Philly PHLASH Downtown Loop aims to be the easy and afforable way to see the city

There’s an easier way to travel around the city of Philadelphia this summer, and the Philadelphia Visitor Center Corporation made sure of that.

The organization has brought back the award-winning Philly PHLASH Downtown Loop, which provides locals and tourists with an accessible way to visit some of the city’s most notable destinations throughout Philadelphia.

And there’s a reason this service is back for its 29th year in 2023. The “trusted anchor and contributor to Philadelphia’s tourism economy” partners with different locales, and ultimately, brings in an estimated $1.5 million in net new revenue, given the accessibility it provides.

Promoting its route as quick, convenient, and affordable, the Philly PHLASH Downtown Loop stops at 19 popular locations including the Delaware River Waterfront, Philadelphia Museum of Art, Reading Terminal Market, the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, and Independence National Historical Park.

Now through Sept. 4, the loop will run daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., providing service to each stop every 15 minutes. From Sept. 8 through Dec. 24, PHLASH will run with weekend-only service (Friday through Sunday) from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., a release finishes.

New this year and added to the service’s normal partnerships is a team-up with Comcast and a new stop on the Comcast Center Campus, at 18th Street and John F. Kennedy Boulevard. This particular stop includes The Universal SphereTM, a free, cinematic experience in the Comcast Technology Center (with sensory-friendly and accessible offerings available.)

There’s also The Comcast Experience, a 27-million-pixel video wall in the Comcast Center, plus eateries and other views when you opt to hop off here. Another new addition to Philly PHLASH comes in the form of a new shuttle connecting the Downtown Loop to the Penn Museum in West Philadelphia.

As a release states, the shuttle will leave hourly, Tuesday through Sunday, from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. from the PHLASH Transfer Stop at Pennsylvania and Fairmount Avenues. The shuttle directly links to the Penn Museum in West Philadelphia and drops off visitors outside the museum at 33rd and South Streets.

While on the Philly Phlash this summer, riders can also make stops at the Museum of Illusions at 4th and Market Streets; Disney 100: The Exhibition at the Franklin Institute; the Black Founders exhibit at the Museum of the American Revolution; The Universal Sphere in the Comcast Technology Center; and Rising Sun Artists in an Uncertain America at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts and the African American Museum in Philadelphia.

The experience comes out to be $5 for an all-day ride, or $2 per ride. There is also an option to purchase an exclusive $9 two-day pass online only. SEPTA Key card and pass holders, children age four and under, and seniors ride free for the entire season, and the PHLASH is wheelchair-accessible, plus service animals are welcome, the release also states.

Passes can be purchased at the Independence Visitor Center, online at PHLvisitorcenter.com/PHLASH, or onboard with exact cash. The Philly PHLASH Downtown Loop also offers discounted daily parking rates at five PPA garages.

To redeem, riders can present a valid PHLASH pass from the current day to the garage management office before exiting (riders must enter the garage after 9 a.m. and exit by 7 p.m. to receive the discount.) A list of participating garages include the AutoPark at 2nd and Sansom Streets for $11, AutoPark at Independence Mall, 5th & Market Streets for $14, Parkade on 8th Street, 801 Filbert Street for $11, AutoPark at Jefferson, 10th & Ludlow Streets for $11 and the AutoPark at The Fashion District, 10th & Filbert Streets for $11.

For more information, visit phlvisitorcenter.com