South
Street
Summing up the way
Philadelphians feel about the
neighborhood, a banner promoting South
Street asks "You want things neat
and orderly? Visit your mother. You want
to have some fun? Come to South
Street!"
The area referred to as
"South Street" starts near
Penn's Landing at Front Street and
stretches along South Street to about
11th Street. You'll find a variety of
shops and restaurants here, both national
chains and local establishments. While we
find it perhaps a bit more tame than some
people think it is (more Gap than glitz;
more pop than punk), it is clearly a
different side of Philadelphia than the
colonial charm of Old Town, the stately
townhouses of Rittenhouse Square or the
majestic Benjamin
Franklin Parkway.
At the corner of Front and
South is the two-tiered Irish bar called Downey's.
Its Kelly green color, preponderance of
Shamrocks, and boisterous after-work and
weekend crowds make it hard to miss. The
Celtic theme continues in the store
across the street, where Tullycross specializes in fine Irish handicrafts.
Between 2nd and 4th Streets
is a cluster of such staple as Blockbuster's, Eckard Drugs, Haagen
Daz, Spencer Gifts,
and the ubiquitous Starbucks.
Not far away (but on the
other end of the cultural spectrum) are Piercing,
Bangles and Beads, the clothing
and accessories stores Zipperhead and Trixie L'Amour,
Condoms (their name says it
all), and several used CD stores that
appeal to the alternative crowd.
Jim's Steaks, which
has been serving Philly's famed
cheesesteak sandwiches since 1939, is
across from Pearl's arts
and crafts supplies.
Don't miss the Farmers'
Market on the corner of Passynuk
Avenue and South Street. Open daily from
2 -7 PM, it is a great source for fresh
produce and baked goods, including the
Amish's famous shoofly pie.
According to its proponents,
the South Street area boasts over 60
dining and drinking establishments, more
than 300 shops and galleries, and in
excess of 2,500 parking spaces. For more
information, call 215-413-3713.
The Philadelphia Insider Directory:
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