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University City District
The bustling heart of West Philadelphia and academic epicenter of the entire region, University City gets its name for having two of the largest and most influential institutions in town: University of Pennsylvania and Drexel University.
These collegiate giants, sub-anchored by nationally renowned medical hubs, serve multiple disciplines.
The enclave also boasts a magnetic individuality fueled by youthful innovation and an unshakeable commitment to artistic and cultural exploration.
Visitors who walk U-City’s busy sidewalks — it’s bordered by University Avenue to the south, Market Street to the north, 30th Street to the east and 38th Street on the west — uncover a fascinating palette of people and places, offering everything from a vibrant street-food scene and famous chef-run establishments to high-end art galleries and intimate late-night hangs.
An incredibly robust and diverse student population, which sprawls beyond U-City’s borders in all directions, contributes to the verve and energy of the everyday. However, it doesn’t take a backpack stuffed with textbooks to need a reason to tour this dynamic neighborhood.
University City is a quick walk across the pedestrian-friendly South Street Bridge. Hopping SEPTA’s Market-Frankford Line takes riders east and west along Market Street, one of U-City’s densest corridors. It also stops along prominent north-south swathes like 38th and 40th streets.
Locust Walk in University City — Photo by J. Fusco for Visit Philadelphia
Philadelphia is a city of vibrant neighborhoods bordered by a region of charming towns, with each area owning a distinctive personality. Explore the neighborhoods and towns in and around Philadelphia — their storied streets, interesting attractions, buzzed-about restaurants and year-round happenings.
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