About Philadelphia
Located on the eastern border of Pennsylvania at the meeting of the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers, Philadelphia is about two hours south of New York and three hours north of Washington, DC. In fact, approximately 40 percent of the U.S. population is within a day’s drive of Philadelphia. The 2nd largest city on the East Coast, behind New York, Philadelphia attracts more than 400,000 international visitors per year.
Founded in 1682 by the English Quaker William Penn, Philadelphia experienced rapid growth in the 18th century to become the 2nd largest English-speaking city in the world, behind London. The social and geographical center of the original 13 colonies, Philadelphia served as the nation’s capital from 1791 to 1800, and it is well-known as the birthplace of many American Revolution era ideals that still serve as the backbone of American democracy today.
Philadelphia’s rich history is reflected in many of its monuments and attractions, both well-known iconic sites such as the Liberty Bell
Liberty Bell and lesser-known gems such as Reading Terminal Market. Reminders of our nation’s birth are found at nearly every corner of the city. Visit the Independence National Historical Park, known as “America’s most historic square mile,” which features the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall, where the Declaration of Independence was adopted on July 4, 1776. Check out other Philadelphia must-sees including the Betsy Ross House, regarded as the site where the first American flag was sewn, and the Philadelphia Museum of Art
Philadelphia Museum of Art, the 3rd largest art museum in the country.
Philadelphia enjoys an extremely diverse population, representing large Irish, Italian, Jamaican, Hispanic, African American, Asian American and Polish populations. The city’s diverse populace is reflected in global cuisines and neighborhoods, such as the Italian Market in South Philadelphia and Chinatown. Stops for dim sum at Pod or ceviche at Cuba Libre are musts for guests looking to experience Philadelphia’s unexpectedly eclectic mix of cuisine. In addition to its fine dining and international fare, no trip to Philadelphia is complete without the satisfying flavor of the original Philadelphia cheesesteak, invented in 1930 and long-time symbol of the city.
From a proud historical heritage to open celebration of its diverse population, Philadelphia is undeniably the City of Brotherly Love. The city has experienced great revitalization in the recent decades, effectively marketing itself as a tourist destination and better maintaining and improving its older historical attractions nestled among the city’s new gleaming skyscrapers.
Manufacturing and distribution have traditionally served as the mainstay of Philadelphia’s economy. However, over the past few decades, Philadelphia has diversified into the areas of information and service-based business. Tourism plays a major role in the city’s economy as well, as do educational and health institutions. More than 150,000 students attend college in Philadelphia, while one out of every six U.S. doctors is trained in the city. Other major Philadelphia economy giants include printing and publishing, finance, telecommunications and biomedics, including pharmaceutical firms, research institutions and medical publishing.
Why Philadelphia?
Philadelphia is a world-class city with a remarkable blend of historic charm and modern glamour. The city has undergone a tremendous makeover in the past few decades, resulting in increased tourism and a well-earned reputation for a spectacular urban experience.
The Pennsylvania Convention Center's existing 624,000 total square feet of saleable space will be expanded to more than one million total saleable square feet by 2010. After the expansion, it will be home to the largest contiguous exhibit space in the Northeast and the largest convention center ballroom on the East Coast. The center boasts sophisticated space with a historic feel; its elegant interior is marked by the beautiful Grand Hall, housed in the center’s historic Reading Terminal train shed, the world’s oldest surviving single-span arched train shed. The center also offers more than 8,000 hotel rooms within a 15-minute walk, and more than 10,000 hotel rooms are located throughout the entire Center City region.
Philadelphia hotels are also undergoing extensive renovations. More than $231 million has been dedicated to recent or upcoming renovations, including a $6 million renovation to the Hyatt Regency Philadelphia in 2008 and $10.2 million renovation of Embassy Suites Center City’s guest rooms, lobby and parking garage. W Hotels and Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide both have plans to add accommodations in 2008 and 2009.
Philadelphia’s extensive transportation system makes it easy for guests to travel to and around the city via subway, bus and rail lines, which have stops at the convention center and numerous other points of interest around town. The convention center and downtown sites are also just 15 minutes from Philadelphia International Airport, an ever-expanding, internationally -
recognized airport that serves more than 30 million passengers each year.
As home to numerous historic landmarks and attractions, it’s no challenge to find great unique venues that give guests a true taste of the city’s rich history and culture. The National Constitution Center, a stunning 160,000-square-foot museum dedicated to the ideals of the U.S. Constitution, features an unparalleled view of Independence Hall and is an ideal location for private events. The light-filled, 13,000-square-foot Liberty Bell Center, the newly-renovated home of the famous Liberty Bell, is also a beautiful, one-of-a-kind space.
Philadelphia serves as the headquarters for several high profile corporations, including Comcast, Lincoln Financial Group, Sunoco and Amtrak. A center for higher education, Philadelphia is also home to numerous colleges and universities, including the University of Pennsylvania, Drexel University, Temple University and LaSalle University, among others. In fact, Philadelphia’s academic institutions award 54,000 degrees annually.
Philadelphia Metro Area Facts
Time Zone: Eastern Standard Time (EST)
Convention Center: Pennsylvania Convention Center
Pennsylvania Convention Center
Airports: Philadelphia International Airport
Philadelphia International Airport (PHL)
| Population | 1,448,394 | Destination Type Listings |
| Hotels | 367 | • Historic destination |
| Hotel Rooms | 110,000 | • Smoke free destination |
| Unique Venues | 350 | |
| Restaurants | 120 |
Philadelphia Climate Information
Philadelphia features a humid continental climate; summers tend to be hot and muggy, particularly during July and August, while fall and spring bring mild temperatures and winters are fairly cold. The coldest month is January, when the overnight average temperature hovers around 25°F, while the warmest month is July, with an average daytime temperature of 85°F.
Winters see unpredictable amounts of snow, with an average annual snowfall of around 21 inches. Precipitation is generally evenly spread throughout the year, with an annual average of 41 inches, but July is the wettest month with an average of four inches of rain. February is the driest month with an average of two inches of rain. The spring months of April and May, as well as the fall months of September and October, all have average temperatures in the 60s and 70s, ideal weather for visiting.
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rec High -°F | 74 | 74 | 85 | 94 | 97 | 100 | 104 | 101 | 100 | 89 | 84 | 72 |
| Avg High -°F | 39 | 42 | 51 | 63 | 73 | 82 | 87 | 85 | 78 | 67 | 55 | 44 |
| Avg Low -°F | 24 | 26 | 33 | 43 | 53 | 62 | 68 | 66 | 59 | 47 | 38 | 29 |
| Rec Low -°F | -7 | -4 | 7 | 19 | 28 | 44 | 51 | 44 | 35 | 25 | 15 | 1 |
| Rainfall - in. | 3.2 | 2.8 | 3.7 | 3.4 | 3.6 | 3.4 | 4.2 | 3.9 | 3.3 | 2.7 | 3.3 | 3.3 |
