CIEAEM76 Travel Advice

CIEAEM 76 21-25 July, 2025

Basic Travel Information:

Most visitors to the United States will need a tourist visa to enter the country. Details are at the following link: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/tourism-visit.html

Many participants in CIEAEM will enter under the visa waiver program. Check the list of countries to see if you have a passport from such as country. Bermuda and Canada also have special status.

Informations de base de voyage :

La plupart des visiteurs aux États-Unis auront besoin d'un visa touristique pour entrer dans le pays. Vous trouverez les détails sur le lien suivant : https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/tourism-visit.html

De nombreux participants au CIEAEM entreront dans le cadre du programme d'exemption de visa. Vérifiez la liste des pays pour voir si vous avez un passeport de ce pays. Les Bermudes et le Canada ont également un statut spécial.

Travel to Philadelphia and Arcadia :

The Philadelphia Airport is PHL. However, you may find it much cheaper to fly to NEWARK, NJ, EWR, and then taking a train or bus to Philadelphia. Warning: JFK is VERY FAR on the other side of New York City – unless you are planning some days in New York prior to the conference, this airport is NOT a good choice.

From Center City Philadelphia, the best travel option to Arcadia is a SEPTA TRAIN to the GLENSIDE STATION. Several train lines pass through this station. From there, it is a ten-minute walk to the university campus. (There is also a bus to campus, but the bus needs careful planning.) Walk along Easton Road to Arcadia …

The conference is in the Castle on campus – it is difficult not to see it.

Voyager vers Philadelphie et Arcadia :

L'aéroport de Philadelphie est PHL. Cependant, vous trouverez peut-être beaucoup moins cher de prendre l'avion jusqu'à NEWARK, NJ, EWR, puis de prendre un train ou un bus jusqu'à Philadelphie. Attention : JFK est TRÈS LOIN de l'autre côté de New York City – à moins que vous ne prévoyiez de passer quelques jours à New York avant la conférence, cet aéroport n'est PAS un bon choix.

Depuis le centre-ville de Philadelphie, la meilleure option de transport vers Arcadia est le TRAIN SEPTA jusqu'à la GARE DE GLENSIDE. Plusieurs lignes de train passent par cette gare. De là, il faut marcher dix minutes pour rejoindre le campus universitaire. (Il y a aussi un bus pour le campus, mais le bus nécessite une planification minutieuse.) Marchez le long d'Easton Road jusqu'à Arcadia …

La conférence se déroule dans le château sur le campus – il est difficile de ne pas le voir.

ACCOMODATIONS :

J'ai négocié avec plusieurs hôtels à Philadelphie. Les détails suivront.

I have been negotiating with various hotels in Philadelphia. Details will follow.

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Some Detailed Notes on Philadelphia and Getting to CIEAEM at Arcadia University

1.  Getting to Philadelphia.

Many of you will fly to Philadelphia International Airport, and then take the 20 minute  SEPTA train to Suburban Station or Market East to get to your hotel. Trains run about every 20 minutes, and that works well. Taxis might cost about $25-50.

Alternatives to the PHL include flying to Newark and taking an Amtrak or NJTransit train to 30th Street Station in Philadelphia, or a Chinatown or Bullet bus from New York or Washington, D.C., which are excellent alternatives and are often far cheaper.

2.  Accommodations.

·       Although Peter is negotiating with hotels, many people have found good deals on Hotwire or Hotels.com, and so on.

Other options include the following:

·       The Chestnut Hill Hotel. http://chestnuthillphila.com/. A boutique hotel in a charming neighborhood not far from Arcadia, with only a few rooms. You would either drive a car or take the SEPTA #77 Bus (approx. 20 minutes) to Arcadia.

·       There are several hotels in Fort Washington, a not-interesting area near a highway not far from Arcadia. The Holiday Inn http://www.fwholiday.com/location.php, The Hilton Garden Inn http://hiltongardeninn3.hilton.com/en/hotels/pennsylvania/hilton-garden-inn-philadelphia-ft-washington-PHLFWGI/index.html, and the Best Western http://www.bestwesternfortwashington.com/.  For any of these, you would either drive about 10 minutes to Arcadia, or you could take the SEPTA Lansdale/Doylestown Line in the Direction of Philadelphia to Glenside.

3.  Getting to Arcadia University.

Public transportation from Center City, Philadelphia: Take  the SEPTA Lansdale/Doylestown or Warminster lines to Glenside Station. Walk south along Easton Road (approx. 10 minute walk), or use the SEPTA #22 bus or Uber/Lyft to Arcadia University. We are working on having cars at key times in the day to pick up those who are not able to walk or bus from the train station, and later to take people back to the train.

You can also travel entirely by bus, depending on where you are coming from: Take the SEPTA #22 to Arcadia University. Connect with the #22 from Broad Street Subway and SEPTA bus routes C, #18 and #26 at SEPTA center at Broad Street and Olney Avenue. From Mt. Airy/Cedarbrook take the SEPTA H bus and transfer to SEPTA #22 at Cheltenham Avenue and Easton Road.

4.  Food near Arcadia (other than lunch, provided with the conference):

·       The Ways – really good brewery & food

·       Michael’s across the street – adequate diner

·       El Limon – local chain favorite in every town around here

·       Jasmine Asian Bistro – local choice of royalty and plebs alike

·       The Glenside Pub – friendly locals chat with you if you sit at the bar

·       Roberts Block – wrong side of the train station for sliding into the train back to the city, but good place

·       Elcy’s – Casual nook for espresso and sandwiches, coffee in the Morn’ – at the train station

·       Produce Junction – large quantities of inexpensive produce

5.  Things to do in Philadelphia.

Way too much, it’s a great place. Don’t come here without at least considering the following:

·       Art Museums. The Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Barnes Museum, The Rodin Museum, the Institute for Contemporary Art

·       Must-see: Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens

·       Special Museums. The Mutter Museum (medical oddities), the Mummer Museum (unique!), The African American Museum, The National Museum of American Jewish History.

·       Historic stuff – Liberty Bell, Constitution Center, Independence Hall, Betsy Ross House, Ben Franklin everywhere, Elfreth’s Alley, more, more, more…

·       A Mural Arts Tour – fantastic! // A Boat Ride to Bartram’s Garden – peaceful! // Walk on Forbidden Drive // visit the Rocky Statue and don’t take a photo.

·       Neighborhoods. The Gayborhood. https://www.visitphilly.com/articles/philadelphia/essential-lgbt-sites-things-to-do-philadelphia/#the-gayborhood. Rittenhouse Square; University City; South Street; Italian Market. Northern Liberties & Fishtown. Passyunk Square.

·       More than one cheesesteak so you can have a favorite and argue about which is best. Wit whiz or not, etc. (skip the Pat’s/Geno’s rivalry!)

·       Around the convention center is Chinatown (hand-drawn noodles! Dim sum!)  and Reading Terminal Market (don’t miss it!). Also, a quick hop to the Gayborhood bars and restaurants.