The Safest Places to Stay in Philadelphia
Generally speaking, it is a good idea to take the same precautions in Philadelphia for your safety as you would in any other major city. But there certainly are some areas of the city that you are more likely to run into problems in than others. If you’re visiting for the first time and still trying to familiarize yourself with the area, you may want to consider staying in one of the following neighborhoods during your visit: Rittenhouse Square, Center City, Old City.
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Rittenhouse Square
Rittenhouse Square is a neighborhood in Philly that encompasses the blocks surrounding, you guessed it, Rittenhouse Square Park. This is a popular residential area with many restaurant, bar, and general entertainment options. It also is very conveniently located near public transit stations, making it a good choice if you would like to have access by train to a lot of the city without much walking.
Places to Stay:
- Ideal Location: The Rittenhouse Hotel
- Luxury Hotel: The Four Seasons at the Comcast Center
- Popular: The Club Quarters
- Budget: La Reserve Bed & Breakfast
Center City
Another safe bet is Center City Philadelphia, which is a highly trafficked area in between City Hall and the Liberty Bell, full with shops and businesses to walk around and explore. This is another easily accessible part of the city that if often visited by tourists.
Places to Stay:
- Ideal Location: The W Hotel
- Luxury Hotel: The Ritz Carlton
- Popular: The Downtown Marriott
- Budget: The Four Points Philadelphia
Old City
The Old City neighborhood of Philadelphia is another great area to explore in Philadelphia, especially for the history buffs! This is where you will find the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, Elfreth’s Alley, and more. It is sure to make your itinerary if it’s your first time in the city, so if you prefer to stay close to the big tourist attractions this would be a good place to book your stay!
Places to Stay:
- Ideal Location: The Ledger Residences
- Popular: The Kimpton Hotel Monaco
- Budget: Apple Hostels
Chestnut Hill
While the three above neighborhoods are good places to look if you would like to be in the middle of the city, if you are okay with staying farther out but still in the Philadelphia zip code, Chestnut Hill is a very charming, extremely safe place to stay during your visit. It is a popular place to go shopping in independent boutiques or explore streets with a bit more green space + open feel compared to center city.
Places to Stay:
- Hotel: The Chestnut Hill Hotel
Regardless of what neighborhood you choose for your visit, we hope you have a great time exploring Philadelphia! Check out our one day itinerary below for a walking route that runs through all three of the neighborhoods listed above. Happy traveling!
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About the Author: Hi, I’m Jill! I am a biomedical & mechanical engineer who loves traveling during my free time. My hope is to help make it easier for others to plan their dream trips by providing firsthand experience from the places I’ve been! Read More.

