Philadelphia

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Located in Pennsylvania, Philadelphia is the fourth largest metro region in the United States of America and fifth largest city.

Contents

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Understand

Philadelphia can be considered the birthplace of the United States. The Declaration of Independence was signed here, and the Constitution was written here as well. Philadelphia also served as the capital of the United States until 1800. Today Philadelphia is home to over 1.5 million people, many of whom call it by its nickname "Philly". Like many cities, Philadelphia is home to many ethnic groups many of whom have started businesses in various parts of the city.

The main areas of the city of interest to visitors are Center City, West Philadelphia (particularly University City), and the Northwest. Center City is the main downtown area, and is central to many public transportation systems. To a first time visitor, Center City would be the ideal choice to stay in and visit, with by far the most lodging options and major sights. West Philadelphia is home to several universities, including the University of Pennsylvania and Drexel University. The Northwest includes the historic neighborhoods of Chestnut Hill and Germantown, and a popular shopping and restaurant district in Manayunk. as well as a large wooded park running for miles in the Wissahickon Valley.

Many people believe that Philadelphia is an ideal city to live in because of its proximity to other big cities, like New York and Washington D.C. However, many Philadelphians themselves live in Philadelphia because they like the city itself.

Philadelphians are famous for loving their pretzels and cheesesteaks. Food trucks abound on the sidewalks of Center City and West Philly, many of them specializing in Philly cheesesteaks and/or pretzels but others offering a surprising array of meals, from ethnic dishes like falafel and crepes to snacks like fruit salad and bagels.

The city is home to many "Historic Districts" which are a boon to the residents' lives. These historic districts allow people to see homes and even neighbourhoods showcased in their ancient grandeur. One such example would be Elfreth's Alley which is the oldest neighbourhood that has been continuously occupied by residents since the birth of the nation. One of the larger historic districts in the city covers nearly the entire neighborhood of Chestnut Hill, in the far northwestern corner of the city.

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Districts

Like every big city, Philadelphia has many neighborhoods, each with its own identity.

  • Center City -- includes art museums, chinatown, and Washington Square West.
  • Old City -- The Liberty Bell and Independence Park.
  • South Philly -- Italian neighborhoods, FDR Park.
  • West Philly -- The University of Pennsylvania and Drexel University (University City), Powelton Village, and the Philadelphia Zoo
  • Manayunk -- National Historic District
  • East Falls -- Philadelphia University
  • Mt. Airy -- North By Northwest
  • Northern Liberties -- the "New Manayunk" - an immensely popular neighborhood with trendy shops and bars.
  • Northeast Philadelphia -- Franklin Mills Mall
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Get in

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By plane

From Philadelphia International Airport there are many ways to get to your destination. Assuming one's destination is center city, Septa's R1 train is the fastest and ideal choice. You can buy a ticket to Center City for $5.50, or $7 for a ticket that will let you transfer to any other SEPTA commuter rail destination. Other options available are taxis (there is a $20.00 flat rate to center city) and airport shuttles (more information available by calling 215-937-6958)

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By train

The city is a major stop along Amtrak's Northeast Corridor line, with frequent trains (at least once an hour during the day) from New York and Washington. There are also two Amtrak trains a day from Pittsburgh and other points west. In addition, New Jersey Transit runs several trains per day from Atlantic City.

It's also possible to get to Philadelphia from New York via commuter rail, by taking NJ Transit from Penn Station to Trenton and then transferring to SEPTA regional rail. While this is about a third of the price of Amtrak from New York, it's more than an hour slower.

All of these trains arrive at 30th Street Station, which is is slightly west of Center City and very accessible by SEPTA's Elevated subway (Market/Frankford line) and its trolley trains which stop at the subway stop at 30th Street Station. Taxis are also always available outside the station.

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By bus

Philadelphia is connected by Greyhound, Trailways and Peter Pan to cities across the United States. There are also Chinatown buses to New York and Washington, which are amazingly cheap, but not very punctual: they also use tiny terminals in urban Chinatowns, which may not be a desirable place to wait for a bus.

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Get around

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Walking

As American downtowns go, Philadelphia's Center City is very easy and pleasant to explore on foot. The downtown was laid out long before the automobile, mostly in a recitilinear grid, with most of its streets narrow enough to slow down automobile traffic. It also has lots of homes (as well as old business buildings that have been turned into apartments and residences) so there are lots of people on the streets, and amenities for them, in much of Center City. You'll also find little parks and historic sites tucked in, often unexpectedly, on various blocks, and varied building architecture spanning over 350 years.

Look for colored "Walk Philadelphia" signs posted on many street corners in Center City and University City. These will show maps of the area you're walking through, and also point towards local places of interest.

Some old enamel street maps from the Bicentennial are still lurking around. They point you to a visitor center (at Love Park) that does not exist anymore!

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Bicycling

Here is a list of places you can rent bicycles from. The city also has some cycling maps showing recommended cycling routes, available online or from many bike shops. The Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia promotes cycling in the Philadelphia area. A regional bicycling map covering the Delaware Valley is available here.

Philadelphia is a particularly good city for bike riding since it is mostly flat terrain and there are several designated bike lanes. However, the older streets are sometimes rather narrow and can be intimidating for riders who are not accustomed to city riding.

The city last updated its City Bike Plan in 1995, and is currently in the process of a major revision, focusing on maximizing the potential that biking can offer this city's residents, students, workers and visitors. Much is expected in the coming months and seasons.

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Driving

In much of Center City, having a car can be more of a burden than a benefit. There are lots of narrow, traffic-choked one-way streets and turning restrictions. Parking in lots or garages can be very expensive (check the rate boards before entering to avoid nasty surprises), and legal on-street parking can be extremely difficult to find in popular areas. Consider walking (see above), public transit, or taxis instead. Taxis are cheap and can be hailed almost everywhere in Center City.

A car can be very useful, though, for visiting areas outside Center City and University City, where public transit isn't as comprehensive. Rental cars are available at the airport, at the 30th Street train station, and in some neighborhood locations.

If you'll be visiting Philly for a long time, you may want to consider Philly Car Share as an alternative to renting or buying a car. It can be cheaper for long term stays, and they even take care of gas and parking for you.

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Public transit

SEPTA is the main agency that runs Philadelphia's transportation system, which includes the elevated subway/rapid lines (the El and the Broad Street Line), subway-surface trolleys (called the green lines), buses, and the regional rail system. As of this writing (May, 2005), day passes, allowing riding anywhere within the city's transit system, cost $5.50 (and include a one-way regional rail ride). Cash fare for buses, trolleys, and subways is $2, but you can also pay the fare with a token if you buy ahead of time, which only costs $1.30. Tokens can be bought in quantities of 2 or more (most easily from vending machines) in many subway stations and other SEPTA sales locations.

Should you wish to transfer (subway to bus, bus to trolley) a transfer costs $.60. However transferring within the subway system (trolley to trolley, El to Broad Street line) is free at 30th Street, 15th Street, and City Hall stations.

If you plan on staying in Philadelphia for a week and using SEPTA a lot, purchasing a weekly pass is highly recommended. You can buy tokens and/or passes at the locations seen here

There are other transit agencies that get you around Philadelphia - South Jersey is closer than most of Philadelphia's suburbs, and is connected to Philadelphia via a subway/rapid transit line called PATCO. It has been rated as the most well-run Public transit agency in the country since its inception in the 1960s. Some destinations include the Camden Waterfront and Collingswood (which has a large arts community and scores of new restaurants), as well as connections to the brand new (2004) New Jersey Transit RiverLine, which can take you to many of the small river towns north of Camden which have been thriving since this new transit line's inception.

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See

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Art

You can see lots of art in Philly without ever entering a building. Philadelphia has the most public art of any city in the United States. There are hundreds of murals scattered through the city (see the Mural Arts Program website for a preview and tour; another site shows some of the murals in West Philly). Other public art of note includes the many glass mosaics; head down South Street east of Broad for a sampling. Last but not least, there are famous sculptures and statues such as The Kiss (known to locals as "The Clothespin") across the street from City Hall at Broad and Market Streets, and The Love Statue at Love Park on JFK Boulevard.

Museums can be found in Center City.

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Other museums

  • Academy of Natural Sciences. Not just a natural history museum, this institution also has an active research arm and library. Highlights of the museum include a 2-story dinosaur exhibit, a butterfly walk-through area, and a children's nature center with live animals. Special exhibits include an exhibit on chocolate in the summer of 2004, and the Lewis and Clark National Bicentennial Exhibition starting in November 2004. http://www.acnatsci.org/
  • The African American Museum in Philadelphia. http://www.aampmuseum.org/
  • Atwater Kent Museum of Philadelphia History. http://www.philadelphiahistory.org/
  • Independence Seaport Museum. http://seaport.philly.com/. This museum has lots of interesting displays regarding the maritime history of Philadelphia, from colonial times through the days of slave-trading to the Industrial Revolution. Highlights include a mockup of a navigation room and a place where you can view woodworkers handcrafting rowboats. The museum is located in Penn's Landing and has some great views of the Delaware River and the Ben Franklin Bridge.
  • The Franklin Institute Science Museum. http://www.fi.edu/. This museum attracts some of the top scientific exhibits in the world, including the Titanic Artifacts exhibit, an upcoming exhibit of the Egypian Treasures found in King Tut's tomb, and of course the 300th birthday celebration of Ben Franklin himself, which will be in 2006.
  • The Mutter Museum. Originally open only to medical students, this collection of medial oddities is quickly becoming one of the city's most popular attractions. http://www.collphyphil.org/muttpg1.shtml
  • The National Museum of American Jewish History. http://www.nmajh.org/
  • Rare Book Department of the Philadelphia Free Library. If you're into rare books at all, take the free tour, offered at 11 a.m. Mon-Fri, of the Philadelphia Free Library's amazing rare book collection. Besides the Gutenberg Bible, highlights include medieval manuscripts, children's book illustrations, and the stuffed body of Dicken's pet raven Grip, the raven who inspired "The Raven."
  • Rosenbach Museum and Library. http://www.rosenbach.org/
  • University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology. Located on South Street between 32nd and 33rd Streets, this museum houses an impressive collection of Egyptian and Greco-Roman artifacts. http://www.museum.upenn.edu/
  • The Please Touch Museum. A fantastic place to take young children. As the name says, everyone is encouraged to touch the exhibits. Located at 21st and Race Streets. Phone: (215) 963-0667. http://www.pleasetouchmuseum.org/
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Theater and Music

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Interesting Historic Sites

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Parks

  • Fairmount Park. Technically, Fairmount Park covers all of the city parks in Philadelphia, but the name also refers more specifically to the large park on both sides of the Schuykill River northwest of Center City, which is the largest urban park in the US. A city website for the entire system is at http://www.phila.gov/fairpark/
  • Clark Park. http://www.clarkpark.org/
  • Love Park (formally, JFK Plaza) is a square near City Hall, known for its Robert Indiana "LOVE" sculpture, and for attracting skateboarders from around the world (despite a ban on skating in the park). Since 2002, this ban has been rigorously enforced (and the park renovated to discourage skateboarders). Free wireless access is now available in the park.
  • Rittenhouse Park. A world-renowned and locally revered urban park
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Drink

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Bars

  • Locust Bar, 10th and Locust S.
  • Bob and Barbara's, 15th and South Street.
  • North Star Bar, 27th and Poplar Streets, [1]. This bar is one of the premiere venues for live music.
  • Smokey Joe's, 210 S 40th St, 215 222-0770, [2]. An institution for University of Pennsylvania students and alumni. Keep an eye out for the Smokes' Dirty 'Ol man.
  • The Khyber, [3].
  • The Standard Tap, [4]. Located in Northern Liberties, this classy but affordable two-story bar serves beer only from the tap.
  • Monk's, 16th and Spruce, [5]. An incredible selection of Belgian beers: they have a book that you leaf through just to find one, and they have a rotating set of about twenty on tap. The sandwiches and mussels baskets are great, and the "Spanish flies" (chicken wings) are blindingly hot.
  • Eulogy, Chestnut and 2nd, [6]. Another Belgian bar with an enormous beer selection. Tends to be less crowded than Monk's, and is famous for its "coffin room", with tables made from coffins.
  • Good Dog, 15th and Locust. Small bar with a good selection of beers and a great environment for drinking and eating with friends.
  • The Nodding Head, 16th and Sansom, [7]. With the same owners as Monk's, Nodding Head serves very good food along with an array of its own beers that are around $4 for a pint. Very relaxed environment, and generally plays great music.
  • N. 3rd, N. 3rd and Brown, [8]. Another Northern Liberties gem, this bar has a great selection of beer and wine, and has good menu as well.
  • Tria, 123 S. 18th St, [9]. Tria is known primarily for their excellent Wine, Beer, and Cheese selection, while also having other tasty menu options. On Sundays, a select (and interesting) wine, cheese, and beer are half price.
  • The Royal Tavern, Passyunk and Montrose. A smallish selection of very good beers, a great jukebox, and excellent food for a reasonable price make this a serious competitor to Monk's and The Standard Tap.
  • The Dive, 947 E. Passyunk. Located next door to The Royal Tavern, it is more of a traditional bar. Featuring cheap drinks, a great local beer selection, pool, darts, karaoke, quizzo, and an open mic night, it's a great neighborhood spot with a lot to offer in a small package.
  • Dirty Frank's, 13th and Pine. A great dive bar with a lot of character.
  • McGlinchey's Bar and Grill, 15th between Spruce and Locust. Cheap drinks and chain-smoking, surly barstaff rule the day at this smoky dive—all around the cheapest drinks in Center City. The brew on tap will satisfy any beer geek, and the jukebox selections are equally pleasing. There's a Ms. Pac-man table that can provide endless entertainment. Bring your own food unless you are fond of hot-dogs and sausages—you won't be the only one as this place fills up with regulars and UArts students. Later at night Top Bar is open on the second floor, with a similar atmosphere plus pool tables.
  • The Black Sheep 17th between Spruce and Locust, [10]. An Irish pub with outstandingly friendly service and a well-stocked bar.
  • Moriarty's 11th and Walnut. Noisy and crowded at night with a busy decor, this gayborhood establishment attracts a diverse clientele. The food is outstanding.
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Coffee Shops

  • Benna's corner of 8th and Wharton Streets, South Philadelphia
  • Crimson Moon corner of 20th and Sansom Streets, [11].
  • Green Line Cafe, 43rd and Baltimore Avenue, West Philadelphia (trolley 34), [12].
  • Intermezzo on 32nd and Walnut. Offers great coffee, and is a free wireless internet hotspot.
  • Kaffa Crossing, 44th and Chestnut St, West-Philadelphia (close to University City), [13]. Offers fair trade coffee and vegetarian/organic/Ethiopian food for low prices. Cultural events, free wireless internet hotspot, internet pc.
  • La Colombe 19th (just off Walnut, close to Rittenhouse Square). Famous for its house-roasted coffees, served at fine cafes nationwide.
  • Last Drop, 13th and Pine Street, Center City.
  • Mugshots at 21st and Fairmount. Using only fair-trade organic coffee, Mugshots is located across from Historic Landmark Eastern State Penitentary.
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Eat

  • Abbraccio, 802 S. 47th St, (on trolley 34), 215 727-8247, [14]. M-F noon-1:30PM, 5PM-9PM, Sa 5PM-9PM, Su 4PM-9PM. Italian food. $25-30 (entrees $10-15).
  • Alma de Cuba, 1623 Walnut St, 215 988-1799, [15]. M-Th 5PM-11PM, F-Sa 5PM-midnight, Su 5PM-10PM. $50 (entrees $25; happy hour M-F 5PM-7PM).
  • Azteca.
  • Buddakan, 325 Chestnut St, (at 4th), 215 574-9440, fax 215 574-8994, email: starr.info@starr-restaurant.com, [16]. M-Th 11:30AM-2PM, 5PM-11PM. F 11:30AM-2PM, 5PM-midnight, Sa 5PM-midnight, Su 5PM-11PM. $50 (entrees at $25).
  • Cafe Spice, 35 S 2nd St, 215 627-6273, [17].
  • Capogiro, 13th and Spruce; 20th and Sansom. Artisanal gelato that reflects seasonal and local ingredients. Sample flavors: La Colombe cappuccino, Campari and grapefruit, muscat grape, hot pepper.
  • Continental, 138 Market St, 215 923-6069.
  • Dahlak, 47th and Baltimore Ave. Economical Ethiopian/Eritrean fare, one of the original and best east African restaurants in the neighborhood. Lovely traditional decor.
  • Geno's Steaks, 9th & Passyunk in South Philadelphia. Along with Pat's, home of one of the world's most famous cheesesteaks. $9 for a cheesesteak, fries, and a soda.
  • Jim's Steaks, 400 South St. Not as world-renowned as Pat's and Geno's, but considered better by more than a few.
  • Le Bec Fin. 1523 Walnut St, [18]. 5-star French restaurant. A fine dining experience to rival anything New York has to offer.
  • Lemongrass. 3626-30 Lancaster Ave, 215 222-8042.
  • Los Catrines & Tequilas Restaurant. 1602 Locust St, 215 546-0181, [19].
  • Mama Palma's, NE corner of 23rd and Spruce, 215 735-7357. M 4pm-10pm; Tue-Thu 11am-10pm; F-Sat 11am-11pm; Sun 2pm-10pm. A cozy neighborhood gourmet pizzeria. This casual restaurant serves delicious pizza concoctions from the wood-fired brick oven.
  • Marigold Kitchen, 501 S 45th St in University City, 215 222-3699, [20].
  • Matyson.
  • Minar Palace, 16th and Sansom. Lovely, cheap hole-in-the-wall of an Indian take-out restaurant, though it also has plenty of tables for the space.
  • Morimoto, 723 Chestnut St, 215 413-9070, [21].
  • Pat's King of Steaks, where 9th Street crosses Wharton & Passyunk Ave. Est. 1930, owner claims to have invented the cheesesteak.
  • Ralph's, 760 S. Ninth St, 215 627-6011, [22]. Frequently voted "Best Italian" in Philadelphia, Ralphs has been owned and operated by the same family since 1900.
  • Rx.
  • Tandoori.
  • The Jamaican Jerk Hut, 1436 South St., 215 545-8644.
  • Vietnam Restaurant, 221 N. 11th St., 215 592-1163.
  • White Dog Cafe, 3420 Sansom St., 215 386-9224, [23]. M-Th 5:30PM-10PM F-Sa 5:30PM-11PM, Su 5PM-10PM. An elegant restaurant that is bound to the local community. They use products from local farmers, and serve beers from local breweries. The food is mostly American/Continental style, with pub grub served at the bar. $15-25.
  • Zocalo, 36th and Lancaster in University City, 215 895-0139, [24]. Upscale Mexican dining.
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Sleep

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Hotels

  • Crowne Plaza - Center City, 1800 Market St, 215 561-7500, [25]. In the heart of the Philadelphia downtown business district - within minutes of shopping and entertainment, and just seven miles from Philadelphia Airport.
  • Holiday Inn - Historic District, 400 Arch St, 215 923-8660, [26]. Centred in the Nation's most historic square mile - Philadelphia Airport is only eight miles away.
  • Microtel - Airport, 8840 Tinicum Blvd, 215 492-0700. Economy/budget hotel offering guests free local and free long distance calls in the continental United States, and free wireless high-speed Internet access in every room of their hotels, as well as advance online check-in and check-out with unlimited access to online folio information. Additional location avalilable in West Chester.
  • Sheraton Society Hill, One Dock St, (2nd and Walnut Streets), 215 238-6000, [27]. Established in 1986, it takes you back in time to the days of colonial Philadelphia. The hotel is located amidst lush landscaping and cobblestone streets in the most historic square mile in America and just four blocks away from Philadelphia's renowned Independence Hall.
  • Wyndham - Franklin Plaza, 17th & Race Streeets, [28]. Just four blocks from the Pennsylvania Convention Center.
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Hostels

  • Bank Street Hostel, 32 South Bank St, (Old City), 215 922-0222, fax: 215 922-4082, email: thebankstreethostel@hotmail.com, [29]. Very convenient to public transportation, restaurants and other night spots. Associated with American Youth Hostel Association. $21/night, $18 AYHO members; $2 bed sheet charge.
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Bed and Breakfasts

  • Rittenhouse Bed and Breakfast, 1715 Rittenhouse Square, (Center City), 877-791-6500, fax: 215 546-8787, [30]. Continental breakfast included. $209/night based on double occupancy. Also offers seasonal specials.
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Contact

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Stay safe

As in any other American city and most cities around the world, visitors to Philadelphia should keep their wits about themselves and take reasonable precautions, such as always putting their wallets in their front pockets -- never their back pockets -- and if using a purse, closing it and holding it securely. They should also be careful of traffic when crossing at major intersections and drive defensively.

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Cope

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Get out

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External Links

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