Powelton Village: A Historic Hideaway in West Philadelphia

Can’t-Miss Experiences

1. Find your new favorite place to eat & drink

A stroll down Lancaster Avenue opens up a world of tasty possibilities, from Sichuan staples at Han Dynasty and Japanese bites at Tataki Ramen & Sushi to sweet treats at Coco’s Cookies & Creamery and cold ones at Two Locals Brewing, Philly’s first Black-owned brewery.

Other local favorites to keep you equally full and/or sufficiently caffeinated include restaurants, like Sabrina’s Cafe, Landmark Americana and El Taco, and cafes, like Madis Coffee Roasters, Green Line Cafe, Greek from Greece and Arterial Coffee.

2. Unwind in local green spaces

Is the grass greener on the other side? Find out for yourself with a good, old-fashioned frolic along the tree-lined paths of Drexel Park (pick a shady bench and take in the sweeping skyline views); the fruit trees, veggies and flora of the Summer-Winter Community Garden; and the open-air greenery of Saunders Park.

Drexel Park   — Photo by Visit Philadelphia

3. Get your game on

Did you know that Philly is the squash capital of America?

The world’s largest public squash facility and the official home of U.S. Squash, the Arlen Specter U.S. Squash Center offers programming for children and adults, as well as classes and events. You can play a match on its Olympic-caliber courts for as little as $15 per person.

If tabletop gaming is more your thing, Redcap’s Corner game shop — one of the oldest and largest in Philly — features an awesome selection of board, trading card and role-playing games.

4. Take in the historic architecture

One of America’s first suburbs, the historic district features many incredibly preserved examples of Victorian architecture.

The German-Gothic style of the Frederick A. Poth Houses, the Queen Anne style doubles of the Poth & Schmidt Houses, the Georgian Revival style of the Bell Telephone Exchange Building, and the Victorian Gothic style of the castle-like Ross Commons at Drexel speak to the range of styles found in the area.

Several churches, like the Episcopal Church of St. Andrew and St. Monica, also offer great examples of historic architecture.

  — Photo by Visit Philadelphia

Where to Stay

Spend the night at one of the neighborhood’s Victorian bed-and-breakfasts, the Cornerstone Bed & Breakfast or Akwaaba Philadelphia.

Nearby University City also offers a host of hotels, including The Study at University City and the Inn at Penn.

Cornerstone Bed & Breakfast   — Photo courtesy Cornerstone Bed & Breakfast

Local Tips

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

• Powelton Village is a stone’s throw from William H. Gray III 30th Street Station, a gorgeous terminal and a major Amtrak and SEPTA hub.
• With Market Street as its southern border, Powelton Village is super accessible via SEPTA’s L (Market-Frankford) subway line and the trolley.
• The neighborhood is also easily walkable, bikeable or drivable.
• Drexel Park is one of the best spots in the city to watch the Fourth of July fireworks spectacular.