I stayed in the Northern Liberties neighborhood of Philly during my most recent trip. It worked well as it was walking distance to the L (blue) line train that runs through the heart of Philly, but it was also a break from the tourist crowd. The main street – North 2nd – runs for a few blocks and is lined with vintage stores, an eclectic selection of eateries, and some markets. Off the main drag, some smaller coffee shops and BYOB restaurants are tucked in among residential blocks.  The area felt safe during the day and fairly safe at night. 

Northern Liberties transitions into Fishtown at Girard street.  While this neighborhood feels grittier, it also has a more artsy and industrial vibe. Philadelphia is known for its murals, and I found some of the more iconic ones in this neighborhood. Several of the more dynamic restaurants are not visible from the street, which makes them feel like a hidden gem. Coming from an area that doesn’t have happy hour, I enjoyed exploring the restaurant scene in the Fishtown neighborhood through happy hour drinks and snacks. 

Fishtown isn’t far from the water, and starting at the Casino a nice bike path connects these neighborhoods with downtown Philly. I picked up an Indego city bike and made my way over to Race Street Pier.  Race City Pier has been transformed into a place for people to enjoy the views of the Delaware River, Ben Franklin Bridge, and freight boats that make their way down the river. On a nice day, it is a great place to sit and take a break. 

Next door is the more built up Cherry Street Pier.  The old building structure has been used to hold shipping container turned artist studios and public gathering spaces. They also have a gallery space that rotates out exhibits every few months. While I visited during their down time, they still had music playing, some studio shops were open on the ground level, large canvas art pieces along the wall, and the outdoor seating along the river made for a great place to read, have a snack, or just relax. I would love to come back and enjoy one of their art events. 

The river is only a few blocks away from the historic Elfreth Alley. The 32 homes, which were built between 1720 and 1836, make up the oldest continuously inhabited residential street in the US. With the flags, window boxes, cobblestone street, and lampposts, the street is quaint and photogenic.

Elfreth Alley is located in the Old City and is close to a fair amount of art galleries, cafes, and boutique shops. History mixes with modern with ghost signs on the sides of buildings, iron work details in shop windows, and cobblestone streets. I enjoyed finding a new used book at The Book Trader before grabbing a treat and seat at the colorful and eclectic cafe, Almost Home General.

A few blocks away, the Museum for Art in Wood is a small museum dedicated to the art of woodworking. Their main gallery offers a light and open space for their featured exhibit. Upstairs is their extensive collection of past exhibitors and pieces from around the world. From functional to whimsical, the museum showcases the versatility of the wood form.