31-35 W Girard Ave/1221-27 N Front St

Cool is the rule in Fishtown, which has emerged as Philadelphia’s truest harbor of artistic, culinary and musical action. This classic working-class neighborhood, so named due to its history as the epicenter of the commercial shad fishing industry, is a colorful exception to the gridded-out urban rule, a collection of narrow streets beset with modest row homes and independently owned businesses. North of Girard, south of Lehigh, east of Front and west of the Delaware River banks, Philly’s young creative class has put down roots, hoping to take their ideas from gestation to reality. However, the neighborhood is a quick 8-minute subway ride or 25-minute bike ride downtown, making it accessible for walkers, bikers, commuters and drivers alike. It’s no surprise that the neighborhood attracts an influx of artists, musicians, students, families, and small business owners who, with the neighborhood’s longtime residents and families, add to the vibrancy of its culture. The well-established and developing cafes, bars, restaurants, music venues, and galleries that line the streets are a testament to the area’s new creative foundation. -- visitphilly.com