Whether you’re looking to shop, attend a concert, grab a drink, or simply soak up the human carnival, South Street is your destination. This melting-pot neighborhood attracts everyone from young punks and well-heeled diners to out-of-towners and Philly sports fans, making it the ideal place to people-watch.
Highlights include the Theatre of The Living Arts music venue and the Magic Gardens (an immersive, mosaic art installation and gallery). Thanks to its surfeit of steak shops, South Street is a popular stop on cheesesteak-themed eating tours, and also features on hop-on hop-off bus tour itineraries.
Set aside at least an hour or two to explore—South Street is home to over 300 shops and 60 eateries, from German beer bars and cheesesteak shops to pizzerias and international restaurants.
While South Street extends all the way from the Schuylkill River to the Delaware River, its most popular attractions are located east of Broad Street.
South Street has an edgy reputation, and its smoke shops and erotic stores mean it may not be an ideal destination for families visiting with young children.
Center City is a walkable place, and South Street is located roughly 15 minutes south of major transit hubs like Suburban Station and Jefferson Station. It can also be accessed by numerous bus lines, and via the Lombard-South subway station on the Broad Street Line. Segway and hop-on hop-off bus tours provide an even easier way to explore.
There’s never a bad time to visit South Street—its shops, restaurants, and bars draw visitors from the early morning until the wee hours. The area is particularly popular during major annual events, including the Fourth of July and New Year’s Eve (when fireworks displays are hosted over nearby Penn’s Landing), on New Year’s Day (when the Mummers Parade takes over the city), and during the South 9th Street Italian Market Festival.
While you’re exploring South Street, don’t miss the opportunity to see the Italian Market, located a few blocks further south along 9th Street. This open-air market street, home to dozens of Italian delis and restaurants, has over 100 years of history. More recently, Mexican and Vietnamese communities have called the area home, and have contributed to its stellar culinary reputation.
