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Three neighborhoods in one: That’s the perfect way to describe Washington Square West. Think of Wash West as kind of a neighborhood nesting doll with the Gayborhood nested inside Midtown Village, which then nests inside Washington Square West.
Wash West encompasses the area between Market Street and South Street, from Broad Street to 7th Street. Midtown Village maintains its own personality thanks to a small-business boom concentrated on the 13th Street corridor, where power couple Marcie Turney and Valerie Safran preside over a handful of popular restaurants and shops. The Gayborhood sets itself apart with dozens of rainbow street signs throughout the area, along with many LGBTQ-focused restaurants and bars.
The numerous hotels in historic Wash West make it the perfect home base to explore Center City and popular Old City sites — like Independence Hall — while enjoying a village vibe amidst abundant green space, world-class restaurants and trendy shopping spots.
Washington Square — a vibrant park and one of the five original public squares in Philadelphia — anchors the neighborhood of Washington Square West, providing 6.4 acres of green space for those seeking respite in a busy city. Here, picnickers, families and residents gather to enjoy the chill vibe and historic open space.
Washington Square — Photo by Visit Philadelphia
Washington Square West’s location places it smack dab in the middle of Philly’s thriving theater scene. Inside the neighborhood, find the iconic Walnut Street Theatre, the oldest theater in the country, and the Forrest Theatre, home to many Broadway shows.
The neighborhood’s Broad Street boundary runs along the Avenue of the Arts, home to the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, the Academy of Music and more.
As our culinary city continues to rack up accolades, diners in Wash West have an almost dizzying array of restaurants to choose from.
In addition to foodie heaven in Midtown Village and the Gayborhood, diners flock to: the Michelin-recommended hotspot High Street Restaurant & Bar; the popular Morimoto of Iron Chef fame; the farm-to-table restaurant Talula’s Garden; the ever-festive Craftsman Row Saloon; the top-rated Italian BYOB Mercato; and the Asian fusion up-and-comer Mari Mari.
Philadelphia history is Black history, and Washington Square West is no exception. An important part of the Underground Railroad and the Great Migration, parts of Philadelphia’s historic 7th Ward overlap with Wash West. Book a guided tour with Black Journey Tours or take the self-guided 7th Ward Legacy Reclaimed tour to learn more.
The Black Journey Tour — Photo by Visit Philadelphia
Jewelers’ Row and Historic Antique Row remain long-established commerce hubs for their respective wares. Visitors can also pick up Philly-centric gifts (Open House, Verde), luxurious handmade facial and body care (Duross & Langel), sports memorabilia and clothing (Shibe Vintage Sports, Mitchell & Ness), and so much more along the 13th Street shopping corridor and throughout the neighborhood.
Visitors know they’ve found the Gayborhood when they see the rainbow crosswalks and street signs. The area abounds with opportunities to celebrate diversity at iconic spots like the William Way LGBT Community Center (home of the nation’s largest LGBTQ+ lending library), Philly AIDS Thrift at Giovanni’s Room (the oldest continuously operating LGBTQ+ bookstore in the United States), and the popular piano bar and dance club Tavern On Camac.
Camac Street in Midtown Village — Photo by Visit Philadelphia
An abundance of hotels awaits visitors to Wash West, including luxury digs (the Loews Philadelphia Hotel, the Canopy by Hilton Philadelphia Center City and the DoubleTree by Hilton Philadelphia); boutique hotels (the Guild House Hotel, the Alexander Inn and the Morris House Hotel); and spots that double as dining destinations (the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown, the Cambria Hotel Downtown Center City, and the Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Philadelphia Downtown).
Canopy by Hilton Philadelphia Center City — Photo by D. Nicole for Visit Philadelphia
Ready to experience the area firsthand? Here are some tips to get you started:
— Photo by Visit Philadelphia
Philadelphia is a city of vibrant neighborhoods bordered by a region of charming towns, with each area owning a distinctive personality. Explore the neighborhoods and towns in and around Philadelphia — their storied streets, interesting attractions, buzzed-about restaurants and year-round happenings.
Use the menu above to explore Philadelphia Neighborhoods
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