The largest city in the Pennsylvania, home to 1.5 million people, is also one of the most historically significant and culturally magnificent cities in the United States. Philadelphia, of US Constitution and Declaration of Independence fame, is one of the most popular destinations for domestic and international tourism, with over 45 million visitors coming every year from the US alone.
Of course the many museums, art galleries, cheesesteak restaurants, giant copper bells (okay there’s only one of those), and sophisticated hotels are a big draw for people, but Philadelphia has plenty of neighborhoods away from the downtown city center that are well worth the visit.
If you’re planning a trip and want to find hidden gems or local favorites, we’ve put together this list to showcase the best experiences in the top ten best Philly neighborhoods – plus some tourist attractions for good measure! From Schuylkill River kayaking to retro pizza museums, you’ll find something for every personality in the heart of the Keystone State.
| Center City
We’ll dive right in with the touristy stuff to get that out of the way; starting with the Center City neighborhood.
Here is where you’ll find Mac’s Tavern from It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia, which although isn’t the actual bar from the series, is still owned by Rob McElhenney and Kaitlyn Olson, which is pretty cool. You’ll also find the Liberty Bell, Philadelphia's City Hall, and Independence Hall, where the Declaration was signed.
If you want a unique perspective on all these amazing attractions, head to the One Liberty Observation Deck and enjoy 360 degree views of the city at 57 floors above ground level. A fun experience to kick off your vacation in Philly!
| Old City
East of Center City on the bank of the Delaware River is Old City, Philadelphia’s historic district. Known as ‘where American began’, Old City is the United States’ first designated World Heritage City, and is popular with the locals who frequent the many art galleries, coffee shops and bars.
Learn more about this fascinating neighborhood on an Old City Philadelphia History Tour, joining a knowledgeable guide for an entertaining journey round the area’s best attractions. See where the first American flag was sewn at the Betsy Ross House, visit a local brewery for a cold home-brewed beer, take a stroll through Washington Square, and discover exactly what makes this neighborhood so special!
| Bella Vista
Philadelphia’s ‘Little Italy’ region can be found in the Bella Vista neighborhood, home to one of the best Italian markets in the country, the South 9th Street Curb Market. The streets are packed with authentic coffee shops, bakeries, and traditional Italian restaurants, plus one of Philly’s most popular open air art galleries, Philadelphia's Magic Gardens.
This bizarre 3,000 square feet immersive environment is completely covered in colorful mosaics, with thousands of tiny mirrors, pieces of tile, glass bottles, folk art and even bicycle wheels filling every possible space in the maze-like gallery. Designed and built by artist Isaiah Zagar, Philadelphia's Magic Gardens is treasured by the locals, and should absolutely feature on your travel itinerary on your next trip!
| Brewerytown
No we’re not making this up, Philadelphia genuinely has a neighborhood called Brewerytown. Once boasting over twenty large-scale breweries of mostly German origin, the neighborhood has seen a decline in industrial operations over the years, allowing craft micro-breweries to take their place.
One of our favorites is Crime & Punishment Brewing Company on W Girard Ave., a community-focused establishment that not only produces amazing beers and great food, but also supports local events, neighborhood organizations, and art projects. Stop by for their incredible Russian-inspired cuisine and iconic IPAs – the pierogis are out of this world!
| Fishtown
Moving on from Brewerytown we come to another eccentrically-named neighborhood; Fishtown.
Originally a hub of fishing and trade industry, Fishtown is now a hipster hotspot brimming with art galleries, independent coffee shops, an arcade bar hybrid, waterfront parks, and our top pick for dining out; Pizza Brain. Famous for being the world’s first pizza museum, this funky eatery features pizza memorabilia, artwork, collectibles, books, and pizza-themed toys to browse whilst enjoying speciality pies and slices.
Fishtown is away from the tourist traps of Center City but isn’t so residential that you’ll run out of things to do, in fact, it’s easy to spend a day in Fishtown that continues long into the night!
| Passyunk Square
The Passyunk Square neighborhood has one of the highest densities of bars, restaurants, and bakeries throughout all of Philadelphia. You know what else it has? The two most famous cheesesteak restaurants; Pat’s and Geno’s. They happen to be across the street from one another so if you want to try them both in quick succession, no one will judge you.
For more background history on the neighborhood and the food scene, join an East Passyunk Food Tour and let a knowledgeable local guide lead the way! With beer, pizza, dumplings, and traditional southern food punctuated with architecture and culture on the route, this is one of the best ways to go sightseeing in Philadelphia. A tour also makes an exciting experience gift idea for foodies!
| Fitler Square
Philadelphia is sandwiched between two rivers; the mighty Delaware River on one side separating Pennsylvania from New Jersey, and the scenic Schuylkill River on the west side. In the Fitler Square neighborhood along the Schuylkill you’ll find quaint cafes, tranquil riverside parks, and one of the city’s most popular farmers markets held in the main square throughout the year.
Under the Walnut Street Bridge is Hidden River Outfitters, a kayak and paddleboard rental company that offers tours along the river, moonlight paddles, and a fun movie night kayak tour that includes a film on the Schuylkill Banks lawn (and snacks). A great experience for seeing Philadelphia from a different perspective!
| Society Hill
If you prefer someone else to captain the ship, this Delaware River Lunch Cruise will be right up your street. The Society Hill neighborhood of Philadelphia is as upscale as it sounds, with beautiful examples of classic architecture and high-end restaurants lining the cobblestone streets.
Cruises depart from Penn's Landing Marina, providing fantastic views of the Benjamin Franklin Bridge, luxury dockside residences, and Wiggins Waterfront Park on the New Jersey side of the river. Throughout the cruise you’ll have the opportunity to explore the ship, hear fascinating commentary from the captain, and everyone’s favorite part – the delicious buffet lunch! Gourmet cruises are wonderfully sophisticated experiences, great for special occasions or thoughtful gift ideas.
| Fairmount
Back to the Schuylkill River side of Philly, to the popular tourist neighborhood of Fairmount. Aside from Center City, Fairmount is where you’ll find a lot of what Philadelphia’s known for; The Oval park and garden, the Philadelphia Museum of Art (don’t forget to run up the steps and do your best Rocky fist pump!), the wonderful Perelman Building, and the prison-turned-history museum, Eastern State Penitentiary.
Pick up an audio tour (voiced by Steve Buscemi no less) and explore the creepy corridors, visiting Al Capone’s cell and seeing how prisoners were treated during its operation from 1829 to 1971. An interesting insight into early prison systems and rehabilitation, this experience is one for the history buffs!
| Penn’s Landing
Back to the Delaware River for the last time, we finish this article with some wholesome maritime entertainment at the Independence Seaport Museum.
A fantastic family day out, the museum has a boating basin outside, kayak tours, a WWI steel warship, a Schooner replica, a 307ft Balao-class submarine, and loads of interactive exhibits that adults and kids alike will enjoy. Learn about pirates and patriots, African history, visit the Fisharium, and admire amazing artefacts in the Waterways Gallery! Penn’s Landing is a fun area of Philadelphia to explore with plenty to see and do, and the Independence Seaport Museum is ideal for entertaining children on a trip to Philly.
| Thanks for Reading!
As well as cheesesteaks and soft pretzels, Philadelphia has a ton to offer across its many vibrant neighborhoods, each bringing a unique element to the city’s distinct personality. Whether you’re planning a family vacation, a getaway with friends, or a celebratory romantic trip, you’re guaranteed to find something for everyone in Philly. Let us know what you think in the comments below!
