24-Hour Downtown

Center City has become a thriving, 24-hour downtown. Vibrant urban living and a broad range of housing types in historic neighborhoods are attracting residents and workers who want to enjoy Center City’s expansive array of cultural, entertainment, dining and recreation options. Construction cranes, visible everywhere, are transforming Center City. Almost $9 billion in major developments were recently completed or in the pipeline for completion in downtown Philadelphia.  

Center City has many public parks that add greenery and enliven the downtown, offering a welcome reprieve from the bustling downtown streets. From the Schuylkill Banks and Boardwalk, to Dilworth Park, Sister Cities Park and Spruce Street Harbor Park, Center City has innovative public spaces that now join originals like Rittenhouse Square and Independence National Historical Park. Pop-up beer gardens and parklets also activate underused public spaces, drawing from increasing volumes of on-street pedestrians.  

A nationally acclaimed restaurant scene attracts people from across the region. Downtown Philadelphia has also recently become a national retail destination, with Conde Nast Traveler naming Philadelphia the Number 2 best shopping city in the world. National retailers are joining a mix of unique boutiques downtown, creating a distinct walkable shopping experience.  

Center City is third only to Midtown Manhattan and Washington D.C. in the total number of downtown arts and cultural organizations per downtown resident, surpassing Chicago, San Francisco and Boston. The city’s rich historic fabric was recognized in 2015, when Philadelphia was named the first World Heritage City in the United States. Center City’s world-class attractions have turned the downtown into a major tourist destination and created a dynamic environment for residents of all ages to live, work and play. 

• First Unesco World Heritage City in USA
• America's Next Great Food City - Travel + Leisure 
• #2 Shopping City in the World, 2015 - Condé Nast Traveler
• #1 Place to Visit in the USA, 2015 - The New York Times