Anybody Know Philly???

[daepp]

Headed to PHL for a college visit to Villanova with my son.

It looks like a storm is coming in - the plane is supposed to land at 8pm this Thursday.

On the left coast they are making a big deal out of this. Is it a big deal or just another snow storm? I planned to rent a car at the airport - hotel is in St. Davids PA - about 10 miles from PHL. Would the roads likely be plowed? Do you all use chains? Front engine mid to compact ok?

Any info would be appreciated.

Thanks,

David

[stomachmonkey]

It'll be plowed.

Chains not needed.

Ask for an SUV if you can get one.

You'll take 95 to 476 to Villanova. 3 lane interstates. Should be clear.

[matt f]

Hi David.
Snow in Philly is set to begin 5-7a Thursday.
Some estimates are 8-12".
Snow ending late afternoon-early evening.
No chains, never have. Rent a front wheel drive/AWD mid size, pref. AWD.


Do you have a direct flight or a one stopper?

Matt

[Rick V]

I haven't been to Philly since I left there 35 years ago (and will never go back) but they know how to get rid of snow. You should have no trouble, if you know how to drive in snow.

[mreid]

I left philly one year ago. Take 95 south to 476 and drive about 10 miles to your hotel. The blue route (476) is well maintained and should be fine, but will have some maniacs that still haven't learned how to drive in the snow. Try to avoid them.

[Rich76_911s]

My wife works for the athletic department at Nova.

Reports on the storm seem to vary pretty wildly. Weather channel has us getting 1-3", which wouldn't be a big deal. If we get the 8-12 that Matt mentions it could be pretty messy. Luckily as others have mentioned you are never going to be far from a major highway, and they are usually fine to travel on. I'd be more concerned about the flight actually getting here, than I would be about driving in the snow.

I'd say if we got 8-12 campus would be closed, 1-3" campus may or may not be open. My guess is they'd like to stay open since they were closed several days last week because of power loss on campus.

If you don't want your son coming east you picked a perfect time to come visit. I'm questioning why I live here daily.

It's a bit of a drive (20 minutes or so) from St. Davids, but you should take him to Dalessandro's for a cheese steak:
Dalessandro's Steaks and Hoagies

If you need anything while you are here send me a PM.

Rich

[kevin993]

Good advice here. You'll be fine. I went to Villanova for grad school and never had a problem. Good luck with the visit.

[daepp]

Thanks for all the good advice and the offers for help - I appreciate it! We have a non stop flight from LAX to PHL landing around 7pm. If it doesn't land there then I have no idea what they'll do. I've got daughters going to college in Southern MI and Annapolis but for whatever reason I've never had any trouble actually flying in to there. Guess we're in for a wild ride!

Bummed about missing the PCA happy hour - we are staying at that exact hotel!

[dad911]

Enjoy the visit, we toured Villanova for my son, but he ended up at Lafayette.

Problem won't be the roads.... I was supposed to fly out of phl last monday, but the airport closed because of the storm.

[greglepore]

Originally Posted by dad911

Enjoy the visit, we toured Villanova for my son, but he ended up at Lafayette.

Problem won't be the roads.... I was supposed to fly out of phl last monday, but the airport closed because of the storm.

This-NWS official forecast is for 8-10 with it snowing pretty much thru Thurs, so I'd be more worried about the flight diverting than anything else.

[stomachmonkey]

Originally Posted by Rich76_911s

If you don't want your son coming east you picked a perfect time to come visit. I'm questioning why I live here daily.

Because the other 9 months of the year it's beautiful. The foliage, the winding roads even the weather.

BTW, my grandparents lived in Ardmore.

One of my fondest memories is an older cousin who used to take us on shopping sprees at Kiddie City when we were in for a visit.

[Eric 951]

Make sure they have an ice scraper in the rental.

[daepp]

Well, looked at noon pacific time and the flight was still on - but -
Friday's events have been cancelled - 50% of the reason we were going to Villanova.

Might get a hotel near the airport for Thursday night, do some tourist stuff during the day Friday then head to the Radnor Friday night.

[Macroni]

Marriott in Airport is best bet.

[Rich76_911s]

Just wanted to let you know the main roads are absolutely clear and you should be fine driving anywhere you need to go. Campus should be open tomorrow. Enjoy your time here.

[daepp]

Thanks Rich - plane leaves at 11 pst

[UconnTim97]

We are expecting more snow tonight and Saturday. Definitely opt for a SUV if possible.
Have a safe flight.

[Geneman]

i live a mile from the st davids hotel in radnor. roads are clear as of 530 pm. i just drove from st davids to PHL its completely clear no reason to stay at a airport hotel. many flts delayed and cancelled . not one seat on ANY flt to fla. ( i was bumped fro 2 yesterday) overbooked by 30 and 30 deep for standbys! i opted for a quick jaunt to atlantic city. spirit airlines.. to FLL ... missing the warmup day( today) for the palm beach grand prix vintage hsr race,,, sitting in airport now dreaming heel and toe.. good luck nova/ mainline area is really nice ... check out the great american pub in wayne for food/bev. about a mile from nova.

[daepp]

What a great place - great time - great school!

Thanks for all the input.

Left this - 80 deg F:




Got in Thursday night and stayed right at PHL.



First day's activities were cancelled before we took off, so we rented a FWD Altima and spent the day in the (cold) sun in Philly.

[daepp]

I guess it really IS always sunny in Philadelphia:



Owned by the actor that plays Mac:






Walking to Christ's Church - Franklin paid for the steeple. I think this is the oldest building I've been in in the US - started in 1695 and finished in 1727:




Found the Rodin museum quite by accident - very cool!