Keys to the City
Facts & Fundamentals
Philadelphia has a population that exceedes 1.4 million people and its top employers include University of Pennsylvania, Jefferson Health System, Tenet Health Systems, Children's Hospital of Pennsylvania, Independence Blue Cross and Rosenbluth International.
There's a 7% tax in restaurants and 10% on all liquor purchases. Hotels charge 14%.
Holidays & Business Hours
Many offices and businesses close or have truncated hours on state and federal holidays. Policies vary, but these are generally observed:
| January 1 |
New Year's Day |
| Third Monday in January |
Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Birthday |
| Third Monday in February |
Presidents Day |
| Date varies |
Good Friday, Easter Sunday, Easter Monday |
| Last Monday in May |
Memorial Day |
| July 4 |
Independence Day |
| First Monday in September |
Labor Day |
| Second Monday in October |
Columbus Day |
| November 11 |
Veterans Day |
| Tuesday after the First Monday in November |
Election Day |
| Fourth Thursday in November |
Thanksgiving Day |
| December 25 |
Christmas |
|
Coming & Going
Philadelphia International Airport offers non-stop flights to over 30 international destinations and is serviced by 30 airline carriers. SEPTA bus and high-speed rail ($5.50, one way) services connect the airport to City Center and many points in between. Taxis from the airport into City Center charge a flat rate of $26.25, and there's a $10 minimum to travel from the airport to any destination.
The 30th Street Station is the country's 3rd busiest Amtrak station.
Making Your Way
SEPTA (Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority) offers buses, subway, high-speed rail, trackless trolley, regional rail and paratransit services for the Countines of Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia. Cash is taken on all modes. A great deal, SEPTA day passes for unlimited travel are available for $5.50.
If you plan to "cab it" around the city, be aware that rates have been established by the Philadelphia Parking Authority, and taxis charge a minimum of $2.70 for the first 1/7 mile and around $.30 for each additional 1/7 mile. Tips are generally expected to equal 15% of the fare, and most companies now take all major credit cards.
City Cab
215-492-6500
Liat Taxicab
215-275-1429
Olde City Taxi Coach
215-247-7678
PHL Taxi
215-232-2000
Quaker City Cab
215-728-8000
Victory Cab
215-225-500
Yellow Cab
215-333-3333
News & Views
The city's most widely-read daily paper for regional, national and international news has historically been the Philadelphia Inquirer, but many residents prefer the Daily News when it comes to local coverage. Weeklies like City Paper and Philadelphia Weekly feature good coverage of what's going on in and around town, and Philadelphia Business Journal has its finger on the city's business pulse.
Quirks & Curiosities
Philadelphia is home to an unusually large number of small, chef-owned BYOB restaurants. Despite their small size and, often, lack of any type of bar service, these restaurants are characterized by their coziness and, most importantly, inventive cookery.
Getting Your Bearings
Extensive online information is available at www.gophila.com, the Website for the Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation. For more direct service, there's the Independence Visitor Center (www.independencevisitorcenter.com or 800-537-7676), which is located in Independence National Historical Park and open daily from 8:30am-9pm.
Necessities - Post Offices
Postal drop-boxes are easy to find, but if you need further help from the USPS, visit these convenient branches:
B. Free Franklin
316 Market St
215-592-9610
Mon-Sat 9am-5pm
Continental
615 Chestnut St Lobby
215-592-9610
Mon-Fri 8:30am-5:30pm
William Penn Annex
900 Market St Lobby
215-592-8654
Mon-Fri 8:30am-6pm, Sat 8am-4pm
Penns Landing Postal Store
622 S 4th St, Ste 1
215-462-1248
Mon-Fri 9am-7pm; Sat 9am-4pm
Penn Center
1500 John F. Kennedy Blvd, Ste C-31
215-895-8970
Mon-Fri 8am-5:30pm
Common Courtesies
In Philly, a 15% tip is standard for a waiter or waitress; groups are sometimes charged an automatic 18% gratuity. Bartenders usually get $1 per cocktail. Coat-check clerks should be tipped about $1 per garment.
Bellhops and porters should get about $1 per piece of luggage, and maids in more sophisticated hotels rate $1 or more per day of service. Depending on the type and quality of assistance, concierges generally receive between $5 and $15 dollars.
Weather
Summer temperatures can sometimes reach into the 90s, and humidity can be high. In winter, snowfall is common; temperatures usually hover in the 30s but sometimes dip lower. Spring and fall temperatures are milder, with the latter experiencing drier spells.