Northeast Philadelphia - Philadelphia, PA Area Guide

Northeast Philadelphia's first settlers arrived in the early 1600s from Sweden as part of the New Sweden Colony. Farming was the primary industry for much of its early life, eventually giving over to industrial development in the 1800s. Situated on the Delaware River stands Glen Foerd on the Delaware, a museum and event venue brimming with character and history. Peruse the art gallery, located on the second floor of the mansion, or hold your wedding here, with glimpses of the water providing an abundance of romance and beauty. Beer lovers revel every year in the annual Greater Northeast Philadelphia Beer Festival, which allows attendees to sample beers from over 75 different beers from 40 different breweries. Live local music and great food provided by Cannstatter Volkfest Verein, make this one of the best events of the year.

With the high level of ethnic diversity found in Northeast Philadelphia comes an equally broad range of choices in cuisine. Some of the best of Philly's signature cheese steaks and pizza hail from here, with tasty Indian, Italian and diner food choices existing in droves. Visiting Philadelphia without trying a cheese steak would be a travesty, a sentiment you will undoubtedly share after trying the fare at Steve’s Prince of Steaks. For over 30 years, Steve’s has served up long, thin cheese steaks topped with melted cheese and onions, continuously cited as the best in the city. Top off your order with an order of spicy fries, loaded with your choice of American, mozzarella or Cheese Whiz. Hoagies and deli sandwiches also hold a high place in the hearts of Philadelphia's population. Jack's Place, located on Hegerman Road, specializes in some of Phiily's best hoagies, with meat choices like roast beef, ham and turkey made in house. Try a grilled chicken hoagie topped with broccoli rabe and provolone, woth portions so big you will surely need a doggie bag. If your mood leans more towards the international side of things, Ekta, located on Girard Ave in Fishtown, boasts some of the best Indian cuisine in the city. Enjoy the Chicken Tikka Masala, which consists of a boneless chicken breast topped with a creamy tomato and onion sauce. Spice up your night with a visit to Tierra Colombiana, a worthy meld of fine dining and night-club fun. Enjoy satisfying Latin American cuisine, such as Maduro Relleno de Carne, consisting of sweet plantains stuffed with beef, olives and cheese. Round out the night on the dance floor, with a full nightclub located on the second floor. Music venues can also be found towards the center and southern parts of the city.

As with virtually all of the rest of Philadelphia, public transportation reigns supreme. SEPTA offers buses, trolleys, subways and trains, one or a combination of which will land you in any part of the city. Cab options exist aplenty, with many on standby at most of the major shopping and travel locations. Uber also stands available for destinations city wide. For those with vehicles, public parking exists in abundance, ranging from free lots to parking meters and garages. Access to major arteries, such as the Pennsylvania Turnpike and Interstate 95, can be reached by using one of the many on-ramps scattered plentiful across Northeast Philadelphia. Northeast Philadelphia's streets are friendly to both bike riders and walkers alike. Due to its residential nature, sidewalks adorn nearly every street. Bike lanes also exist on most roadways, providing a safe alternative to travel by auto or public transportation.

Nature enthusiasts will have no trouble finding everything they could possibly want at Pennypack Park, which houses over 1,600 acres of rolling meadows, wetland and woods. Enjoy your day by hopping on a horse to explore one of their many trails, watch one of the 150 different species of nesting and migrating birds or throw out your fishing rod in the Pennypack Creek, all with no admission fee charged. Music fun can also be had every year at the Pennypack Music Festival. Local businesses come together to sponsor events packed with tons of tribute bands and great food. Sports and fitness enthusiasts will find a wide range of activities to choose from at Burholme Park, located on Cottman Ave. Enjoy a football field, three soccer fields and three baseball diamonds, all while your children take advantage of the playground and sledding hill. Blue Bell Park, located on Walnut Lane, is home to one of the best dog parks in the Northeast Philadelphia region. Your best friend will enjoy tons of room to frolic in with winding trails dotting the landscape. Sit back and relax, while your canine plays, at one of the many picnic areas, all of which stand fully stocked with barbecue pits and tables. Music fun can also be had every year at the Pennypack Music Festival. Local businesses come together to sponsor events packed with tons of tribute bands and great food.

Life in Northeast Philadelphia brings with it a cost of living slightly above the city average. Median prices for apartments in Northeast Philadelphia will run around 23 percent higher than the rest of the state, and average about $1,075 per month. Public transportation costs vary depending on which medium you use. A standard bus or subway fare will run you $2.25, while a standard train ticket will starts at $3. Gas prices come in virtually neck and neck with the national average, with the difference between the two not equaling a full percentage point. A pint of domestic beer can be easily found at a number of local pubs for an average of $4.

The Northeast houses the largest mall within the city of Philadelphia and the second largest in the entire state, Philadelphia Mills. Formerly called "Franklin Mills" after Philly's favorite son, Benjamin Franklin, the 1.6 million square foot mall has over 200 stores. In addition to giants such as Sears, Walmart and J.C. Penny, Franklin Mills has specialty stores like Hollywood Style Perfumes and Magic Photo, a full service portrait studio that does photography for weddings and special events. Whether you need a dozen roses for your wedding anniversary or a corsage for your wedding, NE Flower Boutique has you covered. Need those anniversary roses today? No worries. NE Flower Boutique offers same day delivery, seven days a week. For a special dress for a very special day, stop by L & H Bridal Shoppe to outfit brides and bridesmaids or to wow at the prom or formal. L & H also offers accessories, alterations, and customizations to make sure you look perfect. Stocking the kitchen is easy in the Northeast. Shoppers can choose from several supermarkets, including Giant, Acme, ShopRite and Supervalu. For less traditional fare, the Dutch Country Farmers Market brings farm-fresh food from Amish farmers to hungry Northeasters. Especially popular items include the chicken and the fresh-made soft pretzels.