CENTER CITY
Center City Philadelphia is a vibrant 24-hour city, with great housing options in charming downtown neighborhoods, each with its own unique character and atmosphere. Center City neighborhoods offer easy access to jobs, cultural venues, great shopping and day-to-day amenities by foot, bike, public transit or car. Each neighborhood offers diverse choices for people of all ages and at all stages of life. So, if you are considering a move, explore our friendly neighborhoods listed below and come be at home in Center City, featuring distinct neighborhoods like Rittenhouse Sq., Fitler Sq., and Olde City.
Rittenhouse Sq.
Rittenhouse Square is one of the original five, open-space parks planned by William Penn and Thomas Holme back in the late 17th Century. Today the park is filled with people whose families’ have for generations been denizens of the neighborhood, young families and students from nearby University of Pennsylvania and Drexel University enjoying every bench and lawn-space.
Fitler Sq.
Fitler Square is located along the Schuylkill River in the Southwest corner of Center City. The quiet family-friendly neighborhood is just as prestigious (and priced as so) as neighboring Rittenhouse but not as busy. Small cafes and restaurants cater to the mostly residential area. Old world charm is found throughout the area’s grand 19th and 20th-century townhomes.
Society Hill
When you hear the name Society Hill, you most likely picture an elegant neighborhood with breathtaking architecture. That is exactly what this beautiful and very historic, Philadelphia neighborhood reflects; with streets that boast the largest concentration of original 18th-and early 19th century architecture of any place in the United States. You may run across a cobblestone street, alleyways with cascading greenery, and intimate garden squares that belong to the Independent Park Service, while hearing the clop clop of the horse-drawn carriages, to complete the picture.
Midtown
Midtown Village is a thriving Center City neighborhood that connects Rittenhouse Row’s prestigious shopping corridor to major Philadelphia tourist attractions including the Liberty Bell and Independence Mall. In Midtown Village, local retailers sell hand-poured soaps, custom-made stationery and an assortment of interesting finds. Along 13th Street, Chef Marcie Turney and Valerie Safran own a number of much buzzed about restaurants and boutiques including Barbuzzo, Verde, Open House and Darling Jack’s. Nearby, celebrity chef Michael Schulson serves contemporary Asian-fusion dishes, craft cocktails and coffee at Double Knot and Sampan. Midtown Village is a lively Center City neighborhood full of must-visit dining destinations, bars, and boutiques found only in Center City.
Logan Sq.
Logan Square’s personality defies a single definition. It combines corporate and municipal office buildings and luxury high-rises with modern and historic houses along tree-lined side streets. Museums bordering the wide Benjamin Franklin Parkway add yet another dimension. Green spaces — including the area’s namesake — provide spots for relaxation, reflection and fun…, and is home to many iconic Philadelphia attractions.
City Hall, the hub of city government, is a natural focal point. Its elaborate architecture and ornamentation often catch the gaze of passersby and phototakers. The architectural equivalent of a wedding cake, the sprawling building is adorned with carvings of allegorical figures and capped off with a prominent statue of William Penn, all designed by Alexander Milne Calder.
Olde City
It can be argued that Old City, just north of Society Hill and just South of Northern Liberties, captures much of the ‘old’ Philadelphia – think garment manufacturing, haberdashers, and a sugar refinery – and so much of pre-manufacturing days, as in the Revolutionary period. It checks the box of embracing history, as it is part of Philadelphia’s Historic District and host to the oldest, inhabited street in America, Elfreth’s Alley. Head to the Delaware River and find family-friendly entertainment at the Blue Cross RiverRink and Penn’s Landing. Then, there is the new: Stick around on a First Friday of the month and you will find yourself among an exciting art scene. Independent boutiques offer everything vintage, handmade, designer wear, and even hokey souvenirs.
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