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Ah, Society Hill — one of Philly’s favorite Center City hamlets.
This visually stunning neighborhood in Center City East is defined by its cobblestone streets, leafy blocks, and 18th- and 19th-century red-brick architecture.
Though mostly residential, Society Hill boasts a handful of popular restaurants and attractions, with historic landmarks and hidden courtyards throughout.
A quaint pocket between Old City and the South Street Headhouse District, the neighborhood stretches from Walnut Street to Lombard Street, and from 8th Street to the Delaware River — perfectly positioned between waterfront fun, South Street’s high-energy buzz, and iconic attractions like the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall.
Read on for a guide to Society Hill, curated with help from the Society Hill Civic Association.
Philly foodies know all about the global dining options in Society Hill.
Experience the James Beard Award-winning Zahav, savor Korean-French flavor fusions at Provenance, enjoy breezy Italian fare and fresh seafood at Positano Coast or try wood-fired gourmet pies at Pizzeria Stella.
Visitors can also sample local sips at The Twisted Tail, a Southern-inspired bourbon house and live-music juke joint; Bloomsday, a woman-owned restaurant, wine bar and bottle shop; and A Man Full of Trouble Tavern, built in 1759 — the only pre-Revolutionary War tavern remaining in Philly.
Zahav — Photo by D.Knoll for Visit Philadelphia
Society Hill’s slice of the Delaware River waterfront is overflowing with seasonal attractions like Spruce Street Harbor Park and the nearby Summerfest and Winterfest at Independence Blue Cross RiverRink.
Year-round, residents and visitors can explore one of North America’s largest maritime collections at the Independence Seaport Museum, where guests can also climb aboard the 130-year-old Navy Cruiser USS Olympia (the nation’s oldest steel warship) and World War II-era USS Becuna (a 300-foot Balao submarine).
Spruce Street Harbor Park — Photo courtesy Delaware River Waterfront Corporation
Society Hill offers plenty of spots to relax and reflect, from the lush Washington Square — one of William Penn’s five original parks — to historical public spaces like the Philadelphia Korean War Memorial Park and the Philadelphia Vietnam Veterans Memorial.
Society Hill is one of several neighborhoods that once comprised Philadelphia’s long-lost 7th Ward — the former epicenter of Black culture and, for much of the 18th and 19th centuries, one of the nation’s largest free Black communities.
Explore over 300 years of Black history at attractions like Mother Bethel African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church and the Engine Company #11 All-Black Firehouse. Even Washington Square — once called Congo Square — shares a rich legacy as a gathering place for free and enslaved Africans.
Love discovering Philly’s history? Join The Black Journey African-American History Walking Tours, which explore the old 7th Ward and surrounding neighborhoods.
Mother Bethel African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church — Photo by P.Meyer for Visit Philadelphia
Landmarks hidden in plain sight throughout Society Hill hold stories and artifacts found nowhere else in Philly.
The Italianate Revival-style Athenaeum of Philadelphia is a library and museum specializing in architectural history; the elegant Georgian-style Powel House was once home to the city’s first post-Revolutionary War mayor; the Hill-Physick House preserves the residence and office of the “father of American surgery”; and the Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial honors a little-known Revolutionary-era hero.
Powel House — Photo by Joe Pulcinella for the Preservation of Landmarks
One of the nation’s oldest continuously operating markets, the Headhouse Square Farmers Market is also one of Philly’s largest, popping up under the historic Headhouse Shambles every Sunday.
Shop locally sourced produce, fresh-picked flowers, globally inspired baked goods, prepared foods, wine, spirits, coffee and more while chatting up the friendly vendors.
The neighborhood is surrounded on all sides with accommodations to suit a variety of tastes. Nearby options include the waterfront Hilton Philadelphia at Penn’s Landing, the beautifully restored Society Hill Hotel and the hip boutique Yowie Hotel.
King Guest Room at Society Hill Hotel — Photo courtesy Society Hill Hotel
Ready to experience the area firsthand? Here are some tips to get you started:
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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