back to where we started (one way is only $2!).  Their route takes visitors all the way from Penn's Landing up to the Eastern State Penitentiary and the Philadelphia Museum of Art and back again with stops right next to or within a quick walking distance of Philadelphia's attractions and points of interest.  Hop off at Logan Square, City Hall, and a ton of stops along Market East.  Travelers can also ride the Phlash over to some Fairmount Park locations (including the Philadelphia Zoo and the Please Touch Museum) with a special bus that runs from the Perelman Building.
Macy's Light Show
We used the Philly Phlash to death this summer, so we were really excited to hear that it was coming back again DAILY for the holidays (Nov 25th thru Dec 31st - not running Christmas Day or New Year's Day and only daytime service on Christmas Eve or New Year's Eve).  And not only would the regular daytime route be available to us, but this year the Phlash is introducing their Holiday Evening Loop!  Ride all evening from 6pm to 10pm for the same low prices Philly Phlash has always offered with a new route that takes you to all the holiday events and shows happening in the city.  With everything to see - Winterfest at Penn's Landing, the Rothman Ice Rink at Dilworth Park, Christmas Village at Love Park, the timed light shows at Franklin Square, Macy's, and the Comcast Building, the performances along the Avenue of the Arts - and all the holiday lights, shopping, and festivities in between, it can be overwhelming trying to figure out how to see it all without killing yourself running all over Center City on foot.
Christmas Village at Love Park
The Holiday Evening Loop runs from Winterfest at Penn's Landing up to Logan Square, but it has some new stops and sights to see along the way (here we come light shows!).  Stop H1 is at Franklin Square where their Electrical Spectacle: A Holiday Light Show runs every half hour from 4:30pm to 8:00pm.  Next hop off at Stop H2 to experience both the Christmas Village in Love Park and the Comcast Holiday Spectacular which runs at the top of the hour from 10am to 8pm (except 5pm on weekdays).  Stop H3 is the destination for some amazing holiday shopping from Rittenhouse Row to the Shops at the Bellevue, and at Liberty Place.  Don't forget to see Rittenhouse Square all decorated for the season as well.

Electrical Spectacle at Franklin Square
Ride up the Avenue of the Arts next to Stop H4 to get to the Kimmel Center and the Nutcracker Market.  Plan to see a show at least once this season (although with all that is being offered - The Philadelphia Orchestra, The Philly POPS, Philadelphia Chamber Music Society, PhilaDanco, and the Pennsylvania Ballet - you might really need to do two or three).  The final new stop, Stop H5, brings you to the famous Christmas Light Show and Wanamaker Organ Concert at Macy's which runs every two hours from 10am to 8pm (no shows on Christmas Day).
Winterfest at Penn's Landing
The holidays in Philadelphia are designed to be for everyone with free events, locations, and shows going on all season long,  The Philly Phlash continues to do its part to make the city accessible to anyone who wants to explore and see the sights.  We were able to see everything in one evening! Daily Vacationer normally recommends the Phlash as one of the best ways to see the city during a normal day, but hands down, the new Holiday Evening Loop is the absolute best way to see Philadelphia during the holiday season!
-$5 All Day Passes can be used during normal hours and then continue onto the Holiday Evening Loop with no additional charge!
-Children 4 and under and seniors ride for FREE (wheelchair and stroller accessible)!
-SEPTA TrailPass, TransPass, one-day Independence Pass or Family one-day Independence Pass holders ride for FREE!
-You can buy your ticket ahead of time at Visitor Center locations or board with exact change at any stop!
-Park & Ride Discounts!
Park, ride, and save with discounted parking rates* at the following Philadelphia Parking Authority garages when you show your PHLASH Pass:
·         AutoPark: 2nd & Sansom Streets – $7.00
·         AutoPark: 5th & Market Streets – $10.00
·         AutoPark: 8th & Filbert Streets – $8.00
·         AutoPark: 10th & Ludlow Streets – $7.00
·         AutoPark: 10th & Filbert Streets – $6.00
*Please Note: From November 28-December 31, you must enter the garage by 9 a.m. and depart by 11 p.m. to receive the discounted rate.

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5 comments:

  1. This sounds like a great way to get around the city. I love visiting Philly at the holidays.

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  2. I love this information!! I am going to use this for when family comes in!

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  3. Cool I don't like driving myself around the city so this is a great option for us

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  4. This is great, I don't know much about Philly.

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  5. Superb photographs! I hope you had great time in this holiday party! I also love attending the parties and other public events. It’s my desire to visit Philadelphia and attend the Christmas holiday parties over there.

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