I am planning a trip to Philly this spring, a town I have never visited. Priceline's top Philly area is referred to as Downtown and Hotwire's is City Center. From the respective, though tiny, maps representing these areas on both sites it appears that Downtown and City Center are approximately the same. I am not necessarily looking for specific hotels, but can anyone tell me if the "Downtown" or City Center" areas are completely walkable. Regardless of hotel, can you access (preferable on foot) historical sites, museums etc. if you are staying in these areas? Are they safe at night or are their certain areas of Downtown or City Center that should be avoided? It looks like distance from the river front to Univ. of Penn. might be 2 miles? I walk that and more almost everyday. Thanks.

cajunboy,

In Philadelphia downtown is referred to as "Center City." Hotwire's City Center is the same as downtown. Downtown Philadelphia is walkable, but do bring comfortable shoes. The distance to the Univ, of Penn from the Delaware Riverfront is about 3 miles. The only are of Center City that is not too safe at night is the Chinatown area (from 8th to 11th Streets between Arch and Race Sreets).

Have a great time in Philly.

cajunboy,

In Philadelphia downtown is referred to as "Center City." Hotwire's City Center is the same as downtown. Downtown Philadelphia is walkable, but do bring comfortable shoes. The distance to the Univ, of Penn from the Delaware Riverfront is about 3 miles. The only area of Center City that is not too safe at night is the Chinatown area (from 8th to 11th Streets between Arch and Race Sreets).

Have a great time in Philly.

I have gotten rooms thru Priceline at the Westin, Lowes and Omni and have found that all locations are easy to get around either on foot or public.

Wendy

When I've bid through Priceline for City Center/Downtown I've gotten the Sheraton Society Hill (great location, safe, very nice hotel) and the Doubletree. These two hotels were within reasonable walking distance of restaurants and museums. For the same area on Hotwire got the Sheraton near U. Penn, which isn't as convenient, and the Doubletree (again). As many posters have previously stated, go through the Bidding for Travel website before bidding Priceline. There are a few 3* hotels that don't get good reviews that come up frequently (the Wyndam and Hotel Windsor).

Love Philly!

Anything over by Penn isn't Center City. If you have to cross over the river, then you're out of Center City (Philadelphians don't use the term "downtown"). I don't know the *exact* boundaries, but for me, Center City would be from about 24th street to 8th street and from Race over to Bainbridge (and that's pretty generous).
Below 8th street, you're into the Washington Square/Society Hill/Old City areas, which for the most part, is a nice mix of residential and historic areas and certainly a good choice for a visitor. Past Bainbridge, you're out of the Center City area (in my book, you're out once you go past Lombard, but...).
Priceline is fudging things by using the term "downtown", since it's not a Philadelphia term. The Sheraton by Penn is a little too far out, IMO. You'd be taking a lot of cabs, buses, or streetcars, or else a LOT of walking.
BTilke (ex Philadelphian who's lived at 24th & Chestnut, 5th & South, 22nd & Spruce, 21st & Spruce, 11th & Lombard, 9th & Clinton, and Chestnut Hill [top of the trolley loop]).