Tips for Attending the Philadelphia Eagles Parade

We are updating this frequently for Thursday’s Philadelphia Eagles Parade.

 

What a game last night! We were on the edge of our seats. The constant back and forth of the score might have made for an exciting football game but it also has us anxiously sitting on the edge of our seats. You may remember the Super Bowl bet we made. (Click here to read all about it.) We had more on the line than just who won the game. ;-) When the clock finally ran out we were ecstatic that the Eagles defeated the Patriots, 41-33. Now comes time for the Philadelphia Eagles parade. Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney announced that the Birds’ victory parade would take place on Thursday, starting at 11 a.m.

 

 

Now, my husband normally hates really big crowds. He would rather stay away from them and avoid it all. But this is different, this is his Philadelphia Eagles. He absolutely wants to go, crowds and all. When the Philadelphia Phillies won the World Series in 2008, he missed the parade. He has regretted it ever since, so there was NO WAY he was going to miss the Philadelphia Eagles Parade. So this Thursday as the Eagles march down Broad Street, we’ll be there with all three boys! We’re a bit nervous, but we also know that being prepared can make a big difference. With that in mind, we’ve put together these tips for attending the Philadelphia Eagles Parade.

 

UPDATE: We’ll include below a listing of New Jersey school districts closed due to the Eagles Victory Parade.

 

 

Tips for Attending the Philadelphia Eagles Parade

• What time to leave? Determining what time to leave depends on where you want to be, the patience of your children, and how you are getting there. If being up front and close to the Philadelphia Eagles parade route is important to you you’ll want to leave early. If you’d rather treat it as a regular day, get up and treat it like a school day and instead of heading towards school and work head towards Philadelphia. There will be 14 jumbotrons set up along the route so even if you aren’t up close you will likely be able to watch the action the parade on big screens. If you are planning around public transportation, make sure to check the schedules and allow extra time for buying tickets as there will likely be a line. If you are driving, allow time for navigating around road closures and finding alternate parking garages.

 

Any of our fans joining us for the Philadelphia Eagles Pep Rally at the Borough of Collingswood Community Center? #JerseyFun #Eagles #Collingswood @philadelphiaeagles

A post shared by Jersey Family Fun (@jerseyfamilyfun) on Feb 2, 2018 at 3:26pm PST

 

• There will be limited parking and large crowds at the Eagles Victory Parade, it’s why we and the City of Philadelphia strongly encourage fans who want to attend the parade to use public transportation. SEPTA is planning expanded service to handle the increased demand. NJ Transit and PATCO are options for New Jersey families traveling to Philadelphia for the parade. We live in South Jersey along the New Jersey Transit train route, so our train line goes directly from Atlantic City to 30th Street in Philadelphia. Check out all your transportation options – depending on where you live, driving might be the fastest way, but know you’ll need to walk through the city to get to your viewing point. Also have an exit strategy. Seats on trains are rarely guaranteed even with tickets. Use one of our ideas for things to do below to keep busy for a few hours while you wait for trains and buses to be less crowded.

 

Public Transportation Options to The Philadelphia Eagles Parade Route

• New Jersey Transit train line from Atlantic City to 30th Street in Philadelphia. It runs every 1.5 hour to 2 hours. For the Eagles Victory Parade one New Jersey Transit train has been added to the train schedule going into Philadelphia. One NJ Transit train has been added to the train schedule leaving Philadelphia. You can then walk from the 30th Street Station to any locations along the route. If you’re taking a NJ Transit train it might not hurt to get your ticket today instead of waiting till Thursday. NJ Transit train tickets do not expire so they can be used on a different day if you can’t use them. Click to view the NJ Transit train schedule. Children are half-price with a paying adult. Generally, it’s 3 children (up to age 12) per adult. You can call (973) 275-5555 for more information.

 

2/7/18 5:00 pm UPDATE: NJ Transit has suspended AC Rail Line ticket sales to Eagles parade. In other words, if you have not purchased your New Jersey Train ticket to Philadelphia 30th street station they are no longer available. You will not be able to board the Atlantic City to Philadelphia NJ Train line without a ticket. More details can be found here.

 

• MAJOR UPDATE: From 3:45 A.M. to 5:45 A.M. (Westbound) and from 3:43 A.M. until 6:17 A.M. (Eastbound), PATCO trains will only service the Lindenwold, Woodcrest, Ferry Avenue, Broadway and 9th/10th and Locust Street Stations. From 6:00 A.M. until approximately 1:50 P.M., PATCO will provide WESTBOUND ONLY Service, originating at the Lindenwold, Woodcrest, Ferry Avenue and Broadway Stations. Trains departing from these stations will EXPRESS directly to the 9th/10th and Locust Street Station. During this period, there will be NO EASTBOUND Service.

GOING TO THE PARADE

In other words if you are going to the parade using PATCO between 6 am and 1:50 pm. You can only go INTO the city using the Lindenwold, Woodcrest, Ferry Avenue and Broadway Stations. These trains will go to DIRECTLY to 9th/10th and Locust Street station.

 

LEAVING FROM THE PARADE

From about 1:20 P.M. until 8:00 P.M., PATCO will transition to EASTBOUND Only Service. You will ONLY be able to go out of the city. PATCO trains will begin at 9th/10th and Locust Street Station and stop at Broadway, Ferry Avenue, Woodcrest and Lindenwold Stations.

 

Click to view the PATCO train schedule and parade alert. Regular fares apply for all customers age five and older; children four and under ride free.

2/7/18 2:30 pm UPDATE: PATCO TO SUSPEND TICKET SALES AT 7PM ON WEDNESDAY, 2/7
Individuals who have purchased Advance Tickets and FREEDOM Card Holders are strongly encouraged to arrive early tomorrow

Due to extremely strong sales of advance tickets, PATCO announced today that ticket sales will be SUSPENDED at or around 7:00 P.M. TONIGHT or earlier if ticket supply is exhausted. In addition, tickets will NOT BE SOLD in stations on Thursday.

Individuals who have purchased advance tickets, as well as FREEDOM Card holders are strongly encouraged to arrive at their departure stations – Lindenwold, Woodcrest, Ferry Avenue and Broadway – early to ensure that they are able to board trains for service into Philadelphia.  All ticket and FREEDOM Card holders are reminded that, based on projected crowds, having a ticket does not guarantee service.  Ticket holders who are unable to board will receive full refunds.

 

• SEPTA is operating a special Eagles Parade schedule with details available online at SEPTA.org. SEPTA says rides on the Market Frankford Line and the Broad Street Line will be FREE all day to get people to and from the parade route, sponsored by Independence Blue Cross.

 I do recommend traveling through 30th Street Station. This Philly train station offers bathrooms, lots of dining options, and free wi-fi; all things that will come in handy if you should find yourself waiting for trains.

 

Parking during the Eagles Parade

Again, visitors should not drive into Center City. If, however, driving is necessary, the City encourages drivers to park in off-street lots and garages along the Parkway, Broad Street, or near the stadium complex.

PARKING IN HISTORIC DISTRICT  Take advantage of parking in the Historic District to avoid the road closures at the Philadelphia Parking Authority’s AutoPark at Independence Mall garage located beneath the Independence Visitor Center. Entrances are located on 5th and 6th Streets between Market and Arch Streets.

 

• How long will the Eagles Victory Parade last? The Philadelphia Eagles Parade will last approximately two hours. It will be followed by a formal celebration that begins at 1 pm in front of the Art Museum. The program will last approximately two hours.

 

• The parade starts at 11 AM at Broad Street and Pattison Avenue before it make its way north to the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Lots of roads nearby will be closed that day so if you’re driving be sure to check the news or city websites. The City of Philadelphia will likely list closed streets on their website.

 

The Philadelphia Eagles Parade Route

The parade route will begin at Broad Street and Pattison Avenue and continue north, eventually making its way to the Philadelphia Museum of Art. When more details become available we will share them here.

Starts at Broad and Pattison in South Philadelphia at 11 a.m.

-Northbound on Broad Street to S. Penn Square

-Westbound on S. Penn Square to 15th Street

-Northbound on 15th Street to JFK Blvd.

-Westbound on JFK Blvd. to 16th Street

-Northbound on 16th Street to the Benjamin Franklin Parkway

-Westbound on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway to Eakins Oval

 

My recommendation for the best spot to see the Philadelphia Eagles Parade – If you have young children, find a spot around the Logan Circle where you can view the parade. The parade route goes through the Logan Circle. The Academy of Natural Sciences and The Frankin Institute are both located on the circle as well but they WILL BE CLOSED. Even if you can’t go inside the museums you can still get in some great photo opps with the props out front.  The Franklin Institute also has lots of steps that may be available for sitting on to watch the parade. The hotels can be a good space to run in for a bathroom break or warm up for a few minutes. After the parade, enjoy the museums while traffic clears out of the area.

 

You can view the Eagles Victory Parade maps for road closures, parade route, traffic information and more as a pdf at this link.

 

• Where to stand? Keep in mind that you might not know exactly where you can sit or stand until you got there! We know that the Philadelphia Eagles Parade ends at the Art Museum. Crews are already assembling staging on the Art Museum steps, ruling that out as a place to sit. When we find out additional details about seating for the Philadelphia Eagles Parade we will let you know. Either way consider bringing a blanket. Chairs are allowed but keep in mind it’s easier to carry a blanket than chairs. You can also spread out your blanket to sit on with your children as you watch the Eagles parade. There is no bleacher area or designated seating.

 

 

• Try to keep the stroller at home. Crowds will be thick so trying to push a stroller through a crowd could be challenging. You may end up having to carry it most of the time. If you have one more adult than child, so one could be in charge of the stroller while the other two keet the kids close.

 

From the New Jersey Department of Health

More than two million people are expected to attend the Super Bowl champions’ victory parade in Philadelphia on Thursday. If you plan to join them, remember that a severe flu season is underway. Take steps to protect yourself and others:

• If you are sick, please stay home. Watch the parade on television.
• Wash your hands frequently, especially after contact with frequently touched surfaces such as handrails and door handles.
• Cover your coughs and sneezes.

 

• You should not have to go far for a bathroom. Megan tell us “A ton (hundreds) of port-a-potties have been installed all along the parkway.” The City of Philadelphia has confirmed that there will be port-o-potties on both sides of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. Make sure you put some tissues, toilet paper, and hand sanitizer in your bag. You know how quickly a port-a-potty can run out of toilet paper or sanitizer.

 

• Don’t overpack! Sure you may need diapers, snacks, drinks, cameras, wipes … all the essentials we always bring. But it’s Philadelphia – there will be fast food options and food carts on every block. Keep what you need to a backpack, one per person if need be. That backpack will be easier to carry as you are moving through the crowds. If you’re hold a kid’s hand in each hand you don’t want to worry about carry a purse or a shoulder bag slipping down your bag.

 

This just in! For families that want to be a part of the Eagles Parade action without having to be at the parade, check out this fun event being held at the Garden State Discovery Museum! Wear your Eagles green and get $5 off admission to the party!

 

• Bring activities the kids can do while they wait. It’s likely your kids will be waiting while they ride in the car or a public transportation or while you wait for the parade to start. Activity books, coloring pages, mad libs, word finds, a deck of cards can all make for a great way to fill the time without having to carry a lot of extra items.

 

• Pack lunches. You will likely be sitting in one spot waiting for the parade to reach you. You won’t want to give up your spot while you search for and eat lunch elsewhere.

 

Go birds! #FlyPhillyFly #FlyEaglesFly

A post shared by City of Philadelphia (@cityofphiladelphia) on Feb 1, 2018 at 11:00am PST

 

• Keep your traveling light but do DRESS WARM. AccuWeather says it will be sunny, but windy and cold. The high temperature is expected to be 34 with wind chills in the lower 20’s.

 

• Bring a small bag for trash. It’s easy to generate a lot of trash from snacks, water bottles, and juice pouches. But don’t leave that mess behind. Bring a bag you can use to clean up after yourself. As you work your way back home, you can always dispose of that trash bag in a public trash can.

 

• Come up with a safety plan should you get separated from other members in your family. No one knows how many people will attend the Philadelphia Eagles Parade. However, attendance is expected to be quite unreal. In 2008, when the Phillies’ World Series Victory Parade, some estimate two million fans were in attendance. Here’s some tips for keeping safe at the Philadelphia Eagles Parade.

Staying safe with kids during the Philadelphia Eagles Parade

• Dress in similiar colors/matching shirts or hats. Wearing your Eagles green is NOT going to be enough to stand out in a crowd of Philadelphia Eagles fans. Get matching hats or scarves in a bright bold color so you can easily identify each other.

• Let your older kids and teens have their smartphones. Encourage them strongly to not use it while waiting for the parade. Instead they should conserve the battery. In case, you are all separated they can use their phone to get in contact with you. Make sure they either know your number and you theirs or program the numbers into each other’s phones.

• There will be Philadelphia Fire Department medical tents along the parade route: -24th Street & Benjamin Franklin Parkway (south side) -21st Street & Benjamin Franklin Parkway (north side). Make note of where they are and show them to your kids. Take missing or lost persons to either of the medic tent locations listed above or notify a Philadelphia Police Officer immediately. Identify the Alpha-numeric “location markers” that will be posted along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway to clearly and easily identify a location or section (by letter and number, example: CD-1). Use them to communicate with first responders in the event of an emergency or with each other should you get separated.

• Point out to your kids where the first responders and police are. Show them what they look like and go over what your kids should say and do if they get separated from you. Remind your children that while the police and first responders will likely move from spot to spot, they should all look the same.

• Make sure each child has your contact information on them. Even older kids and teens can get flustered and panic if they can’t find you. They may forget their number and your name even. Better that they have it on them. Write down your phone number on your child’s arm (and cover with liquid band-aid so it doesn’t rub off), a bracelet, or a slip of paper in their pocket.

• Take pictures of each person in your party with each phone or camera you have. It will be easier to remember what someone was wearing or to describe your child to a police officer if you can also share a picture and not have to rely on your memory alone.

 

Any missing people or children the Philadelphia Police Department come into contact with will take to one of four points along the parade route:

• First leg of parade: Engine 49, 2600 South 13th Street, 215-685-1783.
• First leg of parade: Ladder 5, South Broad and Fitzwater Street, 215-685-6899.
• Midway through parade: Convention Center Police Room, 13th Street and Race, 215-418-4955.
• Last leg of parade: 9th District, 21st Street and Hamilton, 215-686-3090/91/92.

 

• Plan your exit strategy. When the parade is over, will you head out right away or will you stay behind? While it may be tempting to get out quickly keep in mind the city will be busier that day than ever. With so much to do in Philadelphia (see ideas below) it might be better to take your time. Let the crowds around you filter out. Then make your way to a nearby restaurant for a meal or head over to one of Philadelphia’s attractions. By the time you’ve had some Philly fun the traffic will start letting up and the trains and busses will be less packed as well.

 

• Do your research. The City of Philadelphia website will have helpful information and the parade route. The City will provide up-to-date information via text alerts and by way of the City’s Twitter account, @PhiladelphiaGov. New tip from a reader and friend: Text “readyeagles” all one word to 888777 and you will get text message updates as they become available. Here’s a recent news clip from Action News.

 

Watch the Philadelphia Eagles Parade on TV

You can watch the Eagles Parade on NBC. The celebration will air live on NBC10 and NBC Sports Philadelphia. It will also stream on NBC10.com and NBCSportsPhiladelphia.com.

 

Watch the Philadelphia Eagles Parade at the Garden State Discovery Museum

This just in! For families that want to be a part of the Eagles Parade action without having to be at the parade, check out this fun event being held at the Garden State Discovery Museum! Wear your Eagles green and get $5 off admission to the party!

 

 

New Jersey school districts closed due to the Eagles Victory Parade

All Philadelphia district schools and administrative offices will be closed Thursday, and now it turns out some New Jersey schools will be too. We will be updating this list of New Jersey school districts closing because of the Philadelphia Eagles Parade. Please do verify this list before keeping your child out of school for the day.

• Collingswood School District as posted on their site, view the announcement here.
• Glassboro Public School District will be closed. You can read the Facebook post here.
• Oaklyn Public Schools will be closed. View the announcement here.
• Mantua Public School District will be closed on Thursday.
• Ridley School District will be closed as shared by one of our readers.
• Stratford School District will be closed. View the announcement here.
• Vineland Public Charter School will be closed. View the announcement here.
• Waterford School District will be closed.
• Washington Township School District as posted on their site, view the announcement here.

 

If you’re taking the day off to watch the Philadelpia Eagles Parade it would also make a great day to explore things to do with your kids in Philadelphia. Take a look at some of our suggestions for Philadelphia attractions. We’ve got the details on what is and isn’t closed as well.

 

Things to do after the Philadelphia Eagles Parade

 

These Philadelphia attractions will be OPEN after the Philadelphia Eagles Parade

• The National Constitution Center in Philadelphia will be open for regular business hours 9:30 am to 5 pm. The Constitution Center is even offering a discount for those wearing Eagles attire constitutioncenter.org.
• The Independence Visitor Center in Philadelphia will be open for regular business hours.
• The African American Museum in Philadelphia will be open for regular business hours. www.aampmuseum.org
• The Independence Seaport Museum in Philadelphia will be 10 am to 5 pm. www.phillyseaport.org
• Independence Hall in Philadelphia will be open 9 am to 5 pm.
• The Liberty Bell in Philadelphia will be open 9 am to 5 pm.
• Reading Terminal Market will be open 8 am to 6 pm.
• Adventure Aquarium in Camden, New Jersey will be open 10 am to 5 pm.
• Benjamin Franklin Museum will be open.
• Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest will be open.
• Christ Church will be open.
• Elfreth’s Alley will be open.
• National Museum of American Jewish History, FREE admission!
• One Liberty Observation Deck will be open. 

 

PARKING IN HISTORIC DISTRICT  Take advantage of parking in the Historic District to avoid the road closures at the Philadelphia Parking Authority’s AutoPark at Independence Mall garage located beneath the Independence Visitor Center. Entrances are located on 5th and 6th Streets between Market and Arch Streets.

 

These Philadelphia attractions will be CLOSED after the Philadelphia Eagles Parade

• The Phildadelphia Museum of Art will be closed. The museum will reopen on Friday with normal hours.
• The Academy of Natural Sciences will be closed. The museum will reopen on Friday with normal hours.
• The Franklin Institute will be closed. The museum will reopen on Friday with normal hours.
• The Please Touch Museum in Philadelphia will be closed. The museum will reopen on Friday with normal hours.
• The Philadelphia Zoo will be closed. The zoo will reopen on Friday with normal hours.
• The Barnes Foundation in Philadelphia will be closed.
• The Philadelphia Library central branch will be closed.
• Philadelphia City Hall Visitor Center & Tower Tour will be closed.
• NEW INFO: The Penn Museum in Philadelphia will be closed.
• Betsy Ross House and other historical homes and landmarks will be closed.
• Battleship New Jersey in Camden will be closed.

 

Click over to see the rest of our Family Travel to Philadelphia series.

 

 

To arrange a feature on your location contact Jennifer Auer, Jersey Family Fun publisher.