Is it safe to walk from 15th&Race to Hampton Inn/Convention Center (Philadelphia: to rent, how much)

[Firecracker13]

I will be attending a class at Drexel at 15th/Race next month and wondering if it's safe for a female to walk from there to Hampton Inn across from the Convention Center. It's only a couple of blocks and would be on a Friday around 7pm and Saturday around 530pm. Also, would it be better just to get a shuttle to the hotel rather than renting a car?

[Larry Bowa]

Originally Posted by Firecracker13

I will be attending a class at Drexel at 15th/Race next month and wondering if it's safe for a female to walk from there to Hampton Inn across from the Convention Center. It's only a couple of blocks and would be on a Friday around 7pm and Saturday around 530pm. Also, would it be better just to get a shuttle to the hotel rather than renting a car?

Yes, you'll be fine walking. Just stay alert, there's a lot of homeless in the area.

[FamousBlueRaincoat]

Like Larry Bowa says, a lot of homeless services (food and shelter) are in that area which faces the disgrace of a blank wall Race Street side of the convention center. It's not dangerous, but hopefully being here on a friday and saturday night you'll get to leave seeing more than just the storage area of the convention center. Philadelphia has a pretty vibrant downtown.

Also, if on the topic of the shuttle you're talking about getting from the airport, the best way is to take the regional rail. It's 8 dollars, it runs every 30 minutes, and depending on where you're going to first you can either get off at Market East Station (11th and Market) or Suburban Station (16th and JFK), and there's a stop at every terminal of the airport. Renting a car would be silly - nor do I fully understand the people who take taxis or shuttles unless they either have a lot of stuff or a lot of people, but I guess a lot of folks just aren't used to transit being an option.

[herenia]

I was at the center city campus at drexel and used to live a block and a half from hahnemann on 12th st. Yes, you'll be perfectly fine. I walked to jefferson on 11th and chestnut all the time for work back then and on occassions where I did 3-11s, I walked home at night without any fear. I've gotten up at 4am and walked down 13th st to the el to make it to a clinical site in bucks county and had not worries. And I'm a tiny female. I I've walked around downtown at various times, midnight, 2am, 3am and even 4 and 5 and have not have to worry. You see a lot more homeless people hanging around during the daytime by the uhaul on 13th and vine. Just keep on walking like you own the city.

Certain parts of philly I totally avoid and won't even drive there but the area you mentioned is ok. CC philly has a lot of foot traffic and a decent amount of police presence. Also, if you're having the stuff at drexel, HUH offers a free escort service. Just walk to the security guard in the bobst building and say you need an escort as a visitor. I usually call them before I get there. They'll drop you off for free. I'm not sure if they have them running during the day but I've used them in the evening sometimes when I'm carrying a bunch of stuff from shopping and don't want to haul it myself any longer once I get there.

[bryson662001]

If you take the train in from the airport and want to grab a cab from the train station to your hotel it will be easier from 30th street station (one of the three train stations downtown) The other two (Suburban and Market East) are underground and involve stairs.

[ThomasDarcy]

You certainly don't want to rent a car. A cab from the airport is a fixed price: $28.50, and takes about 15 minutes. As others have said, you can also take the train if you don't mind a bit of walking and waiting.

[Oreamnos]

You would probably be fine at any hour. Just watch your back and dont listen to music.

[pman]

Originally Posted by bryson662001

If you take the train in from the airport and want to grab a cab from the train station to your hotel it will be easier from 30th street station (one of the three train stations downtown) The other two (Suburban and Market East) are underground and involve stairs.

or elevators since both have elevators. market east also has an escalator. taxis are pretty easy since the main entrance to marlet east is also the entrance to the convention center.really depends on how much stuff you have , hampton inn is pretty conveniently located.

[strawberryanise]

Originally Posted by Firecracker13

I will be attending a class at Drexel at 15th/Race next month and wondering if it's safe for a female to walk from there to Hampton Inn across from the Convention Center. It's only a couple of blocks and would be on a Friday around 7pm and Saturday around 530pm. Also, would it be better just to get a shuttle to the hotel rather than renting a car?

Would walking that route be safe? Yes, and it's a short walk.

If you were to rent a car, be prepared to pay a premium for parking, whether at an outside lot or at the hotel. Unless you were going to take a side trip outside of the downtown area or outside of the city itself, it may not be worth the expense.

[starspangledleaf]

I live in Chinatown and as a short female in her mid-twenties, I've walked that stretch many times without ever an issue. As always, just be aware of your surroundings.