Neighborhood Descriptions
ART MUSEUM The Art Museum neighborhood is rich in Victorian-era architecture and close to many of the city’s world renowned museums, including the Philadelphia Museum of Art, Rodin Museum, Academy of Natural Sciences, the Franklin Institute, and a proposed new site for the Barnes collection. The area borders on Fairmount Park, the nation’s largest municipal park — a perfect place for hiking, biking, sports, a run with the dog, or a lazy day in the sun. In recent years the Art Museum area has blossomed with bistros, taverns, grocery stores, cafés, and a prize community garden.
www.fairmountcdc.org
Fairmount CDC
www.lisc.org/philadelphia
Girard Avenue Coalition initiatives
> Art Museum neighborhood map
BELLA VISTACentered on the vibrant, famed Italian Market, you can be close to Center City and still feel that you live in a charming village. A popular destination for many of Philadelphia’s first-time buyers, Bella Vista offers as diverse a population as it does styles of architecture and living. The acclaimed Fleisher Art Memorial has brought art lovers to this area for over a century. Restaurants, bakeries, cheese shops, butcher shops, delis, and coffee shops will keep you enchanted with this quaint neighborhood.
> Bella Vista neighborhood map
CHINATOWNPhiladelphia’s Chinatown is considered the fourth largest in the United States and is located within the Center City district. This ethnic enclave possesses a great deal of distinctly Philadelphian architecture and cultural character centered around its famous “Friendship Arch”. Chinatown is a bustling neighborhood popular for its gift shops and markets and is home to many of the city’s finest Asian restaurants.
www.chinatown-pcdc.com
Philadelphia Chinatown Development Corporation
www.callowhill.org
Center City - Loft District
> Chinatown neighborhood map
FISHTOWNLocals claim the neighborhood was named by Charles Dickens on a visit here. What we do know for sure is that Fishtown was a riverside shipbuilding and fishing community. Centuries later, Fishtown boasts a rich array of Colonial and Victorian rowhomes and a new vitality. Fishtown is home to families, artists, and homebuyers looking for more affordable housing close to downtown. Interstate 95 is easy access from the neighborhood. The Market Frankford train and restored trolley put Center City within minutes reach. With new nightspots, Yard’s brewery, music venues, coffee houses, and art studios, Fishtown is becoming well known, bringing more interest and newcomers to the neighborhood.
www.fishtownlife.com
Fishtown Neighbors Association
www.nkcdc.org
New Kensington CDC
www.lisc.org/philadelphia
Girard Avenue Coalition initiatives
> Fishtown neighborhood map
FITLER SQUARECobblestone streets, two green parks, and a touch of European charm characterize Fitler Square. Just west of Rittenhouse Square, the Fitler Square area also appeals to those seeking the excitement of an urban lifestyle while offering the respite of private living. Delightful bistros, gourmet food shops, amiable cafés, and local pubs give this area a true community feel. Bikers, runners, and even walkers take pleasure in a new green development along the Sckuykill River that links Center City to Manyunk and Valley Forge via a continuous pedestrian trail.
www.fitlersquare.org
Center City - Fitler Square
www.centercityresidents.org
Center City Residents Association
> Fitler Square neighborhood map
GRADUATE HOSPITALJust south of the Rittenhouse Square area, Graduate Hospital neighborhood provides a perfect home base for those who appreciate the downtown lifestyle. Many Graduate Hospital residents enjoy a short walk to downtown jobs and prefer the quiet and affordability of the rowhome lined streets where they live. The Drexel and University of Pennsylvania communities are minutes away via the South Street Bridge. South Street in this area has made a comeback with a long list of dining spots, music venues, grocery stores, and pubs.
www.southofsouth.org
South of South Neighborhood Association
> Graduate Hospital neighborhood map
KENSINGTONKensington is directly north of Northern Liberties, above Girard Avenue. The area is comprised of historic rowhomes mixed with turn-of-the-century warehouses. New restaurants, artist live/work spaces, brand new homes, do-it-yourself renovations, and loft conversions all make Kensington a home to a diverse community. Philadelphia natives, newcomers, and many first time buyers have embraced Kensington for its diversity and affordability. Great access to the Market Frankford train makes the neighborhood close to anywhere in Center City and continues to attract more interest and new inhabitants.
www.kscdc.org
Kensington South CDC
www.lisc.org/philadelphia
Girard Avenue Coalition initiatives
> Kensington neighborhood map
LOGAN SQUAREThis neighborhood is centered around Logan Circle, an open-space park in Center City’s northwest quadrant and one of the original planned squares laid out on the city grid. The centerpiece of Logan Circle is Alexander Calder’s spectacular Swann Fountain. The neighborhood lies in the heart of the museum district along Benjamin Franklin Parkway, with easy access to the main branch of the Free Library of Philadelphia, the Franklin Institute, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and more.
www.lsnaphilly.org
Logan Square Neighborhood Association
www.centercityphila.org
Center City District
> Logan Square neighborhood map
NORTHERN LIBERTIESNorthern Liberties is one of Philadelphia’s most energized and growing areas. Harkening back to Penn’s industrial designation as a place for smiths and open space, the Liberties today is a fusion of artists, builders, professionals, young families, bistros, beer enthusiasts, studios, festivals, and salons. You will also find a true jazz house, dog park, community garden, and charter schools. In Northern Liberties, old brick rowhomes, winding backstreets, and sleepy European gardens mix naturally with converted lofts, new high-rises, and a wealth of new services. Despite its growth and popularity, many buyers still appreciate the affordability and uniqueness of the spaces in this neighborhood.
www.northernliberties.org
Northern Liberties Community Website
www.nlna.og
Northern Liberties Neighbors Association & NLCDC
www.inliquid.com/organizations/nlaa.shtml
Northern Liberties Arts Association
www.lisc.org/philadelphia
Girard Avenue Coalition initiatives
> Northern Liberties neighborhood map
OLD CITYAt the foot of the Ben Franklin Bridge, Old City is nestled along the Delaware River by Penn’s Landing. In a few decades, this empty industrial area has transformed into a walking district of world class cuisine, art galleries, music spots, design studios, and everything boutique from pastries to hats. Old City features a diversity of architectural styles and spaces unlike anywhere in town. Warehouse conversions to loft condominiums are plentiful. Philadelphia’s center for studio arts and new culture, Old City is known for its regular first Friday of the month art studio openings.
www.oldcity.org
Center City - Old City
> Old City neighborhood map
QUEEN VILLAGEHistoric Queen Village runs from the Delaware River to 6th Street. Restored colonial homes mix with beautiful new townhouses on tree lined and winding side streets. South Street runs along the north end offering an eclectic collection of shops and restaurants. Mario Lanza Park and the Settlement Music School are also beloved landmarks. This area has easy access to Center City, I-95, and the Delaware riverfront, where shopping, entertainment, and dining are abundant.
www.qvna.org
Queen Village Neighbors Association
> Queen Village neighborhood map
RITTENHOUSE SQUAREArguably one of Philadelphia’s most prestigious urban areas, the Rittenhouse Square neighborhood is centered around one of Penn’s original planned public parks and is a premiere destination for residents and visitors alike. With contemporary and historic townhomes blending in with the beautiful street scenes and abundant shopping and dining, the Rittenhouse Square area is the favorite of many who love the pulse of the city and the quiet of their own private abodes.
www.centercityresidents.org
Center City Residents Association
www.centercityphila.org
Center City District
> Rittenhouse Square neighborhood map
SOCIETY HILLSociety Hill, loosely defined as the area between Walnut, South, Front and 6th streets is considered among the largest concentrations of original 18th and early 19th century architecture in the United States. Much like Beacon Hill in Boston, Society Hill is a charming district with cobblestone streets lined with brick rowhouses in Federal and Georgian styles. Located close to the Delaware River and Philadelphia’s Independence Mall, this neighborhood is one of the city’s most popular and prestigious residential areas.
www.societyhillcivic.com
Center City - Society Hill
> Society Hill neighborhood map
SOUTH PHILADELPHIASouth of South Street, this vast area of the city is a combination of about a dozen neighborhoods including Pennsport, East Passyunk, and the Italian Market. In the 1800s it housed a huge immigrant population, and to this day the area continues to host people of many different ethnic backgrounds. The properties are also diverse in range, from small rowhomes to beautiful villas and new townhouses. All of Philadelphia’s sports centers are located in South Philadelphia, along with the best cheesesteaks, family restaurants, bakeries, pasta shops, and mom-and-pop stores. These are neighborhoods with a strong sense of community and history. There is a wide variety of homes here for almost any budget.
www.passyunk.org
Passyunk Square Civic Association
www.pennsportcivic.org
Pennsport Neighborhood Association
www.pbpac.org
The Point Breeze Performing Art Center
www.olmc-phila.com/whitman.htm
The Whitman Council
> South Philadelphia neighborhood map
WASHINGTON SQUARECentered around one of Penn’s original planned public parks, Washington Square is a lively part of town, centrally located and within walking distance to both the business and cultural districts. This area offers home buyers and renters a mix of townhomes and high-rise living options. The performance venues along the Avenue of the Arts and Walnut Street and Antique Row along Pine Street are among the many features of this area. You can sample a large array of neighborhood restaurants and shops or admire the historic buildings that surround the tree-lined square.
www.washwestcivic.org
Center City - Washington West
www.centercityphila.org
Center City District
> Washington Square neighborhood map
| 
