Philadelphia - Travel guide Hotel reservation for holidays in Philadelphia -

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 (http://centercityphila.org/home/default.aspx) 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 litter 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.

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 (http://elfrethsalley.org/) 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.

Neighborhoods

Like every big city, Philadelphia has many neighborhoods, each of which has its own identity. A great place to learn and discuss Philly's neighborhoods is PhillyBlog (http://phillyblog.com/philly/index.php?).

Center City

Art Museum Area

As the name suggests, this is the area around the Philadelphia Museum of Art (http://www.philamuseum.org/). The southern end of Fairmount Park starts here. The area is mostly residential, but there are a few very nice restaurants on Fairmount Ave.

Chinatown

Chinatown extends from approximately 8th Street to Broad Street east-west, and Race Street to Market Street north-south. Despite the name, Philadelphia's Chinatown has a variety of Asian ethnicities and has recently become one of the most popular neighborhoods for young people. The streets of Chinatown are dominated by restaurants (mostly Chinese and Vietnamese), at least 5 per block.

Fitler Square

The Fitler Square neighborhood has some good restaurants and pretty tree-lined streets. The charming 2400 block of Panama, supposedly, has been re-created on a Hollywood lot for the show "Cold Case." Fitler Square itself doesn't show up on MapQuest, but it's at 23rd and Pine. The Saturday morning farmers' market there runs spring-fall.

The Gayborhood

Philadelphia's queer enclave overlaps with the officially designated Washington Square West neighborhood. The Gayborhood is most strongly associated with 12th and 13th streets, especially from Pine in the south to Walnut in the north, but spills out to the surrounding areas. It includes such institutions as Woody's (a gay bar), Sisters (a lesbian bar), 12th Air Command and Pure (gay clubs), Giovanni's Room (an LGBT bookstore), and the William Way Community Center. All of these establishments, as well as most straight-owned Gayborhood businesses, are friendly to queer and straight alike regardless of orientation.

Old City

Old City is home to a large number of galleries, restaurants and bars, and so is known for its active nightlife and cultural opportunities. It is also home to the Liberty Bell and Independence Park. The 'Real World' House is located in Old City as well. Here is the neighbourhood association webpage (http://www.oldcity.org/). One thing to definitely check out is the First Friday (http://www.gophila.com/culturefiles/Artmuseums/firstfriday/) event which is held on every first Friday of the month and showcases local artists' works.

Rittenhouse Square

Rittenhouse Square is as close to a central park as one can get in Philadelphia. Only 4 blocks west of Broad St and the main business areas, it is an oasis in the heart of the city. It is surrounded by tall buildings, and there are many nice restaurants in the area. The Walnut St shopping row starts here (at 18th St) and extends eastward to Broad St. During the summer there will often be concerts in the park, but they are not that frequent, so check the schedules (usually listed in the park itself).

Society Hill

A posh residential area south of Old City. Other than the stately row-houses and gleaming condominiums, there are some quality drinking and dining establishments, two of the artsy Ritz movie theaters, and a seasonally open market.

Washington Square

Washington Square, the area, is composed of several distinct neighborhoods and is convenient to America's most historic square mile. Washington Square West is a lively neighborhood, while east of the park is a bit more sedate. Antique Row, Pine Street between about 13th and 9th Streets, is full of interesting shops, not all of them antiques-oriented. Washington Square itself is worth a visit to see the tomb of the unknown Revolutionary War soldier. This neighborhood is a good place to see Philadelphia's native style of house, the "trinity" -- two, three, or four floors, one room per floor, connected by spiral stairs. The small streets above Pine, such as Quince Street, are lined with trinities. WalkPhiladelphia (http://www.centercityphila.org/goingout/tours.aspx) offers several interesting tours of Wash West.

Chestnut Hill

East Falls

East Falls is a neighborhood that is quickly becoming one of the hot places to live and visit. It is located on a hillside overlooking the Schuylkill River, with restaurants and businesses generally along Ridge Ave at the bottom of the hill and rowhomes/condos/apartments as you go up the hill. Philadelphia University is also located within East Falls. There are several good restaurants and pubs that have recently opened along Ridge Ave. The neighborhood has fantastic walking/biking access to Center City, as it is located right on the Kelly Drive/Schuylkill River path. It is also within walking distance of Manayunk and is well served by public transit.

Fishtown

Frankford

Fox Chase

Germantown

Manayunk

Named a National Historic District in 1983, Manayunk is located just minutes west of Center City Philadelphia, nestled along the banks of the Schuylkill River and the historic Manayunk Canal. Main Street runs through the heart of this unique shopping and dining destination with over 70 chic boutiques and galleries and 30 restaurants and eateries. Manayunk offers something for everyone. Visitors immediately feel welcome and encounter an honesty, pride and attention to service that keeps them coming back again and again. http://www.manayunk.com

Events:

16th Annual Manayunk Arts Festival Saturday & Sunday, June 25 & 26, 2005 Main Street closed for vendor tents

Wachovia USPRO Championship Sunday, June 5, 2005 Main Street closed for event

Saturday Sidewalk Splash Saturday, June 4, 2005 Noon to 5 p.m. - Main Street, Manayunk

Mt. Airy

Mt. Airy is a neighborhood in NW Philly, roughly 8 miles from Center City. Mt. Airy is subdived into two areas, West Mt. Airy and East Mt. Airy, with Germantown Ave ("the Avenue") forming the border between the two. The Avenue (along with the rest of the neighborhood) is undergoing a renaissance, anchored by the popular North By Northwest restaurant/music venue. Characteristics of the neighborhood include some amazing architecture of all different styles and better-than-average public transit access. There are also some historical sites related to the Revolutionary War's Battle of Germantown. It is a very liberal area, politically speaking, with a very diverse population.

Northern Liberties

The Northern Liberties neighborhood extends approximately from 2nd street to 6th street east-west, and from Spring Garden Street to Girard Avenue north-south. Until about the 1960's, Northern Liberties was home to Philadelphia's breweries. Ortleib's, Schmidt's, and Ballantine. (These beers are tougher to find these days, but live on at Citizens Bank Park's (home of the Philadelphia Phillies baseball team) Brewerytown stand.) It fell into a disrepair once the breweries declined. Today, however, it is quickly becoming the "New Manayunk" - an immensely popular neighborhood with trendy shops and bars. Northern Liberties is an excellent place to spend an evening out, with plentiful free parking, and a large number of unique bars and restaurants well within walking distance. http://www.northernliberties.org/ is a community bulletin board, while http://www.nlna.org/ is the neighborhood association website.

Northeast Philadelphia

Northeast Philadelpia is a more residential area of the city, although it is home to burgeoning Russian, Brazillian, and Indian communities and restaurants. Also, Northeast Philly is home to Franklin Mills Mall, claimed to be the most visited attraction in Pennsylvania.

Roxborough

South Philly

The Italian Market, heading south from 9th and Christian, is always worth a visit. Like an old European market, the sidewalks are lined with stands selling cheap produce, hundred-year-old butcher shops, spice shops and Italian and Mexican delis. Get a roast pork sandwich with broccoli rabe. South Philly also has quite a few Italian restaurants plus diners and many places to eat.

South Philly is also home to the Philadelphia sports complex, FDR park, the Navy Yard Business Center.

If you are a bicycling fan, you will soon be able to bike along the Schuylkill River from Valley Forge all the way into South Philly. By the end of 2005 a riverside park, including a multi-use trail, will extend past its current terminus of 25th and Locust, down to South St. It is hoped that further biking improvements will be made, allowing easy access across town, as 22nd St. and Washington Ave. already have bike paths.

Bella Vista

Bella Vista, a traditionally Italian neighborhood just south of Washington Square, is home to the famous Italian Market (http://www.phillyitalianmarket.com/market/9thstreet.htm), as well as an increasing number of restaurants of various ethnicities. Currently more and more people in their 20's and 30's are moving into this neighborhood, and it is becoming an increasingly popular destination for shopping, food, and drink, all within easy walking distance of South Street. Their neighborhood organization's website is here. (http://www.bvuca.org/)

South West Center City

This new vibrant area of the city extends south of South St. and west of Broad St. to the Schuykill River. Much of the movie "The Sixth Sense" was filmed in this location. The block of South St. between 22nd and 23rd St houses several good eateries worth checking out. My Thai, L2, Ants Pants Cafe (http://www.antspantscafe.com), Grace Tavern and Balkan Express provides diverse crowds and food choices. Also on this block Bicycle Therapy (http://www.bicycletherapy.com) is considered THE place to go for everything on 2 wheels.

Queen Village

Another vibrant area extending roughly from Lombard St. to Washington Ave. between Sixth Street and the Delaware river.

Home to Fabric Row (http://southstreet.com/fabricrow/) (4th Street from Bainbridge to Catharine) popular with locals and visitors seeking unique fabrics.

West Philly

Roughly speaking West Philly is all of the mostly residential section of Philadelphia west of the Schuykill River which represented the western boundary of William Penn's original plan for the colonial city. Today, West Philadelphia is considered very unsafe, and extremely impoverished. Even though West Philadelphia is home to 3 excellent and world-renound Universities, off-campus surrounding are extremely unsafe, and are comparable to that of New York City's violent northern boroughs. Wth the notable exception of a few colonial and early federal manions like the Woodlands and Bartram's Gardens, most of West Philly developed from farmland as an early "suburb" of the then neighboring 19th Century industrial giant, Philadelphia. Development moved west from the Schulkill following the course of a network of trolleys (many of which still run today) and the El which runs above Market St.

Not surprsingly West Philadelphia today presents a living catalog of 19th Century and early 20th Century residential architecture ranging from dramatic ornate Queen Anne Victorian mansions to humble brick rowhouses. Although many sections suffered significant decline and urban blight as the heavy industry that fed the demand for housing construction in West Philly dwindled and departed the US, areas like Powelton Village, Spruce Hill and Cedar Park have been largely preserved and provide an opportunity to "step back into time" as you stroll the wide tree-lined streets of stately 19th Century homes.

West Philly ecompasses several large educational institutions including the University of Pennsylvania, Drexel University and the University of Sciences of Philadelphia as well as the largest portion of Philadelphia's expansive Fairmount Park. The West Philly portion of Fairmont Park includes the Philadelphia Zoo, historic Centenial Hall, and the Mann Center for the Performing Arts.

Cedar Park

Cobbs Creek

Haddington

Mantua

Mill Creek

Overbook

Parkside

Powelton Village

Powlton Village is a small enclave outside the University City section of Philadelphia. It remains visually identifiable, an oasis of tree-lined streets, porch-fronted suburban houses interspersed with a few mansions and their commercial support buildings dating from the second half of the nineteenth century. In the past 40 years, this section of west Philadelphia has earned the reputation of being one of the most violent and socio-economically deprived area in Philadelphia. A string of police stand-offs and violent gang outbreaks in the 1980's, have seeded Powlton villiage as a place you do not want to wander in to.

Spruce Hill

University City

Roughly speaking University City begins at 30th street anchored by 30th Street Station (http://www.30thstreetstation.com/), extends west just beyond 50th street, and north to Spring Garden street. The area includes two of Philadelphia's major universities, Drexel University (http://www.drexel.edu) and University of Pennsylvania (http://www.upenn.edu), and a teaching hospital. (http://www.pennhealth.com) The area also includes residential areas with a large student population.

Wynnefield

Get in

By plane

From Philadelphia International Airport (http://www.phl.org/index.html) there are many ways to get to your destination. Assuming one's destination is center city, Septa's R1 train (http://www.septa.org/schedule.cgi?route=r1&day=1&return=on) 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)

By train

The city is a major stop along Amtrak's (http://www.amtrak.com/) 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 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 (http://www.30thstreetstation.com/), which is is slightly west of Center City and very accessible by SEPTA's Elevated subway (http://www.septa.org/schedule.cgi?route=MFL&day=1&return=on) (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.

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.

Get around

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!

Bicycling

Here is a list (http://www.phillybikeclub.org/bikerental.html) of places you can rent bicycles from. The city also has some cycling maps showing recommended cycling routes, available online (http://www.phila.gov/streets/bike_route_maps.html) or from many bike shops. The Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia (http://www.bicyclecoalition.org/) promotes cycling in the Philadelphia area. A regional bicycling map covering the Delaware Valley is available here. (http://www.bicyclecoalition.org/map/index.html)

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.

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 (http://www.phillycarshare.org/) 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.

Public transit

SEPTA (http://www.septa.com/) 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 (http://www.septa.org/sales/index.html).

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 (http://www.septa.org/sales/index.html)

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.

See

Independence National Historical Park

This area, covering several blocks of Center City Philadelphia, includes some of the Philadelphia's most famous historic sites, and is run by the US National Park Service. (See their information site. (http://www.nps.gov/inde/)) You can tour Independence Hall, a World Heritage Site where the Declaration of Independence was signed and the US Constitution drafted; see the Liberty Bell, at various times a symbol both for the freedom of the nation and for freedom from slavery; and visit the National Constitution Center (http://www.constitutioncenter.org/), a new interactive museum on the Constitution. The park also includes more than a dozen other historical buildings. You definitely want to start at the Independence Visitor Center (http://www.independencevisitorcenter.com/), where you can get the ticket you need to get into Independence Hall, as well as information and tickets for other area sites. Costumed interpreters hang out at the Visitor Center and will talk to any and all kids.

Presidential Places

Deshler-Morris House (http://www.nps.gov/inde/morris.htm)

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 (http://www.muralarts.org/) website for a preview and tour; another site (http://pobox.upenn.edu/~davidtoc/murals/westphilly.html) 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. And there are dozens of art museums and galleries as well, large and small. Here are a few that are especially notable:

Philadelphia Museum of Art. Regular special exhibitions, and an impressive permanent collection that's especially strong in Asian and medieval art, impressionist paintings, and furniture. The museum sits on a hill overlooking the Schuylkill River at the end of The Ben Franklin Parkway, which was modeled after the Champs Elysees in Paris. There's an impressive view back toward City Hall from the top of the "Rocky steps." http://www.philamuseum.org/
Rodin Museum. Displays the largest collection of Rodin's work outside of Paris. http://www.rodinmuseum.org/
Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. A school that has had an impressive roster of artist alumni in the past 200 years, including some of the best-known names in American art. Its museum shows works from past and present PAFA students and faculty, as well as regular special exhibits. http://www.pafa.org/
Barnes Foundation. A few miles outside Center City, a few hundred people a week get to see a one-of-a-kind collection of art ranging from the primitive to the post-Impressionist, arranged together in a mansion in the middle of a 12-acre arboretum. Many works here, although by famous artists, have almost never been exhibited elsewhere. The Foundation is only open to the public 3 days a week, and advance reservations are required. Depending on the time of year, reservations can fill up weeks or months in advance. http://www.barnesfoundation.org/

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/

Theater and Music

Kimmel Center. http://www.kimmelcenter.org/ Showcases a variety of Performing Arts.
The Trocadero. http://www.thetroc.com/ Located at 1003 Arch Street.
Theatre of the Living Arts (The TLA). Located between on South Street between 3rd and 4th Streets.
The Electric Factory. http://electricfactory.com/ Located at 421 North 7th Street.
The World Cafe Live. http://worldcafelive.com/ Located at 3025 Walnut Street.
R5 Productions. http://www.r5productions.com/shows.html Shows are at several venues.

Interesting Historic Sites

Eastern State Penitentary. "America's Most Historic Prison." http://www.easternstate.org/
Fairmount Water Works. http://www.fairmountwaterworks.com/

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/
Schuylkill River Park. The newest of the city's parks, but already becoming one of the most popular. For a century, Philadelphia's waterfronts were cut off from its residents by industry and an extensive system of railroads, now gone for decades, the waterfront is a kaleidoscope of residential development, recreation, and good living. Center City's ongoing Renaissance is being charged by new amenities such as this urban river-side park, which carves its way deep into the city, culminating in S. Philly.
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 (http://www.phila.gov/wireless/locations.html) access is now available in the park.
Rittenhouse Park. A world-renowned and locally revered urban park that attracts a variety of people akin to nowhere else in the United States except Washington Square Park in New York City.
Franklin D. Roosevelt Park. Located at the bottom of South Philadelphia and rather off-the-beaten-track for visitors (for now), this large park somewhat resembles the Tidal Basin in Washington D.C. (although less monumental for sure). It is hoped that in the coming decade, the newly re-developing Naval Business Center will become a major new business, residential, and tourist hub, which will perhaps draw more visitors to this hidden treasure. Spend a lazy afternoon stroll and watch a nice sunset in the Jeffersonian'esque marble gazeebo. Also features a good skate park (http://www.sas.upenn.edu/~blathrop/fdrsplash.html).

Presidential Places

Washington Crossing Historic Park PA 32 (Washington Crossing) 215-493-4076. This 500-acre park is divided into two sections: the Thompson's Mill section and the Washington Crossing section. The latter section is the site from which George Washington and the Continental Army crossed the Delaware River on December 25, 1776. (A bridge connects this section with New Jersey's Washington Crossing State Park; see Trenton.) The Washington Crossing section features McConkey Ferry Inn, where Washington is believed to have prior to the crossing; the Taylor House, home of influential businessman Mahlon Taylor; and the Memorial Building, which has a copy of Emanuel Leutze's painting Washington Crossing the Delaware. Each year, the crossing is reenacted on Christmas Day; call for details. The Thompson's Mill section features Bowman's Hill Tower, a 110-foot tower with a 14-mile view of the Delaware Valley; the Thompson-Neely House, the site of many conferences before the Battle of Trenton; and the Memorial Flagstaff, which marks the graves of Continental Army troops who were the first of our the United States' unknown soldiers.

Battlefields

Presidential Places

Brandywine Battlefield Box 202 (Chadds Ford) 610-459-3342. The Battle of Brandywine, fought September 11, 1777, was one of the bloodiest in the region. The park includes George Washington's rebuilt headquarters and Marquis de Lafayette's headquarters.

Drink

Bars

Locust Bar, 10th and Locust S.
Bob and Barbara's, 15th and South Street.
North Star Bar, 27th and Poplar Streets, 1 (http://www.northstarbar.com/). This bar is one of the premiere venues for live music.
Smokey Joe's, 210 S 40th St, 215 222-0770, 2 (http://www.smokeyjoesbar.com/). An institution for University of Pennsylvania students and alumni. Keep an eye out for the Smokes' Dirty 'Ol man.
The Khyber, 3 (http://www.thekhyber.com/).
The Standard Tap, 4 (http://www.standardtap.com/). Located in Northern Liberties, this classy but affordable two-story bar serves beer only from the tap.
Monk's, 16th and Spruce, 5 (http://monkscafe.com/). 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 (http://eulogybar.com). 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 (http://noddinghead.com/). 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 (http://www.norththird.com/). 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 (http://www.triacafe.com/). 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 (http://www.theblacksheeppub.com/). 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.

Coffee Shops

Benna's corner of 8th and Wharton Streets, South Philadelphia
Crimson Moon corner of 20th and Sansom Streets, 11 (http://www.crimsonmooncafe.com/).
Green Line Cafe, 43rd and Baltimore Avenue, West Philadelphia (trolley 34), 12 (http://www.greenlinecafe.com/).
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 (http://www.kaffacrossing.com/). 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.

Eat

Abbraccio, 802 S. 47th St, (on trolley 34), 215 727-8247, 14 (http://www.abbracciorestaurant.com/). 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 (http://www.almadecubarestaurant.com/). 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 (http://www.buddakan.com/). 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 (http://www.cafespice.com/philadelphia/welcome.html).
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 (http://www.lebecfin.com/). 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 (http://www.tequilasphilly.com/).
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 (http://www.ucnet.com/marigold/).
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 (http://www.morimotorestaurant.com/).
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 (http://www.ralphsrestaurant.com/). 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 (http://whitedog.com/). 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 (http://www.ucnet.com/zocalo/). Upscale Mexican dining.

Sleep

Hotels

Crowne Plaza - Center City, 1800 Market St, 215 561-7500, 25 (http://cpphiladelphia-centercity.felcor.com/). 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 (http://hiphiladelphia-historicdistrict.felcor.com/). Centred in the Nation's most historic square mile - Philadelphia Airport is only eight miles away.
Microtel - Airport (http://www.microtelinn.com/reservations/locationdetail.asp?facid=190), 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 (http://www.microtelinn.com/reservations/locationdetail.asp?facid=484).
Sheraton Society Hill, One Dock St, (2nd and Walnut Streets), 215 238-6000, 27 (http://sheraton-philadelphia.felcor.com/). 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 (http://philadelphia.wyndham-hotels.com/). Just four blocks from the Pennsylvania Convention Center.

Hostels

Bank Street Hostel, 32 South Bank St, (Old City), 215 922-0222, fax: 215 922-4082, email: thebankstreethostel@hotmail.com, 29 (http://www.bankstreethostel.com/). 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.

Bed and Breakfasts

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

Contact

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.

Cope

Get out

Atlantic City
Baltimore
Hershey, PA
Lancaster County
New York
Pocono Mountains area
Washington D.C.
Valley Forge

External Links

Philly Fun Guide (http://phillyfunguide.com/)
Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau (http://www.pcvb.org/)
GoPhila - Philadelphia Vacation and Travel Planning Guide (http://www.gophila.com/)

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