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City Cast Philly

A cheat sheet for getting beyond your block.

Cedar Park is a homey slice of West Philly that’s bounded by Kingsessing Avenue, Larchwood Avenue, 46th Street, and 52nd Street, according to the group 

 Philly, it used to be considered a “suburb,” as it offered residents less city noise and larger houses. It’s still a mostly residential area, but it now has plenty of shops and restaurants.

: Peter Boyle, known for his roles in “Everybody Loves Raymond” and “Young Frankenstein,” 

grew up near 50th Street and Baltimore Avenue

Here are a few great spots to check out next time you’re in the area:

Pretend you’re on vacay at this Caribbean-inspired vegan café. Treat yourself to a Philly “cheesesteak” or an island-flavored smoothie 🍍

Go loco for nachos, gabacho tacos, and adobo wings at this cozy Mexican eatery. The dishes are as delicious as they are exquisitely presented. Don’t forget to pair your dish with tequila or cerveza 🍻

This shop has the perfect gift for any occasion. Browse through home goods, accessories, cute stationary, and stylish jewelry. There’s no rule against buying 

Tap into inner peace with zazen, a Zen Buddhist meditative discipline. This learning center offers in-person and virtual monthly sessions 🪷

What do you love about Cedar Park?

Cedar Park is a homey slice of West Philly that’s bounded by Kingsessing Avenue, Larchwood Avenue, 46th Street, and 52nd Street, according to the group Cedar Park Neighbors. 

Journey Through Cedar Park, West Philadelphia

Neighborhood Guides

Mt. Airy is a leafy, residential neighborhood in Northwest Philly, nestled right up next to Wissahickon Valley Park.

, an affluent colonial merchant, attorney, and public official, 

 outside of Philadelphia and named it “Mount Airy.” 

 of the surrounding neighborhood, which became a part of the city about a hundred years later.

 grew up on Lincoln Drive. She was the first Black woman to serve as Pennsylvania’s Secretary of State.

, who grew up in Mt. Airy, helped shape the famous “

” of the 70s and 80s as a songwriter for Gamble and Huff.

Here are a few spots to visit next time you’re in the area:

Savor a hand-crafted dish from this cozy modern Italian restaurant. Bring your finest bottle of wine to this BYOB and indulge in calamari, branzino or pan seared scallops 🍷

This 49-year-old co-op has all you need to stock your kitchen to perfection. It specializes in those hard-to-find items and bulk selections of nuts, grains, spices, and snacks. Click 

 for more grocery store recommendations 🥒

If you’re a Greek food fan, stop by this charming cafe for baklava, shawarma, and falafel. Your meal will taste even better with a refreshing fruit smoothie 🍌

Treat yourself to something sweet at this gourmet mobile stand. Send your taste buds to another dimension with flavors like cinnamon chocolate chip oatmeal cookies or pumpkin gingersnap 🍨

 in the city, according to you, our dear Hey Philly readers.

Mt. Airy is a leafy, residential neighborhood in Northwest Philly, nestled right up next to Wissahickon Valley Park. 

Your Guide to Mt. Airy, Philadelphia

, is an artsy neighborhood west of Fishtown and north of Northern Liberties. It’s bounded by 6th street on the west, Front Street on the east, and Girard Avenue on the south.

, making everything from glass to chemicals. But, the textile industry dominated all others. In the 1920s, the John B. Stetson factory, famous for their 

, produced 3 million hats per year. After deindustrialization, many of these warehouses emptied out. Now they're getting new lives as apartments, offices, and shops.

Here a few great spots to visit next time you’re in the area:

Indulge in authentic Pueblan cuisine like sizzling fajitas and savory enchiladas at this family-owned Mexican restaurant 🇲🇽

This roving market and online shop has lots of Philly-inspired gifts: from vibrant watercolor paintings of Elfreth’s Alley and the Art Museum to Gritty and Phanatic stickers. Next month, they're hosting an event with 20 local vendors 

Whether you’re working remotely or just catching up with friends, this coffee shop is a great place to be. Enjoy a matcha latte or a cherry espresso cola at this cozy café ☕

If you’re a contemporary art fan, check out this former plumbing warehouse that’s been turned into a creative haven. Crane Arts hosts poetry readings and musical performances, as well as art galleries 🖼️

This pizzeria, bakery, and bottle bar was named one of 

Eater’s 11 best new restaurants in America

 in 2021. Enjoy warm sourdough bread, wood-fired pizzas, and smoked salmon 🤤

Olde Kensington, also known as South Kensington, is an artsy neighborhood west of Fishtown and north of Northern Liberties. It’s bounded by 6th street on the west, Front Street on the east, and Girard Avenue on the south. 

Here a few great spots to visit next time you’re in the area:


Exploring Olde Kensington, Philadelphia

Fishtown, a vibrant neighborhood northeast of Center City, is home to plenty of amazing nightlife venues. Here are a few of my favorites.

This venue is actually three-in-one. In addition to the main room, there’s also a bar and lounge, and a mini club that spotlights up-and-coming local acts. I’ve attended multiple concerts at both the Fillmore and I always leave buzzing with joy 😊

This iconic comedy club seats 300 people and has a spacious outdoor patio. It also hosts open mic nights, drag brunches, and themed nights. I was lucky enough to see Pete Davidson there, and enjoyed a wood fire-oven pizza during the show 🍕

Enjoy a classic bowling night and delicious food and drinks at Brooklyn Bowl, conveniently located right across the street from Punchline Philly! 🎳

Exploring Nightlife in Fishtown, Philadelphia 

This West Philadelphia neighborhood is bounded by Market Street to the north, Baltimore Avenue to the south, 52nd Street to the east, and Cobbs Creek Parkway to the west.

: Before Europeans colonized the area, Cobbs Creek was inhabited by the Lenni Lenape tribe, which called the creek, “

,” or “the place of the wild geese.”

The creek is now named after an early Swedish settler named William Cobb who acquired land along the creek and established a homestead there in the mid-1600s.

This green space is a popular spot for hiking, swimming, tennis, bocce, basketball, and more. It’s also a great spot for bird-watching, nature walks, and picnics 🌳

Water ice is a Philly classic. Indulge in flavors ranging from cantaloupe to white grape, and don’t forget about toppings. You can smother your ‘wooder ice’ in Cinnamon Toast Crunch, strawberry sauce, or rainbow sprinkles 🍨

Speaking of sweetness, check out some wildly delicious and aesthetically pleasing milkshakes, ice cream, and other desserts 🍦

Check out this Black woman-owned thrift store to find cute furniture, apparel, accessories, home decor, and more 🛍️

Exploring Cobbs Creek, West Philadelphia

Point Breeze is a thriving neighborhood in South Philadelphia that sits between Broad and 25th Streets, from Washington Avenue in the north to Moore Street in the south.

: In the late 1800s, the Schuylkill River 

 along one stretch or ‘point’ in the river. That name stuck to a nearby area that was home to 

. Locals sometimes call the neighborhood “

: Grammy-award winner Tariq Trotter, aka “Black Thought” of The Roots, 

Here are some fun spots to visit next time you’re in the area:

Check out the striking art, grab a coffee, and maybe even see a show at this hybrid gallery/cafe/event space ☕

Release anger and stress in a healthy way with an invigorating axe throwing session 🪓

Stop by this authentic Mexican spot to indulge in pizza, carne asada, tacos, and ceviches. ¡Buen provecho! 🦐

This gastropub has a rotating menu featuring comfort food like burritos, seafood, and grilled peaches. Enjoy happy hour deals on the patio every weekday from 4-6 p.m. 🍽️

Exploring Point Breeze, Philadelphia

This hip residential neighborhood is located next to Philadelphia's Logan Square area, and is known for its historical monuments, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and beloved eateries. Here are a few great spots to visit next time you’re in the area:

 (pronounced hue-gah), the Danish concept of coziness and life’s simple pleasures at Bar Hygge. You can get crab fries, salmon ceviche, and specialty cocktails for dinner, or indulge in avocado toast and biscuits for weekend brunch 🥑

Grab some cute Philly-based accessories from this vibrant woman-owned neighborhood boutique. Shop online or in-person for everything from kids toys and games to candles and soap 🧼

Treat yourself to a gourmet Italian dinner at this James Beard award-winning restaurant. Enjoy homemade pastas, thin-crust pizzas, seafood and more in a beautiful space surrounded by indoor plants 🍝

Check out Philly’s original board game cafe. Thirsty Dice is a full-service restaurant and bar that has over 950 games in its collection, such as Pictionary, CATAN, and Yahtzee. You can bring a game from home, or learn a new one from an on-site “gametender.” Reservations are recommended 🎲

Which neighborhood should I feature next?

Exploring Philadelphia’s Fairmount Neighborhood

This West Philly neighborhood is an academic hub, getting its name from Drexel University, Saint Joseph’s University’s new campus (formerly USciences), and the University of Pennsylvania. It’s also home to some great art galleries, museums, and restaurants. Here are a few essential spots to visit next time you’re in the area.

You don’t have to go too far to explore the world. The Penn Museum invites guests to delve into the anthropological history of ancient Egypt, the Americas, Greece, and more. You can find artifacts like Chinese Buddhist sculptures.

This family-owned restaurant and bar offers delicious beef noodle soup, shrimp rolls, pork chops, and green tea ice cream in a super cozy interior. It’s well-known for its banh mi sandwiches.

This lovely all-day cafe offers American brunch favorites like chicken and waffles and French toast. There’s also great happy hour snacks from Wednesday through Saturday, such as beet hummus and caramel popcorn!

This popular multi-level venue features a laid-back dining and listening space, a concert space, and a chic upstairs cafe. The main performance venue downstairs hosts nationally known artists like Jazmine Sullivan and Alt-J.

Your Guide to University City, Philadelphia

This South Philly neighborhood is bordered by Snyder Avenue to the north, Oregon Avenue to the south, and South 7th and South Broad Streets to the east and west. LoMo is known for its family-owned restaurants and 19th-century row homes, which have sheltered successive generations of immigrants. Here are some quintessential food spots to hit up next time you’re in the area.

This family-owned Mexican taqueria at the corner of 10th and Wolf Streets has Puebla-style Mexican cuisine and a prominent rooster theme. You’ll see the gallo, Spanish for rooster, on their decorations and dishware. It's all a tribute to the street where owner Luz Jimenez grew up just outside of Puebla, Mexico: Calle de Los Gallos, the street of the roosters.

This Mexican restaurant pays homage to the queen of the self-portrait, Frida Kahlo, in its name and colorful decorations. Their food menu is extensive, but City Cast Philly lead producer (and Lower Moyamensing resident) Laura Benshoff particularly recommends Frida’s tequila and mezcal cocktails, like the Mezcal Last Word and Mezcalerita.

Craving bubble tea? How about egg tarts with a cookie and puff pastry crust? This is the spot for you. Dodo is sure to add sweetness to your day with their Hong Kong-style pastries and buns. Their pork buns and hot dog scallion buns look particularly delicious. They will also make custom cakes for your next event.

This neighborhood staple has been around since 1947, and their doughnut style hasn’t changed in 67 years, where every doughnut is hand cut and hand-pumped to order. Stop by and try their famous franolli doughnut, filled with their special cannoli cream and tiny chocolate chips. They also serve cookies and cake!

Check out the quintessential food spots to hit up next time you’re in this South Philadelphia area.

Your Guide to Philly's Lower Moyamensing Neighborhood

Get to Know Lower Moyamensing 

Penn’s Landing, which spans the length of Center City along the Delaware River waterfront, is a popular gathering space that offers fun activities for every season, from concerts to ice skating. Here are a few noteworthy spots to check out:

, the world’s oldest and largest square-rigged sailing vessel. The permanently-docked ship has dining rooms and outdoor decks offering perfect skyline and waterfront views 🚢

During the summer, you can climb aboard the ship for themed dance parties. On Saturday, July 29, dance all night to your 

, at 401 Spruce Street, is a crowd-pleasing seasonal space complete with cozy hammocks to lounge on, arcade and lawn games, and delicious boardwalk eats. At night, the park’s trees glow with multi-colored LED lights.

 on 101 S. Christopher Columbus Boulevard for recreational activities like mini golf. In the summer, enjoy river views on the Ferris Wheel, indulge in Mexican food from Cantina La Martina, and show off your skills at the city’s largest outdoor roller rink 🛼

In the winter, the RiverRink transforms into a 

, where visitors can go ice skating, indulge in hot beverages and gourmet sandwiches, and relax in a warming cabin ☕