Population:
The population of the Philadelphia MSA is 4,954,000 (1998) of which approximately 20% is African-American, 4% Hispanic-American, and 1.6% Asian-American.
Unemployment Rate: 4.1% (March, 2001)
Chamber of Commerce:
200 South Broad Street, Suite 700
Philadelphia, PA 19102-3896
215- 545-1234
www.gpcc.com
Major Employers:
University of Pennsylvania, Tenet Healthcare Systems, First Union Corp, Jefferson University, Comcast Corp., Prudential Insurance Company, Glaxo Smith Kline, Merck & Co., Peco Energy, Wyeth Ayerst Global Pharmaceuticals
February 1999--Philadelphia Business Journal
Transportation:
SEPTA
www.septa.org/PATCO
www.drpa.org/patco/
New Jersey Transit
www.njtransit.state.nj.us/
Going There? Find a Hotel in Philadelphia
Culture & Entertainment:
Know the good places to go to in Philadelphia? Send them to us at newcolonist@newcolonist.com and we'll post them here.
African American Museum in Philadelphia
701 Arch Street
Philadelphia, PA 19106
(215) 574-0380
www.aampmuseum.orgGermantown Historical Society
5501 Germantown Ave. Philadelphia, PA 19144
(215) 844-0514
www.libertynet.org/ghs
ghs@libertynet.orgThe Franklin Institute
Museum of Science and Technology
222 North 20th Street
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103
(215) 448-1200
sln.fi.eduNational Museum of Jewish American History
55 North 5th Street
Independence Mall East
Philadelphia, PA 19106-2197
215-923-3811
www.nmajh.orgPhiladelphia Museum of Art
Benjamin Franklin Parkway and 26th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19130
(215) 763-8100
TDD: (215) 684-7600
www.philamuseum.orgElfreth's Alley
Elfreth's Alley is a National Historic Landmark and the nation's oldest residential street.
126 Elfreth's Alley
Philadelphia, PA 19106
215-574-0560
www.elfrethsalley.orgIndependence National Historical Park
313 Walnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19106
www.nps.gov/inde/exindex.htmKimmel Performing Arts Center
www.rpac.org/Lantern Theater Company
www.lanterntheater.orgPhiladelphia Orchestra
www.philorch.org/Pennsylvania Ballet
www.paballet.org/Opera Company of Philadelphia
www.operaphilly.comArden Theatre Company
40 N. 2nd Street
Philadelphia, PA 19106
box office 215.922.1122
office 215.922.8900
www.ardentheatre.orgPainted Bride Arts Center
Vine Street, Philadelphia PA 19106
(215) 925-9914
www.paintedbride.orgPhiladelphia Fringe Festival
215-410-9006
www.pafringe.comPrince Music Theater
1412 Chestnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
215-569-9700
www.princemusictheater.orgWalnut Street Theater
825 Walnut Street (corner of 9th)
Philadelphia, PA 19107
215-574-3550
www.wstonline.orgWilma Theater
Broad & Spruce Streets
Philadelphia, PA 19107
Box office: 215-546-7824
www.wilmatheater.orgThe Free Library of Philadelphia
1901 Vine Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
www.library.phila.gov
Shopping:
What are the best places to shop in Philadelphia? Let us know by sending your comments to newcolonist@newcolonist.com
Center City
www.centercityphila.orgItalian Market
Philadelphia's answer to NYC's 9th Avenue. One of the great places in the city.
www.pps.org/GPS_New/ItalianMkt-overview.htmlManayunk
Home of cycling's feared "Wall." Trendy stores, lots a restaurants and no place to park.
www.manayunk.comOld City
Philadelphia's "hottest" neighborhood. The question is "how many restaurants can fit on a city block."
www.oldcity.orgReading Terminal Market
A great Saturday morning meeting place.
www.libertynet.org/~rtmarket/Rittenhouse Row
www.rittenhouserow.org South Street
www.south-street.com/
Dining:
Been to a great restaurant in Philadelphia? Tell us where the best spots are. Send your comments to newcolonist@newcolonist.com and we'll post them here.
City Tavern
Rebuilt revolutionary tavern with food to match. Mainly for tourists but the food is actually quite good. Period dressed staff serves modern cooked revolutionary style meals.
138 South 2nd Street
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19106
215.413.1443
www.citytavern.comCuba Libre
Cuban fusion food in a two-story atrium.
10 S Second St
Philadelphia, PA 19106
Tel: (215) 627-0666
www.cubalibrerestaurant.comFork
New American food with the freshest ingredients. Menu changes with whatever is available. Stunning interior; both a gathering place and fine restaurant.
306 Market Street
Philadelphia, PA 19106
www.forkrestaurant.comIsgro Italian Pastries
Unbeatable cannoli
1009 Christian Street
Philadelphia, 19147
215-923-3092
www.bestcannoli.comLe Bec Fin
Probably the finest restaurant in Philadelphia; certainly the most expensive. Superb classical French cuisine served by an arrogant waitstaff. Put up with it, the food, especially the pastries, is worth it.
1523 Walnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19102
215-567-1000
www.lebecfin.comLittle Pete's Restaurant
Great for breakfast
1904 Chestnut St
215-563-2303Old Original Bookbinders
125 Walnut St
Philadelphia, PA 19106
Phone: 215.925.7027
www.bookbinders.biz/Penang
Moderately priced, hip and Malaysian
117 N. 10th St.
Philadelphia
215-413-2531Ristorante Panorama
Moderately-priced, high-quality Italian food, with 120-bottle cruvinet dispensing wine by the glass. This is one the jewels of Old City.
Front & Market Streets
Philadelphia, PA 19106
(215) 922-7600
www.pennsviewhotel.comSaloon
Started as a watering hole for wiseguys and art students, Saloon has evolved into a spot for wiseguys and tourists on expense accounts. Still, may be the best restaurant in the city even if most of us can't afford it anymore.
750 S. 7th St.
Philadelphia, PA 19147
Tel. (215) 627-1811
www.saloonrestaurant.com/Susanna Foo
Chinese food, French technique. Elegant yet relaxed surroundings. Constantly voted one of best in Philadelphia.
1512 Walnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19102
215-545-2666
www.susannafoo.comWhite Dog Café
West Philadelphia institution. Great American bistro with freshest food, innovative preparation. White Dog is both a restaurant and a community center. If you can't get to our city, at least visit its web site and see what restaurants ought to be.
3420 Sansom Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104
(215) 386-9224
www.whitedog.com
Night Life:
Been out on the town in Philadelphia? Tell us where the best spots are. Send your comments to newcolonist@newcolonist.com and we'll post them here.
Tin Angel
Acoustic café with eclectic schedule. Music ranges from Celtic rock to alternative country. National and local acts. Philadelphia home for acts such as Richie Havens, Steve Forbert, Stacey Earle, Kelly Willis, Mary Fahl, Bill Morrisey and others.
20 S. Second Street
Philadelphia, PA 19106
215-928-0770
www.tinangel.comElectric Factory
www.electricfactory.comKhyber
Cutting edge indie rock and roll in a one hundred year old bar. One of Old City's fixtures.
56 S. Second Street
Philadelphia, PA 19106
215-238-5888Zanzibar Blue
Philadelphia's #1 jazz night club, located in Bellevue Hotel
200 S. Broad Street
Philadelphia, PA 19102
215-732-4500
www.zanzibarblue.comWarmdaddy's
Blues, blues and more blues along with ribs and chicken. National and local acts.
Front & Market Streets
Philadelphia, PA 19106
215-627-2500
www.warmdaddys.com
Employment Resources:
careers.philly.com
Government:
City of Philadelphia
www.phila.govPhiladelphia Planning Commission
www.philaplanning.orgDelaware Valley Regional Planning Commission
www.dvrpc.org
Community Groups:
Old City Civic AssociationTravel Information:
Box 111
9 North Third Street
Philadelphia, PA 19106
215.440.7000 www.oldcity.orgPhilly Neighborhoods
Philadelphia's neighborhood builders online.
phillyneighborhoods.orgCenter City District
917 Filbert St.
Philadelphia, PA 19107
215-440-5500
www.centercityphila.orgPreservation Alliance of Greater Philadelphia
1616 Walnut Street, Suite 2110
Philadelphia, PA 19103
215-546-1146
www.libertynet.org/historic/index.htmlCommittee of 70 (Election Watchdog)
Two Penn Center Plaza, Suite 770
15th Street and JFK Boulevard
Philadelphia, PA 19102
215-557-3600
www.seventy.org
Greater Philadelphia Tourist Marketing Corporation
www.gophila.comHistoric Philadelphia
historic.philly.comPhiladelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau
www.pcvb.org
Best Neighborhoods:
What are the best Philadelphia neighborhoods to live in? Send your comments to newcolonist@newcolonist.com and we'll post them here.
Bella Vista www.bellavistapa.org/
A solid neighborhood with a strong community association, Bella Vista is the first choice for many who seek a strong sense of community.
Fairmount-Museum District www.fairmount-civic.org
Wonderful old houses and green leafy streets. Long a favorite of artsy, young professionals, this area continues to grow slowly without the trappings of becoming a "hot" neighborhood. Lots of wonderful, interesting restaurants nestled in among the residential blocks. Walking distance to most of the area's finest museums.Fitler Square
Just west of Rittenhouse Square lies Fitler Square. When walking the cobblestone streets, one can experience the area's European charm…it's like a small quaint town within a bustling city.Northern Liberties
www.nlna.org
Along the river, just north of Old City. New galleries and restaurants spring up every day. An active neighborhood organization makes this one of the more interesting neighborhoods in the city. A new "people's park," Liberty Lands, is under construction by businesses and neighbors.Old City
www.oldcity.org
A wonderful mix of residential and commercial settings, with many factories that have been converted into unusual yet desirable living spaces. The nightlife in Old City is hopping…..trendy shops and restaurants have found their way into this "hip" metropolitan neighborhood. Sometimes called America's Most Historic Square Mile, Old City is home to Betsy Ross House, Elfreth's Alley, Independence National Park, the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall.Queen Village
Directly south of Society Hill lies this beautiful neighborhood. Renovations began as a result of its abundance of fine townhomes and quaint side streets. Similar to Society Hill in many respects, Queen Village houses more diversity in its housing stock: from apartment buildings, to contemporary homes, to a few loft style residences. Historically significant, Queen Village remains the choice for many who desire the grandeur of fine living at a price less than that of its sister neighborhood, Society Hill.Rittenhouse Square
Originally developed between 1850 and 1880. The heart of the area is the square itself. Magnificent high rise condominium buildings surround the square, and townhouses encompass the area. Luxury hotels, fine shopping, and an urban feeling are prominent in the Rittenhouse area.Society Hill
Society Hill is truly an example of urban living within walking distance of the excitement of the city, yet it is quiet and tranquil with wonderful parks and gardens. Society Hill….an oasis in the heart of the city.University City
A neighborhood once left to Penn and Drexel students, and poor folks, University City has undergone a transformation in the past five years...driven by a University of Pennsylvania commitment to the neighborhood and spearheaded by the University City District (Special Services District). New construction and renovation of wonderful old Victorian housing stock has made this a sought after area. While much of the area is still controlled by Drexel and Penn, new families (both university-connected and others) are moving in. New nightlife promoted by the special services district make this an enjoyable place to live.Washington Square West
"Wash West" is characterized by a mix of residential, commercial, and institutional land uses. The neighborhood is the most centrally located area of town, and has experienced significant urban renewal. Housing styles in the area vary greatly, from fine original townhomes and quaint small colonial houses to low rise condominiums.
Going There? Find a Hotel in Philadelphia
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Christopher Sayer 
Philadelphia City Page Editor Chris Sayer, raised on Long Island (NY), is a twelve-year resident of Philadelphia's Old City. He has lived in Washington, Richmond, Harrisburg (PA), New York and Denver. An alumnus of University of Virginia and Adelphi University, he has worked as a communications/marketing specialist in government (U.S. Senate and House of Representatives), organized labor, publishing, engineering, and most recently, energy consulting. He has served as president of Old City Civic Association, and Historic East Market Street. He was one of the founders and an officer of Old City's business improvement district (Old City Special Services District. Chris runs the Old City web site and maintains a number of neighborhood and citizen list services. He has published articles in both local and national magazines.
City Hall photo by Bob Krist © 1999 by Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation