Hotels in Philadelphia, PA

Best time to visit Philadelphia

Philadelphia’s rich historical heritage and important sites such as Independence Hall and Liberty Bell attract hordes of tourists and field trips of school children. These visitors come in the summer months from June – August. Large crowds drive up hotel rates at this time of the year. For shorter queues at attractions and good bargains on room rates, it is best to visit Philadelphia from March – May. Average temperatures range from 35 – 45 degrees Fahrenheit in March to 55 – 65 degrees Fahrenheit in May. September may also see a drop in tourists, but the cheapest time to visit Philadelphia is in the winter months from November – February. Average temperatures during this time hover around 30 degrees Fahrenheit.

Getting around Philadelphia

Many of the attractions in Philadelphia are clustered near the Old City neighborhood, within a short walk from each other, so you can get around easily on foot. For some other attractions that are located further away, you can hop on to the subway trains, trolleys or buses operated by the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA). Fares start at $2.50 USD. You also have the purple-colored PHLASH buses which operate daily from 10.00 a.m. – 6.00 p.m. between May – September, and on weekends during the holiday season of December – January. The bus stops at most of the popular attractions and the fare is $2.00 USD per ride or $5.00 USD for an all-day pass. The city’s official bike-share program, called Indego, allows unlimited 30-minute trips with a 1-day pass at $10.00 USD. Taxis are readily available and the meter starts at approximately $3.00 USD. If you don’t mind expensive parking charges or navigating through the traffic with several one-way streets, driving is also an option. It is definitely worth checking for deals on car rentals with momondo.

Best places to stay in Philadelphia

The birthplace of the Revolution, Philadelphia, (Philly) is brimming with historic landmarks and museums. This City of Brotherly Love (Greek translation of Philadelphia) is not just known for its historical heritage. The former capital city boasts a thriving nightlife, premier league sports teams, and a delectable culinary experience. Where to stay in Philadelphia depends a lot on why you are visiting, and which areas you want to explore.

Center City and Museum District

Downtown Philadelphia is called Center City, a busy neighborhood which is home to most of the hotels and attractions. Apart from being the modern business district, this area boasts whimsical public art and plenty of restaurants and bars. Across the street from the Pennsylvania Convention Center and shopping at Reading Terminal Market, you can stay at the Hilton Garden Inn Philadelphia Center City Hotel which offers sophisticated rooms and suites with modern amenities. Enjoy the striking architecture, and bold black and white décor of the Le Méridien Philadelphia hotel, which is located on Arch Street in the heart of Center City. It’s only a 5-minute walk from the City Hall subway station.

Old City, Historic District, and Society Hill

Find Philly at its picturesque best in the Old City neighborhood filled with Revolutionary-era buildings, trendy galleries and hip restaurants. Within a block of the Independence National Historic Park, you can enjoy the glamorous rooms and historic interiors of The Kimpton Hotel Monaco Philadelphia. Or check out the Wyndham Philadelphia Historic District hotel, a modern hotel with thoughtfully-designed rooms, within a 5-minute walk to all the historic attractions. A short walk from the Philadelphia City Hall, you can stay in the grand, spacious rooms of the Hyatt At the Bellevue hotel which is set in a landmark skyscraper on Broad Street.

Rittenhouse Square

This posh residential neighborhood boasts chic cafés, upscale restaurants and a host of hotels with celebrity clientele. Overlooking the gardens and fountains of Rittenhouse Square Park, enjoy a luxurious stay at The Rittenhouse Hotel. Enjoy charming accommodation with world-class service and sophisticated rooms and suites. Or check out the Rittenhouse 1715, A Boutique Hotel with exclusive accommodation in a former carriage house. It is well-placed amid the city’s top shops, cafés and restaurants.

University City

Just across the Schuylkill River, and home to the University of Philadelphia and Drexel University, this student-friendly neighborhood has plenty of cheap eats and bars, and budget-friendly accommodation. Enjoy contemporary accommodation within the University of Philadelphia campus at The Inn at Penn, a Hilton Hotel which features chic rooms with modern amenities and a farm-to-table breakfast. Another on-campus hotel to consider is the Sheraton Philadelphia University City Hotel which is a short walk from the Drexel University, and is surrounded by several restaurants and shops.

Philadelphia International Airport

Located just a 20-minute drive from Center City, the neighborhood around the international airport is home to several international chain hotels, and is a convenient location for visiting the sports complexes. Enjoy the 2-room suites and cooked-to-order breakfast at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Philadelphia Airport Hotel.Less than 2 miles from the airport, you have the Courtyard by Marriott Philadelphia Airport hotel which offers easy access to attractions such as The Mütter Museum and the Talen Energy Stadium for soccer games.

Cheap hotels in Philadelphia

City House Hostels Old City Philly and City House Hostels Philadelphia Bell are trendy hostel options with hip, colorful dorm rooms and excellent locations. In Old City near the Independence Hall, you can also consider the Apple Hostels of Philadelphia which offers several free amenities along with weekly pub crawls. A short walk from the City Hall subway station, you have the Club Quarters Hotel Philadelphia, offering modest accommodation with contemporary rooms and suites. Also check out The Independent Hotel, a stylish stay in a restored Georgian building located within a short walk from all the shopping, dining and tourist attractions. Another budget-friendly option is the Trade Winds Bed and Breakfast, a historic B&B that features colorful rooms set in a 200-year old brick building.

If you’re visiting Philadelphia for the first time, exploring its rich historical heritage and world-class museums is a must. Apart from being home to the ‘most historic square mile’ in the U.S., the city also houses some of the oldest farmers’ markets and promises you an itinerary packed with history, food, music, art, and sports.

• In Old City, visit the red-brick Georgian building of Independence Hall where the Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution were drawn up and signed. Next door, check out the Liberty Bell Center where the historic 2,080-pound bell now resides in a huge, glass gazebo. Take a tour of the Betsy Ross House where the famous seamstress and flag-maker lived and sewed the first American flag.
• In Center City, visit the historic Philadelphia Stock Exchange, the USA’s oldest stock exchange, and stop by for a traditional Philly cheesesteak at the Reading Terminal Market known for its delicious Amish eats and Philly specialties. Later, take a tour of the one-of-its-kind Masonic Temple.
• At Museums District, admire the re-enactment of the scene from ‘Rocky’ and several other collections at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, which is modeled after ancient Greek temples. Explore interactive scientific snippets at The Franklin Institute science museum and enjoy the dozens of hands-on displays at the Please Touch Museum. Wander around the massive Italian Market that fills the air with aromas of a wide variety of cheeses, handmade pastas, and gourmet pastries. Don’t miss a tour of the historic, castle-like structured Eastern State Penitentiary.

Enjoy a picnic or stroll through the lush green park of Rittenhouse Square, dine at one of the top-notch restaurants close by, and indulge in celebrity-spotting at the trendy nightlife venues in the area.

• Close to the airport, you can check out the fascinating Mütter Museum dedicated to the exposition of medical oddities and catch a live Major League Soccer game at the state-of-the-art 18,500-seater Talen Energy Stadium.