Philadelphia/West

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West Philly is in Philadelphia.

West Philly is a mostly residential section of Philadelphia west of the Schuylkill River [1], which represented the western boundary of William Penn's original plan for the colonial city. Today, West Philadelphia is generally perceived as unsafe, and extremely impoverished.

Even though West Philadelphia is home to 3 excellent and world-renound Universities, there is only a small buffer area of vibrant neighborhoods around the campuses. Beyond there neighborhoods lie some of the city's poorest, most dangerous areas -- Will Smith's character in the TV series Fresh Prince in Bel Air hails from here -- which, along with the neighborhoods of the infamous North Philadelphia, are comparable to New York City's northern boroughs. Even farther out, at the very edge of the city, West Philadelphia gradually gives way to newer, and often larger housing in neighborhoods like Overbrook and Wynnefield, the latter of which is home to half of the Saint Joseph's University [2] campus.

With the notable exception of a few colonial and early federal manions like the Woodlands and Bartram's Gardens, most of West Philly developed from farmland as an early "suburb" of the then neighboring 19th Century industrial giant, Philadelphia. Development moved west from the Schulkill following the course of a network of trolleys (many of which still run today) and the El which runs above Market St.

Not surprsingly West Philadelphia today presents a living catalog of 19th Century and early 20th Century residential architecture ranging from dramatic ornate Queen Anne Victorian mansions to humble brick rowhouses. Although many sections suffered significant decline and urban blight as the heavy industry that fed the demand for housing construction in West Philly dwindled and departed the US, areas like Powelton Village, Spruce Hill and Cedar Park have been largely preserved and provide an opportunity to "step back into time" as you stroll the wide tree-lined streets of stately 19th Century homes.

West Philly ecompasses several large educational institutions including the University of Pennsylvania [3], Drexel University [4] and the University of Sciences in Philadelphia [5] as well as the largest portion of Philadelphia's expansive Fairmount Park.

Contents

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See

  • Powelton Village [6] is a small enclave outside the University City section of Philadelphia, from 34th to 40th streets between Market and Haverford. It remains visually identifiable, an oasis of tree-lined streets, porch-fronted suburban houses interspersed with a few mansions and their commercial support buildings dating from the second half of the nineteenth century. Large, well cared for, early 20th and late 19th century homes line several streets. This area is a collection of Philadelphia natives, college students and professors.
  • University City [7] Roughly speaking University City begins at 30th street anchored by the historical 30th Street Train Station [[8], extends west just beyond 50th street, and north to Spring Garden street. The area includes two of Philadelphia's major universities, Drexel University [9] and University of Pennsylvania [10], and a teaching hospital. The area also includes the residential areas of Powelton Village, Spruce Hill [11] and Cedar Park [12], all of which have large student populations.
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Fairmount Park

  • Philadelphia Zoo 34th Street and Girard Avenue. (Parking is available along Girard Avenue at 35th and 38th Streets) [13] Open daily, except Thanksgiving Day, December 24, 25 and 31, January 1, and the second Thursday in June. 9:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m. March–November; –4:00 p.m. December–February. World-class zoo with camel and poney rides, bird safari, and Victorian-era train. Tickets $10.95/16.95 adults, $10.95/$13.95 children (2-11) high/low season.(Channel 6 Zooballoon additional)
  • Centenial Hall [14]. Beaux-arts building of granite, glass and iron now houses a recreation center and offices for the Fairmount Park. Free.
  • Mann Center for the Performing Arts 5201 Parkside Avenue (parking on Belmont Avenue). Tickets 215-893-1999 (fax 215-546-9524). [15] Theater and dining complex. Admission free, show prices vary.
  • Japanese House and Garden (Shofuso) [16]. The Japanese House, as it is informally known to Philadelphians, was built in 16th century style on the grounds of the Horticultural Center in the West Philadelphia section of Fairmount Park near the intersection of Belmont Avenue and Montgomery Drive.
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Do

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Theatre

  • The Bridge Cinema Delux [17]
  • Group Motion Dance Company [18]
  • Film @ International House [19]
  • Philadanco [20] The Philadelphia Dance Company.
  • Spiral Q Puppet Theater [21]
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Galleries

  • Arthur Ross Gallery [22]
  • Esther M. Klein Art Gallery [23]
  • Institute of Contemporary Art [24]
  • The Slought Foundation [25]
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Culture

  • Community Education Center [26]
  • East Africa Resource and Study Center [27]
  • Special Events @ International House [28]
  • Penn Humanities Forum [29]
  • University of Pennsylvania Museum [30]
  • University City Historical Society [31]
  • 2nd Friday [32] on Lancaster Ave -- a more "laid-back" version of Old City's 1st Friday [33].
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Live Music

  • World Cafe Live [34]
  • Crossroads Music Series [35]
  • Gatherings Concert Series [36]
  • Music @ International House [37]
  • Philadelphia Boys' Choir & Chorale [38]
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Misc

  • Foreign Language Classes @ International House [39]
  • Kelly Writers' House [40]
  • University City Arts League [41]
  • West Philadelphia Cultural Alliance [42]
  • Penn Presents -- Annenberg Center [43]
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Fitness & Recreation

  • FIT Gym [44]
  • Power Yoga Works [45]
  • Penn Ice Rink [46]
  • Strikes Bowling Lounge [47]
  • Philadelphia Karate Club [48]
  • Clark Park [49]
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Buy

There are two main streets in West Philadelphia along which the majority of the area's shopping is concentrated. Walnut streeet in University City caters to the more upscale tastes of residents, many of them students, who live on and around the college campuses, while 52nd St has historically been frequented by the less affluent residents of outlying neighborhoods. The 52nd St shopping district has recently started falling into decline, earning itself a reputation for being unsafe, but still may offer some interesting shopping and dining options for those who care to visit.

  • The Fresh Grocer [50]
  • Eastern Mountain Sports [51]
  • The Black Cat [52]
  • University Square [53]
  • Penn Bookstore [54]
  • Market & Shoppes @ 30th St Street Station [55]
  • UC Pets (4916 Baltimore Ave)
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Eat

West Philadelphia boasts of one of the largest and most varied concentrations of ethnic restaurants outside of Center City. However, more familiar chain restaurants, from McDonald's to Boston Market, aren't hard to find for the less adventurous palate.

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Drink

  • World Cafe Live [75] (smoke-free)
  • New Deck Tavern [76]
  • The Bubble House [77]
  • 12 Lounge @ The Bridge [78]
  • Type=Bar Gojjo [79]
  • Kelliann's Tavern [80]
  • Natalie's Lounge [81]
  • New Angle Lounge [82]
  • The Blarney Stone [83]
  • Watusi Pub [84]
  • Bridgewater's Pub @ 30th Street Station [85]
  • Zocalo [86]
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Sleep

  • Cornerstone Bed & Breakfast [87]
  • The Gables Bed & Breakfast [88]
  • Spruce Hill Manor Bed & Breakfast [89]
  • The Inn at Penn [90]
  • The Sheraton, University City [91]
  • Penn Tower Hotel [92]
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Contact

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