Amtrak Northeast Regional trains run from Penn Station to Philadelphia 30th Street Station in approximately 1 hour 20 minutes. The Acela is faster but the Regional is the sensible choice: it costs considerably less and the time saving is modest. Trains run frequently throughout the day; check the Amtrak app to book seats in advance. The station is in west-central Philadelphia, a short walk or taxi ride from the main hotel areas and the historic district.
Philadelphia works well as a post-marathon overnight because the distance is small, the hotel stock is wide across price points, and the historic core is compact enough to walk on legs that still object to stairs. The main sights cluster within about a mile of each other in the Old City neighbourhood, and the best food in the city is easily reachable by taxi or a flat walk along Market Street.
The Historic District
Independence Hall (526 Chestnut Street, entry free with a timed pass) is where the Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution were both debated and signed. The building itself is straightforward 18th-century Georgian; the significance is in what happened in the rooms rather than in the architecture. Timed passes are issued daily from the visitor centre on Market Street. On a weekday in early November, queues are minimal.
The Liberty Bell (corner of 6th and Market Streets, entry free, no reservations required) is in a glass pavilion a short walk from Independence Hall. The crack is larger than most photographs suggest. The bell was cracked on its first use in 1752, repaired, cracked again, and retired in 1846; the current damage dates from the final crack during a Washington's Birthday celebration. The pavilion is open daily and takes about 30 minutes to walk through properly.
Elfreth's Alley (off 2nd Street, between Race and Arch Streets) is a surviving 18th-century residential street, one of the oldest in the country. It is short, cobblestoned and steep enough in one section to remind post-marathon legs that they exist. Several of the houses are open as small museums; the street itself is worth seeing even without going inside.
Reading Terminal Market
Reading Terminal Market (51 North 12th Street, open daily from 8am) occupies a former train shed and contains approximately 80 vendors selling produce, prepared food, Pennsylvania Dutch goods and butcher items. The Amish stalls operate only Tuesday through Saturday. On a Monday post-marathon there will be fewer vendors than the full market, but the food options are always sufficient: Dutch Eating Place for a hot lunch, Beck's Cajun Cafe for something with more fire, Spataro's for cheesesteaks.
This is the correct lunch stop. It is flat throughout, has plenty of seating and does not require booking.
The Cheesesteak
The cheesesteak is a sandwich made from thin-sliced ribeye, cooked on a flat-top griddle and served in a long, soft roll. The key parameters: Pat's King of Steaks (1237 East Passyunk Avenue) and Geno's Steaks (1219 South 9th Street) face each other at an intersection in South Philly and are open 24 hours. Both are institutional rather than excellent; the argument about which is better is a local sport rather than a gastronomic one. For a better cheesesteak in a more convenient location, Jim's Steaks (400 South Street) is consistently recommended and easier to reach from the historic district. Order it "wit" for onions or "wit wiz" for cheese whiz.
Getting Back to New York
Amtrak Northeast Regional from 30th Street Station to Penn Station, roughly 1 hour 20 minutes. Trains run throughout the day and evening. Book the return ticket before leaving New York rather than at the station.