Visitor Information

• Contact phone numbers and email addresses

• Transportation to, from and in Philadelphia
• Lodging
• When yo u arrive
• Before you depart

• Maps

• Places to eat
• Necessities of life (drugstores, groceries, ... )
• Medical
• Tourism in and around Philadelphia
• Safety

Visitor Program Homepage

Contact Information

Unless otherwise noted, all email addresses are @physics.upenn.edu and all phone numbers begin with 215
 

 

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Transportation

To/From Philadelphia byCar
   Traffic on the highways is bad at rush hour and usually not bad otherwise, except on the Schuylkill (route 76) at times and in construction zones; traffic information can be obtained every ten minutes, at 2, 12, 22, etc minutes past the hour, on AM 1060.

To/From Ph iladelphia byTrain
  The all-reserved Amtrak Metroliner service from NYC and from Washinton is much more expensive than the ordinary service and doesn't save much t ime, so you may prefer to take the ordinary Amtrak trains. Note that a few of the ordinary trains also require reservations.

To/From Philadelphia byAir
  The Philly airport is very conveniently located with respect to downtown, and especially with respect to Penn.  The train service to and from the University is ex cellent.  Unfortunately Philly has limited competition and sometimes plane fares are very high.  In some circumstances, those trying to
save money may find flying to the New York or Baltimore areas actually preferable in terms of cost.

Within Philadelphia by Taxi: It's easy to find cabs at most times of day, and they usually are efficient means of transport.  They aren't cheap, but aren't outrageous either.

Within Philadelphia by Bus: Ask the locals, there are many convenient bus lines; they are very cheap if you buy tokens!  We'll obtain some schedules soon.  Also, there is a free Penn bus which runs from our lab to nearby parts of Center City and University City, from  6 pm to midnight.  There is even a similar door-to-door shuttle which runs until 3 am.  For some visitors, this will prove especially useful.  Unfortunately the Penn bus and shuttle
(which will check your ID) only run as far east as 20th street or so, and as far north as Chestnut.

Within Philadelphia by Subway: Ask the locals, it is a great and ve ry rapid way to get across the city -- and it is very cheap if you buy tokens!

Within Philadelphia by Air (not recommended)

Within Philadelphia by Car:
 &nb sp; Parking is a real pain.  You don't want a car if you don't have to have it.  But Philly is definitely easier to get around in than, say, New York City.  It's smaller and the highways come close to downtown.
   Th e Center City area is a grid bordered by the Vine Expressway (676) to the north and the area around South Street to the south; it runs from around 1st Street (where Route 95 is located) to about 25th (just beyond which is the Schuylkill riv er and than the Expressway, Route 76m of the same name).  Just to the west of the Schuylkill river is 30th street and the University of Pennsylvania, which extends for about ten blocks.
   Traffic on the highways is bad at rus h hour and usually not bad otherwise, except on the Schuylkill at times and in construction zones; traffic information can be obtained every ten minutes, at 2, 12, 22, etc minutes past the hour, on AM 1060.

Parking Information:
   at the Department
   on the Street near the Department
   on the Street in Central Philadephia
   in Parking Lots
 
 

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Lodging

Usually, we will make lodging arrangements for our visitors.  However, for those visitors who would prefer a particular l ocation and/or situation, and for those who would like to make their own arrangements, here are some suggestions regarding places to stay.  Please let us know if you are aware of other good places for our visitors.

Hotels and Bed&Breakfasts in Center City

Center City Bed & Breakfast
URL:  http://www.lareservebandb.com
Telephone: (215) 735-1137
                  (215) 735-0582
                 1-800-354-8401
Address: 1804 Pine Street
                Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103
Room Rates: $65 to $100 per night
 
Hotel Windsor
URL:  http://www.windsorhotel.com
Telephone: 1-877-784-8379
Address: 1700 Benjamin Franklin Parkway
               Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103

Hotels and Bed&Breakfasts in University City

Divine Tracy Hotel
Telephone: (215) 382-4310
Address: 20 South 36thStreet
               Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104
 
 

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When You Arrive

If you arrive late or on a weekend, you should make sure that your host knows when you are coming and can make app ropriate arrangements to assure your arrival is smooth.

If it is a weekday and the department is open (Only the main entrance on the 33rd street is open.)

Please come to suite 2N3, where many of us are located, and say hello!

Then please go see Jean O'Boyle, in room 3N4B.

Jean will give you

1) an exterior door key and a key for your office.
2) a reimbursement form and accompanying tax form, and an address label for later use when you send them in.

If you are a foreign visitor, make sure Jean gets a copy of your passport.  A reminder: make sure you have a business, NOT a tourist visa; otherwise we cannot reimburse you!

Talk to Vijay Balasubramanian a bout your computer account.

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Before You Depart

If you depart late or on a weekend, you should make sure that your host knows when you are leaving and can make appropriate arrangements to assure your departure is smooth.

Please stop by Jean O'Boyle's office (3N4B) to return your keys.

Please give, or send, your signed reimbursement form and tax form, with receipts, to the address on the address label given to you with the forms.  Be sure to include on the form the address to which your reimbursement check should be sent.

For foreign visitors: again, if you have not already done so, make sure Jean gets a photocopy of your passport.

Remove everything from your computer account that you might need; it will be removed about a week after your departure.
 
 

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Places to Eat

As far as dining goes, Philadelphia is terrific.  We only know a rather small fraction of the great eateries,
and we're counting on our visitors to add to our list.  New places are opening all the time.

Fine Dining
  Go all out and eat at Le Bec Fin.  Prices and quality are off the charts.

Medium-priced Standard Fare
  Devon's -- a fish place on the east side of Rittenhouse Square ($20)
  Dmitri's -- a fish place on 23rd and Pine ($20)

Ethnic Specialties: Try 2nd Street and Walnut for several restaurants

Quick Meals
&nbs p;  Mama Palma's Gourmet Pizza at 23rd and Spruce ($10 -- not superfast, but reliably good)

Unusual Treats: Highly Recommended
   Eat downstairs at Le Bec Fin's bar.  It's affordable and it's awfully good!  Ask Burt.

Coffee Houses:
   Xando's (36th and Walnut, and throughout the city)
   Buck's County (Sansom between 34th and 35th)
   Starbucks (34th between Walnut and Chestnut)
   La Colombe (19th north of Rittenhouse square) -- fantastic coffee, open only til 6
   Cappricio's  (17th and Locust) --- decent place with good desserts, open fairly late
 

More Info
 

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Necessities

Grocery Stores:
  18th and Spruce,
  23rd and South,
  the Redding Terminal Market at 11th north of Market Street,
  Wawa's convenience store at 20th and Locust
Drug Stores:
   19th and Chestnut,
   23rd and Walnut
Banks and ATMs:
   PNC Bank: north side of Rittenhouse square, many ATMs on campus and at Wawa's convenience stores.
   First Union: ATM at 30th street station, branches on Market Street (?)
Weather Information:  1060 AM, Intellicast
Parking Information:
 
 
 

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Medical

Hospitals:
Doctors:
Dentists:
Emergencies:
   Dial 511 on campus for the Campus Police; 911 off campus for all other emergencies.  Remember that from a campus phone it will be 9-911!!!
Drug Stores:
   1 9th and Chestnut,
   23rd and Walnut

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Tourism

Here are some Tourism-related Web Sites:

 

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Safety

Generally, the area near the University of Pennsylvania is completely safe during the daytime and  in the evening.  Ho wever, as in any major American city, a certain amount of prudence should be exercised. Walking alone after dark is best done in well-travelled areas.  As midnight approaches, taxis or the Penn shuttle buses, both providing door-to-doo r service, are excellent options, of which some visitors may wish to take advantage.

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