Philadelphia

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Introduction

Philadelphia

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Neighbourhoods

Philadelphia is a city of neighborhoods and most attractions, eating establishments, and bars are divided into sections of the city by neighborhood. For historical sites like Independence Hall & the Liberty Bell, stroll the streets of Old City and Society Hill where Benjamin Franklin, George Washington, and John Adams once walked. Old City is also a haven for byob's (bring your own bottle dining), restaurants, bars, and galleries well within easy walking distance of one another. On "First Friday", named for obvious reasons, Old City hosts the openings of new displays in its many art galleries.

China Town offers an Asian flair to the city. You will find all styles of Asian dining and shopping in this section of the city. In the Art Museum area, some of the cities largest museums are located. The Franklin Institute, Please Touch Museum, Rodan Museum, and the soon-to-be-built Barnes Museum can all be found along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway within a mile of each other. Many of the cities festivals take place along the parkway, including the start and finish of the Philadelphia Marathon and the Manayunk Bike Race.

Just a little further to the North, the Fairmount area hosts numerous bars and restaurants. Try Northern Liberties for more byobs and bars. Into high society and high ticket shopping? Then the Rittenhouse Square area is for you! You will find what you're looking for on Walnut Street, Philly's Rodeo Drive, whether it be the latest Diesel jeans or jewels from Cartier. Several of Philly's highest rated restaurants can be found here.

On the other end of the dining scale, visit South Philly to partake in Philadelphia's most famous export, the Philly Cheese Steak. Philadelphia's alternative youth hang out on South Street where you can pretty much buy anything! Once a year the professional bike circuit makes its way to Philadelphia for the annual Manayunk Bike Race. Manayunk, once a center of large mills & immigrant workers, now hosts the toughest portion of the race: the dreaded Manayunk "wall". Many people come for the race and stay for the party as Manayunk's Main Street hosts over 15 bars and restaurants along with all sorts of shopping.

Finally, if you are a student at one of the multitude of universities, you will most likely find yourself in University City and West Philadelphia, which butt up against one another. University City extends between Drexel and the University of Pennsylvania. But you don't have to be a student to enjoy the area! It is also home to many of Philadelphia's newer immigrants with African, Indian, and Middle Eastern restaurants popping up all over.

Sights and Activities

Events and Festivals

• New Year's Eve Fireworks is on December 31st
• Philadelphia Flower Show is usually held the last week February, first week of March
• Cherry Blossom Festival] is during the 1st or 2nd weekend in April
• Memorial Day Celebrations is the last Monday in May
• Manayunk Bike Race is the 1st Sunday in June
• 4th of July Celebrations is on July 4th
• Labor Day Celebrations is on the first Monday in September
• Philadelphia Marathon is in November

Weather

Summers last from June to September and are nice and warm, between 25 and 30 degrees during the day and between 15 and 20 degrees at night. Expect a great deal of humidity since Philadelphia is surrounded by two rivers. Winters last from December to March with average daytime temperatures slightly above zero. Nights can get below zero during this time, however typically not for an extended period of time. Precipitation is quite evenly distributed throughout the year, with a couple of snowfalls in winter. Snowfalls occasionally exceed 3"-4", and it is not uncommon to experience no snow at all. During summer, heavy showers can occur, especially after periods of hot weather.

Getting There

By Plane

Philadelphia International Airport (IATA: PHL, ICAO: KPHL) receives many domestic as well as international flights.

By Train

Philadelphia can be reached by both National and Regional Rail. Amtrak stops in Philly along the East coast, north/south and west while Regional rail extends throughout the metro area. Amtraks rail lines all run through the historic 30th Street Station while Regional Rail can be reached at all three of Philadelphia's train stations: Suburban Station/Market East in Center City and at 30th St. Station.
The following Amtrak trains operate to and from Philadelphia:

• Acela Express (Boston – New York – Philadelphia – Washington, D.C.)
• Cardinal / Hoosier State (New York – Philadelphia – Washington, DC – Cincinnati – Indianapolis – Chicago)
• Carolinian / Piedmont (New York – Philadelphia – Washington, DC – Rocky Mount – Raleigh – Charlotte)
• Crescent (New York – Philadelphia – Washington, DC – Greensboro – Atlanta – New Orleans)
• Keystone (New York – Philadelphia – Harrisburg)
• Northeast Regional (Boston – Springfield/Providence – New York – Philadelphia – Washington, DC – Newport News)
• Silver Service / Palmetto (New York – Philadelphia – Washington, DC – Charleston – Savannah – Jacksonville – Orlando – Tampa/Miami)
• Vermonter (St. Albans – Burlington – Springfield – New York – Philadelphia – Washington, DC)

For information on Regional Rail, see SEPTA (South Eastern Pennsylvania Transit Authority).

By Car

The main highways into and out of Philadelphia are US 76 from the West and 95 from the North/South. Rt 30 is the old highway into and out of the city heading Southeast towards Lancaster whereas Rt 1 extends down into Maryland. Route 309 enters the city from the Northwest.

By Bus

Most national bus companies head in and out of Philadelphia at the Greyhound Bus Terminal at 1001 Filbert Street in Center City. The terminal is centrally located between the neighborhoods of Old City and China Town. You can reach both regional rail and the city subway system, located at Suburban Station, a block away.

By Boat

There is a ferry that connects Philadelphia to the Camden Waterfront.

Getting Around

By Car

By Public Transport

By Foot

By Bike

Eat

Drink

Sleep

Budget

Mid-Range

Upscale

Work

Learn

Keep Connected

Internet

Phone

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