Getaway Guide: A Senior Day Trip To Philly

One of the joys of retirement is the ability to get up and go, even if it's just a day trip. To sweeten the pot, there are discounts — and even free! — stuff, making fun that much more affordable for seniors. For example, if you're over 65 and living in the Philadelphia suburbs, you ride the train to town for a buck, and then SEPTA buses, subways and trolleys whisk you around the city, free of charge. Of course, some of you knew that. So, where do we go from here? Follow me. – Jay Lloyd

(credit: Jay Lloyd)

MARKET EAST STATION

www.septa.org

The Market East SEPTA station puts us right in the heart of the action. Choose museums, theater, shopping, restaurants, waterfront views and vibrant Chinatown. Trains, buses and subways from city neighborhoods and the suburbs converge on Market East and carry day-trippers from there to Old City, Independence Mall and Penn's Landing. Here's a sampling of what you'll find.

(credit: Jay Lloyd)

Take a pleasant stroll or a free bus; it's only five blocks to the National Constitution Center. Immerse yourself in the history surrounding the dawn of the United States. The Signers Room here is among my favorite nooks. You'll find a stunning display of the Founding Fathers in life-sized bronze statues. Catch the multi-media presentation in a wrap-around theater depicting the beginnings of our new-found nation, and take in the current feature exhibition. Until October 19th, visitors can explore the issue of "Slavery at Jefferson's Monticello." Admission for seniors is $13; however, a $50 individual membership gets you two tickets anytime you're in town for a full year, plus admission to special programs.

Sure, I remember seeing Hank Greenberg and Sandy Koufax play ball. In my New York neighborhood, the mothers would say, "Who ever heard of a Jewish boy playing baseball?" Well, the current traveling exhibit at the National Museum of Jewish History indicates there were quite a few. It intimately portrays the blending of minority and immigrant groups into American life through our first national sport. It's a fascinating look at the history of baseball and a national identity through the eyes of people who were "Chasing the Dream." Permanent exhibits trace Jewish life in America from its earliest colonial days through the present with nods to trailblazers in many fields from music to medicine. Senior admission is $11.

It has been several years since my last visit to the African American Museum in Philly, and its growth and range of collections since then have been dynamic. A multi-media exhibit traces the role of African Americans in the development of Philadelphia. Among the prominent collections are unique artifacts that can be traced to African locations at the root of Black America. Audio and visual collections open the doors to a national treasure of civil rights history and groundbreaking achievements in cultural life, music, art and sports. Senior admission is $10.

(credit: Jay Lloyd)

One of my favorite spots for a Philadelphia day-trip is Penn's Landing. Ever-changing waterscape views of passing seagoing traffic, a floating restaurant ship and of course, the Independence Seaport Museum, which traces the nautical history of Philadelphia from the arrival of William Penn through its shipbuilding heyday and offers a fascinating display of Delaware Bay and River maritime disasters. In fact, this was the venue that my KYW colleagues chose for my retirement party. If you or a friend happens to have an upcoming retirement celebration, give the museum a serious look. If you're just visiting for a day, senior admission is $10 and includes a visit to the Spanish-American War cruiser Olympia and the WWII submarine, Becuna. Neither of the ships, however, is handicap accessible, and moving around a sub (the boat not the sandwich!) can be a bit challenging.

(credit: Jay Lloyd)

LUNCH TIME

For seniors who may be on a tight budget, two of the best destinations near the Market East Station (both for flavors and savers!) are Chinatown and the Reading Terminal Market. Chinatown has a profusion of restaurants where an entire lunch from soup to fortune cookies comes in under $10 (I'm old enough to remember when it was half-a-buck, though!). My go-to lunch spot here is the Imperial Inn at 146 N. 10th Street. A large, traditionally decorated dining room offers the standard, familiar Chinese menu (think childhood favorites) and a dim sum luncheon. Before leaving Chinatown, scout some of the food markets along the way for items unique to Asian cookery at astoundingly reasonable prices.

(credit: Jay Lloyd)

The Reading Terminal Market has become a destination for visitors and Philadelphians looking for reasonably priced, fresh food to eat in communal spaces or haul away for home. One of the best hot pastrami sandwiches in town can be found at Hershel's. For lighter appetites, this spot even serves half-a-sandwich and chicken soup. Try it — you'll like it. If you want to savor the flavor of Philly Italian pulled pork, stop at DiNic's, but try to get there early. This stand is really popular. Pearl's Oyster Bar is the place to handle cravings for crustaceans, shellfish and fin food. But the market is a buffet of international foods and flavors from Greek to Asian, south of the border and down home Louisiana gumbo. Explore the stalls and then decide. By the way, it never hurts to ask if there's a senior discount that's not prominently listed on the menu.

To finish up your day, part with another buck for the ride back home.

Enjoy!