Editor’s note: This article was initially published in The Daily Gazette, Swarthmore’s online, daily newspaper founded in Fall 1996. As of Fall 2018, the DG has merged with The Phoenix. See the about page to read more about the DG.
If you don’t want to stick around for the Signs and Voices Conference or the parties on campus this weekend, take the R3 into Philly!
Chinatown, just a block away from Market East station, is a great place to spend the day walking aimlessly. In addition to the more well-known Asian restaurants like Penang, many authentic restaurants are waiting to be discovered. Try spending a day wandering around this part of Philadelphia, discover the Asian supermarkets, and visit the neat antique stores.
Also at Market East station is Reading Terminal Market. If you haven’t been here yet, you should go as soon as you can. It’s a bustling food heaven and can satisfy any food craving, from Southern and Greek to Sushi and Indian. After you’ve eaten, hop the train to Suburban station (or for the more athletically inclined, walk) and do some shopping at H&M and Daffy’s Department store. Both of these stores offer fun clothing at cheaper prices than Express or Ann Taylor, and they’re geared for the teenage/early twenties crowd. If you’re itching for some more traditional shopping at Express, there’s a mall across the street from H&M that can satisfy your desires.
So take that free Saturday or Sunday and put it to good use: go into Philly and wander around. The City has a lot to offer – don’t let it go to waste!
