Credit: Eunice
By going to school in Philadelphia, Penn students can access a culturally rich, vibrant city with so much to explore beyond campus.
While it may feel easiest to stay within the “Penn bubble” close to campus, there are plenty of ways to burst it — exploring Philadelphia while giving back, too.
Getting around
Penn operates its own bus services that run Mondays through Fridays from 4 p.m. to 12 a.m. daily. Evening shuttles are available seven days a week within campus boundaries and, during limited hours, into Center City. These services are free with a PennCard, as are Drexel University buses.
Students can utilize SEPTA buses or trains — which include trolleys into Center City and buses that connect campus to different neighborhoods — to venture farther outside the blocks that comprise Penn’s campus and into the city. SEPTA services are due to be reduced significantly this month because of budget cuts. For Penn, this will mean reduced bus offerings and no trolley service after 9 p.m.
Students can also take Amtrak — which offers a 15% discount for college students — from the nearby William H. Gray III 30th Street Station to access other cities on the East Coast.
Exploring Philadelphia
The Schuylkill River Trail — a riverside path with views of the city that is popular for runners, walkers, and bikers alike — is a short walk from Penn’s campus. Wissahickon Valley Park and Fairmount Park also offer expansive access to nature.
A walk along the Schuylkill River leads to Philadelphia Museum of Art, which houses one of the nation’s most expansive fine art collections and offers “Pay What You Wish” admission on the first Sunday of each month.
Other notable museums nearby include the Rodin Museum, the Barnes Foundation, and the science-focused Franklin Institute. Philadelphia’s cultural offerings also include orchestra concerts at the Kimmel Center and Broadway musicals at the Academy of Music, which recently hosted “Hamilton” and will soon feature “Kimberly Akimbo.”
The Philadelphia Chinese Lantern Festival is held in Old City every evening through the end of August. Philadelphia’s annual Christmas Village will begin in front of City Hall after Thanksgiving.
On Saturday mornings from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., vendors from across the region flock to the Rittenhouse Square Farmers’ Market, selling produce, bread, plants, and more. For a shorter walk, the Clark Park Farmers’ Market also takes place on Saturday mornings.
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Engaging with the surrounding community
Penn also offers numerous opportunities to engage with the neighboring community. These include Academically Based Community Service courses — known by their acronym, ABCS — which allow Penn students to connect with West Philadelphia students while earning academic credit.
These courses are offered by the Netter Center for Community Partnerships, a hub for Penn’s community engagement, which also offers other volunteer opportunities that include math and writing tutoring, sports, food security, and mental health support.
Opportunities for community involvement are also available through Penn’s Civic House, where students can work alongside Philadelphia-area nonprofits, join trips focused on social justice issues, or tutor West Philadelphia students in various academic subjects.
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