North Philadelphia West - Philadelphia, PA

Among the seven historic houses of Fairmount Park, Strawberry Mansion best retains its original 1789 character as the home of lawyer and abolitionist William Lewis. Visitors to the mansion can take a guided tour or join mansion staff for a special event such as the annual Strawberry Mansion Holiday Tea in December.

Strawberry Mansion neighborhood, surrounding the historic site, formerly housed many of Philadelphia's wealthiest families, with a strong Jewish presence. One of its most famous residents was John Coltrane, remembered today at the John Coltrane House. Since the mid-20th century, the neighborhood has fallen into decline, and many of its former estates can be seen in varying states of disrepair.

To the south, Brewerytown experienced a similar fate during prohibition with the closure of its namesake breweries, yet signs of revitalization are evident today, and home prices in both Brewerytown and Strawberry Mansion have risen in recent years.

Eating and drinking options abound in North Philly West, with most businesses concentrated along Broad Street and the diagonal Ridge Avenue.

Charlie's Country Ribs located on West Diamond Street serves barbecue and other southern fare such as fried chicken, greens and sweet potato pie. The small size of the location is means you might want to come early in the day to make sure you snag a spot.

The beer-friendly successor to the ever-popular Rybread Cafe, Rybrew serves up Brewerytown's best made-to-order artisan sandwiches. Try the Philadelphia, an homage to a classic Italian hoagie with hot capicola, genoa salami, prosciutto — "per-joot" among locals — and provolone cheese. With full lunch and dinner offerings, including a selection of over 350 beers, Rybrew makes the perfect meeting spot any time of day.

For a true taste of student life, look no further than Draught Horse Pub and Grill located on the Temple University campus. Whether a student yourself or just looking for some classic frat-style fun, the pub serves party favorites like chipotle wings and house-made nachos. Bring a crowd on hump day for Wild Wednesdays, the pub's midweek dance party that features $1 Bud Lights and $3 well drinks.

Drivers have easy access to major highway routes such as I-76 and the Vine Street Expressway. Street parking proves a viable option, with several area parking garages available for overnight convenience.

The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transit Authority, SEPTA to locals, services the area with trolley, subway, commuter and bus routes. The Broad Street Line runs along the neighborhood's western edge, bringing passengers from the AT&T station in the south to Fern Rock Transportation Center in the north. For an above-ground ride, take the number 15 trolley along Girard Avenue or any of the neighborhood's many bus lines running on both east/west and north/south routes.

Many cab companies service the area, and hailing a cab proves simple on major thoroughfares like Broad Street and Girard Avenue. A ride from car services like Uber has become an increasingly popular option.

Several designated bike lanes provide bikers with safe and easy access to destinations both within and outside the neighborhood. Bordering Fairmount Park, 33rd Street takes bikers north/south, and Lehigh Avenue provides the best east/west bike route.

Of all the resources North Philadelphia West has to offer, nothing beats the giant section of Fairmount Park that runs along the west side of the neighborhood. From athletic facilities to dog-friendly open fields, historic mansions, and even an open-air amphitheater, the park houses a varied blend of activities for area residents.

For children 10 and younger, check out the Smith Memorial Playground and Playhouse, a 6.5-acre playground within Fairmount Park complete with a giant slide and various play equipment. The 16,000-square-foot playhouse gives kids a chance to ride tricycles, "drive" trains and other fun activities. Admission is free, but donations are gratefully accepted.

While joggers and cyclists enjoy a designated path along the Schuykill River, those looking for a more peaceful outdoor experience can sit amid the stones and streams of the Glendinning Rock Garden. Located on Fairmount Park's south side, the garden is perfect for reading, picnicking or tranquil meditation.

Woodford Mansion, one of the seven great estates in Fairmount Park, holds a Harvest Festival every fall. This free event gives guests a chance to explore the world of cider-making and bee-keeping, all within the historic setting of Woodford Mansion.

At an average rental rate of $529 per month, one-bedroom apartments in North Philadelphia West are decidedly lower than Philadelphia as a whole. Philly gas prices mirror national trends, and public transit riders save with a single subway or bus ride priced at $2.25. Seniors ride for free on all area subway and bus routes.

Beer prices remain on par with national averages at around $4 to $6 a brew. Look for the ever popular "citywide special," a bargain shot-plus-beer combo available at many local bars.

With major hubs along Girard and Lehigh Avenues, the area offers a diverse blend of shopping to satisfy the needs of all area residents. In an industry overrun by online downloads and Spotify streams, Brewerytown Beats returns music lovers to the joy of physically browsing the shiny covers of LPs, 45s and even cassette tapes for fans of funk, soul and hip hop.

A few blocks east on Girard Avenue, the folks at Kayuh Bicycles have also jumped on the retro train by refurbishing old bicycles for modern use. When Temple University held its annual business plan competition in 2011, Malaysian-born students Churhile Cornelus and Izzat Rahman devised a model to recycle older bikes by creating custom models for students on campus. The idea took off, becoming a full-service bike shop now operating under the name Kayuh, or "pedal" in the Malay language.

Neighborhood residents have a wealth of grocery options, from mom-and-pop corner stores to large full-service supermarkets. The Fresh Grocer, on North Broad Street, offers a one-stop shop for all grocery needs, including catering for at-home gatherings. The Food Trust operates a seasonal farmers market at Temple University for fresh offerings from nearby Pennsylvania farms.