Society Hill: A Walk Through Centuries of Philly History

Eksperyans ou pa dwe rate

1. Take a culinary world tour

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 Kòt Positano 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; Jou Bloom, 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

2. Enjoy riverside fun at Penn’s Landing

Society Hill’s slice of the Kòt Rivyè Delaware is overflowing with seasonal attractions like Pak Spruce Street Harbor and the nearby Fèt Ete epi Fèt Ivè nan 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).

Pak Spruce Street Harbor   — Foto koutwazi Delaware River Waterfront Corporation

3. Unwind at historic parks and green spaces

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.

4. Explore Philly’s lesser-known Black history

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 ak 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

5. Tour historic homes and museums

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 courtesy Philadelphia Society for the Preservation of Landmarks

6. Shop and stroll the Headhouse Square Farmers Market

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.

Ki kote pou rete

The neighborhood is surrounded on all sides with accommodations to suit a variety of tastes. Nearby options include the waterfront Hilton Philadelphia nan 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

Konsèy lokal

Ou pare pou w dekouvri zòn nan poukont ou? Men kèk konsèy pou kòmanse:

• Society Hill is super walkable and easily accessible via several Sepa bus routes.
• Metered parking is available throughout the neighborhood, or park in the lot on Front Street between Lombard Street and South Street.
• The area is home to the Bicentennial Bell — a six-ton Liberty Bell replica on display at Benjamin Rush Garden.
• Wander off the main streets to discover charming alcoves and pocket parks — and wear comfy shoes for those brick and cobblestone sidewalks. Local gems include the Rose Garden epi Three Bears Park.