Philadelphia Neighborhoods--Help (Pittsburgh, Harrisburg, Franklin Park: city hall, townhouses, dorms)

[ainulinale]

I'm taking pictures for my website which is dedicated to urban photography, and I need some help with Philly. I have family in Philly, so I have a general understanding of the city, but I need a more detailed understanding of the neighborhoods.

(1) Could you provide me with specific neighborhood names that would be particularly photogenic. I am largely interested in Georgian/Victorian period row houses/townhouses; but, whatever else is spectacular in Philly, I'd be very interested to know.

(2) Please let me know which neighborhoods I should avoid. I realize all city neighborhoods have some crime, but which neighborhoods are truly the worst?

Thanks for your help.

[lititzman2003]

Originally Posted by ainulinale

I'm taking pictures for my website which is dedicated to urban photography, and I need some help with Philly. I have family in Philly, so I have a general understanding of the city, but I need a more detailed understanding of the neighborhoods.

(1) Could you provide me with specific neighborhood names that would be particularly photogenic. I am largely interested in Georgian/Victorian period row houses/townhouses; but, whatever else is spectacular in Philly, I'd be very interested to know.

(2) Please let me know which neighborhoods I should avoid. I realize all city neighborhoods have some crime, but which neighborhoods are truly the worst?

Thanks for your help.

I would think most of the areas East of Broad Street to the river and north to maybe Girard Avenue. This includes Society Hill and Queen Village. This is one of if not the oldest sections of Philly and the houses are incredible. Also consider the Powelton Village section near the Drexel dorms around 33rd Street, Germantown and the Art Museum neighborhood. Most of the houses in the Northeast, SW and most of North Philly aren't really architectual standouts (no offense!).

Have a great time and when you finish let us know the website so we can see your pictures.

[JerzBoy]

Girard Estates in South Philly would be a pretty cool place to take some pictures. Drive down Shunk St or Porter St between 20th and 22nd.

[lititzman2003]

Originally Posted by JerzBoy

Girard Estates in South Philly would be a pretty cool place to take some pictures. Drive down Shunk St or Porter St between 20th and 22nd.

THAT'S the one I couldn't think of! Great pick up!

[newmarlig]

I suggest Lincoln Drive in West Mt. Airy.

[rainrock]

Georgian- Center City neighborhoods. Soceity Hill, Rittenhouse,Queen Village,Fitler Square,Logan Square,Spring Garden Fairmount.

Victorian-West Philadlephia/University City on Penn and Drexels campuses on westward but dont wander too far west(stay east of 46th 47th and south of Walnut. Look up info concerning Cedar Park,Spruce Hill,Powelton Village.

Other photogenic areas

Chestnut Hill
West Mount Airy
East Falls(Midvale + Ridge Ave)
Manayunk(Main Street)
Zoo Balloon( Goes up about 500 ft and offers great aerial shots of the city and skyline)
Fairmount park- Schuylkill River Trail/Kelly Drive/Forbidden Drive/Belmont Plateau.

Good luck.

[orrmobl]

Don't forget City Hall (really ornate, mansard roofs, etc) and to check out the Art Institute, 30th Street Station, Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Art Museum, Overbrook Farms (late 1800s housing development!), Elfreth's Alley, Christ Church.

[ainulinale]

Thanks to everyone for their advice. Unfortunately, I'll only have a couple of days to see the city, so I'll have to be somewhat selective about which neighborhoods I check out.

As for my website; I already got in trouble for mentioning, but you can find the name on my user profile. It's not quite fully functional yet, but so far I have over 200 pictures of Pittsburgh, Baltimore, Cleveland and Harrisburg. But, I'll let you know once I get the Philly pics up.