Philadelphia is a cornerstone of the US. This is where the country was born and saw many of its origins unfold. Today, the city has become one huge tourist site, complete with historic landmarks, iconic sights, and more. Is that all that there is in Philadelphia? Of course not! The city is a lot more diverse and exciting and you'll realize this more once you explore the different neighborhoods in Philadelphia. From the scenic Chestnut Hill to the peaceful Fishtown, as well as the affluent Main Line and the nostalgic Old City, there's a lot to look forward to in various parts of the city.
Where to Stay in Philadelphia?
Apart from the city center, which lets you get close to all the action, Chestnut Hill, Main Line, Overbrook, and Old City are some of the best places to stay in Philadelphia. They're some of the most peaceful parts of the city, allowing you to have as hassle-free a life as possible in this bustling metropolis.
Best Neighborhoods in Philadelphia for Families
The best neighborhoods in Philadelphia depend on what your vibes are. For example, if you love Philadelphia for its important history, you'll love Old City. This is where you'll find the many iconic sites that shaped American history. If you're more into hipster hotspots—think art galleries, cafes, bars, and more—you'll love Northern Liberties instead. Chestnut Hill, on the other hand, is the more classic suburbia with stately mansions and beautiful Victorian townhouses. If you have a
free day to spend in Philadelphia, you'd do well to explore these neighborhoods and beyond.
Is Philadelphia a Good Place to Live?
Yes, it is. It's a vibrant city with a lot of history but many modern highlights too. If you prefer the big city lifestyle but can't keep up with the hustle and bustle of New York City or the Hollywood glamour of Los Angeles, Philadelphia is the next best thing!
Chestnut Hill in Philadelphia
Located in the northwestern tip of the city, Chestnut Hill is one of the most beautiful places in Philadelphia. As well as one of the most comfortable. Perched atop its namesake hill, it's almost as if it exists in a world of its own, relatively far from the other neighborhoods in Philadelphia. Here, stately mansions and gorgeous Victorian townhouses reign supreme. The area continues the historic beauty Philadelphia is known for but focuses more on the old-world appeal. And since it's on a hill, the weather is just right for most of the year. Not too cold during summer and the sun shines just enough to warm up during autumn.
Is Chestnut Hill, Philadelphia Safe?
Yes, it is. Even though
Philadelphia's crime rates are pretty high, Chestnut Hill, in particular, has low crime rates. Specifically, the neighborhood’s crime rates are 67% lower than that of the entire Pennsylvania state and 72% lower than that of the entire country's average crime rates.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Conshohocken in Philadelphia
Conshohocken is more of a borough in Philadelphia than a standard neighborhood. It's located along the Schuylkill River in Pennsylvania's Montgomery County and serves as a suburb of Philadelphia. In a way, it offers the best of both worlds. On one hand, Conshohocken has become a lively commercial district with all sorts of establishments. There are many places here where you can eat, drink, shop, and socialize. On the other hand, the borough is filled with suburban areas too, complete with some of the finest homes in Philadelphia. What's not to love?
What to Do in Conshohocken, Philadelphia
Conshohocken is the kind of place where you can enjoy a pleasant day with loved ones or on your own. You can go to the downtown area and let out your inner foodie. The place has tons of exciting restaurants, each more delectable than the next. At the same time, you can also shop at the local boutiques. Who knows what sorts of amazing things you'll find in these one-of-a-kind shops? And if you prefer a more nature-centric adventure, hang out near Schuylkill River. The place has nature and bike trails where you can have some fun near Mother Nature.
Is Conshohocken, Philadelphia Safe?
Yes, it is. As mentioned earlier, Conshohocken serves as a suburb of Philadelphia, hence it's generally a peaceful part of town. Moreover, the district is also a fair distance away from the more dangerous parts of the city.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Fishtown in Philadelphia
Make no mistake! Fishtown only got its name because it used to be a popular conclave for the fishermen of the area. Nowadays, however, it's completely different. If you can compare it to other places in the US, it's a lot similar to SoHo in New York City, one of its trendiest neighborhoods. But why are Soho and Fishtown comparable? That's because the latter is also the creative district of Philadelphia. It's become a hipster haven for the city's artists and creatives. They've opened galleries and art studios here, as well as a vibrant nightlife you won't want to miss!
What is Fishtown in Philadelphia?
From a former industrial hub of the city, Fishtown has become one of the trendiest neighborhoods in Philadelphia. It's now a creative hub, complete with galleries and ateliers where artists do their thing and show off their most exciting works. At the same time, the area's nightlife scene is among the best in all of Philadelphia too. From beer gardens to cocktail bars, this is one of the best places to go on a night out on the town!
Is Fishtown in Philadelphia Safe?
For the most part, it is. Though it's far from the safest part of town, it's not so dangerous that you should avoid it at all costs. You just need to be careful when walking the streets at night.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Main Line in Philadelphia
Though it's located in the northwestern part of Philadelphia, there's no denying that the Main Line area is also an important part of the city. It's notably one of the wealthier areas on this list, pretty much akin to the likes of the Upper East Side of New York or Beverly Hills in Los Angeles. Opulent homes, classic manors, and the most
luxurious apartments in Philadelphia are all for the taking here, open for those lucky enough to afford to own or rent them!
What is The Main Line in Philadelphia?
Technically speaking, the Main Line area of Philadelphia is practically a borough. The place houses many popular neighborhoods in Philadelphia, such as Overbrook, Haverford, Wynnewood, Narbeth, Merion, Paoli, and more. It's just that most locals refer to all of these areas as part of the “Main Line” of the city.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Northern Liberties in Philadelphia
It's no secret that American history is grounded in Philadelphia, especially in the Northern Liberties. For one thing, this area is said to be the first-ever suburban neighborhood in the country. Founded by founding father Wiliam Penn, this place has stood the test of time. Nowadays, it's become another of the city's hipster havens; the home of the kookiest creatives. Northern Liberties thrives today as a trendy commercialized area where people can hang out and have a good time
What is Northern Liberties, Philadelphia?
Northern Liberties is a trendy neighborhood in Philadelphia. It's famous as the very first suburban neighborhood of the city, going as far back as the time of the nation's founding fathers. Today, it's become a hip district where the creatives have taken over, replacing its once-industrial revelry with an artistic hub of many hotspots.
Is Northern Liberties, Philadelphia Safe?
Yes, it is. Though it may get rowdy at times because of the nightlife scene, Northern Liberties is a generally safe part of the city.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Old City in Philadelphia
Of course, any conversation regarding American history and Philadelphia isn't complete without mentioning Old City. Also known as the City Center, this is where most tourists will spend most of their time. The area is home to The Liberty Bell, Betsy Ross House, and Independence Hall, among many others. Any and every American wanting to learn more about the country's history ought to check this place out! A bustling district unlike any other, it's no wonder Philadelphia's Old City never fails to draw in locals and tourists alike.
What to Do in Old City, Philadelphia?
Sightseeing is the best way to spend time in Philadelphia. Go see the important sites that helped make America the country it is today. Go to Independence Hall, for example, and bask in the glory of the nation's true birthplace. Head on over to the Betsy Ross House and absorb the history there. See the site where the first US Presidential residence once stood. You'll get chills every time!
What Restaurants are in Old City, Philadelphia?
Old City isn't just a place for history buffs. Foodies will also have a grand time in this part of Philadelphia. The district's culinary scene is pretty great, some would even go so far as to say it has the
best restaurants in Philadelphia. Among the main highlights is Fork, a modern American restaurant in the Old City. This sophisticated space serves traditional American cuisine with contemporary twists—sounds just like good ol' Philly itself, doesn't it? There's also Amada, a Spanish tapas bar that's sure you tantalize your taste buds with every bite.
Is Old City in Philadelphia Safe?
Don't worry! Philadelphia's Old City is a fairly safe place for both locals and tourists alike. Even when it gets crowded at times, the area is still far from the more dangerous parts of the city.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Overbrook, Philadelphia
Heading on over to West Philadelphia, there's the beautiful Overbrook neighborhood. Once home to award-winning actor Will Smith, the place is notable as one of the more affordable areas on this list. But make no mistake! Affordable doesn't mean lacking in quality or safety! Overbrook is the type of place wherein you can still get a great home within your own budget. If you’re
moving to Philadelphia, this is where you’ll want to settle down. The community here is open and welcoming and for the most part, it's a largely suburban area overall!
Is Overbrook, Philadelphia Safe?
Yes, it is. It’s a generally safe neighborhood that’s fairly peaceful and family-friendly.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Rittenhouse Square in Philadelphia
Rittenhouse Square is slightly similar to Society Hill in that it's also a great place to spend quality time, either by yourself or with other people. As one of the more upscale neighborhoods in Philadelphia, it's also a great place to call home. You have better chances of snagging a quality house or a beautiful apartment here than in most other areas on this list. And when you go outside, restaurants, bars, cafes, and parks are all for your lifestyle entertainment!
Restaurants near Rittenhouse Square in Philadelphia
Whether you're looking for a multi-course meal or you need to get some
coffee in Philadelphia, Rittenhouse Square is a great place to start. The area is filled to the brim with notable culinary hotspots, each more amazing than the next. There's Parc on S 18th St., for example, which is an exquisite French restaurant that's all about haute cuisine. One mean here and you'd swear you were living it up in Paris! The Dandelion, on the other hand, is a gastro-pub in the same area. Its chill setting and craft beers make it a favorite among the young and young-at-heart.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Society Hill in Philadelphia
Another part of the city center is Society Hill. Now, this is a place worth going to when you have free time. Though yes, there are commercialized places with shops, restaurants, cafes, and the like, the highlights of this district are the parks. Both Washington Square Park and Spruce Street Harbor Park are located here. The former is more of a natural oasis where you can enjoy a picnic with family, play sports with friends, and the like. The latter, on the other hand, is more industrial and is often the venue for pop-up festivals and such.
Is Society Hill, Philadelphia Safe?
Yes, it is. Society Hill is a largely residential area and one of the most peaceful parts of the city.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
University City in Philadelphia
You can probably already tell what kind of place University City is just by its name. Home to many of Philadelphia's best schools, most notably the University of Pennsylvania (“UPENN”), the place is dominated by students and young professionals. So it makes sense that it's also one of the trendier districts in Philadelphia. A fair share of cafes and bars balance out the more serious, educational establishments in the area, allowing the students to still enjoy a nice work (or rather, study) to life balance.
Where is University City in Philadelphia?
University City is in the easternmost part of Philadelphia. It's right along the Schuylkill River.
What to Do in University City, Philadelphia
Even if you're not a student of the University of Pennsylvania, there's still a lot you can do in University City. For one thing, you can check out Penn Museum or the Institute of Contemporary Art to have a little culture on your day. Planning to spend the day with your
family in Philadelphia? Why not go to the Philadelphia Zoo? The little ones will surely love seeing all the different animals. It's also a great spot to enjoy a picnic and get some sun!
Is University City, Philadelphia Safe?
University City is relatively safe. There are rough areas here and there, but for the most part, you have very little to worry about this place.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Discover more about America's most historic city with the help of this Philadelphia neighborhood guide. This will introduce you to the city's central areas, as well as the best places to stay in the bustling metropolis!
