Tips on navigating the Eagles Super Bowl parade

The Eagles are once again Super Bowl champions, and if you were here for their 2018 victory over the New England Patriots, then you know that the city will be chaotic.

Millions are already projected to pack Broad St to celebrate this historic win, and the city began preparations as soon as the game ended, with the Philadelphia School District closing schools and SEPTA tweaking schedules to support the influx of people. PHL17 has compiled some tips and tricks to ensure you have the best experience possible.

Tips and Tricks:

• Get there early! You will not avoid the crowds anywhere but your best shot at getting a good look at the trophy is to beat the crowds.
• That being said, I have a plan to get there. Multiple streets will be closed and SEPTA has a special parade service so plan accordingly. It’s probably your best bet to ditch the car during the parade; it’s not worth navigating the crowds, traffic, and road closures for the comfort of your own vehicle.
• Dress appropriately! You will be out in the elements for a long period of time. Make sure you wear warm clothing and comfortable shoes. Be warned those streets may be dirty, you may step in mud, and you will get stepped on so wear shoes you can clean or don’t mind tossing.
• Have patience with your phone. There will be millions of people on the streets of Philly trying to find their friends, take pictures, livestream, and more so the odds of you having a good reception are very dim. So if you go with a group, stick together and have a meeting point in case of emergencies. Charge your phone up the night before or bring a portable charger so you can take all the photos you want. At the end of the day don’t worry about your phone and live in the moment!
• Bathroom access will be sparse… do not sacrifice hydrating yourself but prepare for long lines and less than ideal porta potties.
• That being said, make sure to bring your own food and beverages. Eat something beforehand to carry you through to lunch but bring a snack to munch on while you’re there. And no beverages you should bring do not include alcohol open containers are still illegal when the birds win.

Best spots to watch:

• Marconi Plaza: If you’re a South Philly local and want to get your celebration done early in the parade Marconi Plaza is your spot. Close to Pattison Avenue where the parade will begin, the plaza has more than enough room for fans to spread out and cheer as the buses pass.
• South Broad: Any spot on South Broad Street is your pick of the litter as there will not be an “ideal” spot. Remember the open SEPTA stations on South Broad are Walnut-Locust, Snyder, Oregon, and NRG so crowds will most likely be denser around the stations rather than farther away from them.
• Get Creative and look for a spot to watch the parade from above. That does not mean climbing poles and trees but rather finding establishments with upstairs areas where you could watch the parade from.
• Ben Franklin Parkway: If you’re dying to see one of our Eagles recreate a Jason Kelce-type speech then you need to head to the parkway. This is the last stop on the parade and where a rally will be held from 2 pm to 3 pm. It will be packed and you may not be close enough to see the writing on the Lombardi trophy but there will be a few large projectors and more than enough speakers for those farther back on the parkway.

Wherever or however you decide to watch the parade make sure to stay safe, stay warm, and have a good time.