Spring Break
Regional Profiles - Northeast - Welcome to Philadelphia
Kendra and Courtney Fretz (OD), Contributing Writer
Issue date: 2/23/09 Section: Features
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Philly is a very walkable city. The streets are on an easy-to-follow grid. At the core is City Hall, the country's largest municipal building. (Tip: All streets that run north to south are numbered, increasing as you move west from the Delaware river.)
When you need to escape, Fairmount Park is one of the largest landscaped urban parks in the U.S. with more than 200 miles of recreation trails. Within an hour's drive you can be in the mountains or at the beach.
Philadelphia is a food-lovers paradise. The restaurants are diverse and delicious, with internationally-renowned chefs. Some of the greatest places are the small, intimate BYO's: Bring-Your-Own wine, beer, or liquor.
Philly has a thriving arts and culture community. There are world-class museums and a variety of performing arts. On the First Friday of every month, galleries throughout Center City open their doors with wine and cheese in a celebration of art.
William Penn designed Philadelphia around four large squares including Rittenhouse Square in the west and Washington Square in the east. Each Philly neighborhood has a unique character:
The Rittenhouse Square neighborhood is the upper-end section of Center City, closest to the main business district. The namesake Rittenhouse Square is a park bordered by cafes, luxury hotels and condominium buildings. Many of the three-story rowhouses are individual condos and apartments. Original moldings and fireplaces give these places more character than the high-rise apartments nearby, although they sacrifice the doorman and view.
Just to the south is the Fitler Square neighborhood. Known for its charming tree-lined streets and dog-park, this area is quieter than its northern neighbor. It is adjacent to the Schuylkill River and has several loft-style apartment buildings that look west over the river. The riverside path is a huge plus if you enjoy walking, jogging, biking, and kayaking.
If you own a car and prefer street parking rather than a monthly garage, consider the Graduate Hospital neighborhood. Next-door to Fitler Square, it's increasingly popular with graduate students and young professionals. Housing is less expensive and the neighborhood has lively eateries and bars.
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