Beginner's Guide to Pennsylvania

Hotels in Philadelphia for $135-195

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1. Best Western Independence Park Hotel is right in the historic area at 235 Chestnut Street. Prices begin at $144/night. This hotel is across the street from Independence National Historic Park. The hotel offers a complimentary breakfast, complimentary cookies and tea each afternoon and wireless internet access. Also every Wednesday night, the hotel offers free wine and cheese in the lobby. Nearby parking is available for $13/day, which is a great price for this area. This hotel receives rave reviews from customers.

2. Best Western, Center City Hotel features a convenient location in the Parkway/Museum area of City Centre. The hotel is close to the historic district at 501 N 22nd Street. It is a 3 star hotel, and prices start at $111/night.

3. Doubletree Club Philadelphia Northeast is located at 9461 Roosevelt Blvd. The average price of the hotel rooms is $134. Guests are given warm cookies at check-in. If you do not have a car, the bus stop across the street from the hotel, and downtown is 15-20 minutes away. Dial-up internet access is available.

Hotels in Philadelphia for $200-275

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1. Sofitel Philadelphia is located near the historic district at 120 South 17th Street, in the renovated Philadelphia Stock Exchange. The average price for a room is $221. It is a 4 star hotel and highly recommended by guests who have stayed here. No breakfast is included. Internet access is available, with a surcharge.

2. Courtyard Philadelphia Downtown is a 3 star hotel located at 21 Juniper Street. The hotel is located very centrally, and you can walk nearly everywhere. The average price per room is $218. It offers valet or self-parking.

3. Residence Inn by Marriott in Center City Philadelphia is located at One East Penn Square, with an average price of $260 per night. It is a 3 star hotel with complimentary buffet breakfast and wireless access. The hotel also offers a complimentary light dinner, Monday-Wednesday, which includes a hot entrée, salad, and beverage. Suites are also available with kitchens. The hotel is located near the Convention Center, the Avenue of the Arts and City Hall. A short subway ride will take you to the historic section of Philadelphia.

4. Omni Hotel at Independence Park has an ideal location in the historic district at 401 Chestnut Street. The average price of a room is $254. Many like the Omni because of its child-friendly policies. A children's activity kit provides in-room games and activities and suggests sightseeing tips for young guests. Adults can receive complimentary in-room exercise kits. The Independence Visitors Center is three blocks away. Hotel-wide wireless internet access is complimentary. Valet parking or self-parking is available for a fee. The Omni is currently renovating its health club and swimming pool, which should be completed by spring 2006.

Hotels for $300 and above in Philadelphia

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1. Four Seasons Hotel is located at 1 Logan Square, with an average price of $416/night. It is a 5 star hotel located near Fairmount Park. It boasts an indoor pool, internet access, the popular Fountain restaurant and friendly and attentive staff.

2. The Rittenhouse Hotel is another popular 5 star hotel, with dial-up internet access, a hair salon, an indoor pool, a babysitting service and tennis on the premises. The average price per night is $402. This hotel houses a French restaurant, LaCroix. A few blocks away is the Philadelphia Splash Trolley, which runs every 15 minutes and take you to all the city’s highlight spots. It is located at 210 West Rittenhouse Square.

3. The Westin Philadelphia is a 4 star hotel located at 99 S 17th St at Liberty Place. The average price per night is $306. Several attractions can easily be reached by walking. The hotel offers 24-hour access to both a self-service business center and a fitness center. Complimentary wireless internet access is available in the third-floor lobby. Valet parking is available at $36 per 24-hour period.

4. Ritz Carlton Philadelphia is another opulent 5 star hotel, which is housed at 10 Avenue of the Arts. The average price is $381/night. The building functioned as a bank for nearly a century and still holds much of its original flare with its meticulously restored original woodwork, marble, and brass fixtures throughout the hotel. High-speed internet access is available for a surcharge. There are also a spa, massages, and a fitness center available on the premises.

Sources

1. www.expedia.com
2. www.tripadvisor.com – TripAdvisor users rank the 76 most popular hotels in Philly
3. www.hotelclub.net

Philadelphia - History and Overview

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Philadelphia - History and Overview

History in the Making

Philadelphia, a City of Firsts

Philadelphia Today

Philadelphia - Restaurants and Activities

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Philadelphia - Restaurants and Activities Overview

Sports Activities

Sports Bars

Outdoor Activities

Philadelphia Hotels

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Introduction and Tips to Hotels in Philadelphia

Hotels in Philadelphia for $75-125

Hotels in Philadelphia for $135-195

Hotels in Philadelphia for $200-275

Travel to Philadelphia - A Three Day Itinerary

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Travel to Philadelphia - A Three Day Itinerary Overview

Three Day Itinerary

Transportation for Tourists

Options for Children

What Are the Most Popular Neighborhoods In Which To Live in Philadelphia?

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The city of Philadelphia is enjoying a resurgence in popularity and a renewal of many of its urban areas. Many say that the real estate market in Philadelphia is booming. Of its hundreds of neighborhoods, those most currently sought after are Center City, Old City, Northern Liberties, Art Museum, Northeast Philly, West Philadelphia, Manayunk/East Hill, Chestnut Hill and Germantown/Mt. Airy. Homes in these areas are very much sought after, and the market value continues to rise. If you were to purchase a home in one of these areas, your real estate value should continue to rise, making it a sound investment as well as a comfortable place to live.

Center City is located in the center of downtown Philadelphia. Center City is located between the Schuylkill and Delaware Rivers, and is considered the heart and soul of Philadelphia. Center City currently enjoys the distinction of being the third most popular downtown area, behind New York City and Chicago. Center City is enjoying a resurgence in its businesses and attractions but also in its population. Here you can enjoy museums, fine dining, historic neighborhoods, loft and apartments with a view, shopping and so much more.

Old City was the first neighborhood established by the Quakers when the city of Philadelphia had its beginnings. It boasts many world-renowned tourist attractions that were instrumental in the development of the emerging U.S. nation. In addition, Old City is well known for its fine dining and many cultural opportunities. In Old City you will find many row houses and historical homes that have been renovated. It is certainly a quaint, historic and popular area in which to live. It is also home to the country's oldest, continuously inhabited street, Elfreth's Alley.

Northern Liberties is another popular area of Philadelphia where old factories are being converted into loft apartments, and the demand is high for these apartments. It is an area that is popular with the younger crowd and is simply brimming with nightlife.

Art Museum/Fairmount Park is a sophisticated middle class neighborhood. Of course, the magnificent structure of the Philadelphia Museum of Art stands atop its elevated spot on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. There are several other museums dotted across the landscape of this popular neighborhood. You will also find many restaurants and bars to the North of the parkway. Also of great enjoyment is the Fairmount Park, which is the world's largest landscaped, urban park, containing 100 miles of recreational trails. The area also boasts many early-American mansions, historic landmarks and the 19th century Victorian homes along Boathouse Row.

Northeast Philadelphia is a very popular neighborhood for young and beginning families. The Northeast area is primarily residential, yet has the convenience of several local shopping centers. Public transportation and the major roadways of I-95 Roosevelt Boulevard easily connect Northeast Philadelphia to Center City for an easy commute.

University City/West Philadelphia

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University City is home to two universities - the University of Pennsylvania and Drexel University. University City is currently enjoying an increase in popularity by young professionals and professors. There are also many students from Philadelphia College and Temple, who reside here, as well as many faculty and staff from all of these universities. University City is currently enjoying an upswing in popularity by young professionals and professors.

If you choose to live here, you will probably dwell in a historic home that has many of its original architectural features. The feel of the area is suburban with tree-lined streets and walking distance to the universities, yet you can catch a trolley or bus and be in Center City within 20 minutes.

Manayunk/East Hill

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Manayunk has recently been transformed from a run-down industrial area into one of Philadelphia's most popular and desirable neighborhoods. Manayunk is known for its trendiness, its hills and its nightlife. It is has become an extremely popular night and weekend spot for the young urban professional crowd, making it lively and full of life. Be careful if you decide to live here because traffic and parking can be a problem near the popular restaurants, galleries, boutiques and bars.

Chestnut Hill

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Chestnut Hill is a beautiful and highly desirable neighborhood that is located east of Fairmount Park. In Chestnut Hill, you will enjoy a quiet suburban atmosphere; but yet, you also have the benefits of active city living with more than 200 shops, galleries, antique stores and restaurants on cobblestone Germantown Avenue and also many cultural and community events. The housing in Chestnut Hill ranges from affordable apartment homes to million dollar mansions. In Chestnut Hill there are around 100 architecturally significant homes.

Germantown/Mt. Airy

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Germantown and Mt. Airy are very similar in feel to Chestnut Hill. They enjoy a somewhat suburban flare, yet reside within the city limits, providing the best of both worlds (suburban and city life). Many middle class families are choosing to set up house in this beautiful area.

Germantown is one of Philadelphia's oldest settlements and was originally settled by German immigrants, who had come to the U.S. on the promise from William Penn of religious freedom and tolerance. Germantown is home to many of Philadelphia's historic homes. Some apartment buildings have been painstakingly restored so that the original architectural magnificence can be preserved.
Center City and Temple University are in close proximity to the Germantown/Mt. Airy neighborhoods. Also close by are Fairmount Park, restaurants, cultural opportunities, art galleries and shopping.

What General Real Estate Data Can I Learn About Philadelphia?

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The total number of housing units in the city of Philadelphia is 315,393, with an average price of $180,000, according to June 2005 article in Money Magazine. The median rental price is $389. Of the total number of housing units in Philadelphia, 53 percent are occupied by owners and 36 percent are rental units. This leaves 11 percent of the total number housing units which are vacant. While the average price for a home in all of Philadelphia falls slightly below the national average of $190,000, prices in the most popular areas of Philadelphia are well above this average. For example, the average price for a home in the Center City area is $400,000 according to aroundphilly.org.

A great majority of housing units within the city limits of Philadelphia are either row houses or town houses. Make sure you check about the parking arrangements when you are seeking a house in some of the more popular areas of downtown Philly, as garages are often not park of structure of the home.

The median age of Philadelphia residents is 29, while the national median age of citizens is 36. Philadelphia is definitely popular for young urban professionals and young families. The median family income within the city limits is $27,196 and within Philadelphia County is $41,250. The national median family income is $40,591.
Because Philadelphia is 90 miles from New York City and 120 miles from Washington, D.C., it is becoming increasingly popular to live here and commute to these areas for work and play.

What About Schools In Philadelphia?

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Philadelphia has a charter school, a public high school and a fine arts high school, which all have good reputations.
According to Brad Harley, a real estate agent in Philadelphia, two thirds of all school children are enrolled in private schools. Most of the private school enrollment is catholic schools.

What Public Transportation is Available in Philadelphia?

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Philadelphia is served by SEPTA, the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority. SEPTA is responsible for running buses, trains, subways, trolleys and trackless trolleys into the residential areas from the city and around the downtown area. Philadelphia is also served by two airports Philadelphia International Airport and the Northeast Philadelphia Airport. The International airport is seven miles outside the city and is has hundreds of domestic and international flights each day. SEPTA serves the airports, as well as taxis and van services.

Sources

Brad Harley, real estate agent: Brad.Harley@newhomes.com; TEL (215)545-7299
http://www.homegain.com/local_real_estate/PA/philadelphia.html
www.phillyhomescape.com
www.realtor.com
www.4wallsinPhilly.com
http://money.cnn.com - "The 100 Major Markets," June 2005