Philadelphia Travel Forum

My family and I are going to Philadelphia in August and we plan to stay 3 days. We will arrive driving a rented car. We actually know nothing about the city: can you help me with these questions?
1. Which area should I choose to find a hotel? Not very difficult to find, not very difficult to park, safe area, etc
2. Should I walk, drive or use public transport?
3. Any place to avoid (unsafe, "too for tourists only", etc)
Thanks in advance

1. I always recommend staying in Center City, simply because that will greatly ease your ability to get to where stuff is. You COULD stay on a highway just outside of CC, but the time and stress of driving into CC will make you regret it. It WILL cost more (particularly for parking) to stay there, but you'll make up for it by not having to swallow a gallon of Maalox{R} while driving into town.

2. Philly is one of those towns where a car is not only unnecessary, it's a nuisance. All the things you'd want to visit are FAR more easily reached by walking, public transit, and/or hop on/off busses.

3. There are, indeed, places in Philly I don't like to drive through during the day. Fortunately, none of these places have anything of interest to tourists (unless you have an interest in pharmaceutical purchases). If there's a place that has lots of things of interest to tourists, it's a safe place -- the city won't have it any other way. If you have no reason to go to a place, then don't go there.

> We actually know nothing about the city

Then go to www.gophila.com right away.

Hey there - I would agree that Center City is probably your best bet. It's the easiest place to catch public transportation and find a hotel. It's also a safe area and there are plenty of parking garages, although those are over prices (obviously), and street parking can require some patience.

The only places you should avoid are places that no tourist would be wondering around in, you know? The places where you'll be walking/eating/exploring/ etc. are places where there are plenty of other locals and tourists, e.g. The Art Museum, South Street, Center City, Liberty Bell and Independence Hall.

I would also agree that a car isn't really necessary as there are plenty of cabs, buses and trains around the city to make all of that pretty simple. You'll probably spend less not renting a car, but of course that choice is yours if you think it will make life easier.


Enjoy Philly!


Ben

Thank you very much for your help.
I'll arrive in Philadelphia in a rented car because I will be doing a tour through several cities in US. But of course my plan is to let the car in the hotel parking and spend all the time walking or using the pub lic transport.
By the way, is it free to park in the street in the city center or do you have to pay? Maybe its a stupid question....you always have to pay

Unfortunately you're right - you do have to pay - but only until certain times. Usually after 7 or 8pm street parking everywhere becomes free. However, if you are venturing even a little bit out of Center City, you will able to park on the street for free in many areas (as long as you bring your patience with you).


Good luck and have a great time!

Be sure to read the signs at aprking meters as there are differences in parking time limits. I'd leave the car in the hotel parking garage and walk or use taxis or septa.

Enjoy Philly!