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Penn Center/Suburban Station
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Penn Center/Suburban Station

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See all things to do
Penn Center/Suburban Station
3.5
66
#205 of 481 things to do in Philadelphia
Points of Interest & Landmarks
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Top ways to experience Penn Center/Suburban Station and nearby attractions

The area
Address
Neighborhood: City Center West
How to get there
  • 15th St • 3 min walk
  • 15th St • 3 min walk
Best nearby
Restaurants
2,641 within 3 miles
Gran Caffe L'Aquila
781
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Italian • Cafe • Tuscan
Tria Cafe Rittenhouse
430
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Bar • Cafe • Mediterranean
The Dandelion
1,288
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Bar • European • British
Oyster House
917
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • American • Bar • Seafood
Luke's Lobster Rittenhouse
296
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Quick Bites • American • Seafood
Ocean Prime
357
0.2 mi$$$$ • American • Seafood • Vegetarian Friendly
Butcher and Singer
856
0.3 mi$$$$ • American • Steakhouse • Gluten Free Options
Alma de Cuba
952
0.3 mi$$$$ • Latin • International • Cuban
HipCityVeg
224
0.3 mi$ • Quick Bites • American • Fast Food
The Capital Grille
849
0.3 mi$$$$ • American • Steakhouse • Vegetarian Friendly
See all
Attractions
405 within 6 miles
One Liberty Observation Deck
1,248
432 ftObservation Decks & Towers
Comcast Experience
170
403 ftPoints of Interest & Landmarks
Love Park
836
0.1 miParks
Comcast Center
2
403 ftArchitectural Buildings
Dilworth Park
182
0.1 miParks
Masonic Temple
643
0.2 miLibraries • Religious Sites
The Clothespin
11
0.1 miPoints of Interest & Landmarks • Monuments & Statues
Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
408
0.2 miArt Museums
Board Game Art Park
29
0.1 miPoints of Interest & Landmarks • Parks
Shops at Liberty Place
80
0.1 miArchitectural Buildings • Shopping Malls
See all
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
3.5
66 reviews
Excellent
11
Very good
28
Average
13
Poor
5
Terrible
9
Dwayne L
Columbia, Maryland, United States41 contributions
Hoppin' during the day, less so at night.
Solo
This is a real Jeckle & Hyde experience.
During the day this is a cool urban Art Deco mall and food court, at night it's post apocalyptic.
and due to locked doors, requires a LOOOOOONG lonely walk to exit to the street. You may encounter some "characters" on this walk. Not really recommended for late nights, or weekends after 5
Written March 20, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
DSickman
Bensalem, PA26 contributions
I lived here from 8 to 5 for 33 years
no two days are the same, stay away from every secluded place
Written July 9, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
DeanMurphy2020
Orlando, FL7,462 contributions
Philly’s Grand Central
Solo
How many people walk past NY’s iconic Empire State Building and never look up, or pass through Grand Central Station and not notice the bustle of a subterranean city? The latter is the case for Penn Center, truly the heart of the city. I came across this marvel of years gone by, when transferring from Market Street Blue Line. I walked through a labyrinth or corridors lined with shops. What is it with Philly’s love of Dunkin Donuts? There must have been as dozen (chortle, chortle) locations throughout this major transportation hub.
Written May 29, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Barbara O
1 contribution
Suburban Station Caters to the Homeless, not Travelers
Solo
Unfortunately, there aren't enough shelters or people choose not to stay in them, so there are homeless men, mostly, seemingly living here. I had to take a train early Sunday morning and had nowhere to sit because all the benches were taken by homeless people, either sitting or lying down on the benches. There are hygiene issues. Two men who seemed mentally unstable were screaming hostile comments at the crowd, and it felt uncomfortable for me as a 60 year-old woman to be there alone waiting for my train. I don't know if I'm inhumane to feel the way I did, but I resented the environment as a taxpayer and paying customer. This is a major train hub in a major city. Surely, Philadelphia could come up with a better solution, especially the countless churches if the city can't get its act together
Written February 17, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
DinningMaster
Plymouth Meeting, PA2 contributions
Suburban Station is Smelly
Business
The suburban station is now becoming the shelter for homeless and therefore making the place smells stinky, unsafe, and dirty. The benches are all occupied by the homeless, and I do not even want to sit down because it so dirty.
Written February 3, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Commuter17
Jenkintown, PA1 contribution
Homeless Heaven
Friends
If you like navigating your way through hoards of homeless squatters with NO transit police in site, then Suburban Station is for you. Very SCARY place and SEPTA has no plans to fix the problem.
Written March 18, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
NTP66
Willow Grove, PA492 contributions
Easily the worst of the three center city transportation hubs
Business
Suburban Station is just awful; there's no sugar coating it. From the panhandlers to the homeless to the low bar shopping, it has no real redeeming value other than providing a method for you to actually leave the area (via train). The tracks are numbered out of order, so for anyone new to the area, good luck trying to find the two tracks that are only accessible via hidden stairwells.
Written July 26, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
FoodObsessed44
New York City, NY56 contributions
Disgusting and ineffective
Couples
Suburban Station is filthy and loaded with homeless people - I saw an individual take drugs. Heaven forbid you need to use the bathroom...yuck. As SEPTA is the world's least reliable means of transportation, you can be rest assured you'll be spending some time waiting for your train (which will undoubtedly be late).

The location is good in terms of things to do (phila is an awesome city), but that's all I can say in a positive light about this place.
Written January 1, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
jamesthos
20 contributions
Sad Reflection on Phila
Business
Especially this time of year, a visit to the station can be heartbreaking. There is a large armed police presence, whose primary purpose is to chase away homeless people, whose numbers are legion. As to the fast food joints, they are all overpriced because of the onerous rents that Septa imposes. Unless you are a commuter and obliged to pass through, the locale is best avoided.
Written December 2, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Kac N
Boyertown, PA149 contributions
Interesting site
Friends
It was a cool place to duck into after walking around Christmas village. Great service at Star bucks and history on the walls.
Written December 15, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Penn Center/Suburban Station (Philadelphia) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go

Frequently Asked Questions about Penn Center/Suburban Station
We recommend booking Penn Center/Suburban Station tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 3 Penn Center/Suburban Station tours on Tripadvisor
Restaurants near Penn Center/Suburban Station: View all restaurants near Penn Center/Suburban Station on Tripadvisor