Philly Wins Honor As World’s Number 2 Shopping Destination

What do you think of when you think of Philadelphia’s ranking on lists of worldwide cities? Whatever you are thinking, I’ll bet it doesn’t compare to the position Philly scored on Conde Nast Traveler’s freshly-released list of the world’s best shopping cities. Philadelphia ranked number two, right behind Barcelona, Spain. Rounding out the list were international hotspots like Hong Kong and Dublin. Chicago also made the top five, scoring the #4 berth. The nod means big things for Philly, which is clearly being taken seriously as a travel destination in more ways than one – a reputation for amazing shopping will surely stick it on the map for many.

The Reading Terminal Market represents some of Philly’s finest shopping, all in one place. Photo credit: Conde Nast Traveler.

The list took into account not just the clothing scene, but shopping for food, home goods, and other specialties as well. Conde Nast specifically called out the Reading Terminal Market, where “[y]ou could max out your credit card just sampling the foodstuff from the hundred-plus merchants, but don’t forget about the stalls selling books, home decor, and textiles.” They also mentioned North Third Street’s collection of nifty shops and fashionable stops.

From a rich representation of typical American mall fare to any number of eclectic, independently-owned boutiques, Philadelphia really brings the goods when it comes to offering just about anything that a shopper’s heart might desire. Of course, we know that the City of Brotherly Love is the complete package, offering a wealth of cultural and entertainment attractions in addition to great shopping. In short, it’s really just a fantastic place to visit (or live!).