I wrote this article for The Phoenix back in April 7, 2006. At the end I've included some up-to-date notes. It is interesting to note, 10 years later, the changes...
With summer just around the corner, I thought it may be helpful to rate the different arenas, stadiums and venues in our area, specifically in regards to accessibility. Newer venues must be in code with the Americans with Disabilities Act, but you will be surprised how many places may still be adhering to the law, yet are not accessible as they can be.
My vote for the top venues, in no specific order:
WACHOVIA CENTER-PHILADELPHIA
The Wachovia Center is the home of both the Philadelphia Flyers and 76ers, as well as serving as an arena for many other events, including major concerts. I find it a great place to see a multitude of events for several different reasons. First, parking is not a problem. There are a lot of handicapped spaces, but you must get there early enough to get one. Regardless, you can literally park right across the street from the door. How easy is that?
As with most new venues, you also have the option of sitting either upstairs or downstairs. Both sections are accessible to wheelchairs. You are taken on a mini hydraulic lift to a platform area which raises you up above the crowd in front of you. That way, if someone stands up, you can still see most of the event. Either way, you feel part of the crowd and not isolated from it, such as in older arenas.
It also has very easy access to get to and from your seat, which is very important in case of a medical emergency. There are plenty of handicapped accessible bathrooms and the staff are genrally friendly.
The only drawback to the Wachovia Center is that it can get fairly crowded in the handicapped section during a sold-out event. You sometimes feel squeezed in and can't sit against the glass (there is a Plexiglas barrier in front, but it is low enough to see over).
LINCOLN FINANCIAL FIELD-PHILADELPHIA
The Lincoln Financial Field is home to the Eagles. Again, you can sit upstairs or downstairs. However, the advantage of sitting downstairs is, of course, you are closer to the action. In addition, you are protected from the sometimes harsh, windy and cold weather of South Philly in the winter by overhead shelter.
If you are watching a football game, you are seated near the 10-yard line which is not a bad site. Plus, you are so close to the field, you feel as though you can touch the grass. The handicapped area is wide, and you can wheel right up to the railing. The nearest scoreboard is hard to see, but there are two gigantic scoreboards at each end of the field, so it's not that big of a deal. Parking can be a problem and you may have to walk (or wheel) a distance, but as with every venue, if you can't find a handicapped spot, just ask to be dropped off in front of the stadium.
CITIZEN'S BANK PARK-PHILADELPHIA
Citizen's Bank Park hails as the new home of the Phillies. There are numerous places for someone in a wheelchair to sit for a baseball game, whether it is along third base, first base, or down the foul lines. I usually sit in back of fist base because you can see the left field scoreboard much better. My first game at The Bank was behind third base, It was OK, but half of the scoreboard was blocked off by overhead TV monitors.
Once again, the field is very close, and accessibility to your seat is awesome. There are vendors in back of you, so you don't have to go far for food. Access in and out of the stadium is easy, and although Ashburn Alley (the cool walkway behind the outfield fence, which is loaded with places to eat and things to buy)is a bumpy ride because of the cobblestone and brick surface, it is still a must-see place.
P.S. If you can afford to eat at Harry The K's restaurant overlooking the left field bleachers, do it, even if it's just one time. It's fun to have lunch or dinner there while gazing at the beauty of the ballpark or while watching batting practice.
My vote for the worst , least-accessible venues:
TWEETER CENTER-CAMDEN
The Tweeter center is a summer shed concert venue which can be enclosed for colder weather events. it is relatively new venue for concerts, but surprisingly inaccessible. You are forced to sit about three-quarters of the way up the venue, located in back of a section of seats. When the crowd stands in front of you, there is no way of seeing anything. It is a bright, clean place, with wide aisles, but if you can't see the show, what good is it?
MANN MUSIC CENTER-PHILADELPHIA
The Mann Music center,formerly known as the Robin Hood Dell, is famous for summer concerts. it is an older venue,but looks much better than the Tweeter Center because of the lovely trees around the venue (it is nestled in Fairmount Park). However, accessibility is tough, but then again, it is an older place. Unless you are lucky enough or can afford to purchase orchestra pit seating, you will be placed in the middle of the venue, either to the left or right of the stage.
Note: They will be doing renovations soon to the Man,so hopefully they will make it moer handicapped accessible.
LIACOURAS CENTER, TEMPLE UNIVERSITY-PHILADELPHIA
The Liacouras Center is home to Temple Owls basketball, as well as smaller concerts and events. This venue could be dubbed "middle-aged." For handicapped accessible seating, you need to sit up high, and on top of that, parking is a real issue. You must park in Temple's parking lot garage and then it is a long walk (or wheel) to the venue.
THE SPECTRUM-PHILADELPHIA
The Spectrum is home to the Flyers and 76ers, but has now become home to the Phantoms, Kixx, Wings and various other events, such as concerts and the circus. Because the venue is old, handicapped seating is way in the back. Plus, you must deal with people standing up in front of you. Along with the now dearly departed Veterans Stadium, The Spectrum was where I saw most of my sports and concerts while growing up. The newer venues make you realize how far we have come as a society in just a few decades, regarding accessibility.
Up-to-date notes:
I'm happy to say that in 2017, most, if not all of the venues mentioned above have better accessibility ofr folks in wheelchairs. Citizen's Bank Park remains my favorite because it's so easy to get around, and a ballgame or concert at CBP means it's summer.
The Spectrum no longer exists. Even though accessibility was an issue there, I'm thinking the opposite as I did 10 years ago. I remarked how the new venues made you appreciate accessibility, and it's still true. But I do miss the charm of the Spectrum, it's closeness to the action, and it's history.
The Wachovia Center underwent several names changes over the years and is now known as the Wells Fargo Center. It remains fairly accessible, and, as with most of the venues, now offers even more accessible seating.
The Tweeter Center changed it's name to the BG&T Pavilion. It remains a nice facility, and it's handicapped seating locations have improved.
The Mann Music Center now offers accessible seating upstairs, which overlooks the stage, but getting to those seats is hard. If you go to the Mann, you should sit downstairs to avoid the hassle of wheeling mostly uphill-over rough terrain- to get upstairs ( they have no elevators).
The Linc is accessible, but it is a long way to your seat, despite elevators which take you to each level. Plus, I've found the wheelchair-only special sections are sometimes violated by able-bodied fans, since the viewpoint is so good. The ushers do a good job in weeding out the phonies.
I failed to mention one other local venue 10 years ago- the Tower Theater in Upper Darby.
As it was back then, sadly, the Tower is still very inaccessible to individuals in wheelchairs. The Tower is old, but despite fairly recent "renovations", the seating is terrible.You are either all the way in the back or against a wall with the crowd standing in front of you.
The most inaccessible venue around!
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