Fishtown

 

Northwest over the Delaware River from Center City, Fishtown is Philadelphia’s hippest neighborhood. Two Market-Frankford Line stations along Fishtown’s western edge connect it to the rest of Philadelphia, while I-95 runs through the neighborhood’s south and puts Baltimore, New Jersey, New York, and Washington D.C. all within a two-hour drive. Despite its connectedness to the outside world, Fishtown’s appeal is that it feels like a self-contained world of its own. Beginning as a working-class immigrant neighborhood in the early 20th century, Fishtown has retained its community-driven character while blossoming into a booming hotspot of hip restaurants, chic boutique hotels, craft beer breweries, and trendsetting live music venues.

15 minutes by car / 8 minutes by public transportation

Fishtown’s 21st-century revival has been driven by locally-run businesses and a community spirit that’s endured for over a century. Award-winning restaurants and hotels, a thriving local arts scene, cool coffee shops, and plentiful neighborhood parks and green space combine to make Fishtown an incredibly livable place.

 

While Fishtown’s buzz has attracted many newcomers in recent years, there are still families who have been here for generations. All age groups are represented, from young families and entrepreneurial millennials to retirees who’ve lived here their entire lives.

 

Fishtown’s fantastic culinary scene has drawn plaudits from far and wide. Bon Appetit recognized Philly Style Bagels’ classic lox as America’s best sandwich and similarly praised Pizzeria Beddia for serving the nation’s best pie. Highlights of this foodie paradise include delicious Asian dishes at Stock and Cheu, creative toppings at Pizza Brain, and outstanding farm-to-table fare at Kensington Quarters. USA Today recognized Wm. Mulherin’s Sons were America’s best new hotel when it opened in 2017, and its restaurant’s sublime pasta and cocktails are another Fishtown must-try.

 

Johnny Brenda’s has played a big role in making Fishtown hip. Its dozens of micro-brews and on-tap wines have made it a favored watering hole of long-term residents and new arrivals alike, while its second-floor music venue has showcased some of the hottest indie acts of the past two decades. The authentically Bavarian Biergarten at Frankford Hall is another lively hotspot.

 

Fishtown is dotted with parks and gardens, with a green space appearing every few blocks. Penn Treaty Park is the highlight, providing awesome views across the Delaware River to the Philadelphia skyline. Girard Avenue’s commercial corridor is also surprisingly scenic, taking in skyline views and brilliant sunsets. Great views can also be had indoors, as Frankford Avenue’s many galleries and art studios are open to the public on the first Friday of each month.

 

As you’d expect from such an in-vogue neighborhood, Fishtown’s real estate market is on fire. The sale-to-list ratio is close to 99%, putting it on par with neighborhoods like Brooklyn’s Williamsburg and Washington, D.C. The real estate mix is comprised of distinctive early 20th-century row houses and newer luxury condominium developments.

 

Fishtown is both of-the-moment and timeless, as its long-lived community atmosphere fuels the thriving modern microeconomy. The headquarters of national firms such as Blue Cadet, La Colombe, and O3 are increasingly joining Fishtown’s many start-ups.