Tips on Philadelphia Warnings or Dangers – Stay Safe!

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is one of the largest cities in the United States. If seeing the city’s famous art museums, eateries and historic sites is on your agenda, bear in mind the city may have a few quirks.

Philadelphia Warnings and Dangers

Philadelphia is a popular place. One of the major urban centers of the original 13 colonies, the city today has a few problems that outsiders may not know about. You may encounter a lot of traffic as well as some areas that are not entirely safe. Use common sense like relying on public transportation and staying inside at night and you should be just fine.

Driving in the City

The center of Philadelphia stretches from the waterfront to the western area where you will find the famous art museum and the zoo. If you are going to stay here, consider using public transportation as much as possible. It goes everywhere and it’s cheap. Traffic can be very heavy, especially at rush hour and when traveling on the highways around the center. When driving around the city, keep in mind that the area around the City Hall can easily distort traffic patterns. You can’t drive through it and must drive around it instead. Many areas here are highly walkable. For example, the popular area with the Liberty Bell and several major museums is a pedestrian only space.

You can easily walk from the National Constitutional Museum to Independence Hall in a few minutes. You don’t need to bring a car here and then spend a lot of time looking for parking. Many streets in the historic part of the city are cobblestone and narrow with few places to park. If you are traveling to the city via car, it is best to find a cheap daily parking space and leave it there. Parking spaces are cheaper outside of the city. Make sure the car is locked up and check it daily. Buses and trains run all over the city but can get very crowded during the summer.

Areas to Avoid

Some parts of Philadelphia are safer than others. For example, Philadelphia is just across the river from Camden, New Jersey. Camden has a high crime rate and is generally not considered one of the safer parts of the region. A day here can be a fine way to see the city’s much admired aquarium. It’s easy to get there by train from Philadelphia. However, it’s not a good idea to think about staying in Camden and commuting to Philadelphia to see the sights. Some areas of Philadelphia are also safer than others. No matter where you stay, be especially careful when walking at night.

Editor’s Note: The information contained on this page was compiled using real traveler reviews about warnings and dangers in Philadelphia.