Fireworks Philadelphia New Years Eve

Take the El on Market Street, East to 2nd street and just follow the crowds a block or two to a good spot. People will be helpful, and the Marriott desk will be happy to tell you how to use our fare system.

Assuming your folks who cannot walk long distances also might have difficulty with stairs (the elevators at certain SEPTA stations for the Market-Frankford El aren't always reliable, plus they usually smell like pee), I would suggest you either get a taxi or Uber from Marriott (you are talking about $10 each way), or look for the bus shelter across the street from the Market Street entrance to the hotel and take SEPTA Bus Routes 17, 33 or 48 heading for Penn's Landing. Additionally, if the Phlash Bus is running, that will also run you down to Penn's Landing - but it doesn't stop at every corner, so ask them at the hotel where you should board (I know there is a stop somewhere over near Reading Terminal Market which is right near Marriott).

Penn's Landing is where the majority of people will be watching the fireworks at both 6PM and Midnight as it offers the most real estate for the crowds to spread out - other spots would be the RiverRink where there is ice skating and also Race Street and Cherry Street Piers.

Just want to say thank you for the advice I got here.
We ended up taking an Uber to and from ---a skill set that my son excels at to my annoyance usually. But was glad he was able to get us there and back easily. Funnily enough, the first Uber driver had lived in my dad's home town before moving to Philly. ( fare was about 15 each way which I thought well worth eliminating steps and walking .
We watched from the Race Street pier- brought chairs but there was seating there. Great view enhanced by the young couple who got engaged in front of us at midnight. Fireworks were lovely - nice people as well. Not very crowded but that may have been because we weren't near the ice rink and also I think NYers definition of crowded is different even from other cities.
Enjoyed the Mummers Parade as well - had seats in grandstand but didn't realize or plan well enough. Tortured my brother ( was cold and thought the parade would only be 2 hours) into staying till 2 PM so we could see some of the string bands. My son had planned to join his dad in New York for dad's birthday and bailed at 12 Noon for an Amtrak home/
So ,all in all, it was a wonderful start to 2020. Hope we all enjoy great travels in the coming year and decade