Philly on the Acela is 90 minutes. There are a lot of taxis outside the station. Take one to the Barnes Foundation and have lunch there (need reservation for both museum and the galleries.)

As someone who also has mobility issues, I would recommend going to a larger station that has red caps. In DC, the red cap will take your mother in an electric cart or wheelchair directly from from.of station to train. You just need to attire at least 30 minutes early. You really need Acela, because many of other trains leave from lower tracks and that can require walking up steep narrow steps to board the train. In Philadelphia, the train conductor can arrange for a red cap to meet the train and take you directly to a taxi. Agree with poster who said to go to a restaurant in Rittenhouse Square area for lunch. It will be easy to get a train back, because of frequency of trains to DC. Any trains going south leave from lower tracks, so might not work.

Isn’t Harper’s Ferry steep with little sidewalks?

Anonymous wrote:Harper’s ferry?

OP, try Harper's Ferry

The Capitol Limited 29 goes there every day. I haven't been on it. It leaves from Union Station.

https://www.amtrak.com/capitol-limited-train

Second stop is Harpers Ferry.

https://www.greatamericanstations.com/stations/harpers-ferry-wv-hfy

I don't know how accessible Harpers Ferry is, though.

https://wonderswithinreach.com/2023/05/wheelchair-accessible-harpers-ferry/

Ashland, VA and Old Town Manassas might be nice. The only problem is getting back to DC, the return trip might take a long time. (Amtrak is often delayed south of DC). Perhaps someone could drive to pick you guys up for the return journey?

For this reason, i would really consider going to a station that is accessible by Acela, and booking Acela tickets. Much more comfortable/reliable/frequent.

Philly's train station is so wonderfully old fashioned, you could literally walk out to a cab on 29th st no problem, but it is true that half the station is boarded up due to renovations. All they have in the station is a hudson news stand and a dunkin outpost.

No advice...but this is really kind of you.

Fredericksburg VA. The station is at the edge of the old town, which is full of little cafes and restaurants. You can then walk across the bridge to see the riverfront.

Harper’s ferry?

Frederick MD

The train station in Philly is iconic and a nice space. Upon leaving the station, immediately get a cab, take the short ride to Rittenhouse square, eat at Parc or one of the nice restaurants there, and then turn around and come home.

You could just do the Alexandria VRA station. There is a free trolley that leaves from the Metro station (next door to the VRA station) that goes up and down King Street and there are lots of nice little lunch spots along there.

This is the OP. We just moved here like 6 months ago due to DH job, so honestly we do not know about Richmond. I have been to Philly though for work and I know that would be too overwhelming for her.

This so actually for her BD so I want to get it right!

Wilmington, maybe? Charlottesville would also work (the station is tiny and right in a cute walkable area) but it's probably closer to 3 hours if I remember correctly.

Would Richmond work?

I don’t have a specific suggestion, but just wanted to say how lovely this is that you want to do this for your parent. It will be a sweet memory for you both.

I would like to take my elderly parent on a short train journey ending up somewhere it is easy to grab a nice lunch near the station. She used to travel by train a lot when she was young and it would bring her much joy. She does use a walker, but I think she will be fine with help from the conductors.

I think max 2 hrs, we would be leaving from Union Station. Philly would be too overwhelming, the stop should be a smaller place that’s not so crowded or hard to navigate.

Anyone have any ideas?