Philly Neighborhood Guide - South Philly

SOUTH PHILADELPHIA 

South Philadelphia is a large section of the city (approximately 10 square miles) bordered by South Street to the north, the Delaware River to the east and south, and the Schuylkill River to the west. It is generally divided up into four smaller neighborhoods: Graduate Hospital, Point Breeze, Passyunk, and Pennsport. South Philly is well-known for its Italian-American population (cue Rocky Balboa) but there is a wide variety of cultural influences that populate its streets.

Let’s break it down further.

GRADUATE HOSPITAL is a very family-friendly neighborhood, and you’ll often see young families meeting up in its many parks for music classes, soccer practice, or birthday parties. About 20% of Grad Hospital is home to children 18 years or younger, which is why you’ll find multiple schools in the area.

Food is abundant in Grad Hospital, from countless restaurants and cafes to multiple grocery stores like Sprouts, GIANT Heirloom Market, and South Square Supermarket. Stroll down famous South Street for your Wawa fix, beer and burgers during Wednesday night trivia, or Thai and Indian food for ultimate comfort. 

Grad Hospital consists of primarily row houses with a few apartment complexes scattered throughout. The median sold price of a home in Graduate Hospital was $645,000 in 2022.

POINT BREEZE sits just south of Graduate Hospital, bordered by Washington Avenue to the north, Moore Street to the south, Broad Street to the east, and the Schuylkill River to the west. Something you’ll notice immediately when visiting Point Breeze is the myriad of beautiful murals that line its streets, thanks in large part to Mural Arts Philadelphia.  

Also home to breweries, coffee shops, and vegan delis, you can find whatever cuisine you desire in Point Breeze. 

There are a variety of home types in Point Breeze, from historic row houses to new construction to apartment buildings. It is also home to a variety of schools and daycare centers. The median sold price of a home in Point Breeze was $350,000 in 2022.

If you travel east and cross over Broad Street, you’ll find yourself in PASSYUNK, named after Passyunk Avenue which runs diagonally through the neighborhood. A feeling of home greets you when you visit Passyunk, as it’s a close-knit, family-friendly neighborhood with a lot going on. 

If you’re coming to Philadelphia for the cheesesteaks, you’ll find rivals Pat’s and Geno’s right off of Passyunk Avenue, often with lines down the street. If you’re looking for something more elevated, Passyunk is home to many delicious and diverse restaurants.

Boutiques, book and record stores, thrift shops, florists, pet stores, and wellness shops can all be found in Passyunk. You’ll often stumble upon them unexpectedly, nestled next to homes or parks. 

When it comes to living, Passyunk is mostly row houses, all with their own unique charm. During December, don’t miss the Miracle on 13th Street, a vibrant light display on the 1600 block of South 13th Street. There are multiple schools within the Passyunk neighborhood, and the median sold price of a home was $430,000 in 2022. 

Our tour of South Philadelphia ends in the small neighborhood of PENNSPORT, an area just east of Passyunk bordered by Washington Avenue to the north, the Delaware River to the East, Snyder Avenue to the south, and South 4th Street to the west. 

If you’re a Mummers fan, you’ll love Pennsport. 2nd Street (referred to by locals as “Two Street”) is home to the Mummers Museum and is a street filled with celebration and liveliness, especially on New Year’s Day. 

You’ll find multiple parks, pubs, restaurants, cafes, and shopping in Pennsport; retail stores like Target, WalMart, Lowe’s, Michael’s, TJMaxx, and more line the Delaware River nearby.

The homes in Pennsport are mostly historic row houses and the median sold price of a home was $350,000 in 2022.