Fact Sheet: Philadelphia
LOCATIONGateway to the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states.
Only one hour by train to/from New York City and one hour and 45 minutes by train to/from Washington, D.C.
Only two hours by car to/from New York City and three hours by car to/from Washington, D.C.
POPULATION
Fifth-largest city in the United States.
Second-largest city on the East Coast.
Largest city in Pennsylvania.
Six million people in the metropolitan area and 1.5 million in the city.
Fourth-largest media market.
One of largest college/university cities in the U.S. with approximately 300,000 college and university students in the metro area.
HISTORY
Most historic city in America and birthplace of American government.
Founded in 1682 by William Penn, an English Quaker.
Nation?s capital from 1790 to 1800.
Declaration of Independence and U.S. Constitution were written and ratified here.
Philadelphia translates in Greek to mean ?City of Brotherly Love.?
ATTRACTIONS
Historical ? Independence National Historical Park, which includes the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, National Constitution Center, Betsy Ross House and Carpenter?s Hall.
Cultural ? World-famous museums, including Philadelphia Museum of Art, Rodin Museum, The Barnes Foundation, The Franklin Institute Science Museum, The Academy of Natural Sciences, the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. Cultural performances at The Kimmel Center for the performing arts (home of the Philadelphia Orchestra and eight resident company performing arts organizations), and The Academy of Music (home of the Pennsylvania Ballet).
Gardens ? More public gardens than anywhere else in North America, including Fairmount Park, the U.S. ?s largest landscaped city park and Longwood Gardens is one of the premier botanical gardens in the U.S.
Shopping ? Center City (downtown) shopping includes The Gallery at Market East -the nation?s largest urban shopping center ? The Shops at Liberty Place, Rittenhouse Row, Antique Row, Jewelers? Row and South Street. A short distance away are The King of Prussia Mall, the largest retail complex in the U.S., Franklin Mills discount shopping mall, Manayunk, Chestnut Hill, Peddler?s Village and New Hope. (There is no sales tax on clothing or shoes in Pennsylvania!).
World-class restaurants and nightlife ? includes some of the top restaurants in the U.S. and clubs featuring live jazz, blues, dance music, plus comedy.
SPORTS
Nine professional sports teams: Eagles (football), Flyers (hockey), 76ers (basketball), Phillies (baseball), Phantoms (minor league hockey), Wings (lacrosse), Barrage (outdoor lacrosse), KiXX (men?s indoor soccer) and Soul (arena football).
Premier annual sporting events, including: Penn Relays (April), Dad Vail Rowing Regatta (May), Pro Cycling Tour International (formerly the Wachovia Cycling Series, June), Philadelphia Distance Run (September), Philadelphia Marathon (November) and the Army/Navy Game (December).
Numerous collegiate sporting events, including the upcoming NCAA Men?s Lacrosse Championships, NCAA Men?s Basketball 1st and 2nd Rounds and the 2006 American Cup (international gymnastics) and the Division I Wrestling Championships (2011).
State-of-the-art athletic facilities, including: Lincoln Financial Field, Franklin Field, Citizens Bank Park, Wachovia Complex and The Liacouras Center.
CLIMATE
Four distinct seasons.
Winters moderately cold with some snow (January average temperature, 32 degrees Fahrenheit).
Summers warm and sunny with some humidity (July average temperature, 78 degrees Fahrenheit).
Spring and fall moderate and comfortable.
Average yearly rainfall, 42 inches.
GETTING HERE
By air:
30 carriers with nonstop service to/from more than 130 cities in the U.S. and internationally.
Hub of U.S. Airways and Southwest airlines, as well as many other low cost carriers.
State-of-the-art International Terminal opened in April 2003.
Philadelphia International Airport is located just 20 minutes by train or car from Center City (downtown).
Cab service $27 one-way to or from Center City.
Airport Rail Line (R-1) departs from the airport every half-hour from 5:30 a.m.-11:25 p.m. for $5.50, and takes approximately 25 minutes to arrive in Center City.
By train:
Major hub for Amtrak?s service along the Northeast Corridor.
Regularly scheduled Amtrak regional and Metroliner service from Baltimore (1 hour); New York (1 hour, 10 minutes); Washington, D.C. (1 hour, 40 minutes); and Boston (5 hours), with connections to points east and west.
ACELA is Amtrak?s ultramodern high-speed train with service between Philadelphia, Boston, New York and Washington, D.C.
By car or motorcoach:
Major interstate and regional highways (I-95, I-76, Pennsylvania Turnpike, New Jersey Turnpike) make Philadelphia easily accessible from all points, including Atlantic City (1 hour), Baltimore (2 hours), New York (2 hours), Washington, D.C. (3 hours) and Boston (6 hours).
GETTING AROUND
By public transportation:
Subway, trolley, commuter train and bus service (SEPTA) has connections throughout the city and region.
Bus fare on most routes $2.00 ? (Tokens available for $1.30 or a Daypass for $5.50 which includes unlimited riding for one day on any Regional Rail line, as well as the airport?s R-1 line).
The Phlash offers a quick and easy connection to most Center City attractions, including the Independence Visitor Center, Penn's Landing and the Philadelphia Museum of Art and is one of the best ways to visit 19 key locations in Center City. The Phlash operates seven days a week from 10 a.m.- 6 p.m., offering service every 12 minutes from March 1 through November 30, 2006. One-way ride is $1, individual all-day pass is $4 and an all-day family pass is $10.
RiverLink ferry runs seasonally between Delaware River Waterfront (Penn?s Landing) and attractions along the Delaware River in New Jersey (roundtrip $6 adults, $5 children).
Many public transportation vehicles are wheelchair accessible.
On foot:
Center City is very walkable with streets laid out in a grid pattern (numbered streets run north and south and tree-named streets run east and west).
Most Center City hotels, attractions, shopping, restaurants and nightlife are within walking distance of each other and the Pennsylvania Convention Center.
Directional maps and signs make it easy for visitors to find their destinations.
Center City District uniformed personnel create a safe, clean, friendly environment throughout the downtown area.
CRUISE INFORMATION
The Port of Philadelphia and Camden Cruise Terminal provide convenient service for cruises to Bermuda, Canada, New England and the Caribbean. Three cruise lines provide 36 sailing dates, from April through October.
About the Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau
Who we are: The Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau (PCVB), www.PhiladelphiaUSA.travel, a private non-profit membership corporation, is the official Tourism Promotion Agency for the City of Philadelphia, and the primary sales and marketing agency for the Pennsylvania Convention Center. The PCVB competes with its counterparts worldwide for convention and tourism business. The organization has departments dedicated to the multicultural, sports, and life sciences markets.
Our mission: To generate economic impact and job growth by increasing the region's hotel occupancy and revenues, while concurrently affecting other diverse segments of the hospitality industry. To do whatever it takes to attract ethnically diverse regional, national and international convention and tourism customers through creative sales, marketing and communications efforts. To deliver exceptional service and experiences for all, ensuring repeat business across market segments. To increase the quality of life for all our citizens, stakeholders, and visitors by supporting the region's vibrant arts and entertainment, historic, cultural, retail, restaurant, and sports venues.
