North Philadelphia East - Philadelphia, PA Area Guide

Though Rittenhouse Square claimed Philadelphia's most elite residents, North Broad Street held great cultural influence at the dawn of the 20th century. Streetcar magnate Peter Widener's Germanic mansion at 1200 North Broad added old world flare to the neighborhood. The street's other architectural feats included an opera house designed by William H. McElfatrick.

The area's most notable structure, the Hotel Divine Lorraine, still stands today. Modeled after luxury apartments in Manhattan's Upper West Side, the hotel was originally built as the Lorraine Apartments by Willis Hale. In 1948, under the ownership of Father Divine, the Lorraine became the country's first integrated hotel. For a unique look at the city's history, check out Hidden City Philadelphia, an organization dedicated to uncovering little-known pieces of Philly's past.

The neighborhood has several major restaurant hubs, with fine dining options concentrated along lower North Broad and 13th Street, and cheap eats dotting the area around Temple's campus. For a classic Italian meal with a rustic character, look no further than Osteria, the second restaurant from local restaurateur Marc Vetri. Osteria offers a taste of the old country amid the urban shuffle of North Broad. House specialties include chicken liver rigatone, house-cured salumi, and polpo (octopus) pizza, showcasing James Beard award-winning Chef Jeff Michaud's inventive spin on classic Italian cooking.

A few subway stops north on the Broad Street Line, the appropriately-named Caribbean Feast Jamaican Cuisine transports diners to the island of Jamaica. Guests sit in a vast dining area with a giant tropical fish aquarium, tasting authentic Caribbean flavors over the tune of light reggae. This popular establishment also offers a wide array of pork-free dishes and vegetarian options, including okra stew and vegetable roti.

The neighborhood is close to a pair of Philadelphia's premiere venues for the hottest touring musical acts. The Electric Factory on North 7th Street has been a local favorite for over 40 years, attracting an impressive range of artists from all musical genres. Travel a few blocks east of Broad Street along Spring Garden Street to find Union Transfer. Originally opened in 1889 as the Spring Garden Farmer's Market, the building went through several transformations, including a stint as a tire company, baggage store, and the Spaghetti Warehouse, before opening its doors as Union Transfer in 2011.

Drivers, pedestrians, and bikers alike share the streets of North Philadelphia East. At the neighborhood's southern border, the Vine Street Expressway acts as a convenient cross-town highway, connecting drivers to larger routes, including I-95 and I-76. Street parking abounds, with better luck on smaller residential streets, and several parking lots exist near the Temple University campus.

For those commuting via subway, the Broad Street Line services North Philadelphia East, running from AT&T Station in South Philly to Fern Rock in the north. Several commuter lines also run through the area, with stops at Temple University and North Broad stations. Buses provide another useful transit option, running along the neighborhood's busier streets on both east/west and north/south routes.

Hailing a cab proves fairly simple on any of the neighborhood's major streets, particularly Broad Street and Girard Avenue. For a reservation, simply call ahead to any of the area's many car services, or reserve via smartphone app with Uber.

Bikers should be happy to know of several designated bike lanes, including a southbound lane on North 12th Street and an east/west lane on Berks Avenue.

Although Philadelphia's largest parks exist elsewhere in the city, North Philadelphia East has a few neighborhood parks and playgrounds perfect for an evening dog walk or some outdoor play time with the kids. East Poplar Playground, across from the Ukrainian Cathedral, offers after school programs to area youth, including table tennis and arts activities. Residents of any age can take advantage of the park's tennis and basketball courts, as well as a swimming pool open during summer months. Farther north, the 12th and Cambria Recreation Center offers a similar setup with a baseball field, basketball courts, and public pool. Among North Philly's hidden outdoor gems, Fotterall Square features mosaic sculptures by artist Joseph Thomas Varello.

The historic Fairhill Cemetery, just east of the neighborhood, provides yet another outdoor space for residents seeking an evening stroll or some quiet reflection. In the summer, the cemetery becomes the site of the Community Summer Festival, a day of live music, organized games, and dance performances for the Fairhill community.

At a median price of $1,110 per month, the average one-bedroom apartment in North Philadelphia East runs slightly higher than the citywide average. Rents generally grow more expensive with an apartment's proximity to Center City, making rentals at the southern end of the neighborhood much higher than those farther north. Apartments near Temple University tends to cater to students, with many shared living spaces available for rent. Pennsylvania gas prices hover above the national average by a mere 20 cents. A one-way fare on both the bus and subway costs riders $2.25, with no charge for seniors and children under 4 years old. The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transit Authority, or "Septa" to locals, offers monthly trans passes for $91.

At $4 to $6 a brew, beer about mirrors the national average. For an unbeatable deal, look out for the "citywide special," a $5 shot-plus-beer combo popular with many local bars.

Those living in North Philadelphia East apartments don't have to travel to Center City to do all their shopping. There are major hubs along Spring Garden Street in the south and on Lehigh Avenue in the north.

Leo's and Tommy's has been a north Philadelphia landmark for more than 60 years. Come in to pick out tailored suits, stylish hats, and matching neckties for any size men's fashion. Fit a wedding party on a Saturday, and get a shoe shine while there.

Neighborhood grocery options include local franchise Cousin's Supermarket, as well as the full-service giant Fresh Grocer. For a healthy option, check out the seasonal farmers market at 4th and Lehigh through the Food Trust. This market opens from 1 to 5 p.m. Tuesdays during warm months.