Living in Center City Philadelphia
Data and area descriptions prepared by the Center City District.
Locals call Philadelphia’s
downtown “Center City”.
Center City Philadelphia is home to about
80,000 residents, the third largest downtown population in
the United States after New York and Chicago.
Within Center City Philadelphia there
is a wide range of housing options from modern apartments,
to historic townhouses, to converted lofts—all near
great parks and extraordinary recreational opportunities.
30% of Center City residents are between
the ages of 25 and 34. 79% of these young professionals have
college degrees.
Center City Philadelphia was recently
named one of the ten-most walk-able cities in the nation by
Prevention Magazine. According to the Center City District,
a staggering 37 percent of Philadelphia’s Center City’s
residents walk to work.
Generally, Center City Philadelphia is
defined as stretching from the Schuylkill River (west) to
the Delaware River (east), to South Street (south) to Vine
Street (north).
Neighborhoods in Center City include Fitler
Square, Logan Square, Rittenhouse Square, Society Hill, Old
City, Chinatown, and Penn’s Landing.
The Art Museum area, Fairmont, Queen Village,
Bella Vista, Northern Liberties, the Italian Market area,
Washington Square and University City are located just outside
the traditional Center City Philadelphia boundaries but can
also be considered located in the Center City/Downtown area.
Here is a description of several
of Philadelphia’s most well known areas:
Historic and Waterfront District
The city's historic and waterfront park begins on 6th Street,
just four blocks east of the Convention Center, and continues
to Penn's Landing on the banks of the Delaware River. The
site of Philadelphia's earliest settlements, the neighborhood
is full of 18th-century influence including Colonial-era homes
and cobblestone streets. In addition to the Liberty Bell and
Independence Hall, Independence National Historical Park -
America's most historic square mile - is home to numerous
historical buildings and sites, most of which are free to
the public.
Old City
Your exploration of America's heritage continues north of
Market Street in the city's first commercial district. In
addition to Betsy Ross's home and Elfreth's Alley - America's
oldest continuously residential street - Old City is known
for the most exciting collection of art galleries on the East
Coast.
Society Hill
A prominent Delaware River waterfront neighborhood steeped
in America's history, Society Hill is an upscale prototype
for urban restoration. Enjoy the architectural styles of hundreds
of historically significant townhouses and places of worship.
South Street
The "hippest street in Philadelphia," South Street
is famous for its eclectic shops, diverse restaurants and
dynamic nightlife. There's no better place to people-watch
on a Friday or Saturday night.
Washington Square Centered
around one of the public squares planned by William Penn,
this area of the city connects the historic and commercial
districts. Walking through the quaint neighborhoods you will
discover Jewelers Row and Antique Row, two of the city's specialty
shopping areas, as well as the Walnut Street and Forrest theaters.
Convention Center
Opened in 1993, the state-of-the-art Pennsylvania Convention
Center contains more than 400,000 square feet of exhibit and
meeting space and is one of the finest facilities in the country.
The Center is connected to the historic Reading Terminal Market,
an open-air smorgasbord of 80 eateries and merchants.
Chinatown
The "Chinese Friendship Gate" at 10th and Arch Streets
welcomes you to this bustling community that has established
itself as a center for fine art, culture, and the very best
in Asian culinary delights for more than a century.
Parkway/Museum District
Stretching from City Hall to The Philadelphia Museum of Art,
the Benjamin Franklin Parkway is flanked by some of the city's
most acclaimed institutions. The Parkway is also the location
of numerous festivals and events throughout the year, including
Fourth of July fireworks. Logan Circle, one of the public
"squares" in the city's original design, is home
to the magnificent Swann Fountain.
Fairmount Park
Beginning at the Ben Franklin Parkway, Fairmount Park encompasses
more than 8,900 acres of winding creeks, rustic trails, green
meadows and 100 miles of recreational trails. The world's
largest landscaped urban park also contains early-American
mansions, historic landmarks, and a variety of outdoor sculpture,
playing fields, and 19th-century Victorian structures along
Boathouse Row.
Rittenhouse Square District
One of the most prestigious addresses in Philadelphia, Rittenhouse
Square is famous for it's world-class shopping and restaurants.
Part of William Penn's original city plan, this beautiful
public square is a popular destination for Center City residents
and visitors alike.
Manayunk
Nestled along the banks of the Schuylkill River just west
of Center City, Manayunk is one of the newest hot spots in
the area. Named a National Historic District in 1983, "Philadelphia's
Main Street" boasts more than 65 chic boutiques and galleries
and dozens of restaurants.
Chestnut Hill
Cobblestoned Germantown Avenue is surrounded by art galleries,
restaurants and specialty and antiques shops, located on the
city's northwest boundary.
University City District
University City was Philadelphia’s first suburb, and
it remains home to distinctive, livable urban neighborhoods
of wide porches, tree-lined streets, restaurants, and shops.
World-renowned centers of education, medicine, and technology
and residents of diverse backgrounds lend University City
its intellectual and international flavor. The University
of Pennsylvania and Drexel University are both located here.
South Philadelphia
This mix of long-established residential ethnic neighborhoods,
provides a tapestry of sights, sounds and tastes to explore.
In addition to being home of the city's expansive professional
Philadelphia Sports Stadiums home of the (Eagles, Sixers,
Phillies and Flyers), South Philadelphia is probably best
known for the open-air Italian Market, outstanding Italian
restaurants, and the home of the cheesesteak.
The Avenue of the Arts
Encompassing North and South Broad Street, The Avenue of the
Arts is one of the premier cultural destinations in the city
and the region and home to the Academy of Music, the Merriam
Theater, Wilma Theater, Freedom Theatre and the dazzling Regional
Performing Arts Center to be completed in 2001.
North Philadelphia
Home to numerous educational, cultural and community organizations,
North Philadelphia is perhaps best known as the location of
Temple University and the Uptown Cultural District.
El Centro de Oro
In this vibrant heart of Philadelphia's Latino community you
will find music, shopping and dining, as well as extensive
bilingual services
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