Cheap Philadelphia Hotels
Think this place is just a cheese steak away from being New York City’s little sister? Think again. Philly is a town saturated in history, complex in diversity, and startling in hidden beauty. Artists gather near Fairmount and South Street, and the elite pick Philadelphia hotels in Center City or Old City, where the antiquity of architecture lines the streets and begs to have its photo taken. Have fun exploring South Philadelphia, where you can turn a corner and be in a new place (and enjoy a new cuisine). No matter which hotel in Philadelphia you choose, the options for an unforgettable experience are endless.
Center City: Every other city in the country refers to this section as “Downtown,” but the liveliest part of Philadelphia is known as Center City. Spanning from east to west, this busy section of town is the place to be for those seeking a Philadelphia hotel in the heart of it all. Using South Street and Vine Street as its northern and southern borders, the neighborhood encapsulates the busy dwellings of Old City, Society Hill, and Rittenhouse Square.
Old City: With a nod to New York City’s SoHo, Old City captures a hipster-academic-chic style that never ends. Find a Philadelphia hotel around the Benjamin Franklin Bridge and Independence National Historical Park to stroll around the fascinating architecture and take in the historic sites. Eighteenth century row houses, 19th century warehouses, and 20th century renovations make Old City an aesthetic dream come true. Attracting a specific brand of people in their 20’s and 30’s, it’s the perfect place to snag a Philadelphia hotel if you plan to poke around the cool restaurants, trendy bars, and distinct boutiques. If you’re staying in the summer, don't miss the block party every first Friday of the month, when galleries and stores show off their best stuff.
Rittenhouse Square: Back in the 1930’s, Rittenhouse Square teemed with stylish condos and locals meandering through the gorgeously landscaped park nearby. Today you’ll find the same (now renovated) condos, and similar patrons doing the same leisurely things they’ve been doing for 80 years. Although establishments have modernized a bit, you’ll still get that vibe of well-designed antiquity if you stay at a Philadelphia hotel in Rittenhouse Square. Outdoor cafes and huge luxury hotels make it easy to walk around and find a great spot for people-watching. Shoppers take note: Boutiques here are rumored to rival Boston and San Francisco when it comes to charm.
Chestnut Hill, Germantown, Mount Airy: If you’re looking for a relaxing stay in a beautiful Philadelphia hotel, then steer toward the triangle of Chestnut Hill, Germantown, and Mount Airy, where nightlife is defined by quality dining. Cobblestones and high altitude make for picturesque scenery in Chestnut Hill, and its art galleries, shops, and tea rooms give an aura of Victorian elegance. Settled first by German immigrants, Germantown is saturated in religious buildings and historic mansions that give way to Mount Airy, where diversity and independent establishments give the area a vibrant flair.
Fairmount: For travelers in search of artistic energy, Philadelphia hotels in Fairmount are surrounded by museums, galleries, and inspirational medium everywhere you look. Aptly named the “Art Museum Area” by locals, this neighborhood stretches from the Benjamin Franklin Parkway to Girgard Avenue, and all along its beautiful scenic streets are the Free Library, Rodin Museum, Eastern State Penitentiary, and the Philadelphia Art Museum. Get your fill of paintings, sculptures, and a culture that breathes creativity when you find a cheap Philadelphia hotel in Fairmount.
South Philadelphia: This diverse section of the city makes exploring fun again. From little lofts to delicious markets filled with cured Italian meats and pungent cheeses, South Philadelphia has it all. More than 300 years of immigration has infused the neighborhood with life, cuisine, and eccentricity, so staying at a Philadelphia hotel here is guaranteed vivacious experience. Although it might feel a little more like an Italian neighborhood than a diverse mash up of ethnicity, dig deeper to find the hot tacquerias and the steaming Philly cheese steaks.
South Street: South Street abounds with history of William Penn’s version of the city limits. The area has grown substantially since his day, most notably in the 1960s, when bohemian artists took over and painted the neighborhood with vision and color. Peace and love ruled the roads when hippies regulated the land, and now the spot attracts a certain kind of traveler, offering affordable dining, casual watering holes, and independent art galleries. It’s also a great place to get a piercing or a tattoo as you wander back to your Philadelphia hotel after a night on the town.
University City: Feel like rubbing elbows with academia? Find a cheap hotel in Pennsylvania near the brainy students at University of Pennsylvania. Before the campus moved here in the 1870s, the area was pure farmland. Now, packed with Ivy League architecture and pretty brick pathways, University City drums up a nostalgic feel for Oxford and Cambridge in England. More colleges in the area, like Drexel University and Pennsylvania State populate the student-based bars and restaurants.
