Old City is Philadelphia's oldest neighborhood, the blocks of brick rowhouses, galleries and restaurants around Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell and Elfreth's Alley, running down to the Delaware waterfront. The five hotels here are all within 0.3 miles of the center of Old City, listed closest first, and every one is a short walk from the L (Market-Frankford Line).
What to expect in Old City
Old City runs from the Delaware River waterfront west toward Independence Hall. Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell Center and Elfreth's Alley are all a short walk from every hotel here. The Liberty Bell Center is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Independence Hall has free timed tickets with a $1 online reservation fee, and a no-ticket open house runs from 9 to 10:30 a.m. each morning.
The neighborhood is full of colonial-era buildings, galleries and restaurants along 2nd and 3rd Streets. Weekends draw big crowds, so if you want a quieter morning, visit the historic sites early.
Old City hotels compared
| Hotel | Star rating | Distance to Old City center | Guest score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Penn's View Hotel Philadelphia | 3 | 0.090 mi (1 min walk) | 8.8 |
| Independence Park Hotel, BW Premier Collection | 3 | 0.130 mi (2 min walk) | 9.2 |
| Wyndham Philadelphia-Historic District | 4 | 0.220 mi (3 min walk) | 8.0 |
| Renaissance Philadelphia Downtown Hotel | 4 | 0.230 mi (3 min walk) | 8.0 |
| Kimpton Hotel Monaco Philadelphia by IHG | 4 | 0.290 mi (4 min walk) | 9.2 |
Getting around Old City without a car
- The L (Market-Frankford Line) stops at 2nd St and 5th St/Independence Hall; every hotel here is a 2- or 3-minute walk from one of them. A single Metro trip costs $2.90, or a One Day Convenience Pass is $7.50.
- A flat-rate taxi from Philadelphia International Airport to Center City costs $32 for one passenger, plus $1 for each extra passenger. Rideshare pickups at the airport use Ride App/Zone 7.
- Reading Terminal Market at 1136 Arch Street is open daily 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and is an easy ride west on the L.
The hotels
Penn's View Hotel Philadelphia
14 N Front St
8.82,320 reviews
2 min walk to 2nd St (L, Market-Frankford Line)On North Front Street, a 1-minute walk from the Delaware River waterfront and 2 minutes from 2nd St on the L.
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Independence Park Hotel, BW Premier Collection
235 Chestnut St
9.21,046 reviews
3 min walk to 2nd St (L, Market-Frankford Line)A 3-star hotel with a 9.2 guest score on Chestnut Street, a few blocks east of Independence Hall and 3 minutes from 2nd St.
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Wyndham Philadelphia-Historic District
400 Arch Street
8.05,022 reviews
3 min walk to 5th St/Independence Hall (L, Market-Frankford Line)A 4-star hotel with meeting rooms and on-site parking on Arch Street, a short walk from Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell Center.
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Renaissance Philadelphia Downtown Hotel
401 Chestnut St
8.0411 reviews
3 min walk to 5th St/Independence Hall (L, Market-Frankford Line)A 4-star Marriott on Chestnut Street at 4th, on the same street as Independence Hall, with the L one block north.
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Kimpton Hotel Monaco Philadelphia by IHG
433 Chestnut St.
9.21,287 reviews
2 min walk to 5th St/Independence Hall (L, Market-Frankford Line)A LEED Gold hotel with a 9.2 guest score on Chestnut Street between 4th and 5th, just across the street from Independence Hall.
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Frequently asked questions
Which Old City hotel is closest to Independence Hall?＋
Kimpton Hotel Monaco Philadelphia at 433 Chestnut Street is right across Chestnut Street from Independence Hall, and the Renaissance at 401 Chestnut Street is a block farther east. Penn's View Hotel on Front Street is the closest to the center of Old City and the river.
Is there a LEED-certified hotel in Old City, Philadelphia?＋
Yes. Kimpton Hotel Monaco Philadelphia at 433 Chestnut Street is LEED Gold certified. None of the other four hotels here is LEED-certified.
How do I get from Philadelphia International Airport to Old City by transit?＋
Take the SEPTA Airport Line to Jefferson Station, then walk to the L (Market-Frankford Line) and ride east to 5th St/Independence Hall or 2nd St. The Airport Line fare is $8.75, or $11.00 if you buy on board, and trains run every 30 minutes on weekdays. A flat-rate taxi from the airport to Center City costs $32 for one passenger, plus $1 for each extra passenger.
Do I need tickets to visit Independence Hall?＋
Free timed tickets are needed for most visits, with a $1 online reservation fee. A no-ticket open house runs from 9 to 10:30 a.m. each morning. The Liberty Bell Center, across Chestnut Street, is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. with no ticket required.
What is the nearest Metro station to hotels in Old City?＋
The two closest stations on the L (Market-Frankford Line) are 2nd St and 5th St/Independence Hall. Penn's View and Independence Park Hotel are 2 and 3 minutes from 2nd St; the Wyndham, Renaissance and Kimpton Monaco are 2 to 3 minutes from 5th St/Independence Hall. A single trip costs $2.90.
Are there four-star hotels within walking distance of the Liberty Bell?＋
Yes, three of the five: Wyndham Philadelphia-Historic District at 400 Arch Street, Renaissance Philadelphia Downtown Hotel at 401 Chestnut Street and Kimpton Hotel Monaco Philadelphia by IHG at 433 Chestnut Street. All three are a short walk from the Liberty Bell.
