Best areas to stay in Philadelphia for a month: a neighbourhood guide

The best areas to stay in Philadelphia for a month: how to choose

Philadelphia is compact and walkable at its core. Wikivoyage calls it one of America's most walkable cities and says most of Center City can be crossed on foot in 30 minutes or less. Wikipedia reports that Center City had an estimated 183,240 residents in 2015, making it the second-most populated downtown in the United States after Midtown Manhattan. That density means everyday errands are rarely far away.

When comparing the best areas to stay in Philadelphia for a month, the useful questions are which part of the core you want, and whether you want to live inside it or one transit stop away. Wikivoyage splits the city into districts including Center City East and West, Old City, South Philly, West Philly and the north-west. The table below summarises the main bases using Wikivoyage, Wikipedia and the Visit Philadelphia site.

Is Rittenhouse a good area to stay for a month?

Among the best areas to stay in Philadelphia for a month, Rittenhouse is the easiest to live in on foot. Wikivoyage describes Center City West as the art museum district, Rittenhouse Square, shopping and dining on Chestnut and Walnut, and the tallest skyscrapers. The square sits only four blocks west of Broad Street and the main business areas, and Wikivoyage describes it as a green oasis among tall buildings.

The transit is a little less tidy. Wikivoyage notes that the Market-Frankford Line does not stop in the middle of Center City West, that you can switch to the Broad Street Line at City Hall, that all Regional Rail lines stop at Suburban Station, and that trolleys from West Philadelphia stop at 22nd, 19th and 15th Streets before City Hall.

Whichever street you pick, check it at night. Wikivoyage's advice for exploring is simple: get off at City Hall and walk.

Old City and Society Hill: historic streets with a European feel

Wikivoyage calls Old City the city's oldest historic quarter, with Independence Mall and the Liberty Bell, and says it is the most historic square mile in the USA, with independent boutiques, galleries and restaurants and streets that keep their original brick and stone. It adds that the Market-Frankford Line has 2nd and 5th Street stations and that SEPTA buses and the seasonal PHLASH trolley serve the area.

Nightlife is concentrated. Wikivoyage places bars and clubs between Front and 3rd Streets and Race and Chestnut Streets, with door lines at upscale venues and cabs everywhere at 2 a.m. That can be a plus for a social stay and a minus for light sleepers.

Society Hill, between the Delaware River and 8th Street, is described as a beautiful neighbourhood with lots of historic homes. Street parking in Old City is metered and scarce, according to Wikivoyage, often with a two-hour limit, which matters if you bring a car.

University City: for universities, hospitals and Amtrak

University City is the easternmost part of West Philadelphia, across the Schuylkill from Center City, according to Wikipedia. Penn is the area's largest private employer, Drexel and Saint Joseph's University have campuses there, and its medical institutions include the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Penn Presbyterian Medical Center and the VA Medical Center.

It is also the arrival point for many rail travellers. Wikipedia says 30th Street Station is one of the nation's busiest passenger train stations, served by Amtrak's Northeast Corridor and Keystone Corridor, SEPTA Regional Rail and NJ Transit's Atlantic City Line, with the Market-Frankford Line and subway-surface trolleys at the adjacent subway station.

University City is a practical base for a hospital stay or a university visit. The guide to aparthotels near hospitals for family stays explains how to choose for medical trips, and the business travel guide covers work-led stays.

Northern Liberties, Fishtown and South Philly: a local feel

Visit Philadelphia describes Fishtown as one of the hip enclaves near Center City, and Wikivoyage lists Northern Liberties in the North Philly district. Wikipedia reports that revitalisation and gentrification have concentrated mainly in Center City and University City, beginning in the late 1970s, so options vary by block.

South Philly is where Wikivoyage places South Street, the Italian Market, the Sports Complex, many dive bars and cheesesteaks. These areas suit a month in Philadelphia for visitors who prefer a neighbourhood feel to a landmark address, but check the nearest SEPTA stop and the walk after dark before booking.

Getting around Philadelphia: SEPTA, trolleys and the airport

SEPTA's site lists Metro lines B and L, trolleys, Regional Rail, an airport line and SEPTA Key and contactless payment. Wikivoyage explains that the B is the Broad Street Line, running under Broad Street; the L is the Market-Frankford, running under Market Street and elevated elsewhere; and the T is five trolley lines from West Philadelphia that run in a subway into Center City.

Regional Rail serves the suburbs, and Wikivoyage says the Airport Line runs about every 30 minutes and reaches PHL in about 25 minutes. It adds that most city bus routes run about every 30 minutes on weekdays, with Night Owl routes running around the clock, that contactless cards, Apple Pay and Google Pay also work, and that the Key card is not accepted on PATCO, which uses its own card.

Old City is about ten minutes by car from the airport, according to Wikivoyage.

What is Philadelphia like for a month in each season?

Wikivoyage places Philadelphia at the northern edge of the humid subtropical zone, with four distinct seasons. Winters are cold and snowy, with average snowfall of 24 inches, mostly from December to March. Summers are hot and humid, with daytime heat indices around 90°F and nights around 72°F.

Spring and autumn are the pleasant seasons, with temperatures in the 60s and 70s °F, which makes them easier for long walks between neighbourhoods. Daylight runs from about 7:15 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. in winter and 5:45 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. in summer. Practical advice: in July and August, prioritise air conditioning; in winter, prioritise a short walk to a station.

Practical tips for a long stay in Philadelphia

A month rewards routine, and the best areas to stay in Philadelphia for a month are the ones that make it easy. The monthly serviced apartments guide explains how longer bookings work, and the long-stay accommodation checklist helps compare kitchens and laundry.

• Choose by walk and station rather than district name, and check the walk at night.
• If you will use a car, check whether parking is included, as street parking is scarce in Old City.
• Ask about air conditioning in summer and heating in winter.
• For other United States long-stay options, see aparthotels in the United States, aparthotels and serviced apartments in New York and aparthotels and serviced apartments in Pittsburgh.