Les 6 meilleurs quartiers de Philadelphie

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The City of Brotherly Love is known for a lot of things, and its neighborhoods being one of them. From cobble-stoned historical districts where our nation’s beginnings took place to one of the best hipster neighborhoods in the country, Philadelphia’s diverse hoods might surprise you. Before you make your move to Philly, here’s a look at our 6 picks for the best neighborhoods in Philadelphia.

  1. Cité universitaire
  2. Vieille ville
  3. Washington Square West
  4. Place Rittenhouse
  5. Bella Vista
  6. Libertés du Nord

Lisez la suite pour plus de détails sur chacun d'eux !

Cité universitaire

Université Drexel, iStock.com/peterspiro

Get ready to be surrounded by an energetic, college vibe in University City. Home to Drexel and the University of Pennsylvania, it’s no surprise that this neighborhood is flooded with art galleries, performance venues, and cultural centers. In fact, University City has one of the best arts and culture scene in the city.

Restaurants et bars contribuent à l'atmosphère éclectique du quartier, offrant un large choix de plats, du bagel montréalais au gyros grec. De plus, de nombreux espaces verts jalonnent le quartier. Le jardin de Bartram, the oldest surviving Botanical Garden in North America, is a 45-acre National Landmark located at the southern edge of the hood, while Drexel Park is where you’ll find students relaxing on a sunny day. If you’re a student, this Philadelphia neighborhood’s for you.

Vieille ville

iStock.com/littleny

You can’t walk far in this neighborhood without being immersed in our nation’s history. Technically part of the Center City neighborhood, it’s bordered on its west by Independence Mall—where our Founding Fathers signed the Declaration of Independence—and is home to the Betsy Ross’ house, where our first American Flag was made. 

La vieille ville abrite également une scène gastronomique florissante et accueille chaque année un événement spécial. Restaurants de la vieille ville summer event where local spots offer half-priced appetizers and drinks Thursday nights from 5-8pm. Imagine grabbing drinks and dinner next to Independence Mall! The neighborhood also has Friday art walks, fashion boutique shops, and modern art galleries. Take a stroll down Old City’s cobblestone streets and you’ll see why it’s one of the best neighborhoods in Philadelphia for locals and visitors alike.

Washington Square West

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Image : Facebook

This is perhaps the most diverse neighborhood on all levels. Washington Square West is the type of place you can go to for just about anything your heart desires, and then some. It’s home to a large LGBTQ population (and was even coined the “Gayborhood” of Philadelphia in the early 1990s), features one of Philly’s 5 original public parks, and includes residents of all incomes, races, genders, and origins. 

Just a skip, hop, and a jump away from Independence Mall you’ll find Parc Washington Square, which offers shady bench-filled sidewalks, a memorial to Philadelphia, and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier of the American Revolution. Street signs decorated with rainbow flags lead visitors and locals through the cobblestone streets and alleys on their way to comedy clubs, local bars, artist clubs, and nightlife spots. Restaurants pour un dîner en amoureux dot the streets of this quaint neighborhood, too. There isn’t much you can’t find in this conveniently-located hood, which is why it’s so sought-after.

Place Rittenhouse

via Rittenhouse Square Park

Walkable, public transit-friendly, and perfect for cyclists, Rittenhouse Square is a historic and extremely livable neighborhood. Sidewalk cafes and restaurants, like Parc, encapsulate the energy of the city, and its collection of bars makes it a fun spot to go out, day or night. Events like the annual Festival de printemps de Rittenhouse Row rassembler la communauté autour de la gastronomie, de la mode et des arts locaux. 

Rittenhouse Square itself is another one of the 5 original public spaces designated by William Penn, and it features plenty of greenery, walking paths, and a reflective pool. It hosts farmers’ markets and events throughout the year, as well, so you can always find something fun happening around here, just one of the many reasons it topped our list of the best neighborhoods in Philadelphia. The area is known for its large concentration of hotels, which makes it perfect for visitors, but it also means that a perk of living here includes enjoying all the conveniences and amenities that travelers want.

Bella Vista

9th street Italian market
Image : Wooder Ice

You can thank the Italians for this one; Bella Vista was the first Philly neighborhood to be settled by Italian immigrants. To this day, the neighborhood sticks to its roots and houses plenty of Italian restaurants, shops, and the 9th Street Italian Market– the oldest operating open-air, outdoor market in the U.S.

Around Philly, it’s known as “Little Italy”, and that’s exactly the atmosphere you can expect here. It’s home to a museum celebrating famous opera singer Mario Lanza, a Philly local, classic Italian restaurants like Angelinas (pro tip: it’s also BYOB), and handmade pasta shops like Superior Pasta Company.

Libertés du Nord

Schmidt's Commons
Image : Facebook

Take a step into the Northern Liberties neighborhood and enter hipster heaven. In the last decade, this neighborhood north of the city center has undergone quite a transformation. In fact, Forbes recently named it one of America’s Best Hipster Neighborhoods. What was once a manufacturing and warehouse district has evolved into an enclave for artists, young professionals, and everyone in between. The mixed-use Schmidt’s Commons provides shopping and dining options, as well as art galleries and an open-air outdoor theater and stage area that hosts free movie screenings and festivals. And if you’re looking for some cheap eats, you’ll definitely find them here.

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