University City is the vibrant heart of West Philadelphia and the academic epicenter of the entire region.
The neighborhood gets its name for having two of the largest and most influential institutions in the city: University of Pennsylvania and Drexel University.
The name “University City” wasn’t used to describe the area until the 1950s when real estate developers were hoping to appeal to University of Penn faculty members. Prior to this, it was mostly just called West Philly.
To this day, some residents still refer to it this way, and dismiss the modern name as not much more than a marketing scheme.
Produce and plant market on 36th and Walnut. (Trenae Nuri/City Cast Philly)
University City is lined with trees, public gardens, and open green spaces. There’s plenty of fresh produce at farmer’s markets, cozy restaurants, and open-air concerts and theater performances.
Here are some of my favorite spots in the area.
Cira Green is Philadelphia’s “park in the sky.” The elevated park is open year-round, and features some of the best city views and lawn space. It’s perfect for picnics, birthday parties, pop-up fitness activities, and movie screenings. You can even get burgers and fries from their seasonal restaurant, Sunset Social.
For more than 40 years, the Institute of Contemporary Art has been showcasing some of the coolest trends in the contemporary art world. ICA led the way with the first-ever museum shows of Andy Warhol, Laurie Anderson, and other influential artists.
Their newest exhibition has really caught my attention. Until Dec. 30, researchers will be sharing their discoveries on the complexities of human senses, with an emphasis on smell. Norwegian-born artist Sissel Tolaas believes small is an “often-overlooked tool for communication.”
