Urban Center Neighborhoods

Greater Philadelphia’s Urban Centers boast some of the most civically engaged and culturally diverse cities in the Northeast. Distinguishable by their dense, urban feel and historic-site preservation, these neighborhoods are on the pulse of what’s new — without forgetting the past.

Dive into some of the United States’ finest cultural establishments and exciting culinary experiments. From the Delaware Museum of Art to the oldest Italian open-air market in the country, iconic attractions in these major cities near Philadelphia are waiting for you.

Top: Named for the avenue that winds through the community, East Passyunk is a study in old-meets-new. Locals and visitors have welcomed an influx of restaurants, pubs, boutiques and shops in recent years, while longstanding mom-and-pop shops help the neighborhood retain much of its old-world vibe. Photo by J. Fusco.

Meet the Major Cities Near Philadelphia

In the Urban Center neighborhoods, the charm of the City of Brotherly Love extends within and beyond Philly’s borders. Nestled within and around some of America’s best cities, these Pennsylvania, Delaware, and New Jersey neighborhoods offer a rich tapestry of American history, diverse cultures, and engaged communities.

Center City, for instance, is the heartbeat of the City of Philadelphia. Sandwiched between the Schuylkill and Delaware Rivers, this neighborhood practically vibrates with its outstanding nightlife and mouthwatering restaurants. Home to some of the region’s most bustling nooks, including Chinatown, Rittenhouse Square, and Old City, Center City is where you’ll never stop seeing, eating, or learning something new.

To the west of Center City, across the Schuylkill River, University City serves as one of the region’s educational beacons. Alongside Newark, Villanova, Bryn Mawr, and Swarthmore, University City houses one of the nation’s premier higher education institutions, the University of Pennsylvania (UPenn). Built around one of Greater Philadelphia’s great schools, University City bustles with collegiate cafes and historic real estate.

Greater Philadelphia’s Urban Center neighborhoods are well-connected across diverse cities in the Northeast, with convenient train access to big cities like New York, Pittsburgh, Washington, D.C., and Baltimore and beachside communities in South Jersey and northern Delaware. If you’re looking to stay a little closer to home, Philadelphia’s public transportation systems, SEPTA and PATCO, also boast seamless connections to Main Street neighborhoods along the Main Line and nearby towns, such as Ardmore, Kennett Square, New Hope, and Collingswood.