Old City

Overview

Old City is Philadelphia's historic waterfront neighborhood, where cobblestone streets and 18th-century buildings sit alongside contemporary art galleries and trendy restaurants. It encompasses the greatest concentration of historic sites in the United States.

Highlights

• First Friday: Monthly gallery openings transform the neighborhood into an open-air art crawl.
• Historic Architecture: Federal, Georgian, and Greek Revival buildings on nearly every block.
• Cristo Street: The tiny Christ Church Burial Ground holds the graves of Benjamin Franklin and four other signers.

History

Old City was the commercial heart of colonial Philadelphia and the birthplace of the nation. Its decline in the mid-20th century was reversed by the art gallery movement in the 1990s and 2000s, bringing new life to historic buildings.

Visitor Tips

• First Friday (monthly) is the best time to visit for the gallery scene — most are free.
• Toss a penny on Ben Franklin's grave at Christ Church Burial Ground for good luck.
• Duration: 1.5–2.5 hours.