Society Hill Walk, Philadelphia

Society Hill Walk (Self Guided), Philadelphia

Society Hill has been through some difficult times in its history. In the early 20th century it looked like it was all over for a once glorious area, because it was in decline. However, since that time the neighborhood has picked itself up, dusted itself off and is a shining example of urban renewal while staying true to the past.

Today, Society Hill is one of the most attractive and delightful parts of the city. It has the largest concentration of original 18th-century and early 19th-century architecture of anywhere in the United States. Amble down cobblestone streets and as you go, pause to appreciate the Federal and Georgian-style brick row houses. These historic properties are not museums, but beautiful and functioning residences that are lived in by Philadelphians.

In addition to the old homes, the district features a clutch of other historic buildings, including the Society Hill Synagogue, which was originally constructed as a Baptist Church in 1829. There is also St. Peter's Church, an 18th-century place of worship with a six-story tower. With its historic charm, architectural beauty, genteel vibe and social diversity, Society Hill is a wonderful place to live and work, and also to visit, even if only to enjoy a few peaceful moments.
Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and Beyond My Ken.
How it works: A discovery walk features a route using which you can explore a popular city neighborhood on your own. This walk, along with other self-guided walks in over 1,500 cities, can be found on the app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" which can be downloaded from Apple App Store or Google Play Store to your mobile phone or tablet. The app's built-in GPS navigation functions allow following this walk route with ease. The app works both online and offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

Download The GPSmyCity App

Society Hill Walk Map

Guide Name: Society Hill Walk
Guide Location: USA » Philadelphia
Guide Type: Self-guided Walking Tour (Discovery)
Travel Distance: 3.1 Km or 1.9 Miles
Author: naomi
Walnut Street corner with South 2nd Street

1) Walnut Street corner with South 2nd Street

Image Courtesy of Smallbones.
South 3rd Street, Merchants Exchange Building

2) South 3rd Street, Merchants Exchange Building

Image Courtesy of Euthman.
South 4th Street

3) South 4th Street

Image Courtesy of Beyond My Ken.
South Randolph Street

4) South Randolph Street

Image Courtesy of Beyond My Ken.
South 6th Street, Athenaeum

5) South 6th Street, Athenaeum

Image Courtesy of Justin.
South 4th Street, Physick House

6) South 4th Street, Physick House

Image Courtesy of Smallbones.
Delancey Street
Pine Street corner with South 2nd Street

8) Pine Street corner with South 2nd Street

Image Courtesy of Mark Stephenson.
South 2nd Street, Head House Square

9) South 2nd Street, Head House Square

Image Courtesy of Smallbones.
Old Pine Street Church

10) Old Pine Street Church

Image Courtesy of Beyond My Ken.
Delancey Street

11) Delancey Street

Image Courtesy of Susan Babbitt.
Delancey Street

12) Delancey Street

Image Courtesy of David Baron.
Lombard Street, Mother Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church

13) Lombard Street, Mother Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church

Image Courtesy of Smallbones.
Lombard Street, Congregation B'nai Abraham

14) Lombard Street, Congregation B'nai Abraham

Image Courtesy of Smallbones.
Lombard Street, Presbyterian Historical Society

15) Lombard Street, Presbyterian Historical Society

Image Courtesy of Beyond My Ken.

Walking Tours in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Create Your Own Walk in Philadelphia

Create Your Own Walk in Philadelphia

Creating your own self-guided walk in Philadelphia is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Fairmount Park Historical Houses Walking Tour

Fairmount Park Historical Houses Walking Tour

Fairmount Park, Philadelphia's oldest park, established since 1867, is also the city's largest municipal park, sprawling over 2,000 acres adjacent to the banks of the Schuylkill River. The park grew out of the Lemon Hill estate of Henry Pratt, whose land was originally owned by Robert Morris, signer of the Declaration of Independence.

In 1972, the park was placed on the National...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.7 Km or 2.9 Miles
Rocky Movie Sites Walking Tour

Rocky Movie Sites Walking Tour

There's hardly any other character, fictional or real, as iconically Philadelphian as Rocky. Indeed, this American sports drama franchise, centered on the boxing career of Rocky Balboa, released in 1976, has become synonymous with and arguably done more for the city of Philadelphia than anyone else since Ben Franklin.

The cultural phenomenon was created by Sylvester Stallone, who wrote,...  view more

Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 6.3 Km or 3.9 Miles
Franklin Parkway Walking Tour

Franklin Parkway Walking Tour

Benjamin Franklin Parkway is a scenic boulevard running through the cultural heart of Philadelphia. Named for America's Founding Father, Benjamin Franklin, this mile-long tree-lined parkway is lined with several notable sights and world-class museums.

At its heart lies Logan Circle, a charming green space centered around a picturesque fountain. This spot can provide a refreshing break on...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.5 Km or 0.9 Miles
University of Pennsylvania Walking Tour

University of Pennsylvania Walking Tour

As America's first university, The University of Pennsylvania (aka Penn or Upenn, for short) has a history stretching back to the mid-18th century, closely bound with the city's colonial past and the birth of the United States. Initially, this Ivy League institution emerged as the College of Philadelphia, one of the nine colonial colleges chartered before the US Declaration of...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.2 Km or 1.4 Miles
Philadelphia Old City Walking Tour

Philadelphia Old City Walking Tour

King Charles II of England owed a lot of money to Admiral Sir William Penn. He paid in 1681 by signing over lands in America to the Admiral's son, William Penn. Young William, a Quaker and a thorn in the side of the King, became landlord of present-day Pennsylvania and Delaware. William sailed up Delaware, laid out a grid, and founded Philadelphia.

The streets of the grid run east and west...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.4 Km or 1.5 Miles
Benjamin Franklin's Philadelphia

Benjamin Franklin's Philadelphia

One of the most fascinating personalities in Revolutionary America, Benjamin Franklin, while still a teenager, left his Puritan family in Boston for Philadelphia to start a new life. Indeed, his life turned out to be quite remarkable. Franklin was a writer, a printer, a philosopher, a postmaster, a scientist, an inventor, a statesman, and a diplomat – the absolute purist version of the American...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.1 Km or 1.3 Miles

Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip

Philadelphia Souvenirs: 13 Unique Gift Ideas from the City of Brotherly Love

Philadelphia Souvenirs: 13 Unique Gift Ideas from the City of Brotherly Love
Looking for a great gift while visiting Philadelphia? Famous for its history, arts and culture, championship sports teams, and award-winning food and drink, Philadelphia is a top-rated shopping destination. Here, you'll find an amazing selection of items to choose from - something uniquely...