Hotwire Hotel: 3.5* Philadelphia (City Center East) Crowne Plaza

[young707]

I just booked this HOTWIRE:

10/31/09 to 11/1/09

3.5* $69.00 per night, total $85.85

Amenities: Fitness Center, Pool(s), Restaurant, Business Center, Laundry Service

Crown Plaza Philadelphia downtown, 1800 Market Street, Philadelphia,

Only concern is how are we going to walk from the 15th Street/Market Street SEPTA subway station with our luggage in tow? Any advice? Are we allow and able to carry our luggage on the SEPTA subway? Thank you.

Yes, I used the Betterbidding HOTWIRE links.

[thereuare]

Congratulations on your success!

Hope you're happy with the results and this wil work well for your plans.

I'm not sure which SEPTA line you're taking, but they do have an airport line so i would think it's highly likely that they allow luggage (at least on some routes... more than likely one of the ones you're taking since it sounds as if you're arriving by bus, train, plane, etc)

Hopefully somebody local will be able to offer firsthand experience, but if not, here is a link to the SEPTA website and i'm sure your'e answer is someplace there.

Thank you for sharing your results with the board and using our HOTWIRE link to begin your purchase.

Enjoy your stay.

[young707]

I never stay at this Crown Plaza Hotel in downtown Philadelphia before. We arrive bus station at 30th St station with our 36" luggage. I wonder if we can take the green line Trolleys to the 19th St stop and walk one long block to the hotel. Google street view shows the walk probably is ok.

We plan to go to the Independence Park for some sight seeing of America's birthplace. This hotel's SEPTA blue line nearest station is 15th St station. I assume we can take the Green line Trolleys 19th St stop to 13th St stop, then, transfer to SEPTA blue line to go the rest to the 5th St station next to the Liberty Bell. Can someone local advice? Thank you.

[dahammer]

This is a short walk, but the trolly station is underground and you will need to carry your luggage up to the street. (I can't believe google street view maps does not have a view of this part of Market Street!). You might want to consider taking a cab from 30th Street Station to the Hotel, it should not cost much. As far as getting to the Historic District, you're plan is fine, but you could also walk to the Market Frankford line (the Blue line on the Septa map, but locals call this "the EL" which is short for "elevated") station at City Hall and take this to 5th and Market station. Good Luck and I applaud you for researching your trip on the Septa website, its actually one of the better transit sites for trip planning.

[young707]

Thank you daHammer.

Actually Maps.Google.com street view is very confusing. May be because Market Street between 18th to 16th St is cut off one-way going east bound? They neither show the SEPTA subway (underground or elevated?) nor the Trolley.

The SEPTA web site is a mess. There is not picture of the Market-Frankford Blue line and if we can carry luggage aboard?

The SEPTA trolley map is even worst. Route 10 is actually a copy of flier with directions impossible for out-of-towner to understand.

http://www.septa.com/service/sched/maps/010.pdf

Can you please tell me how we go from the Crown Plaza Hotel to Chinatown for dinner?

[dahammer]

Actually Maps.Google.com street view is very confusing. May be because Market Street between 18th to 16th St is cut off one-way going east bound? They neither show the SEPTA subway (underground or elevated?) nor the Trolley.

I think the Google Maps car that was taking photos that day just screwed up that day and didn't take any shots of this main thorofare! This portion of Market Street is one way eastbound from 30th Street Station.

The SEPTA web site is a mess. There is not picture of the Market-Frankford Blue line and if we can carry luggage aboard?

The SEPTA trolley map is even worst. Route 10 is actually a copy of flier with directions impossible for out-of-towner to understand.

http://www.septa.com/service/sched/maps/010.pdf

The Market Frankford line is basically a subway car intended for commuters, but during off peak, the cars are not crowded and you could bring luggage. I don't know how much luggage you will have or how many stairs you might need to navigate, I would call Septa's customer service for specific answers. As for the Trolly, it looks as if one map covers several lines and it is not drawn to scale. It appears that the #34 trolly will cover this trip and you won't have to transfer. For the portion of your trip, the trolly is underground and shares the tunnel with the Market Frankford Line, some of the stations are handicapped accessible, so these would have elevators to bring passengers to street level. All in all, your trip is about 12 short blocks, I would just take a cab, there will be plenty available.

Can you please tell me how we go from the Crown Plaza Hotel to Chinatown for dinner?

I would probably not go to Chinatown, I would walk over to Monk's Cafe and get a bowl of mussels, frites and a Belgian brew! But if you must, I would take the Market Frankford line to 8th street and walk north up to Race Street where there are many Chinese restaurants. Philadelphia is a very walkable city with plenty to see. U of Penn has a Musuem of Archaeology, there's the Philadelphia Musuem of Art, Christ Church, US Mint, Independance Hall (where the leaders of the day put everything they owned on the line and told the Crown to take a hike) and on and on.

[stasik]

I would take a cab from the station. It will save you time and stress.

On the 31st of October, you can still use the Philly Phlash to get around the city. I would use it before I use the El (blue line).

I also would not go to Chinatown for dinner. Right now the convention center expansion has made a large part of the area a pain to get around. Although, I thought Monks was still closed. I could be wrong. If Monk's is open, its a good choice. I like Chris Jazz Cafe on Sansom. Usually some good music and good eats as well.

[young707]

Thank you all. Both Trolley and subway stations seem not close to the Crown Plaza Hotel. Guess we have to manage with Taxi.

We only will be for Philly one night. The next day we want to go see the Liberty Bell and Independence hall -- the birth place of our country <-- must see, and Philly cheese steak, right? Then, we have to carry our luggage (each have a 36" for 3 weeks of vacation) to go from Crowne Plaza Hotel to catch the Chinatown bus to go to Washington DC.

[dahammer]

Thank you all. Both Trolley and subway stations seem not close to the Crown Plaza Hotel. Guess we have to manage with Taxi.

the subway and trolly station is only a block away @ 19th Street, the hotel is at 18th street, is that not close enough? The issue is climbing up stairs with a 36" suitcase

We only will be for Philly one night. The next day we want to go see the Liberty Bell and Independence hall -- the birth place of our country <-- must see, and Philly cheese steak, right? Then, we have to carry our luggage (each have a 36" for 3 weeks of vacation) to go from Crowne Plaza Hotel to catch the Chinatown bus to go to Washington DC.

go online to reserve free tickets to Independance Hall. Also, you might want to check out Bolt Bus or Mega Bus instead of the Chinatown bus which I have heard firsthand is not reliable.

[stasik]

We only will be for Philly one night. The next day we want to go see the Liberty Bell and Independence hall -- the birth place of our country <-- must see, and Philly cheese steak, right? Then, we have to carry our luggage (each have a 36" for 3 weeks of vacation) to go from Crowne Plaza Hotel to catch the Chinatown bus to go to Washington DC.

Just don't let anyone tell you that you have to go to Pat's for a "real" cheesesteak. Its way out of your way and only drunks and tourists go there. Go over to Reading Terminal Market if you want a cheesesteak.

I just re-read your original post. You mentioned going to the Bus Terminal at 30th Street. The Bus Terminal is at 11th and Filbert. The train station is at 30th Street. Are you sure where they are dropping you off?

[dahammer]

You mentioned going to the Bus Terminal at 30th Street. The Bus Terminal is at 11th and Filbert. The train station is at 30th Street. Are you sure where they are dropping you off?

Bolt Bus and Megabus arrivals and departures are located at 30th St. Station.