Graduate Hospital: Sips, Sounds & Small-Town Vibes in Center City’s Backyard

Can’t-Miss Experiences

1. Plan a whole meal itinerary

Start your day with freshly roasted coffee or a laid-back brunch at neighborhood staples like Ants Pants Cafe, Miles Table, Saigon Grace Cafe, The Breakfast Den or Sabrina’s Café.

At lunchtime, grab a sandwich at Breezy’s Deli and Market, shawarma at Falafel Time, flavorful Thai cuisine at Thai Square Restaurant, or comfort foods at The Sidecar Bar & Grille — a local favorite.

For dinner, explore inventive small plates at Illata, classic Italian at L’Anima, fresh catches at Kei Sushi Restaurant or Southern-inspired fare at Rex at the Royal — housed in the historic Royal Theater, a former center of African American culture during the Black Renaissance.

Rex at the Royal menu items   — Photo courtesy Rex at the Royal

2. Choose your own sip-venture at local watering holes

Beer fans can settle in at Dock Street South or Founding Fathers Sports Bar; wine lovers can sip at Jet Wine Bar; marg aficionados can find fun flavs at Los Camaradas or Loco Pez; and cocktail seekers can head to Sonny’s Cocktail Joint.

Add vibes to your sips with warm-weather pop ups like the PHS Pop Up Garden at South Street, or grab a classic Citywide — Philly’s iconic beer-and-bourbon combo — any time at Bob & Barbara’s Lounge, the dive bar that invented it (and hosts Philly’s longest-running drag show).

Dock Street South   — Photo by S. Ramones for Visit Philadelphia

3. Soak in the city skyline on the South Street Bridge and the Schuylkill Banks Boardwalk

Complementing the riverside strolls and picnics along the Schuylkill River Trail, Graduate Hospital is home to the Schuylkill Banks Boardwalk — a scenic 2,000-foot-long promenade floating above the river with some of the city’s best skyline views.

Plus, the perpendicular South Street Bridge is perfect for photos, basking in the sunset’s glow or catching the July Fourth fireworks.

Schuylkill Banks Boardwalk   — Photo by Elevated Angles for Visit Philadelphia

4. Explore the history of Black music at iconic sites

The National Marian Anderson Museum — once home to the trailblazing contralto and Civil Rights icon — showcases an incredible collection of memorabilia, books, rare photos and films.

Want to catch a show? Founded in 1936 by Local No. 274 — a Black musicians’ union that included legends like John Coltrane and Dizzy Gillespie — the Philadelphia Clef Club of Jazz & Performing Arts keeps that legacy alive with concerts, workshops and more.

  — Photo courtesy Philadelphia Clef Club of Jazz & Performing Arts

5. Shop eclectic boutiques

One of Graduate Hospital’s main thoroughfares, South Street West offers plenty of shops worth perusing.

Local faves include jewelry at Workshop Underground and Charmed on South; vintage finds at Charli Vintage & Thrift; yarn and fabrics at Loop; heavenly scents at State of Being Affirmation Candles; and fashion at spots like m concept, Dudes Boutique, Senoj Clothing and Mad Cat Brewtique.

Pro tip: Mad Cat doubles as a coffee bar; stop by after 5 p.m. for half-off pastries.

6. Experience the joy of the ODUNDE Festival

Every June, the ODUNDE Festival draws thousands from Philly and beyond for one of the largest Black and African street celebrations in the country.

Rooted in Yoruba traditions of Nigeria, the fest transforms the neighborhood into a joyful party with parades, music, dancing, vendors, and delicious African and Caribbean flavors.

  — Photo by S. Ramones for Visit Philadelphia

Where to Stay

Visitors can find comfy accommodations at The Deacon and the nearby La Reserve Bed & Breakfast, along with tons of other hotel options in Rittenhouse Square.

The Deacon   — Photo courtesy The Deacon

Local Tips

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

• Parking can be limited, but the neighborhood is highly walkable and accessible via several bus routes and the SEPTA’s Lombard-South station on the B (Broad Street) subway line.
• Many restaurants, especially those along South Street West, allow you to bring your own bottle — or BYOB — of wine or beer. Check ahead and pack your favorite wine or brew!
• Popular green spaces include the Grays Ferry Triangle and Julian Abele Park, a picnic and live music spot named for the Black architect who helped design the Philadelphia Art Museum.