College Hill/Historic District - Easton, PA Area Guide

The city of Philadelphia was founded by William Penn in October 1682. During the Revolutionary War, Philadelphia held the first and second Continental Congresses. After the revolution, it became the temporary national capital, from 1790 until 1800.

Today, the Historic Downtown District of Philadelphia is an active environment around the clock, with several surrounding neighborhoods joining in. Old City, one of the neighborhoods of the downtown Center City district, played a huge role during the Revolutionary War. Independence Hall can be found here, as can Betsy Ross’ house.

Walnut Street Theatre, the oldest theater in the United States, can be found in the Washington West neighborhood. Henry Fonda, Katherine Hepburn and Marlon Brando performed here during their careers.

Every year in the fall, visitors can climb aboard tall ships during the Old City Seaport Festival and tour the Delaware River. It’s a family friendly festival where everyone can learn about Philadelphia’s maritime history.

Many terrific restaurants can be found in close proximity to Highway 611 in downtown Philadelphia. A great choice for Mediterranean fare and pizza, Barbuzzo serves a tasty mix of flavors in everything they make. The caciocavallo-stuffed meatballs feature ground short rib, pork, oregano and Calabrian chile. For dessert, order the house specialty: caramel custard with a dark chocolate crust, vanilla bean caramel and sea salt.

A true farm-to-table restaurant, Talula’s Garden has a large local following. Chef Aimee Olexy’s dishes show her love of cheese, wine and fresh ingredients. Begin by ordering one of the six different cheese plates to get an idea of what the rest of your meal will be like. The menu changes according to season and produce availability, but in the fall, order a local-favorite entrée of seared scallops served with roasted quince, a parsnip purée, toasted hazelnuts, a citrus-herb vinaigrette and fresh baby kale.

Tria brings together wine, cheese and beer in tasty offerings that change often to keep the menu fresh. Popular snack offerings include the truffle egg toast with Fontina, and the pistachio herb ricotta bruschetta with lavender honey. Soups, sandwiches and salads also have a place on the menu, all selected to pair perfectly with the ever-changing wine and beer selections.

McGillin’s Olde Ale House, the oldest continuously operating bar in Philadelphia, has been serving up pints since 1860. The locals love the place for the cheap drinks, including lots of local microbrews and lagers, and the bar also has Irish stout on tap. You can order a hot sandwich, soup or bar snacks like wings and pot stickers to accompany your beer, all for an affordable price.

Housed inside an 1837 building that has been a bank, a church and other clubs, National Mechanics has a laid-back atmosphere and a nice selection of imported beers on hand. On Wednesday nights, locals stop in for a game of Quizzo, a popular trivia game, so make sure you get there early to grab a sandwich and a beer before the fun begins.

When the locals feel like salsa dancing, they head over to Brasil’s Nightclub. The bar has a cheap cover charge, and dance lessons for beginners help you mix in quickly with the crowd.

Residents who live in the downtown Center City district can easily walk or take public transportation to destinations within the neighborhood. If traveling outside the neighborhood, car and regional rail are the easiest ways to get around.

If you drive downtown, public parking garages provide an affordable option. A daily parking pass costs approximately $19 in city garages. Downtown residents live close to Interstate 95, making for easy travel to outside destinations.

As the nation’s fifth-largest public transit system, the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transit Authority has a subway, bus routes and trolley services to get residents where they need to go within the neighborhood and downtown Philadelphia. Several taxi companies can accommodate your travels if the bus schedules don’t fit yours, and residents also rely on Uber to get around.

Bicycling magazine found Philadelphia to be in the top 10 U.S. cities for bike-friendly roads, and residents can take their bikes aboard public transit for easier commuting.

Located on the west side of City Hall, Dilworth Park features a variety of things to do in any season. Residents enjoy the ice skating rink during winter, while concerts and outdoor movies make for a fun summer day in the park. Transportation to the park is convenient, as it sits above a public transportation hub. Visitors and residents enjoy the fountain, public art found throughout the park and stopping for lunch at Rosa Blanca Café, featuring the cuisine of Chef Jose Garces.

Sister Cities Park, found halfway between the Philadelphia Museum of Art and City Hall, has a beautiful children’s discovery garden as well as an imagination playground for youngsters to enjoy. There’s a plaza where visitors can sit and relax and also a splash fountain to cool off the kids during the summer heat.

On the west side of Center City, Schuylkill River Park has an off-leash dog run for residents to use. There is a water feature for pets, and residents can sit back and relax in the shade while watching their furry babies play. During peak hours, visits can be limited to 30 minutes.

The median rent in the Downtown Historic District runs at $1,300 per month, approximately 52 percent higher than other Philadelphia neighborhoods. The overall cost of living in this neighborhood runs 40 percent higher than the rest of Philadelphia. The price for a gallon of gasoline is 6.7 percent higher than the national average, and grabbing a beer at a local bar costs approximately $4. A monthly bus pass for unlimited rides costs $114.

Shoppers can find a wide variety of retail shops, especially along 3rd Street but also throughout the neighborhood. Freeman’s, America’s oldest auction house, averages over 30 in-house auctions each year and specializes in fine paintings and European and American furniture, including Colonial-style Pennsylvania furniture.

Kitchen Kapers, located on South 17th Street, has everything a chef desires. Whether you’re brand new to cooking or a seasoned pro, you can find bakeware, specialty foods, imported teas and the latest kitchen gadgets to complete your kitchen.

For loose leaf tea fans, Premium Steap on 18th Street houses an assortment of seasonal and everyday teas to please any taste. It also sells beautiful teapots, mugs and accessories to help you make the perfect cup of tea.

Reading Terminal Market knows what the locals want, and the locals know they can find whatever they need here. From exotic produce to Amish goodies, shoppers can find a huge variety of food, including fresh produce and meats. Cookbooks, table linens, fresh flowers, dairy and cheese can be found at the various vendors within the market. Because of the tremendous amount of produce and products found here, downtown Philadelphia doesn’t have much of a farmers market scene, but several good ones can be found in nearby Rittenhouse.