10 Iconic Philadelphia Streets You Must Stroll At Least Once
By Kim Magaraci|Published October 18, 2017
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Kim Magaraci
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Kim Magaraci graduated Rutgers University with a degree in Geography and has spent the last seven years as a freelance travel writer. Contact: kmagaraci@onlyinyourstate.com
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Philadelphia is a very walkable city, and the things you’ll see on any journey make it worth it to skip the Uber or Lyft and wander on foot to your destinations. You’ll find history, nature, architecture, and artwork on the streets of Philadelphia, and there are a few that you absolutely must enjoy, one step at a time.
The Parkway is one of the most iconic streets of Philadelphia, running from the Art Museum into Love Park, near City Hall. It's an oasis of green space (or beautiful autumnal space, this time of year) and one of the best strolls to take in the beauty of Philadelphia's landmark buildings.
Walking down Walnut Street will bring you through the heart of Center City, past the historic Walnut Street Theater, to Washington Square Park, past Rittenhouse Square, and to the Schuylkill River Trail. Keep going and you'll find yourself on the beautiful campus of UPenn, where you can explore the next set of iconic Philadelphia streets...
Locust Walk, Woodland Walk, and Hamilton Walk are just three of the stone pathways that cross through the campus of the University of Pennsylvania. Walk between historic buildings and take in the sights and sounds of a campus full of green space, right in the heart of Philadelphia.
There's really no place on earth like South Street, and you've got to explore it to understand it. Quirky bars, shops, and murals line the road, and you'll meet some of the most interesting people along your journey. Be sure to grab a snack or a drink at Tattooed Mom, explore the Magic Gardens, and visit the most interesting music shop in the city at Bridgeset Sound.
Passyunk (pronounced pash-yunk, of course) is a busy, bustling street full of mouthwatering restaurants, boutique shops, and great bars. Make sure you walk down to the singing fountain to get a true south Philly experience.
Broad Street will show you a little bit of everything - historic buildings and monuments, the artsy side of the city as you walk through UArts, and the... uh... spirit of South Philly when you start to see the creative ways we park our cars. There's no more iconic view than that of City Hall from the middle of Broad.
Christian Street will give you a great sense of the South Philly Italian life. At the intersection of 9th and Christian, find the Italian Market, which is worth taking a full day to explore. Walking around this area of South Philly is a great way to immerse yourself in the rich culture that has taken over these streets of Philadelphia.
Walking down Chestnut Street is a great way to immerse yourself in Philadelphia's historic Old City. You'll pass buildings that are hundreds of years old, repurposed for modern life, and you'll come across Independence Mall, where some of the Philadelphia's revolutionary history is on display for all to see.
Market Street is the street to stroll to see some of the best of Philadelphia. You'll stumble upon great restaurants, bars, historic buildings, green spaces, and it will take you right to Penn's Landing, where you can enjoy the waterfront happenings at Spruce Street Harbor Park or the River Rink.
Sometimes, you just need to go out on the town, and a bar crawl down Locust Street will certainly fit the bill! There's a reason that the PATCO high speed line stops every other block for much of Locust - it's a popular destination for anyone looking for a great time in the city. Alongside the bars and restaurants you'll find historic St. Mark's Church, Rittenhouse Square, the Magnolia Garden, and Washington Square.
Where do you like to wander in Philadelphia? If you spend a lot of time on the UPenn Campus, you’ll find the best secret garden in Philly, just off of Hamilton Walk. The Incredibly Unique Park That’s Right Here In Philadelphia’s Own Backyard makes an amazing side trip from Walnut Street, South Street, or any of the UPenn Walks.
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