Next to Independence Mall, where the country’s Founding Fathers declared liberty, Old City still boasts charming cobblestone streets and plenty of 18th-century charm — along with an independent streak evident in everything from its owner-operated shops to its edgy art scene.
Its proximity to the Liberty Bell, Penn’s Landing and Benjamin Franklin Bridge makes Old City a favorite for out-of-towners and its residents who call it home. People love the neighborhood for its fashionable boutiques, great restaurants, eclectic galleries and theaters, and vibrant nightlife. Especially popular on first Fridays of each month, art lovers fill the streets for year-round art walks and hop from gallery to gallery.
Old City is part of Philadelphia’s Historic District, and it spans from Vine Street to Walnut Street, north to south, and from 7th Street to the Delaware River, west to east.
Historic Philadelphia is the birthplace of the nation and the first World Heritage City in the U.S., as designated by the Organization of World Heritage Cities (OWHC). It’s also home to buzzed-about restaurants and beer gardens, owner-operated boutiques, boundary-pushing art galleries and more.
