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Visiting Penn or Drexel: A Parent's Guide to Rittenhouse Square

Looking for hotels near the University of Pennsylvania? Many families stay in Rittenhouse Square, just across the Schuylkill River from University City. Penn's Undergraduate Admissions Visitor Center is about 1.4 miles from The Franklin on Rittenhouse, and Drexel's Main Building about 1.3 miles. You get Center City restaurants, shops and quiet evenings, with campus a short ride away.

How far is Rittenhouse Square from Penn and Drexel?

Rittenhouse Square is about a mile and a half from the heart of both campuses, on the other side of the Schuylkill River.

• University of Pennsylvania: Penn's Undergraduate Admissions Visitor Center is in Claudia Cohen Hall, 249 South 36th Street, about 1.4 miles from the hotel. Allow around 30 minutes on foot, or a short taxi or rideshare.
• Drexel University: Drexel's Admissions office is in the Main Building, 3141 Chestnut Street, about 1.3 miles from the hotel.
• On foot: the Walnut Street and Chestnut Street bridges cross the Schuylkill River, making the walk to University City a straightforward one along two main streets.
• By public transit: Penn notes that its campus is a 20-minute walk from 30th Street Station and lists SEPTA's 49 bus, 36 trolley and Market-Frankford Line (34th Street Station) as transit options.

Why stay in Rittenhouse rather than on campus?

Rittenhouse Square gives visiting families what a campus hotel usually can't: a residential neighborhood with dozens of restaurants, a park for a morning walk and a calm place to talk at the end of the day.

The Franklin on Rittenhouse, at 1715 Rittenhouse Square, is a boutique hotel in a restored 1903 carriage house. Its 25 rooms and suites include Frette linens and Molton Brown bath amenities, and select rooms add a kitchenette or sitting area. One- and two-bedroom apartments give parents and siblings more space for longer visits. A complimentary continental breakfast is served each morning, and the concierge can suggest restaurants for a student dinner.

Many families start by searching for University City Philadelphia hotels, then realize that Rittenhouse Square offers more choice for dinner and evenings, with campus still close by. If you are deciding where to stay when visiting UPenn or looking at hotels near Drexel University, the trade-off is simple: a few more minutes in a taxi in exchange for a calmer, more walkable neighborhood.

See every option on the rooms and suites page and learn more about the hotel's location in Rittenhouse Square.

Campus tours, move-in and family weekends: planning your visit

Campus tours at both universities are booked through their admissions offices, so plan your hotel around the time slot you reserve.

• Penn: visits start at the Undergraduate Admissions Visitor Center in Claudia Cohen Hall, open 9 am to 5 pm on weekdays and select Saturdays. Penn asks visitors to arrive at least 15 minutes early to check in. Details are on Penn's visit planning page.
• Drexel: undergraduate tours run Monday to Friday and on most Saturdays throughout the year. See Drexel's information sessions and tours page.
• Parking on campus: Penn does not validate parking, and one of its recommended garages requires a reservation. Leaving the car in Center City and taking a short taxi ride can be easier.

Families planning a college visit often build a second campus. Penn and Drexel sit side by side in University City, so a Philadelphia college visit hotel in Rittenhouse Square works for both, and many families combine a morning tour at one university with an afternoon at the other.

Move-in days, family weekends and commencement fill Center City hotels quickly. Book as soon as the universities publish their dates.

Where to take your student for dinner

A family dinner near Rittenhouse Square is often the highlight of a campus visit, and the neighborhood covers every budget and occasion.

For a relaxed meal, the brasseries and cafés around the square are a few minutes' walk from the hotel. For a celebration, such as an acceptance, a graduation or the end of finals, the neighborhood's tasting-menu restaurants are worth booking ahead. Our guide to Rittenhouse Square restaurants and nightlife covers everyday favorites, and our luxury culinary travel guide to Philadelphia covers the Michelin-starred tables.

Winter, spring or graduation: when to visit

The best time to visit depends on the reason for the trip, and each season has a different rhythm in University City and Center City.

• Winter visits: end-of-semester trips in December combine a campus visit with Philadelphia's holiday season, from the Christmas Village to The Nutcracker on the Avenue of the Arts.
• Spring tours: admitted-student visits and junior-year college tours make spring the busiest time for campus visits.
• Commencement: graduation weekends are the most in-demand dates of the year, so families should book as soon as the universities announce them.

Whatever the season, booking direct with the hotel gives you the most flexibility: reservations can be cancelled without penalty up to 48 hours before 4 pm on the day of arrival, except Advance Purchase rates.

Making the most of a family weekend in Center City

A campus visit leaves time for Center City, and a simple plan keeps everyone happy.

• Friday: check in from 4 pm, an evening walk around Rittenhouse Square and dinner nearby.
• Saturday morning: breakfast at the hotel, then a campus tour or time with your student in University City.
• Saturday afternoon: shopping on Walnut Street or a museum visit on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway.
• Sunday: brunch with your student before an 11 am check-out.

For more ideas around the square, read our curator's guide to Rittenhouse Square.

Key Facts

• Hotel: The Franklin on Rittenhouse, 1715 Rittenhouse Square, Philadelphia, PA 19103
• Penn Admissions Visitor Center: Claudia Cohen Hall, 249 South 36th Street, about 1.4 miles
• Drexel Admissions: Main Building, 3141 Chestnut Street, about 1.3 miles
• Getting there: walk across the Walnut Street or Chestnut Street bridge, or take a short taxi ride
• Family options: one- and two-bedroom apartments; kitchenettes in select rooms
• Check-in / check-out: 4 pm / 11 am
• Parking: no on-site parking; Latimer Garage at 1510 Latimer Street, $30 per 24 hours (cash only)

FAQ

What is the closest neighborhood to UPenn with hotels and restaurants?

Rittenhouse Square, in Center City, is the closest neighborhood to Penn with a wide choice of restaurants, shops and boutique hotels. It sits just across the Schuylkill River from University City, and The Franklin on Rittenhouse is about 1.4 miles from Penn's Admissions Visitor Center.

Can you walk from Rittenhouse Square to the University of Pennsylvania?

Yes. The walk from Rittenhouse Square to Penn's campus takes around 30 minutes, crossing the Schuylkill River on the Walnut Street or Chestnut Street bridge. Families who prefer not to walk can take a short taxi or rideshare, or use SEPTA routes listed on Penn's visit page.

How far is Drexel University from Center City?

Drexel's Main Building, at 3141 Chestnut Street, is about 1.3 miles from The Franklin on Rittenhouse. The campus sits just west of the Schuylkill River, next to 30th Street Station, so it is easy to reach on foot, by taxi or by public transit from Center City.

When should you book a hotel for Penn family weekend or graduation?

Book as soon as Penn publishes the dates for family weekend or commencement, as Center City hotels fill early for these events. Boutique hotels like The Franklin on Rittenhouse have a limited number of rooms, and booking directly gives you the hotel's lowest rate guarantee.

Make your next campus visit a family weekend in Rittenhouse Square. Explore our current hotel offers and book directly with The Franklin on Rittenhouse.