Is University City a good place to stay in Philadelphia?

University City is a practical base for Penn, Drexel and the big hospitals. It sits just across the Schuylkill River from Center City, 30th Street Station has Amtrak and regional trains, including direct trains to the airport, and the Market-Frankford Line reaches City Hall and Old City in 10 to 15 minutes.

The area is built around the universities. Penn's campus is full of historic buildings along leafy Locust Walk, the Penn Museum has mummies and a giant Sphinx, and the streets around are lined with cafés, food carts and casual restaurants. The Schuylkill River Trail has great views back to the skyline.

The downside is that it's a step away from the sights. Independence Hall, Reading Terminal Market and the Art Museum all mean a subway ride or a long walk, there are only a few hotels, and evenings are quiet outside term-time student bars.

What makes University City worth considering is convenience for a specific trip. If you're visiting a campus, a hospital or travelling by train, you'll be on the doorstep, with a calm, leafy feel and Center City a short ride away.