TabbyTown's guidebook

Once inside the city, you'll find that Philly's downtown is very foot-traffic friendly. Organized in a grid pattern, the streets are easy to navigate. You'll notice directional signs to point you toward popular attractions, but if you need a little guidance, you can ask one of Center City District's goodwill ambassadors, who are dressed in teal uniforms and can supply maps. Walking tours are also popular.

Biking is another popular way of getting around, and rentals are available throughout the city. Rent one from a company like Fairmont Bicycles or Wheel Fun Rentals and cycle 25 miles on the Schuylkill River Bike Path from the city center to Valley Forge. Or, for shorter trips within the city, take advantage of Philly's bike-share program – Indego. It allows you to pick up a bike from any station around the city and return the bike to another location. Day passes cost $10.

The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) operates buses, the subway and a trolley system. The transit system can be confusing, especially when compared to other cities of equivalent size. But with patience and most likely several transfers, you'll reach your ultimate destination. Tickets, which start at $2.50, can be purchased at the Broad Street subway stop and in stores downtown, including some Rite Aids. There are two subway lines: The Broad Street line goes north to south, while the Market-Frankford line, which is an elevated train, runs east to west. A one-day Indepe

The purple PHLASH buses offer looped service in downtown Philadelphia with stops at popular sites like the Philadelphia Zoo and the Please Touch Museum, as well as Center City. Service is provided daily from May through Labor Day and between Thanksgiving and New Year's Eve; weekend service is offered March through April and September through late November. The bus operates every 15 minutes from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The fare is $2, but you can also buy a $5 all-day pass or a two-day pass for $7.

The city is definitely drivable. Many visitors arrive by car, and they also use them to get around, especially to reach the outer-lying attractions. But because Philadelphia is such a popular spot, the usual driving frustrations apply: an unfamiliar map, expensive parking (not to mention spots that require parallel parking) and a profusion of one-way streets. You can rent cars at the Philadelphia airport and at agencies scattered throughout the city.

Taxis are another option of getting around, but these can get expensive quickly. The meter starts at about $3 and rises every one-seventh mile. There is a flat rate for taxis from the airport to the center of Philadelphia, which is $28.50, plus $1 per extra person. Ride-hailing services, such as Uber and Lyft also operate within the Philadelphia area.