The bustling heart of West Philadelphia and the academic epicenter of the entire region, University City is so named due to two of the largest and most influential institutions in town: the University of Pennsylvania and Drexel University. But though these collegiate giants, sub-anchored by nationally renowned medical hubs, have hands in multiple arenas, 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 ample, busy sidewalks — it’s bordered by University Avenue to the south, Market Street to the north, 30th Street to the east and 38th Street westward — will uncover a fascinating palette of people and places, offering everything from a vibrant street-food scene and Iron Chef-run establishments to high-end art galleries and intimate late-night hangs. An incredibly robust and diverse student population, which spreads beyond U-City’s borders in all directions, contributes to the verve and energy of the everyday, but you don’t need a backpack stuffed with textbooks to take your own tour of this dynamic neighborhood. Getting Around Easy to reach from Center City and beyond, pedestrian-friendly U-City is a quick trip by foot (try the South Street Bridge, well-designed for walkers and cyclists), car, taxi or subway. Motorists can opt for metered street parking or paid garage spots. Hopping SEPTA’s Market-Frankford Line will run riders east and west along Market Street, one of U-City’s densest corridors, and can drop you off directly on prominent north-south swathes like 38th and 40th streets. |
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