Hello, my daughter and friend are planning on attending a concert in August Around the 300 block of South Street. I am struggling with a 19 year old on her own but I know I need to so I am asking your help in making this a safe night. She will be driving into city from the west via 76. We don't need directions as much as safety tips and possibly parking tips. On a weekday, after what time are street parking meters free etc?
Jim

Hey there - I've lived in Philadelphia for the past 20 years - That part of South Street is perfectly safe. Obviously it's a big city there are the usual things to watch out for, but even late at night walking around should definitely not be a problem as there are many bars/restaurants/shops etc. scattered all over the area. That is in addition to police who monitor the South Street area on a regular basis, probably because it's a popular tourist area as well.

Bottom line is you'll be fine - have a great time at the concert and enjoy Philly, cheers.

Sorry I forgot to mention - I believe parking on the street is free after 8pm. Parking on South Street may be difficult, so you might have to look for a spot on a side street near the concert you're going to (TLA?). Those streets are also safe no worries there either. Enjoy!

Parking is most definitely a problem in Center City. Some meters go free after 6pm, some after 8pm, some are 24 hour. When free parking does become available on a street, it invariably fills up in a matter of minutes. The best advice is to get near to where you want to be with plenty of time, then take the first parking space you can find.

Parking is pretty much non-existent on South Street itself. You MIGHT find some on an immediate side street, but don't count on it. Parking becomes easier as you go south, but the neighborhoods also become less well lighted. If you don't feel safe walking from an available parking space to South Street, then just keep looking. Trust your gut -- what might be safe for me (an adult male who's lived here for many years) may not feel safe for a young female from out of town.

Once you've found your space, be certain to write down where it is, and be able to get back to it even in the dark (I always carry a map). Streets look a lot alike at that time! Fortunately, Philly streets are on a grid pattern, with all streets well-signed and the numbered streets going north-south. So, if you know you're on Bainbridge and Fifth, all you have to do is walk from 3rd to 4th to 5th, and then head south from South Street. If you get turned around, don't be reluctant to duck into a neighborhood pizza joint or deli and ask for directions. If you tell the truth: "I'm from out of town and I've parked my car at such-and-such a corner, and I can't seem to get back to it now," the owners will almost certainly help you get there.

GOODDAY I HAVE BEEN GOING TO SOUTH STREET FOR YEARS THERE ARE ALOT OF POLICE UNDERCOVER AND REGULAR COPS IT IS VERY SAFE PLACE TO BE REMEMBER THE WEALTHIEST PART OF PHILADELPHIA IS CENTER CITY AND SOUTH STREET IS IN CENTER CITY AND SOUTH STREET IS A BIG TOURIST ATTRACTION SO THE CITY DOESNT WANT ANYTHING HAPPENING AROUND THE AREA THE CITY IS ALIVE AFTER DARK ALOT OF PEOPLE AROUND IT IS NOT LIKE OTHER MAJOR U.S.A. CITIES WHERE IT CLOSES AFTER DARK LIKE TAMPA FLORIDA WHERE NOBODY IS ON THE STREET I HAVE TRAVELED EXTENSIVELY IN THE UNITED STATES AND PHILADELPHIA HAS A VERY SAFE CENTER CITY DONT WORRY THEY WILL HAVE A GOODTIME ON SOUHT STREET IN CENTER CITY PHILADELPHIA ALL THE BEST JOSEPH M. OTT ,A.S.,B.A.,M.A.,C.C.H. OF SAINT PETERSBURG FLORIDA AND HISTORIC PHILADELPHIA

parking is a headache in the south street area. i usually park on either street that runs parallel to south (bainbridge or lombard) around 10th street then walk the rest of the way. after 10th street, the neighborhood starts to change and i wouldn't recommend it. for someone unfamiliar with the area, i would recommend just parking in one of the garages. it's hard to find a spot even when you're familiar with the area.

as for the safety factor, the area is a tourist attraction, so the police do make their presence known, especially when there are crowds around, which there always are on weekeend nights. there are ALWAYS picpockets and bums around too, though, so obviously your daughter needs to exercise good sense. i'm 32 and having been going to south street since i was a teenager. i've never had a problem, but i also know when my "spider sense" starts tingling that it's time to get moving. she will have no problem as long as she's not to sheltered/naive.

All the best!