How can you get to know the vibe of a city without actually visiting it? By finding out about what it has to offer. If you’re planning a move to Philadelphia, there’s plenty to learn about, and even more to enjoy. As the 6th most populous city in the United States, there are some awesome attractions, as well as neighborhoods that are full of character. 

The important thing when planning a relocation isn’t just finding the right city; you also want to make sure you’re settling down in the right part of the city. Do you want to be close to tourist hotspots, or would you prefer a laid-back, historic neighborhood? Is your dream house located in an area with plenty of cultural variety and colorful local watering holes, or do you need something close to the business district? While you can definitely research on your own, considerations like these are why people use real estate agencies like Liberty Bell Investments. It’s hard to make the right choice when you don’t know what your options are; that’s why it pays to get acquainted with the many highlights of Philadelphia before you move there. 

Keep reading to learn about a few of Philly’s best neighborhoods and attractions. In some ways, it’s hard to distinguish the two; some neighborhoods are so rich in historical locations, museums, clubs, and parks (to name just a few) that you could spend hours reading about just a few blocks of the city. Even so, it’s still possible to distill the need-to-know information about Philadelphia’s best places to live into a few points, which you’ll find below. 

1. Old City

As one of the city’s most popular spots for both visitors and locals, Old City is full of American history. Although some consider it to be connected to Center City’s neighborhood, the two areas are separated by Independence Mall, nicknamed “America’s most historic square mile”. It’s where the Declaration of Independence was written, and Betsy Ross (the maker of the original American flag) lived there too. Residents of Old City can do more than visit historical sites, though; there are loads of restaurants, as well as galleries full of modern art, fashionable boutique shops, and Friday art walks. There’s even a yearly Old City Eats event each summer, where local restaurants offer 50% off appetizers and drinks every Thursday night between 5 and 8 pm. 

2. Fairmount Park

What do you think of when you hear “municipal park”? Probably something that’s a lot smaller than this one. At 2,000 acres, Fairmount Park has room for more than just morning jogs and some outdoor picnics; it provides an escape from the bustling life of the city. Its main geographical feature is the Schuylkill River, which divides the park into east and west sections. 

With that much territory, you can bet that there are plenty of trails – miles of them, in fact. Here you can participate in horseback riding, off-road cycling, deep-woods hiking, and many other outdoors activities. That’s not all, though; you can also tour Colonial-era mansions, join Japanese tea ceremonies, and attend open-air concerts by some of the biggest and best in music. The Philadelphia Zoo is located in the park as well, which is always a hit with both kids and adults.

3. Rittenhouse Square

There’s always something going on in Rittenhouse Square. There are plenty of hotels here so it’s definitely a tourist destination, but the neighborhood is built for locals just as much as it is for visitors. One reason this area made it onto the list was for its frequent farmers’ markets and other community events that take place throughout the year; if you relocate to this neighborhood, you won’t have to wait long before getting into the swing of things. 

Then there are the festivals, like the Rittenhouse Row Spring Festival. It brings everyone together to celebrate the arts, fashion, and local cuisine. You can walk down just about any sidewalk and see little cafés, hole-in-the-wall restaurants, and pubs of every description.

4. The Italian Market

You’ve probably never been to a market like this one. Spanning about 10 city blocks, it’s full of butcher shops, sidewalk vendors, restaurants, gourmet shops, bakeries, and many other specialty shops. Locals and tourists go here to buy fresh produce, meat and fish, every spice you can imagine, fresh baked goods, artisanal pasta, and much more. Are you in search of an authentic Philly cheesesteak? Two of the best cheesesteak vendors in the world are located here: take your pick between Geno’s and Pat’s, or try them both! You can expect some strong Italian influence given the name, but the passage of time has brought flavors of other cultures to the market as well. Mexican taquerias, Vietnamese pho and banh mi, Korean barbeque, and many other cuisines from Laos, China, Thailand, etc. are available at the Italian Market as well.

5. Washington Square West

If you want a place with variety, you should check out Washington Square West. Known as the “Gayborhood” in the 90s, this spot has a vibrant LGBTQ community – even the street signs have rainbow flags in certain areas. Washington Square Park (one of the city’s original public parks, designed by William Penn) offers shady pathways and plenty of green spaces, as well as the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. You can also explore the cobblestone alleys and streets to find local pubs, artist and comedy clubs, and popular nightlife spots. With plenty of date-night restaurants and a charming feel, Washington Square West is full of attractions for all kinds of different people. 

Where will you go first when you get to Philadelphia?

There are plenty of reasons to visit, and even more reasons to stay. The list above contains just a few of the city’s highlights; if you felt like it, you could spend weeks exploring everything that Philadelphia has to offer. Whether it’s for a job, or you simply want a change of scenery, Philly has a little something for everyone.