Art Museum/Fairmount
West of Broad Street, between Girard Avenue and Spring Garden Streets, this section of Philadelphia is also known as the Art Museum Area. Head northwest from City Hall on Benjamin Franklin Parkway and look straight ahead to get the best view of the art museum perched atop its elevated mount. To the north of the parkway is the meat and potatoes of the Fairmount area. Plenty of bars and restaurants spot this sophisticated, middle-class neighborhood. During the summer expect plenty of special events to pop up at the art museum and along the parkway, including Independence Day festivities. Flanking both sides of Franklin Parkway are plenty of tall high-rises bringing a density of life to the community. Head west of the art museum and you'll be entering Fairmount Park, the neighborhood's namesake. Beginning at the Ben Franklin Parkway, Fairmount Park encompasses more than 8,900 acres of winding creeks, rustic trails, green meadows and 100 miles of recreational trails. The world's largest landscaped urban park also contains early-American mansions, historic landmarks, a variety of outdoor sculpture, playing fields, and 19th-century Victorian structures along Boathouse Row. Spend a day in the park and then reconvene for an early evening meal or bar venture in the inviting neighborhood north and east of the museum. There are also a lot of museums around here, including the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Franklin Institute Science Museum, the Academy of Natural Sciences, the Moore College of Art, and the Please Touch Museum for Children, among others.
[ back to top ]
Bucks County
Bucks County has more than 300 years of history, 600,000 residents inhabiting more than 600 square miles, and many towns, villages and neighborhoods that enjoy a robust quality of life in Southeastern Pennsylvania.
Relax in a riverside café. Experience one of the eclectic eateries or family restaurants. Enjoy a romantic dinner to the tune of a cascading waterfall. In Bucks, there's always something new on the menu.
Stroll the quaint shops at Peddler's Village. Explore treasure trove of antiques, crafts and collectibles purveyors. Bag a bargain at Penn's Purchase or Franklin Mills. The values are abundant and exciting at Bucks.
[ back to top ]
Center City East/West
Situated between the Schuylkill and Delaware Rivers, south of Spring Garden and north of South Street, Center City is the heart and soul of Philadelphia. Currently the third most populous downtown after New York City and Chicago, Center City has seen a welcome resurgence in activity since the seventies and eighties, when the city looked more like the poster-child for the consequences of suburban "white flight." Bars, restaurants, nightclubs, and plenty of neighborhood dives can be found anywhere from Chinatown around 10th and Arch Streets to Rittenhouse Square at 20th and Walnut to Old City, technically a part of Center City. Center City has a lot to offer anyone looking for something or anything to do. Now a thriving downtown, the vibrant hub of the Greater Philadelphia metropolitan region is home to state-of-the-art office towers, world renowned museums and cultural institutions, nationally-known fine dining, charming historic neighborhoods with townhouses, lofts and apartments with great views, world-class tourist attractions, great shopping, from national retailers to unique small shops, and a growing and vibrant downtown population. To not make Center City one of your frequent destinations is to miss out on what makes this region so vibrant, and what makes the resurgence of other peripheral neighborhoods possible.
[ back to top ]
Chestnut Hill
The Chestnut Hill neighborhoods are some of the most popular for middle-class pseudo-suburbanites, all located within the city-proper of Philadelphia. Art galleries, restaurants and specialty and antiques shops, located on the city's northwest boundary, surround cobblestone Germantown Avenue. With plenty of neighborhood shops and restaurants all within walking and biking distances, this area is a perfect spot to own a small home. As well, there are many cultural events taking place here year-round, from festivals to parades. There are even some museums and art galleries for your aesthetic pleasure. There are many other social and community organizations in this area that are geared towards improving community life, and instilling a greater appreciation for life in this beautiful neighborhood.
[ back to top ]
Chester County
There's no place quite like it for a getaway. Chester County, a significant part of the Brandywine Valley, carefully guards the heritage of its open space, old houses, cherished landmarks and giant sycamores. Travelers who have been to many different parts of the United States say they'll put this countryside against anything they have seen.
One thing that strikes visitors about this small river valley is the abundance of quaint villages and hamlets dating back to the 1700's that are still intact. Another is how narrow asphalt roads remain the rule for motorists searching for timeless treasures. Many comment how they get the feeling that this is a special valley, nurtured with great caring of a rural landscape.
Chester County is a great place in which to get lost. Mile after mile of rolling hills, etched by stream-filled valleys and woodlands; horse farms, covered bridges, and beautiful wildflowers. This is a very special valley. Here we are still able to see with the eye of an artist, listen with the ear of the poet --grasping the special magic which has drawn so many to this place where art, history and culture flourish.
[ back to top ]
City Avenue
City Avenue is located in Philadelphia and Lower Merion, Pennsylvania between Center City Philadelphia and King of Prussia. The City Avenue area contains over 2.6 million square feet of office space and over 1,000 hotel rooms and a wide range of retail stores and apartments and houses.
[ back to top ]
Conshohocken
Conshohocken has managed to keep that little town feel in the midst of an ever-burgeoning Philadelphia metro area. All the same, you can find plenty of good shops, restaurants, and a happening nightlife here. Situated off the Schuylkill Expressway and the I-476 loop, you might want to make it a day trip if you're planning on coming from Philly.
[ back to top ]
Delaware Avenue/Waterfront
As of now, the Delaware waterfront area hasn't blossomed in quite the way that the city planners would like. Once home to a more thriving community, now you're probably going to find yourself on Delaware Ave. if you're going to Dave and Busters or Show and Tell, both strictly adult venues. Of course, there are several popular nightclubs like Egypt and Chrome on the Delaware, as well as the popular waterfront restaurant Rock Lobster. Other than big nightclubs and the few waterfront restaurants, there really is no neighborhood here, and thus not very much local color.
[ back to top ]
Delaware County
Delaware County, midway between Philadelphia and Wilmington, blends the sophistication of the city with the tranquility of the countryside. You'll find bustling industry, rolling Pennsylvania hills, turn-of-the-century small towns and gleaming cityscapes, neighborhoods with large Victorian homes and shaded streets.
Media is a restored business district, complete with a trolley down the main street and anchored with a gleaming white courthouse. Delaware County also has a bustling industrial waterfront along the Delaware River. There is something for everyone in Delaware County.
[ back to top ]
East Falls
East Falls is found right between Manayunk and North Philly, near the Roosevelt Avenue exit from the Schuylkill Expressway. Similar in its charming feel to the nearby old Germantown districts, East Falls offers another community full of attractions and places to just relax. This area is much denser than the further out suburbs however, and the terrain of the area is dictated by the steep slopes leading down to the river.
[ back to top ]
Germantown
Germantown is located directly north of Manayunk and can be described in very similar terms as Chestnut Hill and Mt. Airy. Somewhat suburban but still with the city limits, many middle-class families have chosen to set up their homes here. There are plenty of neighborhood shops, restaurants, and bars to choose from, and there are other attractions like art galleries and community organizations. Close by, across the river, is Fairmount Park, which is ideal for the outgoing, outdoorsy types who like to jog and bicycle. Germantown was originally its own township, before it became a part of the city of Philadelphia in the nineteenth century. It has been described as one of the nation's oldest suburbs.
[ back to top ]
Main Line
The name "Main Line" is the title given to the well-established western suburban communities formerly known as "Penn's Greene Countrie". The communities and neighborhoods grew along the main line of the Pennsylvania Railroad, which was originally built by wealthy industrialists to ease their commute to their country homes, gentlemen farms and summer residences. The railroad, which transported goods and mail as well as people, quickly prospered, as did the surrounding developments. Along the "Main Line", businesses grew, and resorts were built. Towns emerged throughout the region to serve the communities needs. Today there is a potpourri of communities, named after the railroad stations, preserving the ambiance and beauty of the rural area; all within easy commute to center city Philadelphia. True to the legacy of William Penn, the Main Line abounds with recreational facilities and 75 public parks, including Valley Forge Park, where George Washington encamped. The townships and local communities have worked diligently to preserve open space and its natural greenery. With diverse topography, steep cliffs along the Schuylkill River, creeks and streams, dense woods, rolling hills, and open meadows, the Main Line has benefited from the early planning of William Penn.
The Main Line towns in the townships of Lower Merion, Radnor, Haverford, and Tredyffrin offer both quality and quantity in what you are looking for in a community and a life style. There are more schools (public and private), medical facilities, libraries, institutions of higher education, churches, synagogues, parks, trails, community theaters, community newspapers, upscale stores, first rate restaurants, family activity centers, thrift shops, antique stores, and more of just about anything else you desire.
[ back to top ]
Manayunk
Perhaps too ironically, "Manayunk" is derived from the Native term meaning "where we go to drink." They probably meant where they drank water, from the Schuylkill River. North of the Schuylkill River, upstream from the mouth of Wissahickon Creek, Manayunk is another place for the young, hip crowd to unwind. Main Street in Manayunk has a huge assortment of bars and restaurants, and while some places can be pricey, there are still the average affordable places as well. Named a National Historic District in 1983, "Philadelphia's Main Street" boasts more than 65 chic boutiques and galleries and dozens of restaurants. There's good live music just about every night at some bar here, and weekends you can usually find hundreds of people out on the streets walking around, jumping from one place to another. Of course, there are also some huge traffic problems, and parking is typically a little hard to find, so plan to carpool if you're coming from another part of the city, and expect to pay for valet.
[ back to top ]
Montgomery County
Montgomery County is a combination of 20th-century technology, traditional charm and colonial history. Shining office buildings and shopping centers exist against a backdrop of gracious homes, historic sites and lush green countryside. Yet one of the country's largest cities, Philadelphia, is only minutes away. As a visitor to Montgomery County, you can choose from a rich assortment of attractions and activities.
The region was settled by hardy British farmers late in the 17th century. With Norristown as the county seat, it was the scene of pivotal Revolutionary War battles, including Washington's winter encampment at Valley Forge, where he and his valiant troops fought to preserve ideas born in Philadelphia. Later industrialization came through the hard work of varied European immigrants in iron mines and foundries and in flour, cotton and wool mills. Railroads soon connected these growing enterprises with the rest of the East Coast.
Today Montgomery County is notable for serene parks, exceptional schools, high income average and its convenience to Philadelphia. More than 650,000 people from all walks of life bear witness to Montgomery County's acclaimed way of life.
[ back to top ]
Mt. Airy
Mt. Airy is a close relative of Chestnut Hill and Germantown. Similar in its suburban feel, Mt. Airy was originally a part of Germantown, once a separate borough before it was incorporated into Philadelphia in 1850. Mt. Airy has a charming feel, and there are plenty of places to visit for some food, drink, and shopping, all within a walking distance of lovely homes and gardens. Mt. Airy is named after the original house here, built by William Allen.
[ back to top ]
North Philly
North Philadelphia is located just north of Center City, along Broad Street, and includes Fairmount, Hunting Park, Spring Garden, Strawberry Mansion and West Kensington. Also home to Temple University, North Philly is an area full of students, young families and a community rich in history and tradition, particularly Philadelphia's civil rights struggle in the '60s. A diverse group of ethnicities live in the area and the impact is reflected in bars, restaurants, shops and local culture. New homes and rental units are currently in development around the area, attracting a mix of low-income residents and middle-class families.
[ back to top ]
Northern Liberties
Northern Liberties has recently become known as an alternative night spot for the young and outgoing crowds of modern Philadelphia. Situated north of Spring Garden Street to just south of Girard Avenue, with the Delaware being its eastern boundary, the district is home to many eclectic bars and restaurants ranging from small neighborhood joints to larger venues, like the Standard Tap. As well, Northern Liberties is one of Philadelphia's best artist magnets, exhibiting great musical acts, at places like Ortlieb's Jazz Haus, and featuring trend-setting art galleries. No wonder the crowd usually associated with the Liberties district has been described as hip. Northern Liberties hasn't always been as cool as other well-known areas like South Street, but its down-to-earth appeal has grown to the point that it may be a perfect substitute to South Street's sometimes touristy feel. Northern Liberties was once the sixth largest town in America, back when Philadelphia was the largest at 20,000. Needless to say, that didn't last too long. Until recently this was a regular Philly neighborhood just north of Center City, but now you can expect to find plenty of nightlife here.
[ back to top ]
Old City
Old City is Philadelphia's original neighborhood. When the Quakers first came here, this is where they set up shop and port. Traditionally Old City is considered to lie south of Vine Street, north of Pine Street, and east of about 7th Street. Originally the Delaware River served as the natural eastern border of Old City, but today you're much more likely to stop your wandering once you get to the I-95 expressway, now between the river and the Old City neighborhood. The most happening spot of old city lies along 2nd and 3rd Streets, heading south into Society Hill, an upscale answer to South Street's funk. If you're looking for art galleries and performance theaters, head just north of Market Street. Old City is known for the most exciting collection of art galleries on the East Coast. For restaurants, look just south to Chestnut and along Market. Of course, no trip would be complete without a stroll through Independence Park, lying on the western edge of Old City, where one can learn and absorb the rich history of this old Pennsylvanian town. During the day the Park is a recreational and educational ground. The National Park Service offers tours of both Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell, as well as many other early American buildings of particular significance to the U.S. Independence that all lay within the general vicinity of Old City.
[ back to top ]
South Philly
South of South Street, between the Delaware and Schuylkill Rivers, South Philly is home to people that make up a lot of what Philly is known for. Disgruntled, perhaps. Rude, well, you decide. But where else can you find the best and most original cheesesteak in the world? Look for it at Pat's or Geno's. It might actually be at Jim's on South Street, but don't tell anyone we said so. Ego busting isn't a popular pastime in South Philly, so watch your attitude. How about a great hoagie, or some hearty Italian fare? Yeah, you better get down to South Philly. Add to that the Sports Complex, where you can check out the Eagles, Flyers, Sixers, and Phillies play, and South Philly becomes more than just a neighborhood, but an attractive destination for food and entertainment. In addition to being home of the city's expansive professional Sports Complex, South Philadelphia is probably best known for the open-air Italian Market. A great spot for truly local flair, South Philly is full of neighborhood bars and restaurants that you might have to search around for.
[ back to top ]
South Street/Queen Village
South Street is Philadelphia's Greenwich Village. There is just about anything for everybody here. Not-so-run-of-the-mill shopping, quality restaurants, and more bars than you'll ever visit unless you live thereŃSouth Street is a ten block party from Penn's Landing to about 10th Street. There are also plenty of live music venues here, including the Theater of the Living Arts, or the TLA, which features mainstream and eclectic acts ranging in style from rock to hip-hop to spoken word. The area has a bohemian feel, but "bohemian" in Philly sometimes translates to young, pierced, and thuggish. Only a few years ago South Street made national headlines after a Mardi Gras riot erupted, causing massive damages to property and injuring some people. Still, South Street is by no means unsafe, and that Fat Tuesday incident can be attributed to a few boneheads' idea of a "good time." In fact, South Street is a great place to bring the family for a day of fun and food, and it makes an even better spot for a late night on the town.
[ back to top ]
University City
University City is really the small section of West Philly closest to the river, where are located the two universities of Pennsylvania and Drexel. Recently the University City area has seen an upswing in its attractiveness as a new place to live, work, and eat. The area is full of old houses being bought up by young professionals and professors who would rather stay close to their jobs. The area is one of the most ethnically diverse in the Philly region, providing a good choice of restaurants ranging from Middle Eastern to Indian to Soul Food. As well, the school year brings hordes of students from all parts of the country to this small locale.
[ back to top ]
Valley Forge
Valley Forge is both a thriving community northwest of Philadelphia and a famous Revolutionary War historical site. Historically, Valley Forge represents the low point in the United States' War of Independence. Moral was at its lowest, and many in the colonies were already siding with the British. Needless to say, this low-point did not signal the demise of General Washington and the American army. Today, the Valley Forge area abounds with suburban communities. There is plenty of shopping to do here, and the restaurants are top-notch. As well, there is the nearby King of Prussia area, home to the King of Prussia Mall and its many accessory outlets like Costco and the Home Depot.
[ back to top ]
West Philly
West Philadelphia is technically the whole of Philly west of the Schuylkill River. It has a large number of restaurants and bars offering local favorites. The 69th Street area, where the Blue Line of SEPTA's elevated train system ends, is full of shops and eateries, and it is also where you'll find the Tower Theater, an old, beautifully decorated venue that features some of the country's most well-known acts.
[ back to top ]
