About Philadelphia

About Philadelphia

Welcome to Philadelphia, where big-city excitement meets neighborhood charm. The second-largest city on the East Coast, Philadelphia is at the center of the Northeast Corridor and within a days-drive of 40 percent of the U.S. population. Made famous as the birthplace of “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness,” the city’s strength is in the culturally diverse neighborhoods that merge to create a unique and dynamic destination. Come and listen to the sounds of Philadelphia on the Avenue of the Arts, taste the distinctiveness of world renowned chefs on Rittenhouse Row, relive history at Independence Hall and feel the pulse of the city through touring its neighborhoods.

Philadelphia Looks Forward to Hosting Our Event + Offers Attendees Great Incentives While Visiting the City!
Visit the AIIM Expo + Conference Travel Site for tips on restaurants, shopping, city history, attractions + more!

Philly Quick Facts

Location

• Gateway to the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states.
• Only one hour by train to New York City and one hour and 45 minutes by train to Washington, D.C.
• Only two hours by car to New York City and three hours by car to Washington, D.C.

Population

• Fifth-largest city in the United States.
• Second-largest city on the East Coast.
• Largest city in Pennsylvania.
• Five million people in the metropolitan area and 1.5 million in the city.

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.

Attractions

• Historical - Independence National Historical Park - America’s most historic square mile, including the Liberty Bell Center, Independence Hall, National Constitution Center, Lights of Liberty Show, Betsy Ross House and more.
• Cultural – World-famous museums include the Philadelphia Museum of Art, Rodin Museum, The Barnes Foundation, The Franklin Institute Science Museum, The Academy of Natural Sciences, and The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. Cultural performance venues include 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 largest landscaped city park in the U.S.A., and Longwood Gardens.
• Shopping – Center City (downtown) shopping includes The Gallery at Market East -the nation’s biggest downtown shopping center, Rittenhouse Row, Antique Row, Jewelers’ Row and South Street. A short distance away are The King of Prussia Mall, the largest mall in U.S.A., 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!).
• Restaurants and Nightlife – Philadelphia has a variety of ethnic and group-friendly restaurants including some of the top restaurants in the U.S.A. Philadelphia’s nightlife includes clubs featuring live jazz, blues and dance music.

Sports

• Nine professional sports teams: Eagles (football), Flyers (hockey), 76ers (basketball), Phillies (baseball), Soul (arena football), Phantoms (minor league hockey), Wings (lacrosse), KiXX (men’s indoor soccer) and Charge (women’s outdoor soccer).
• Premier annual sporting events, including: Wachovia Cycling Series, Army/Navy football game, Dad Vail Rowing Regatta, Comcast U.S. Pro Indoor Tennis Championships and Philadelphia Distance Run.
• Numerous collegiate sporting events.

Climate

• Four distinct seasons.
• Winters moderately cold with some snow (January average temperature, 39 degrees Fahrenheit).
• Summers warm and sunny with some humidity (July average temperature, 86 degrees Fahrenheit).
• Spring and Fall moderate and comfortable.
• Average yearly rainfall, 41 inches.

Getting Here

By 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).
• Motorcoach loading and unloading facilities are located throughout the historic district and daytime and overnight motorcoach parking is available.

By Air

• 25 carriers service more than 100 cities in the U.S.A. and internationally.
• State-of-the-art International Terminal opened in April 2003.
• Philadelphia’s International Airport is located just 20 minutes by train or car from Center City (downtown).

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 new ultramodern high-speed train with service between Philadelphia, Boston, New York and Washington, D.C.

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 – (Daypass $5.50 for unlimited riding for one day on all city vehicles, plus one way on airport’s R-1 line).
• RiverLink ferry runs seasonally between Delaware River Waterfront (Penn’s Landing) and New Jersey State Aquarium in Camden (roundtrip $5).
• 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 named streets run east and west).
• Most Center City hotels, attractions, shopping, restaurants and nightlife are within walking distance of each other.
• Directional maps and signs make it easy for visitors to find their destinations.
• Center City District uniformed personnel help create a safe, clean, friendly environment throughout the downtown area.

Staying Here

• More than 30 hotel brands with many price options.
• 17,000 rooms in the Philadelphia area, including 10,900 rooms in Center City.
• Recently built hotels include Hilton Garden Inn Philadelphia Center City, Hyatt Regency at Penn’s Landing, Loews, the Philadelphia Downtown Courtyard, Ritz-Carlton and Hotel Sofitel.  Click here to download a map of hotels near the Pennsylvania Convention Center.