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GETTING THERE: The Mummers Museum (1100 S. Second St., 215-336-3050, http://riverfrontmummers.com/museum.html ) and the area of the Mummers after-parade partying is roughly 2 1/2 hours from Washington by car. From I-95, take Exit 17 (Route 611 north/Broad Street). Go 2 1/2 miles north on Broad Street, turn right onto Washington Avenue and continue to Second Street (about 12 blocks).

BEING THERE: The after-parade activities build slowly along "Two Street" in the hours after the official marching ends on Broad. Local Mummers groups gather, and the comics and string bands play and march into the night. At other times, the Mummers Museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Sunday, noon to 4:30 p.m. (with extended hours May through September). Admission is $3.50 for adults and $2.50 for seniors, students and children under 12. The museum's free outdoor concerts run on Tuesdays from May through September, weather permitting; shows start at 8 p.m.

EATING THERE: Snockey's Oyster and Crab House (1020 S. Second Street, 215-339-9578) specializes in seafood, including six kinds of oysters shucked at the raw bar. Entrees from $10 to $39.50. Nearby, Dmitri's (759 S. Third St., 215-625-0556) is a small BYOB serving Greek seafood; grilled octopus is the specialty. Entrees from $9 to $20.

STAYING THERE: Located in the heart of Center City, the Alexander Inn (12th and Spruce streets, 877-253-9466, http://www.alexanderinn.com/ ) is a boutique hotel with a deco-style motif. Doubles from $109 to $159; price includes a breakfast buffet. The Penn's View Hotel (Front and Market streets, 800-331-7634, http://www.pennsviewhotel.com/ ), which overlooks the Delaware River, is housed in a 1828 building in Old City near historical sites. Rooms toward the rear and away from I-95 are quieter. Doubles from $145 and $205, including breakfast.

INFO: Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corp. , 800-537-7676, http://www.gophila.com/ .