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North Philly’s sweeping avenues can be traced back to Lenni-Lenape trails. Succeeding waves of immigrants left their mark here through the industrialization era as farmland gave way to tight-knit residential blocks. In the 20th century, the area became a major hub for Black culture, jazz and civil rights activism. Meanwhile, Spanish-speaking communities have infused the “Golden Mile” of North Fifth Street with a distinctly celebratory energy.
North Philly shines via its dramatic architecture: the Beaux Arts elegance of Girard College and the Philadelphia Inquirer Building; the resurrected Victorian glamour of the Divine Lorraine Hotel; and the soaring Gothic Revival arches of the Church of the Advocate.
Beyond the brick and mortar, North Philly tells stories through its public art. As the heart of the city’s mural arts movement, the neighborhood serves as a massive open-air museum with giant works dedicated to social justice and neighborhood icons.
And sprawling across 20 blocks and 118 acres, Temple University employs, educates and unites Philadelphians from all neighborhoods. Hundreds of thousands of alumni live in the region, and this cultural anchor leaves a powerful imprint on city life.
Visit North Philly for its public art, cultural attractions and food from around the world. Here are a few suggestions for getting started:
Once the biggest opera venue in the country, The Met Philadelphia competed with New York’s Metropolitan Opera House when it was first built by Oscar Hammerstein in 1907.
Renovated and revived in 2018, the grand concert hall now presents major touring acts (live music, comedy, authors and more) in an awe-inspiring setting.
— Photo courtesy The Met Philadelphia
Just down Broad Street in the heart of Temple University’s campus, The Liacouras Center serves as headquarters for Temple’s basketball teams, but in between home games, it stages Cirque du Soleil, comedy acts, R&B supergroups and more.
A National Historic Landmark, the Wagner Free Institute of Science preserves its founding mission and the visitor experience from its incorporation in 1855. Explore natural history specimens as they were originally staged and learn about lifeforms and minerals on a self-guided tour.
Wagner Free Institute of Science — Photo courtesy Wagner Free Institute of Science
Temple’s Tyler School of Art’s main gallery, Temple Contemporary showcases student and professional work on campus, making it free to all visitors.
And community-based arts organization Taller Puertorriqueño promotes Puerto Rican culture through visual exhibitions, performance and educational events, driving a powerful legacy in the Philly arts scene that’s spanned decades.
Set atop the former Reading Railroad viaduct, The Rail Park elevates forgotten terrain with thoughtful plantings.
Phase one of the 3-mile expanse also includes site-specific public art, such as a mural by Shepard Fairey and temporary installations. Enter at 13th and Noble Street or Callowhill Street between 11th and 12th streets for free.
Philly’s mural arts legacy looms over North Philly with works like:
Luminaries: The Coronation — Photo courtesy Mural Arts Philadelphia
The Village of Arts and Humanities uses art and sculpture to transform vacant lots into lush, mosaic-filled sanctuaries, leveraging creativity for neighborhood activation.
The James Beard Award-winning Osteria delivers pitch-perfect pizza and lasagna with truffled bechamel from a wood-fired oven to its stylish dining rooms. With a focus on Afro-centic foodways, Honeysuckle has won national attention for inventive fare like fried catfish with Calabrian chile and turnip tartar sauce, or coconut flan with puffed wild rice and preserved lemon.
Set in the renovated Divine Lorraine Hotel, the upscale Cicala draws inspiration from every region of Italy, with Calabrese sausage and Trapanese couscous making appearances on the menu. Low country, creole and Cajun cuisine meets live jazz at SOUTH, a high-end restaurant and nightclub on Broad Street.
A go-to Colombian fixture on Fifth Street for decades, Tierra Colombiana serves ceviche, empanadas and morcilla along with plantains and cassava. Student favorite Yummy Phò’s traditional noodle soup bowls and rice platters make an affordable lunch. Brunch Brothers specializes in comfort food like shrimp and grits and banana pudding.
Feast on galbi and banchan at Kim’s BBQ, one of the most celebrated Korean tabletop grills in the city. Locals also flock to Olney’s Gou for Haitian eats like oxtail, fried fish and griot.
How about Detroit pizza served with purpose? Down North’s lauded pies come with a promise to employ justice-impacted people. North Philly’s answer to Pat’s and Geno’s, Max’s Steaks keeps a simple focus on classic sandwiches. And the square pies at local chain Santucci’s have won fans in every locale, including this North Broad outpost.
How about dessert? Cinnamon Toast milkshakes and strawberry cheesecake mousse are just a couple of the whimsical desserts at North Broad’s Banana Mousse.
Temple University’s The Conwell Inn offers boutique hotel accommodations on campus. Just north of City Hall, the Aloft Philadelphia Downtown provides equal proximity to Center City and North Philly via the Broad Street Line. Situated between North Philly and Fairmount, The Maj Hotel brings a modern Euro sensibility to its ambiance.
The Maj Hotel — Photo courtesy of The Maj Hotel
George W. South Memorial Church of the Advocate — 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.
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