Philadelphia Avenue of the Arts

The basics

In the early 1990s, this stretch of Center Center Philadelphia was part of a sweeping urban regeneration project. Now, more than three decades later, it is the beating heart of Philadelphia’s arts and culture scene. Home to the city’s top performing arts venues, including the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, the Academy of Music, the Merriam Theater, and the Wilma Theatre (as well as resident companies like Opera Philadelphia, the Philadelphia Ballet, and the Philadelphia Orchestra), it’s also a destination for grand hotels like the Ritz-Carlton, eateries by leading Philly restaurateurs like José Garcés and Michael Solomonov, art galleries, and educational institutions like the University of the Arts.

Philadelphia’s Avenue of the Arts is easy to explore independently (be sure to research performance schedules before your next trip), and its highlight landmarks can also be seen on Center City sightseeing tours, including Segway itineraries and walking tours.

Things to know before you go

• The Avenue of the Arts is an architectural destination as well as a cultural hotspot, thanks to landmarks like the Academy of Music (built in 1857), Union League of Philadelphia (built in 1865), and the Ritz-Carlton (housed in a historic bank building from 1908).

• Don’t miss the chance to dine on the Avenue of the Arts. Highlight restaurants in the area include Volvér, Estia, and Oyster House.

• When you stroll the Avenue of the Arts, watch for the Music Walk of Fame: Located on South Broad between Walnut and Spruce Streets, it honors numerous leading musicians.

How to get there

Philadelphia’s Avenue of the Arts stretches for roughly 1 mile (1.6 kilometers) along South Broad Street (from City Hall to Washington Avenue), as well as the adjacent stretches of 13th and 15th Streets. The easiest access point is from City Hall, which is adjacent to Suburban Station (served by mainline commuter trains), the 13th and 15th Street stops on the Market-Frankford Line, the City Hall stop on the Broad Street Line, and the 13th and 15th Street trolley stations.

When to get there

There’s never a bad time to discover the Avenue of the Arts. Key venues like the Kimmel Center and Academy of the Arts offer year-round performances, and there are always restaurants to visit and shops to discover. But the holiday season is a particularly festive time to visit, thanks to City Hall’s Christmas Village and the Holiday Tree, as well as the city’s storied Mummers Parade, which marches down Broad Street every year on New Year’s Day.

Lesser-known gems of the Avenue of the Arts

While the Avenue of the Arts is best known for its big-ticket performing venues, it’s also home to a range of smaller theaters, arts organizations, and galleries to discover. Highlights among its lesser-known gems include the Philadelphia Clef Club of Jazz and Performing Arts, the Philadelphia Film Center, and the Brandywine Workshop and Archives (devoted to screen-printed fine art).