Though the large medical institution that gave this south-of–Center City swath its name is no longer in operation, Graduate Hospital has solidified a reputation independent of its common moniker. South Street West is the neighborhood’s main thoroughfare.
Graduate Hospital
It’s clean, well-lit and extremely pedestrian-friendly thanks to a vibrant entrepreneurial energy coming from the neighborhood’s restaurants, bars, cafes, shops and more.
The stretch of South Street east of Broad has long been considered a draw for out-of-towners,
but Graduate Hospital’s western half is on the serious come-up thanks to ambitious restaurateurs and shop owners. Home to several of the city’s best outdoor parks, landmarks, and attractions drawing thousands of revelers to the streets every year. Residents are big on traveling by foot — Graduate Hospital’s walking proximity to Rittenhouse Square is a major perk —or on bicycles.
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Characterized by a mix of single-family homes, new and old, and thriving places of worship, Graduate Hospital is a remarkably kid-friendly place (hence the stroller-filled sidewalks). It also distinctively possesses some of the best neighborhood bars in the area, from long-established institutions to gastropubby newcomers.
An under-the-radar aspect of Graduate Hospital’s personality is its handmade-arts scene, which draws wide acclaim. South Street West is the area’s main corridor. The Lombard-South stop on the neighborhood’s eastern end is an easy access point, while SEPTA’s Route 40 bus travels South Street from west to east. With the neighborhood’s rapid growth, finding parking can be a challenge.
