Travel Responsibly: As the region recovers from COVID-19, safety guidelines have evolved at attractions, restaurants, shops and hotels. Advance tickets or reservations remain recommended or necessary at many spots. Your best bet: Check online or call ahead.
After a busy day of sightseeing and exploration, spend the night where American history was made.
The diverse selection of hotels in Philadelphia’s Historic District (which spans from the Delaware River to 7th Street and from Vine Street to Lombard Street) includes boutique inns as well as big-brand chains. On-site restaurants, Delaware River views, in-room fireplaces and private balconies are just a few of the many amenities that the Historic District’s guests can enjoy.
Best of all, hotels in the Historic District put guests just steps away from the neighborhood’s must-see cultural attractions, including The Liberty Bell Center, Independence Hall, the Museum of the American Revolution and so many more.
Of course, staying over and exploring Philadelphia is a bit different in 2021. Mask-wearing is still recommended or necessary at many spots, and select hotel amenities may be altered or unavailable. Your best bet: Plan ahead. Look online or call to get a better sense of what experience to expect.
Check out our complete guide to hotels in Philadelphia’s Historic District, below.
On the shores of the Delaware River, the Hilton Philadelphia at Penn’s Landing is the only waterfront hotel in the city. The property boasts an indoor swimming pool, on-site dining at Keating’s Rope & Anchor Bar + Kitchen, a fitness room and more. Pro tip: Bring a lock to add to the Philadelphia Hope Fence, which runs along the exterior of the hotel.
Where: Hilton Philadelphia at Penn’s Landing, 201 S. Christopher Columbus Boulevard
Holiday Inn Express Philadelphia Penn’s Landing is less than a 10-minute walk from Elfreth’s Alley, The Betsy Ross House, Christ Church and other sites in Philadelphia’s Historic District. Rooms facing the Delaware River offer views of the Benjamin Franklin Bridge and the Camden waterfront, and all stays include daily complimentary breakfast.
Where: Holiday Inn Express Philadelphia Penn’s Landing, 100 N. Christopher Columbus Boulevard
Located on Independence Mall, Hotel Monaco embraces the surrounding neighborhood’s historic heritage with a modern, chic twist. On the ground floor, Red Owl Tavern serves crowd-pleasers (like burgers and smoked chicken wings), while Stratus Rooftop Lounge provides bottle service, finely crafted cocktails and a seasonal menu on the 11th story.
Where: Kimpton Hotel Monaco Philadelphia, 433 Chestnut Street
Featuring six apartment-style suites, Lokal Hotel offers visitors the chance to sample the local lifestyle in a beautifully designed space that feels like home. The hotel’s innovative invisible service — which includes an automated coded check-in, an in-room iPad with multiple service-driven apps and more — anticipates the needs of the traveler and offers a highly curated and authentic Philly experience.
Where: Lokal Hotel - Old City, 139 N. 3rd Street
A National Historic Landmark built in 1787, the Morris House Hotel is located across the street from Washington Square. A true respite from busy city life, the European-style bed and breakfast — housed in a restored eighteenth-century mansion — includes 17 guest rooms decorated with individual charm and remarkable attention to detail, including the original heart pine floors. The property’s expansive garden also makes it a major destination for weddings and other events.
Where: Morris House Hotel, 225 S. 8th Street
Originally built in 1828 as a warehouse space, the Penn’s View Hotel is a landmark in its own right, earning a place on the National Register of Historic Places. Select guest rooms and suites at this colonial-inspired bed and breakfast feature exposed brick walls, riverfront views, in-room fireplaces and private balconies.
Where: Penn’s View Hotel, 14 N. Front Street
On a charming cobblestone stretch, Philadelphia Marriott Old City is just a scenic, half-mile walk from Independence Hall. Completely renovated in 2019, the hotel’s amenities include Society Commons, a stylish restaurant and bar serving contemporary American fare, along with local spirits, beers and wines.
Where: Philadelphia Marriott Old City, 1 Dock Street
Reserve a room with direct views of Independence National Historic Park at the Renaissance Philadelphia Downtown, which also boasts an impressive marble entranceway, a 24-hour fitness center and a cozy lobby with tons of seating to relax.
Where: Renaissance Philadelphia Downtown Hotel, 401 Chestnut Street
Located one block from Market Street, the Wyndham Philadelphia Historic District is just a few minutes’ walk from The Liberty Bell Center and other must-see attractions. The onsite Coin’s Restaurant & Pub is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and the awesome seasonal rooftop pool offers views of nearby historic sites from its deck.
Where: Wyndham Philadelphia Historic District, 400 Arch Street
Find out more about great hotel options in the Philadelphia region.
Book the Visit Philly Overnight Hotel Package for a rewarding getaway in one of 2021’s top destinations, per Condé Nast Traveler, Fodor’s, Frommer’s, Esquire and more.
The exclusive deal — booked more than 175,000 times since 2001 — includes buy-one-get-one-free attraction tickets purchased at the Independence Visitor Center to 33 of Philly’s iconic museums and attractions and free hotel parking (worth up to $100 in Center City Philadelphia).
Small properties with big personalities offer stylish stays...