While Philadelphia may be a city that struggles with crime, it's important to remember that the places visitors are likely to spend time in are quite safe and well policed.
Center City and its immediate surrounding neighborhoods in particular have very low crime rates. Wealthier neighborhoods, like Rittenhouse Square, Old City and Society Hill, are especially safe, as are most central districts, including the majority of Northeast Philadelphia, the Art Museum Area, Chinatown, the Parkway, and Bella Vista. Some personal crimes (break-ins, muggings, burglary, assault) happen but much less often than the media suggest. On the flip side, violent crime is sometimes censored with the influence of developers and their PR companies. Northern Liberties is widely known to be a safe and hip area, but violent crime is very real even with gentrification process.
Other parts of the city still struggle with crime. Still, compared to other tourist-friendly cities like Chicago, Washington D.C, and New Orleans, Philadelphia indeed has a lower crime rate. Violence is generally concentrated in the north central, west, and southwest portions of the city, and also to some extent in Powelton Village between Drexel University and the Philadelphia Zoo (though the latter location has seen some improvements). It is not wise to walk too far off Broad St. (PA Route 611) in North Philly around the Temple University area.
Fortunately, as of December 2009, the homicide rate had dropped 20% over the previous year, continuing a trend of reduced violence in the city.
Also, be careful of traffic when crossing at major intersections—in Philadelphia, as in many major cities, one must always walk, cross, and drive defensively. The winding Schuylkill expressway provides some beautiful views, particularly around Boathouse Row, but do not try to enjoy them from your car; with the high speeds, the river on one side, and jagged rocks on the other, this is a sure way to cause an accident.
Although it is blown out of proportion at times, Philadelphia sports fans have earned a reputation as a very passionate and notorious bunch. It is advised to be extra vigilant when attending a major sports match at the Sports Complex, particularly those who have the courage to wear the opposing team's gear in hostile territory. For these fans, it is best not to provoke the Philadelphia faithful and take their jabs in stride, as fans have been assaulted and even seriously injured in fights in and around the Sports Complex and around town.
The Most Frequently Asked Travel Questions about Philadelphia
Where To Stay & Best Hotels in Philadelphia - updated May 2024
SAVE up to 75% on Last Minute deals! Search for discount Philadelphia hotels, motels, apartments, hostels, guest accommodations and vacation resorts. Book now and pay at the hotel. Instant email confirmation!
Philadelphia Travel Guide from Wikitravel. Many thanks to all Wikitravel contributors. Text is available under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0, images are available under various licenses, see each image for details.
