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Center City District
Looking for downtown Philly? Then you’re looking for Center City, where Philly’s culinary, arts and culture scenes converge in the very heart of the city.
Anchored by City Hall — the seat of city government, a key SEPTA stop and a lively public space — Philadelphia’s premier downtown area encompasses more than half a dozen distinct neighborhoods, all under the umbrella term of Center City.
Each one boasts a vibe, energy and set of attractions all its own, but across them all, you find incredible history, shopping, cultural experiences and green spaces, plus award-winning dining and nightlife and free and low-cost events, festivals and exhibitions.
Bracketed by Spring Garden Street to the north, South Street to the south, the Delaware River to the east and the Schuylkill River to the west, Center City is one of the most walkable areas in the nation’s most walkable city (USAToday’s words, not ours). Only 2.4 miles (26 blocks) separate Penn’s Landing on the Delaware River and the Schuylkill River Trail — meaning you can walk from one end of Center City Philly to the other in just 50 minutes. Plus, multiple area attractions are often located just steps away from one another.
Read on for a guide to Center City, curated with help from the Center City District, a non-profit dedicated to supporting Center City businesses, residents and visitors.
Center City is comprised of about 10 vibrant neighborhoods, each reflecting different aspects of the city and the people who live there. Here’s what you can expect in each one.
Note: Neighborhoods are arranged in geographical order from east to west.
Independence Hall — Photo by D. Knoll for Visit Philadelphia
Past and present collide in Old City, where you can follow in the Founding Fathers’ footsteps at Independence National Historical Park sites (like Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell) and learn more at museums (Museum of the American Revolution, National Constitution Center) on “America’s most historic square mile.”
The neighborhood is also a major nightlife stalwart, with bars, restaurants, galleries and Delaware River waterfront attractions offering a fun contrast to its wealth of history.
Headhouse Square — Photo by R. Kennedy for Visit Philadelphia
South of Old City, historic Society Hill remains as picture-perfect today as it was hundreds of years ago, with 18th- and 19th-century buildings — as well as restaurants, historic attractions and shops — lining cobblestone streets.
Travel to the neighborhood’s southernmost border and you’ll find South Street, a buzzy thoroughfare for residents and visitors, teens and adults, artists and attorneys alike, with performance venues, bars, galleries, sneaker stores, risque lingerie emporiums and more.
Washington Square park — Photo by Visit Philadelphia
This thriving enclave gets its name from one of the lush, green spaces dreamed up by William Penn himself.
For generations, shoppers have made pilgrimages to the neighborhood, as commerce hubs like Jewelers’ Row and Antique Row paved the way for the boutiques and businesses of today.
— Photo by S. Ramones for Visit Philadelphia
Midtown Village & The Gayborhood reside squarely — as you may have guessed — in the middle of Center City.
The center of Philly’s thriving LGBTQ+ community, the neighborhood is home to boutiques, restaurants (many found along the famed 13th Street corridor), and some of the biggest hotels and theaters in the city.
Reading Terminal Market — Photo by Visit Philadelphia
Anchored by the Pennsylvania Convention Center, the Fashion District and City Hall, this commercial center boasts a number of shops and eateries, including one of the oldest, largest and greatest public markets in America, Reading Terminal Market.
Chinatown Friendship Gate — Photo by Visit Philadelphia
A stroll through the ornate Chinatown Friendship Gate transports you to a vibrant hub of Asian history and culture, with dozens of shops, festivals and restaurants representing Cantonese, Japanese, Korean and many other East Asian cultures.
— Photo by J. Fusco for Visit Philadelphia
The edgy neighborhood of Callowhill — also called The Loft District or “Eraserhood” (as David Lynch’s bizarro-world opus Eraserhead was inspired by the area) — boasts some of the city’s best live music venues, plus an ever-growing collection of eateries.
— Photo by Elevated Angles for Visit Philadelphia
Logan Square is home to one of Philadelphia’s main cultural hotspots: the Benjamin Franklin Parkway.
Some of Philly’s top must-see attractions — the Barnes Foundation, The Franklin Institute, The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University and more — dot the leafy boulevard or surround the square (which is now, of course, a circle).
Rittenhouse Square Park — Photo by D. Knoll for Visit Philadelphia
Philly’s ritzy Rittenhouse Square neighborhood offers fine dining selections, some of the best shopping in the city and one of the city’s most well-known public spaces, Rittenhouse Square park.
Fitler Square Park — Photo by Visit Philadelphia
Fitler Square feels like an old-school Philly throwback with its quaint vibe, historic homes and — the cornerstone of the neighborhood — picturesque Fitler Square park.
Outside of its residential pleasures, the charming neighborhood is also home to a handful of restaurants and offers easy access to the Schuylkill River Trail.
Ready to experience the neighborhood firsthand? Here are some tips to get you started:
For more information, visit the Center City District site below.
Official Website
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.
Use the menu above to explore Philadelphia Neighborhoods