Exploring Philadelphia’s Neighborhoods

Philadelphia, famous for being the birthplace of liberty, offers plenty for visitors to explore. With its rich history, famous food (Philly cheesesteak anyone?) and incredible museums, touring Philadelphia’s neighborhoods won’t disappoint.

Here we reveal some of the must-visit areas here in Philly and what you can expect from each one. Nature, history, art and more await you in Philadelphia – take a look at what Pennsylvania’s largest city has to offer.

Old City

Part of Philadelphia’s historic district, Old City comes with the tagline “where America began”, thanks to being located next to Independence Mall – where the country’s Founding Fathers declared liberty. Cobbled streets form the perfect path to soak up the historic area.

See the Liberty Bell – a 360-degree view of it – right here. Head to the Independence Hall, the birthplace of both the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. You’re not short of things to do in Old Town, it’s great for solo travelers, couples and families. Whether you want to wander around a gallery or relax by the Delaware River front and do a spot of people watching, this is the place to be.

Center City

One of the busiest neighborhoods in Philly is Center City. It perfectly combines the city’s expanding skyline with one of the most historic neighborhoods in the city. It’s here in Center City that visitors will find some of the biggest hotels, and more restaurants than any other area.

Staying in this neighborhood is perfect if you want to enjoy Center City’s bustling nightlife or visit sites including Rittenhouse Square and Chinatown. When in Center City, don’t forget to pay a visit to the historic City Hall. Spanning 14.5 acres of floor space, it’s the largest municipal building in the US. Standing atop the building is a statue of William Penn, founder of Philadelphia. The tower is the tallest masonry structure in the world without a steel frame, standing at 548-feet tall.

Chestnut Hill

Chestnut Hill is Philly’s urban village, known as Philadelphia’s Garden District – just 25 minutes from Center City. As well as being a popular place for locals to reside, there’s plenty for tourists to do. In fact, it’s this neighborhood that has the most parks, museums and theaters per capita out of all of neighborhoods in the city.

Escape the rush of city life with a visit to Wissahickon Valley Park. With over one million visitors heading here annually, there’s something special about the area. There’s over 50 miles of trails to explore, so it’s perfect for those wanting to experience the great outdoors combined with city living.

University City

Just adjacent to Center City, you’ll find University City. Here is the heart of west Philly which gets its name from being home to two universities: University of Pennsylvania and Drexel University. When in this neighborhood, pay a visit to Penn Museum, an archaeological and anthropological museum which showcases humanity’s history with artefacts from Asia, the Americas, Africa and the Mediterranean.

From the old to the new, venture to the Institute of Contemporary Art to see what’s trending in modern art. Vast open spaces offer plenty of room to showcase the best in contemporary art – plus, it’s completely free to enter.

Washington Square West

Washington Square West perfectly combines three neighborhoods: Washington Square West, Midtown Village and Gayborhood. Washington Square ties the whole area together and is the perfect stop for lunch in the sun. Midtown is home to a number of great restaurants and stores.

For a vibrant and colorful experience, head to Gayborhood – where rainbows adorn the area. Celebrating the LGBTQ+ community, it’s bursting with an incredible nightlife and places to dine. Expect this area to be very busy in June, when it’s celebrating National Pride Month.

Fishtown

Aptly named thanks to its history in the shad-fishing industry, here you can find boutique stores, street art and the Delaware River – the perfect spot for a nice walk. While away the time in Penn Treaty Park, which boasts almost 10 acres of green space to explore.

You’ll also find a wealth of culinary, art and music activities here in the form of galleries and studios along Frankford Avenue – whatever you fancy, you’ll find it in Fishtown.

Ready to explore Philadelphia’s neighborhoods? It’s a city with something for everyone. Whether you want to discover Philly’s history or admire some contemporary art, there’s plenty to see and do in this vibrant city.

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