Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Hotels and City Guide

Philadelphia - Travel Tips

When to Go

Any time of year will provide an excellent opportunity to take advantage of the many historic sites, restaurants, art museums, and shopping experiences that Philadelphia has to offer. Naturally, around the 4th of July is particularly festive in this very patriotic city. If you want to plan a trip around this time, plan early. Numerous activities occur throughout the historic sections of the city during the summer months to celebrate its heritage. The autumn season brings resplendent leaf color to the city’s plentiful trees. It is spectacular and provides landscape vistas that everyone should see, at least once. Concerts and theater productions are held from October through early June. Typically, during the winter months, you can find bargains on many hotel rooms. During the spring, cherry blossoms are in full bloom. The Philadelphia Cherry Blossom Festival is held in April. The blooms are a magnificent sight to behold.

Local Holidays:

New Year's Day (January 1)
Martin Luther King's Birthday (third Monday in January)
Washington's Birthday (third Monday in February)
Memorial Day (last Monday in May)
Independence Day (July 4)
Labor Day (first Monday in September)
Discoverers' Day (second Monday in October)
Veterans' Day (November 11)
Thanksgiving (last Thursday in November)
Christmas (December 25)

Business Hours and Banking: It is good to be aware of the hours of operation of any business or company you may need the services of when in an unfamiliar city. In Philadelphia, most banks are open 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. weekdays, with a few open on Saturday, and some even on Sunday, with limited hours. Branches of the post office are open 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. weekdays, and on Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to noon. The main post office, however, is open 24 hours per day. All banks and post offices are closed on national holidays. You will want to check the holiday schedule before departing on your trip to the city to ensure the services you require will be available at the times you may need them.

For the most part, museums and attractions are open from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., although hours vary so it is always a good idea to call ahead or look at their web site for details. Hours vary for businesses in suburbs as well. Typically, many historic attractions are open longer hours during the summer but, again, it’s always good to know before you go.

Pharmacies in downtown Philly are open from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., while hours can be different in the suburbs.

For shopping excursions, downtown Philly stores are open anywhere from 9:30 or 10:00 a.m. to 5 or 6:00 p.m. On Wednesdays, many stores stay open until 9:00 p.m. The downtown shops typically close on Sunday, but some venues – the Shops at Liberty Place, the Gallery at East Market, and a few stores in the Bellevue area – are open from noon until 5:00 or 6:00 p.m. During the spring and fall, the Bourse is open on Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Art galleries and antique stores can sometimes operate on their own schedules, being closed some mornings or weekdays. Again, the best idea is always to call head before you travel to a store or shop, only to find it closed.

Smoking: Laws regarding smoking can be different throughout each county, city, or state. Updated and revised laws can occur frequently. In Philadelphia, smoking has been prohibited in restaurants and bars since 1998. Most hotels offer non-smoking rooms. It’s always wise to check the particular rules or regulations where you’re at before lighting up.

Drinking: In order to purchase alcoholic beverage in the state, you must be at least twenty-one, and many venues will ask for ID when you order. Both grocery stores and convenience markets sell wine, liquor, and beer, and they are located throughout the city. Pennsylvania law will not allow restaurants or bars to serve alcohol after 2 a.m.

Local Customs & Language (including Tipping)
Customs:

An essentially blue collar town, many of the locals here are friendly. While this may vary as you enter Philadelphia’s corporate world, dress is almost always casual in nature. Don’t hesitate to stop and ask directions if you find yourself lost, as they don’t call it “The City of Brotherly Love” for no reason.

Language: Due to the ethnic diversity of many neighborhoods in Philadelphia, a variety of languages can be heard throughout the city. English, however, is the primary language spoken in the city.

Tipping Advice: Waiters and taxi drivers in the U.S. receive a 15 – 20% tip for their services. Bartenders often get a dollar per drink, and valet parking attendants receive one to two dollars.

Hotel maids generally receive between $1 and $3 per day of your stay. In upscale hotels, at least 4 percent of the room rate is a suggested tip, before taxes, unless a service fee is charged by the hotel that includes the gratuity. Airport baggage handlers typically receive from between $1 to $2 per bag. Hairdressers and barbers usually receive between 10 and 15 percent.

Health and Security

While Center City and much of the surrounding Philadelphia area is considered safe, there are some precautions that it just makes sense to follow. For instance, don’t draw attention to yourself by wearing flashy jewelry. Don’t leave any valuables in your hotel room; put them in the hotel’s safe, if possible. Purchase a money belt (men and women) to wear, secretly hidden around your waist. If you have a handbag, keep it in your lap when seated at a restaurant table or theatre seat; don’t drape it over the back of a chair. Don’t sit it down on the floor anywhere. As with any destination, exercise caution when out after dark. Stay away from deserted streets. If you have any questions about the safety of a particular location, you can always ask hotel personnel or inquire at the Independence Visitor Center. If you have a car, keep it locked, as you should in any city, and don’t leave valuables inside.

The subway system is relatively safe during daylight hours. After dark, however, it would probably be best to hail a taxi as opposed to waiting on a semi-deserted train station platform.

Philadelphia had a reputation at one time for a number of murders that occurred there. In recent years, however, crime has diminished in the city. The Center City area of Philadelphia, which hosts numerous restaurants, nightclubs, and shopping venues, is relatively safe. As with any location you travel to, exercising caution is the wisest choice. Use common sense, especially after dark, when you are out and about. Any hotel concierge or front desk staff member should be able to give you advice about areas in which you intend to travel.

Medical Services: Should you become ill during your trip, there are a number of hospitals and pharmacies to help meet your needs including Graduate Hospital at 1800 Lombard Street near the business district and Pennsylvania Hospital at 8th & Spruce streets. Both local and major chain pharmacies are close to almost every destination in the city.

Disabled Travelers: Thanks to the Americans with Disabilities Act, most hotels, companies, and restaurants have a number of services available if you need extra help. Simply take a moment to contact your destination ahead of time to ask what services are available.

Tax Refunds: Philadelphia has a sales tax of 7 percent on almost all items; however, it does not apply to clothing or groceries. The hotel tax in Philadelphia is 14 percent. Taxes are collected individually by each state and/or local authority. Tax refunds are not typically given in the United States, with the exception of some articles in the state of Louisiana. If you were a visitor in Louisiana and purchased an item, you may be eligible for a sales tax refund.

Hotels in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania