A GREAT CITY THAT ENHANCES YOUR LAW SCHOOL EXPERIENCEPhiladelphia offers Penn Law students a quality of life that few law students enjoy elsewhere. As the nation's fifth largest city and one that has enjoyed a significant resurgence, the city has world-caliber museums, great restaurants, entertainment venues, a lively night life, sports teams, and beautiful parks throughout the city. Philadelphia also has a very livable (and affordable) quality, perhaps because it is really a city of neighborhoods.
A Tour of Several Philly NeighborhoodsPenn Law is located in a vibrant section of town called University City, a section of West Philadelphia. The campus of the University of Pennsylvania is undoubtedly the focal point of this city neighborhood, just one mile west of downtown Philadelphia, known as Center City. This area is a mix of skyscrapers and residential districts. Here's where you will find many of the city's finest restaurants, cafés, and eateries; the city's new performing arts center, the Kimmel Center; theatres; galleries; and boutiques and department stores. You might also be surprised to find, right next to the Convention Center, Reading Terminal, a wonderful indoor farmers market with stands of both prepared foods and fresh produce and meats. Small neighborhood parks, such as Rittenhouse Square, also add to the quality of life. Many students live in Center City and either walk to Penn Law or take public transportation, which is convenient to many areas and takes you to a block from the Law School. Another nearby neighborhood, the Art Museum area, features the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Rodin Museum, the Museum of Natural History, and the Franklin Institute of Science and Technology to name just a few. These museums are all located on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, a stunning avenue modeled after the Champs d'Elysees in Pairs. The Art Museum overlooks the Schuylkill River and Boathouse Row. Kelly and West River Drives, two scenic roads on both sides of the river, are closed on weekends to allow for a leisurely stroll, a run, or a bike ride along the banks of the river. Fairmont Park adjoins this area and is the largest landscaped city park in the United States (4,180 acres). Outdoor concerts and performances are held in the park all summer long at the Mann Music Center. On the far eastern side of Center City, one enters the historic district of Society Hill and Washington Square. Here is the location of the new National Constitution Center adjacent to the Liberty Bell, the alleys of Franklin Court and Carpenter's Hall, Independence Hall and the Betsy Ross House. Many of the houses that surround this area are historic, oftentimes becoming the set for movies of this period. In fact, if you want to enjoy the true "flavor of the period," the City Tavern, founded in 1772, serves the cuisine in an 18th century setting. Old City, is a one of Philadelphia's most exciting neighborhoods. Galleries and boutiques abound here along with small cafés and fine restaurants. On the first Friday of every month, Old City opens its doors for First Friday, an "open house" with all of the galleries open late, allowing visitors time to wander among contemporary arts and antiques, classical and contemporary design, theatre and performance arts. The Fringe Festival, presented primarily in Old City, is held annually in September, offering viewers a wide range of entertainment. Before one enters South Philadelphia, one crosses South Street, known for its liveliness and eclectic range of stores and restaurants. "South Philly" is known for the Italian market, primarily an outdoor market, large number of Italian restaurants and the family orientation of the neighborhood. We hope that this brief tour among several of our city's neighborhoods will make you want to explore them for yourself. Below are some websites that might be helpful. Philadelphia City Life (Penn's site) |
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