Avenue Of The Arts South - Philadelphia, PA Area Guide

Broad Street, initially located where 12th Street resides, moved to its current location in the 1730s. It grew after the Revolutionary War, expanding north first and then becoming lengthened to the south. As the city expanded, South Broad Street became home to the city's elite as well as theaters and cultural institutions. After the Civil War, the north part of the street became home to the elite. The city renamed The Avenue of the Arts in the early 1990s as Mayor Ed Rendell's effort to reinvigorate the neighborhood as Philly's epicenter for arts and entertainment.

Although you have to walk north or to neighboring Rittenhouse Square to visit a museum, multiple theaters and art galleries like the Peng Gallery and Brandywine Workshop reside in this neighborhood, maintaining its reputation as a thriving artistic community.

Whether you have a hankering for upscale Italian or American cuisine, fresh fish or sushi, the Avenue of Arts South neighborhood serves up something for everyone. Most of the establishments reside between Spruce Street and City Hall, although you can also find a mix of options further south. For example, when you feel like something spicy, try Jamaican Jerk Hut located on South Street. Choose from extremely spicy chicken wings, coconut shrimp, jerk chicken, curry goat or oxtail stew. The restaurant lacks a bar, but you can BYOB.

For fine dining in a rustic atmosphere, try Vetri, a wonderful Italian restaurant located on Spruce Street. The chef at Vetri chooses your meal for you after the waiter finds out if you have any food restrictions. Some of the restaurant's specialties include Baltic Sea king crab, Louisiana prawns in a tomato-pesto sauce, mackerel with white truffles or antelope served with spiced pears.

Although the fixed-price menu at Sbraga, located on South Broad Street, comes with a steep price tag, the four-course meal is worth every penny. This New American restaurant, headed by a chef famed for his appearance on Top Chef, serves specialties such as foie gras soup, Gruyere popovers, escargot in brown butter, grilled fish and carrot cake with goat cheese icing.

Living in the Avenue of the Arts South neighborhood provides varied opportunities for nightlife. You can enjoy a night at the theater at venues such as the Prince Music Theater, home of the Philadelphia Film Festival, Suzanne Roberts Theater, Philadelphia Arts Bank, The Wilma Theater, Merriam Theater and more. After the show, grab a pint and a nibble at McGillin's Olde Ale House, also known as Philly's oldest bar. Decent beer prices and a menu with items such as Tex-Mex fries, crispy chicken wings, pizzas and sandwiches have made this a late-night favorite among locals for more than a century. Alternatively, enjoy a rocking night out at dance clubs such as Woody's on 13th or the Loft Bar on South Street, which features three spacious levels and music spun by DJs. Howl at the Moon on South 15th Street boasts a fun crowd, cool drinks and fantastic live music.

Avenue of the Arts South's access to Interstates 76, 95 and 676 makes it easy to travel outside the city by car. Additionally, numerous parking garages can be found east of the Avenue on Walnut Street and both east and west of the Avenue on Locust Street, making parking relatively convenient, although not necessarily inexpensive.

SEPTA operates regional rail, subway and trolley service in the area, most notably the Broad Street Line that runs along the Avenue of the Arts. Catching connecting trains allows residents to travel to other areas of the city in addition to major transportation hubs such as Philadelphia International Airport or the 30th Street Train Station, where you can catch an AMTRAK train.

With well-marked crosswalks and access to safe bike lanes, many neighborhood residents walk or bike to get around the area. Many attractions and hot spots are within a short walk or ride of the Avenue of the Arts South.

Although the Avenue of the Arts South lacks green space, you don't have to walk far to find a free public park. Nearby options include Rittenhouse Square, where you can relax on a bench and people-watch or catch a street performance in the park’s center. The park welcomes leashed dogs and has a family-friendly atmosphere, along with public art and sculpture displays. Seger Park, located in the Washington Square West neighborhood, has the added bonuses of a dog run and a great playground with sections for younger and older kids.

The cost of living in the Avenue of the Arts South neighborhood typically carries a lower price tag than the rest of Center City. A mixture of luxury and value-priced options make this neighborhood a more affordable choice than some of its high-end neighbors. Renting a one-bedroom apartment generally runs between $1,200 and $2,000 per month.

Living in this neighborhood places you within steps of Center City. A SEPTA day pass, which entitles you to unlimited travel on the city's subways, trolleys, buses and regional rail service, costs $12. Expect to pay an average of $4 for a pint of beer at neighborhood bars like Dirty Franks. Gas prices in this neighborhood hover at prices comparable to the national average.

A blend of upscale shops and chain stores call this neighborhood home. Closer to City Hall, chain retailers such as Swarovski, Banana Republic, Guess, A/X Armani Exchange and West Elm dominate the scene. The historic Bellevue, located at Broad and Walnut Streets, holds several high-end stores, including The Walking Company, Williams-Sonoma, Teuscher Chocolates of Switzerland, Ralph Lauren, Nicole Miller and Tiffany & Co.

For a more eclectic shopping experience, walk a couple blocks west for an assortment of unique accessories, baby items, home goods, garden supplies, jewelry, toys, skincare and fragrance at Omoi Zakka Shop on Pine Street in the neighboring Rittenhouse Square area. Browse through everyday useful objects like pens and kitchen items as well as special gifts from brands including Apica, Baggu, Blue Barnhouse, Dansk Kobenstyle, Flying Bird Botanicals and Tsubota Pearl.

Nearby grocery stores include City Market Place on Walnut Street, Di Bruno Brothers gourmet market on Chestnut Street and Save-A-Lot on Washington Avenue. Stock up on fresh produce at nearby farmers' markets. The closest options include the SEPTA Farmstand on 12th and Market Streets, the Dilworth Plaza Farmers' Market at City Hall on the Avenue of the Arts and Rittenhouse Farmers' Market.