Hotels Philly
 

Hi all. We are going to a concert at the Academy of Music and the next day going to NYC by train. we will be arriving in Philadelphia by Amtrak. I know there are hotels near the music venue, and also near Reading Terminal Market, which I understand is near the train to NY, as well as subway to Academy of Music. That is all I know! Which area would you stay in, and why? Pros/Cons? Oh, the concert is in mid October, if that makes any difference, probably not getting out until 11ish. TIA for any help.

Bookmarking for a trip I am planning for the summer. Hope you get some good responses, JADSJBD.

A small tutorial on Philly's layout.

Market Street is the main east-west business corridor, and it's the center point for all discussions about "Where is ??" in Philly. If you walk towards tall buildings, you're walking towards Market Street.

North-south streets in Philly are numbered, with the lowest numbered ones at the Delaware River. Thus, as you go west on Market, you go past 2nd Street, 3rd Street, etc. The only exception is 14th Street, which is instead called Broad Street -- the road from which "Broad Street Bullies" came.

At the intersection of Market and Broad is City Hall. I don't mean the corner of these two streets, I mean the building is right where these two streets would meet. When you see a large clock tower as you peer down either of these two main streets, you're looking at City Hall (ie, Market and "14th")

The Market Frankford Subway Line (aka "Blue Line") goes from 2nd Street to 69th Street below and above Market Street.
http://www.septa.org/maps/transit/mfl.html
It's the fastest way to move along this street, and riding it is FAR cheaper than using any form of automotive transport. Thus, any spot on or near Market Street is, due to the Blue Line, very close to any other one.

Trolley lines go under Market from 13th Street to 30th Street. At the Blue Line 30th Street Station, you can transfer (free) between the Blue Line and these trolleys.

Philly's building for Amtrak is called "30th Street Station," and it's located at Market and (surprise!) 30th Street. If you arrive on Amtrak, you can ride the regional rail (**NOT** the Blue Line) from there to either Suburban Station (Market and 16th) or Market East Station (11th Street). Or you can ride the Blue Line to anywhere along Market.
http://www.rususa.com/city/images/phtrans.gif

The Academy of Music is on Broad Street, just a few blocks south of City Hall. If you exit the Blue Line, you can easily walk to the Academy.

Independence Hall Plaza is at Market and 5th. The University Neighborhood is around Market and 40th. The Convention Center is just north of Market, at 11th Street, and is adjacent to Reading Terminal Market. There are several hotels near all these places.

You can stay at any lodging along or near Market Street, and ease of travel will be about the same. After you arrive on Amtrak, just ride the regional rail OR the Blue Line OR the trolley to your lodging. If you're near City Hall, you can then just walk to the Academy. If you're closer to Independence Hall or to the University, just ride the Blue Line to City Hall and then walk.

Thus, you can stay just about anywhere you want along or near Market Street; and access to the Academy will be easy, fast, and inexpensive. So all you need to do is choose lodging, with the amenities you want and the price you want to pay, along or close to Market; and you'll be fine.

Great info (as always) from Paul Rabe. I'll just add that some people can be a bit squeamish about the subway in the evening (not that I've had any problems in 49 years) but there are a number of hotels within walking distance of the Academy, as well as some great restaurants.

Thank you, Paul Rabe for this information! Just what I needed to hear. So essentially either area will be fine, things to do, places to eat, etc.
Thanks, Amy. I have no problem with subways in NYC, so if they are anything like those, we'll do well.
Thanks so much!

That was great info from PaulRabe, for sure.

How close is the subway to Wells Fargo Center?

The subway (orange line) goes to AT&T station (Pattison Avenue) for Wells Fargo. The stop is about three blocks or so from the center, less than a 10 minute walk.

Thanks so much, Amy. Would you say it is a safe walk at night after an event at the center?

> Would you say it is a safe walk at night after an event at the center?

If you walk directly from an event to the subway, right at the end of the event, the crowds between the event and the subway stop are invariably huge -- you are FAR safer walking that stretch at that time than you would be driving on Philly expressways.

We need the ability to make PaulRabe's post into a sticky.

Keep in mind that Philadelphia is a very walkable city. I have stayed in Old City and walked to Center City for dinner. I've stayed in Rittenhouse and walked to 30th St Station with a rolling bag.

I like to stay in Rittenhouse Square because of the wide variety of restaurants nearby and easy access to the Schuylkill Banks trail for running. The Palomar is wonderful, the Sofitel is fine. At the higher end, The Rittenhouse is very nice and the Rittenhouse 1715 is charming.

Great information here. I would just add that for your trip I would not stay over by Reading Terminal Market. While Philadelphia is a small, walkable city, that location is just a little out of the way. As Birdie says, Rittenhouse Square is a good choice as are any of the hotels south of Market and west of Broad (maybe that whole area is called Rittenhouse Square by the hotels?)

Thank you, Birdie and Suki, I think after all the responses I agree with you. Reading Terminal was never on my radar, but a friend suggested it, so I wanted to check it out. Thank you for your thoughts, they are so much appreciated.