Bella Vista: A Cultural Feast in the Heart of South Philly

Can’t-Miss Experiences

1. Experience the South 9th Street Italian Market

Vibrant. Multicultural. Delicious. The South 9th Street Italian Market is the oldest open-air market of its kind in the nation and the centerpiece of Bella Vista.

Colorful storefronts and vendor stalls entice foodies with coffee, cheese, meat, pasta, sandwiches, produce and more.

Beyond browsing, marketgoers can pop into a restaurant for a bite (more on that later) or frolic at annual fests, like the Italian Market Festival.

  — Photo by K. Kelly for Visit Philadelphia

2. Marvel at the Magic Gardens Museum

Bella Vista’s walls are alive, thanks in no small part to Isaiah Zagar’s mosaicked masterpieces.

You can find the prolific artist’s work adorning homes, businesses and alleyways across South Philly, but his magnum opus is the Magic Gardens Museum, a kaleidoscopic indoor/outdoor dreamscape encrusted from floor to ceiling with handmade tiles, international folk art, reclaimed bicycle tires and more.

In town on a Tuesday? Zagar’s other immersive artistic wonderland, the Magic Gardens Studio, is only a 20-minute walk away.

Magic Gardens Museum   — Photo by D. Knoll for Visit Philadelphia

3. Eat your way across the globe

Begin your culinary world tour at classic Italian Market-area spots like Ralph’s Italian Restaurant and Blue Corn Restaurant & Bar. Then hit up nearby newcomers, like the James Beard Award-winning Cambodian noodle house Mawn, Filipino hotspot Tabachoy or upscale Vietnamese restaurant Le Viet.

Don’t forget to stop by Angelo’s Pizzeria and John’s Water Ice for Philly staples.

Pro tip: If you’re getting a cheesesteak at Angelo’s, order ahead, bring cash and dine away from the neighbors’ steps. The locals will thank you!

Mawn   — Photo by D. Knoll for Visit Philadelphia

4. Get inspired by the local art scene

Tap into the neighborhood’s creative energy with exhibitions at Da Vinci Art Alliance or The SPACE Art Gallery. Or check out a show or a low-cost art class at the Fleisher Art Memorial, the nation’s oldest community art school.

Murals tell the neighborhood’s story, highlighting its history as a stop on the Underground Railroad, a musical epicenter during the height of the 1930s jazz era and more.

5. Explore South Philly’s Black history

Once a part of the 7th Ward — formerly the heart of Philly’s Black community — Bella Vista honors activists who lived here, like educator Octavius Catto and abolitionist Francis Ellen Watkins Harper, with markers and memorials.

You can still visit historic sites, like the Church of the Crucifixion — the second Black Episcopal church in Philadelphia, built in 1847.

6. Support local businesses

Between vendor stalls along the South 9th Street Italian Market, the bustling plazas on Washington Avenue and the eclectic boutiques around South Street, Bella Vista is every shopper’s dream.

Specialty meats, cheeses, wine and more are up for grabs at Di Bruno Bros., as are sweet treats at Isgro Pastries. (We beg: If nothing else, you have to get a cannoli.)

Shop trendy accessories and women’s fashion at the Carolyn Verdi Boutique.

Or go totally analog, browsing texts and vinyls at Molly’s Books & Records.

Cannoli from Isgro Pastries   — Photo courtesy Isgro Pastries

Where to Stay

A good night’s sleep is the least of your worries with classy and hip accommodations nearby, like The Philadelphia Hotel Bella Vista and Yowie Hotel, plus Broad Street offers a bevy of options, including the Cambria Hotel Philadelphia Downtown Center City and The Bellevue Hotel.

The Queen Hotel Queen Village, Sonder   — Photo courtesy The Queen Hotel Queen Village, Sonder

Local Tips

Ready to experience the area firsthand? Here are some tips to get you started:

• Parking can be tight. With patience, two-hour parking can be found on residential streets, but paid lots are also available on Washington Avenue or Carpenter Street between 9th Street and 10th Street.

• Getting around is easy on foot, by bike or via SEPTA’s B (Broad Street) line’s Lombard-South and Ellsworth-Federal stops.

• Bella Vista touts some of the best deals in town, but bring cash. Many street vendors are cash-only. Just a note: Many businesses are closed on Sundays and Mondays.

• Our Market Tours are a great way to explore the South 9th Street Italian Market and get a taste of the diverse history of the neighborhood.

• Bella Vista was home to a number of famous residents, like world-renowned opera singer Mario Lanza — whose under-the-radar museum is located nearby.

Our Market Tours   — Photo courtesy Our Market Project