Exploring Center City as a Visitor

Center City is the heart of Philadelphia, and one of the most lovely parts of the City of Brotherly Love. As a district, it encompasses many of the aspects of Philadelphia that make it a world-ranked city. It mixes three centuries of history with the state-of-the-art, and 24/7 business with endless opportunities for shopping, eating, and leisure.

Center City makes an ideal place to eat, shop, and play for the lucky visitor who goes there.

Shopping is a cornerstone of Center City life. There are several shopping districts in the area, including Rittenhouse Row (home of the most upscale couture and boutiques), the eclectic Midtown Village, Center City East, which is a burgeoning district that is expected to add more than a million square feet of new retail in coming years, and West Market Office District, which, as the name suggests, has historically been mostly office space but is increasingly catering to newcomers with an abundance of food and retail.

Speaking of food, you can’t mention Center City without talking about its incredible eateries. Here you can expect everything: traditional 5-star dining from James Beard award winners, charming sidewalk cafes, pop-up beer gardens, and rooftop bars. Every ethnicity possible is represented in the cuisine here, and a lot of it is available all day and all night. Here is Center City’s official guide to dining in the district.

The parks of Center City are clean and safe, representing serene spaces for residents and visitors to escape from the clamor of the daily grind and relax, play, or take a picnic lunch. Some of the district’s parks are Dilworth Park, whose fountains convert into a skating rink in the winter, Sister Cities Park, which has a famous playground, John F. Collins Park, which is situated perfectly off of busy Chestnut Street, and Cret Park, which is notable for its lush landscaping.

If you are coming to Center City as a visitor, you have a world of dining, eating, and relaxation to explore!