Copied to Clipboard
Ready to shop till you drop? Philadelphia is the perfect destination to try on designer digs, pick up some great reading material and lovingly select one-of-a-kind gifts.
Here’s an extra reason to shop guilt-free: Clothing and shoes are not subject to sales tax in Pennsylvania. Sales tax in Pennsylvania is 6% and Philadelphia has an additional 2% sales tax on top of that. However, clothing and shoes are exempt from this 8% sales tax. (There are some exceptions, like formalwear, items made from real or synthetic fur and sports attire, like helmets and golf gloves. You’ll have to pay sales tax on those items.)
The city boasts a number of shopping experiences, from corridors packed with independent boutiques, like South Street and Baltimore Avenue, to one of the country’s most renowned shopping destinations in King of Prussia, a Simon Property Mall. Whether you’re looking for the perfect vintage item no one else will have or want to show off your designer taste, you’ll find it in and around Philadelphia.
It’s not all clothing shopping either. Everywhere you look, you’ll find ceramics shops (Ceramic Concept), beauty shops (K-Beauty Outlet), jewelers (all along Jeweler’s Row), lingerie boutiques (Expect Lace) and so much more operated by locals who bring passion and unique perspectives to their businesses.
Read on for the best places to shop in Philadelphia and the Countryside.
Once known as “West Philly’s Main Street,” 52nd Street is a bustling corridor for restaurants, art galleries, bookstores, clothing shops and beyond. The backbone of the district are local Black-owned businesses, from clothing stores to an ice cream parlor to beauty salons.
Can’t-miss shops include:
Where: 52nd Street between Baltimore Avenue & Race Street, Philadelphia, PA
Small and local is the dominant theme along Baltimore Avenue, the leafy commercial corridor that connects Cedar Park, Spruce Hill and University City. After filling up at one of the many restaurants, shoppers can pop into stores for vintage furniture, records, novelty gifts and housewares, and visit avenue anchors like Curio Theatre Company and Firehouse Bicycles. The twice-yearly Baltimore Avenue Dollar Stroll draws businesses out onto the sidewalk offering major deals on food, crafts and more.
Where: Baltimore Avenue between 40th & 50th streets, Philadelphia, PA
The vibrant neighborhood spanning Arch Street to Vine Street from 11th to 8th streets is a hub for cuisines, fashions and entertainment from many Asian cultures, including Chinese, Cantonese, Fujianese, Northern Sichuan and Taiwanese, plus Korean, Thai, Malaysian, Burmese and Vietnamese. Among Chinatown’s spectacular eats and watering holes are delightful gift shops, beauty supply outposts and markets.
Where: Arch Street to Vine Street from 11th to 8th streets, Philadelphia, PA
Stretching diagonally between South Street and South Broad Street, East Passyunk Avenue is where the neighborhood’s Italian-American heritage, young professionals and immigrant communities from Latin America and Asian countries come together. Shopping, which also pairs old-school and brand-new, begins south of the South 9th Street Italian Market, where shops sell men’s clothing, chocolate, books and more.
Where: East Passyunk Avenue between Ninth & Broad streets, Philadelphia, PA
The densely populated Delaware River waterfront neighborhood of Fishtown has an abundance of restaurants, as well as two bustling commercial corridors. Girard Avenue from Interstate 95 to Front Street is home to many restaurants and businesses, while the more recently developed Frankford Avenue offers local boutiques and independent galleries.
Where: Centered at Frankford & Girard avenues, Philadelphia, PA
Cobblestone streets, old trolley tracks and looming trees add to the charm of Germantown Avenue, which winds through the neighborhoods of Germantown, Mt. Airy and Chestnut Hill. Shoppers can tuck into a local cafe, browse bookstores small and large, get sweets at a bakeshop, or pop into an art gallery.
Where: Germantown Avenue between Logan Street & Chestnut Hill Avenue, Philadelphia, PA
Just steps from The Liberty Bell Center and Independence Hall is the country’s oldest diamond district, Jewelers’ Row. Dozens of vendors populate the blocks around Seventh and Sansom streets, which has created a longstanding, gold-standard go-to for happy couples in search of rings.
Where: Seventh & Sansom streets, Philadelphia, PA
The stretch of 11th to Broad streets between Market and Spruce streets in Midtown Village & The Gayborhood is home to some of the city’s best restaurants, nightspots and gift shops. The annual Midtown Village Fall Festival spotlights many of these great businesses in the open air.
Where: 11th to Broad streets between Market and Spruce Streets, Philadelphia, PA
One of the oldest markets in the country, Reading Terminal Market opened in 1893 and was home to hundreds of merchants, selling meat and poultry, fruits and vegetables and more. Today, it’s a vibrant dining and tourist destination in the heart of the city, whose merchants specialize in cuisines such as Caribbean, Georgian and Middle Eastern as well as classic Philly sandwiches like cheesesteaks and roast pork sandwiches.
Where: Reading Terminal Market, 51 N. 12th St, Philadelphia, PA
Between the swanky high-rises, charming brownstones and Rittenhouse Square (one of Philly’s most popular parks), shoppers can find a reliable smattering of national and international retailers. Known as Rittenhouse Row, the area around Chestnut and Walnut streets near the park is one of the best places in Philly to wander around outdoors while stopping to pop in one store after the next, be it an independent retailer or a local outpost of a top brand.
Where: Rittenhouse Row near 18th & Chestnut streets, Philadelphia, PA
Benjamin Franklin’s former ’hood — the heart of Philadelphia’s Historic District — is rich in both history and retail. The shopping heart of the area is found on Second and Third streets, from Market to Race streets, where converted industrial buildings cater to a fashion- and design-forward clientele.
Where: Second & Third streets between Race & Market streets, Philadelphia, PA
Just north of Old City, Northern Liberties is home to art pioneers and young professionals, and the many shops that fit their needs. Visitors can find most of what they need along Second Street between Germantown Avenue and Spring Garden Street, including vintage clothing, beauty supply and charming gift shops — all scattered between the taprooms, restaurants and cafes that fill the area.
Where: Second Street between Germantown Avenue & Spring Garden Street, Philadelphia, PA
Amid the many Southeast Asian groceries are a number of shops owned by immigrants and refugees. Shoppers can also find cafes, restaurants and jewelry stores intersecting the Wharton neighborhood.
Where: S. Seventh Street between Mifflin to Porter Streets, South 7th Street, Philadelphia, PA
Along South Street, visitors and residents, teenagers and adults, preppies and punk rockers, artists and attorneys all mix seamlessly together. The collection of stores between Headhouse Square and the Graduate Hospital neighborhood is equally eclectic, offering clothing boutiques, vintage furniture, board game cafes, small galleries and more.
Where: South Street between the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers, Philadelphia, PA
The tree-lined streets around West Chester University are for more than just the college crowd. A day-trip worthy destination, the area holds plenty of brewpubs and cafes, bistros and specialty fooderies, alongside not-to-be-missed boutiques and bookstores.
Where: Centered at Gay & High streets, West Chester, PA
Nestled along the Delaware River, New Hope is a quaint, creative community just an hour from Center City Philadelphia. Here, shoppers spend the day taking in the town’s charming riverside views and walking its streets, lined with local arts and crafts, boutique shops and antique dealers.
Where: Centered at South Main Street & East Bridge Street, New Hope, PA
Main Street in Manayunk is lined with a strip of quaint, canal-facing historic buildings. Over the years, many of these have been transformed into trendy boutiques, chic restaurants and happening bars, creating a fun spot to spend the afternoon shopping and walking around.
Where: Main Street between Shurs & Green lanes, Philadelphia, PA
Known as the “Mushroom Capital of the World,” Kennett Square offers plenty of shopping opportunities and fantastic dining experiences that go beyond portobellos and shiitakes. Wander down State Street for kids’ toys, specialty shops and fine art before relaxing inside one of the area’s restaurants.
Where: Centered at South Union & State streets, Kennett Square, PA
What began as a collection of businesses run by Italian immigrants in the late 1800s has blossomed into a multi-cultural corridor of culinary delights, bakeries, butcher shops and lively bars and restaurants.
Where: South 9th Street between Fitzwater and Wharton Streets, 919 South 9th Street, Philadelphia, PA
Peddler’s Village offers small-town colonial charm with over 60 independently owned and operated specialty shops that line winding brick walkways. A handful of restaurants, a quaint inn and an exciting festival lineup give shoppers a reason to visit year-round.
Where: Peddler's Village, 2400 Street Road, New Hope, PA
Located just 35 miles northwest of Center City, the Philadelphia Premium Outlets in Montgomery County feature 135 designer and brand-name outlet stores in an astounding 550,000-square-foot outdoor space.
Where: Philadelphia Premium Outlets, 18 W. Lightcap Road, Pottstown, PA
Ardmore’s Suburban Square is a pedestrian-friendly, upscale outdoor shopping center that serves as one of the Main Line’s high-end shopping destinations. The open-air mall also sits next to the Ardmore Farmers’ Market and a curated lineup of eating options.
Where: Suburban Square, Anderson and Coulter avenues, Ardmore, PA
Fashion District Philadelphia made its highly anticipated debut in fall 2019, transforming the former Gallery mall on East Market Street into a light-filled fashion and entertainment hub. Stores in the revamped mall, accessible at street level and from SEPTA’s Jefferson Station, include fast-fashion favorites, established brands, and a movie theater, bowling alley and arcade.
Where: Fashion District Philadelphia, Main Entrance at Ninth & Market streets, Philadelphia, PA
As one of the largest shopping malls in the entire country (!), King of Prussia, a Simon Property Mall is home to a number of department stores as well as more than 450 retailers, boutiques and restaurants. Shoppers can enjoy a nice mix of luxury, budget-friendly, national and international brands, as well as stores that cannot be found elsewhere in the region — all located less than 20 miles from Center City.
Where: King of Prussia, a Simon Property Mall, 160 N. Gulph Road, King of Prussia, PA
Formerly known as Franklin Mills, Philadelphia Mills features 150 stores, including popular destinations like Saks Fifth Avenue OFF 5TH, Polo Ralph Lauren Factory Store and Forever 21. Located in Northeast Philadelphia, the 1.6-million-square-foot space is just 15 miles from Center City.
Where: Philadelphia Mills, 1455 Franklin Mills Circle, Philadelphia, PA
Located in the middle of Center City’s shopping district, The Shops at Liberty Place feature more than 30 shops and restaurants in a chic, urban setting. With popular spots like Victoria’s Secret and The Body Shop, and outlets of LOFT and Bloomingdale’s, The Shops at Liberty Place offer some of the most sought-after mall brands in the heart of the city.
Where: The Shops at Liberty Place, 1625 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
From bicycle repair shops to Japanese teas, these shops are among the 11% of Philly stores owned by locals of Asian descent.
Where: Various locations including ham + bone Fishtown, 1824 Frankford Avenue, Philadelphia, PA
Philadelphia is home to hundreds of Black-owned boutiques and shops offering books, original fashion, candles, home goods and so much more.
Where: Various locations including YOWIE, 226 South Street, Philadelphia, PA
From the city’s first independent urban winery to a long-running store for musical instruments, Philadelphia’s Latino business owners bolster Philly’s vibrant shopping scene.
Where: Various locations including Centro Musical, 464 W. Lehigh Avenue, Philadelphia, PA
The only way to fully experience Philly? Stay over.
Book the Visit Philly Overnight Package and get free hotel parking and priceless peace of mind.
EN 
ES 
FR 
PT 
ES_EC 
FR_FR 
NL