Last reviewed: · Prices in US Dollars ($ USD) are approximate and for orientation only.
Overview & City Profile
Philadelphia (Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania; pop. 1,573,916) sits at 12 m (39 ft) elevation near Atwater Kent Museum, with regional transit access via Copter PNB Philadelphia Airport (1.4 km). Visitors pair Philadelphia landmarks with signature Pennsylvania specialties including Philly cheesesteak & roast pork sandwich with broccoli rabe and Pittsburgh Primanti-style sandwich topped with slaw and fries.
Within Pennsylvania, Philadelphia (Philadelphia, PA) serves as a major hub city in pennsylvania. Travelers exploring Pennsylvania often combine a stop in Philadelphia with state highlights such as Independence Hall & Liberty Bell (Philadelphia), Gettysburg National Military Park, Lancaster County Amish Country, Pittsburgh Duquesne Incline & Fallingwater.
| Fact | Details for Philadelphia (Philadelphia, PA) |
|---|---|
| City & State | Philadelphia, PA |
| County & Role | Major hub city in Pennsylvania |
| State & Major Hubs | Pennsylvania (Philadelphia, Pittsburgh & Lancaster) |
| Population | 1,573,916 residents |
| Elevation | 12 m (39 ft) above sea level |
| Nearest Airport / Transit Hub | Copter PNB Philadelphia Airport (1.4 km) |
| Coordinates | 39.9524°N, 75.1636°W |
Getting to Philadelphia & Getting Around
Via the regional hub (Copter PNB Philadelphia Airport (1.4 km)): Philadelphia International Airport (PHL), 30th Street Station (Amtrak Acela, Northeast Regional & Keystone Service to Lancaster/Harrisburg), and I-76/I-80.
- Public transit & contactless payment: Major US metro areas use tap-to-pay cards and mobile wallets (NYC OMNY, SF Clipper, Chicago Ventra, DC SmarTrip, LA TAP), while smaller towns and National Park gateways are best explored by rental car or intercity coach.
- Airlines & baggage rules: Flying domestically into PHL Philadelphia & PIT Pittsburgh Airports + Amtrak Acela / Keystone Service? Check your 22×14×9 inch carry-on and $35 checked bag fees in our TSA & Airline Baggage Checker.
- Driving & National Parks: If your route from Philadelphia includes National Parks or Scenic Byways, use our $80 America the Beautiful Pass Calculator to see if the annual pass saves you money.
What Locals Eat in Philadelphia (Pennsylvania)
1. Signature Regional Dish
In Philadelphia (Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania), local tables feature: Signature Pennsylvania dishes—Philly cheesesteak & roast pork sandwich with broccoli rabe, Pittsburgh Primanti-style sandwich topped with slaw and fries, and Soft pretzels, scrapple & Pennsylvania Dutch shoofly pie.
2. Diner, Smokehouse & Market Staples ($14–$28)
Around Philadelphia and across Pennsylvania, local beverage lists highlight: Regional pours and beverages in Pennsylvania: Pennsylvania craft lagers & Brandywine Valley wines, alongside independent American craft breweries, local roasters, and regional vineyards.
3. Local Craft Beverages & Regional Produce
At farmers markets and specialty shops in Philadelphia (Pennsylvania), look for: Local specialties across Pennsylvania: Philly water ice (wooder ice) & Hershey chocolate desserts, farmers-market seasonal produce, and regional smokehouse or bakery traditions.
4. American Dining & Tipping Rhythm (18%–22%)
Classic Pennsylvania dining—hearty diner or café breakfasts, casual lunch counters and food trucks ($12–$20), and evening neighborhood restaurants where 18%–20% table-service tipping and state/local sales tax apply at checkout. In Philadelphia (pop. 1,573,916), diverse neighborhood dining districts, food halls, James Beard-recognized kitchens, and late-night spots across Philadelphia County offer everything from $12–$18 counter lunches to chef-driven tasting menus.
GeoNames Local Data: Elevation, Nearest Hub & Neighboring US Cities
- Elevation: 12 m (39 ft) above sea level
- Nearest Airport / Rail Hub: Copter PNB Philadelphia Airport (1.4 km)
- Nearby Landmarks & Points of Interest: Atwater Kent Museum (1.0 km) · Afro-American Museum (1.0 km) · Benjamin Franklin National Memorial (1.0 km) · Independence Mall State Park (1.2 km) · National Constitution Center (1.2 km)
- Local Districts & Neighborhoods: Washington Square, Center City, Logan Square, Chinatown, Rittenhouse
5 Nearest Neighboring US Cities & Towns
- Camden, NJ (4.8 km)
- Wood-Lynne, NJ (6.9 km)
- Gloucester City, NJ (7.6 km)
- Yeadon, PA (8.0 km)
- Merchantville, NJ (8.3 km)
Regional Specialties Across Pennsylvania
- Philly cheesesteak & roast pork sandwich with broccoli rabe — a signature specialty across Pennsylvania.
- Pittsburgh Primanti-style sandwich topped with slaw and fries — a signature specialty across Pennsylvania.
- Soft pretzels, scrapple & Pennsylvania Dutch shoofly pie — a signature specialty across Pennsylvania.
- Philly water ice (wooder ice) & Hershey chocolate desserts — a signature specialty across Pennsylvania.
- Pennsylvania craft lagers & Brandywine Valley wines — a signature specialty across Pennsylvania.
For dietary restrictions or food allergies, open our American English Idioms & Allergy Show-Cards.
Best Time to Visit & Practical Tips for Philadelphia
Best time to visit Pennsylvania: Apr–Jun, Sep–Nov.
- Sales Tax & Tipping: Menu and shelf prices in Philadelphia exclude state and local sales tax. At sit-down restaurants, plan on an 18%–22% pre-tax tip. Use our State Sales Tax & Tipping Calculator ($).
- Cards & Contactless: Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Apple Pay, and Google Pay are accepted almost everywhere in Philadelphia; keep $20–$40 in $1 and $5 bills for hotel bellhops, valet parking, and roadside farm stands.
- Emergency & Visitor Info: Dial 911 for police, fire, or medical emergencies anywhere in the US, and dial 511 for state highway and weather road conditions.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Philadelphia (Philadelphia, PA) located in the United States?
Philadelphia (Philadelphia, PA) is a us city in Pennsylvania, United States (coordinates: 39.9524°N, 75.1636°W, elevation: 12 m (39 ft)). It has a population of approximately 1,573,916.
How do I get to Philadelphia by plane, Amtrak, or car?
Most visitors reach Philadelphia via Copter PNB Philadelphia Airport (1.4 km). Philadelphia International Airport (PHL), 30th Street Station (Amtrak Acela, Northeast Regional & Keystone Service to Lancaster/Harrisburg), and I-76/I-80. You can compare Amtrak fares and passes using our Amtrak & USA Rail Pass Calculator ($).
What local food is Philadelphia and Pennsylvania known for?
In Philadelphia and across Pennsylvania, signature regional dishes include Philly cheesesteak & roast pork sandwich with broccoli rabe, Pittsburgh Primanti-style sandwich topped with slaw and fries, Soft pretzels, scrapple & Pennsylvania Dutch shoofly pie, as well as Philly water ice (wooder ice) & Hershey chocolate desserts and Pennsylvania craft lagers & Brandywine Valley wines. Remember that menu prices exclude state sales tax and 18–22% tipping—check our State Sales Tax & Tipping Calculator ($).
When is the best time of year to visit Philadelphia?
Best time to visit Pennsylvania: Apr–Jun, Sep–Nov. Check our US Seasonal Travel Calendar to compare month-by-month weather and National Park crowd levels.
Official sources & further reading
Rules, prices and schedules change. Confirm details here before you travel: