Image Courtesy of GreatPhillySchools.com
When the sun is shining we can’t wait to get out and re-explore our favorite Philadelphia neighborhoods. What better way to enjoy the great outdoors than with a walking tour of the Meredith School Catchment? Meredith Elementary School is not just a fabulous school, it’s a bright, vibrant, and family-friendly neighborhood with a ton of conveniences. Let us show you by walking you along the grid east to west, south to north.
From a bird’s eye view, we’re starting at the lower right corner of the catchment map. That’s southeast.
Our guide map!
1- As far east as you can go in Philly is the Delaware River, a great place to jog as the path continues to extend further north and south each year. Right now it goes all the way up to the Betsy Ross bridge. There are a ton of seasonal activities on the waterfront including Winter Fest, Festival Pier, free yoga in the summer, Swan Boats, Fireworks over the Ben Franklin Bridge on the 4th of July and New Year’s Eve, Spruce Harbor Park and more.
2- Coming in from the river’s edge, you’ll pass For Pete’s Sake Pub notorious for Quizzo and a favorite among neighbors for generations.
3-At the corner of 2nd and Christian, you’ll find a ton of conveniences. Here, you’ll find The Palm Tree Market, which is one of the two best local corner store chains in Philly. You can get all the basics there, organic stuff, and a plethora of gourmet goodies. Not every neighborhood has a mechanic, but Queen Village has Superior Auto. While waiting for your car to be fixed up, head to Philadelphia Java Company. Don’t miss the Labna, a yogurt spread on a puffy white bread with olives and oregano, or the Eggle, a scrumptious bagel sandwich with sliced hardboiled eggs and cheese. You should also check out Lucky’s Last Chance on the same block for a mouthwatering hamburger.
4- Speaking of scrumptious, going north on Front St., 2nd and 3rd, you’ll find a ton of amazing restaurants serving all sorts of fare.
5- Head to the New Wave Café, a neighborhood haunt where you can leave your spare key as long as you can identify it by the keychain.
6- As you’re traveling North on 3rd make a left on Catharine and you’ll pass between two parks, dog-friendly Mario Lanza Park, and Weccacoe Playground which happens to have one lone tennis court. If you look through the park and beyond you’ll see the Settlement Music School offering training for children, teens and adults.
7- Next is Fabric Row, 4th St. You will still find fabric stores amoung the plethora of small businesses, at least 3 yoga studios, and two small gyms. Don’t miss one of our fav breakfast and lunch spots, Red Hook.
8- Just before you reach South St. you’ll be pleased to find Essene Market, The original whole foods. They specialize in gourmet health food and organic products. You can get everything you need here from groceries, cleaning products, pet supplies, take out, and the beloved banana whip. With chocolate chips, the banana whip is better than ice cream.
9- Continue past Bainbridge toward South St and keep going up 4th Street. You’ll see “Tattoo Alley” and the post office that Philadelphians collectively view as the most pleasant in the entire city, and that’s saying a lot!
10- Look to the right on Bainbridge and notice across the street is the Queen Village Animal Hospital. They treat Jeanne’s dachshunds better than human doctors treat human patients. Next door you’ll see Optimal Fitness, open 24 hours a day and features a heated indoor pool.
11- Make a left on 5th St. You’ll find the mecca of thrift stores, Philly Aids Thrift. They have a huge home goods section. You could furnish your entire new house. Keep going and pass the Meredith School of course!
12- Continue around the triangle and down Fitzwater. At the corner of 6th and Fitzwater is a glorious little BYOB called Little Fish.
13- Make a right onto 6th and you’ll find the most family-friendly frou-frou French restaurant on earth, Bistrot La'Minette. We dine there with all our enfants favourite. While you’re feeling Parisian, take in the local art at Dupree Gallery featuring rotating work by James Dupree, a famous local artist. He’s been collected worldwide and has permanent works at The Please Touch Museum and the PHL International Airport. Did we mention that Patti LaBelle is his biggest fan?
14- Make a left onto Bainbridge and find a slew of oddities and art galleries like Pageant Soloveev which features some of Philly’s most conceptual artists. One of our favorite places in Philly to gape at taxidermy, old signs, and jewelry from what seems like centuries ago is Anastacias Antiques.
15- Continue down Catharine to 9th. If you were to keep going, out of the catchment, in one block you’d hit Whole Foods, Starbucks and the Acme grocery store. Staying in the catchment, the corner of 9th and Bainbridge is an artsy little block. You’ll see Chapter House a quaint, local favorite coffee shop for telecommuters and spoken word artists. Up 9th there’s also B Square Gallery a little crafts spot featuring handmade jewelry.
16- Make a left on 9th down, toward Fitzwater, past Palumbo Playground where the community enjoys basketball and soccer. Continue around the park by making another left on Fitzwater. Pass Sarcone’s Bakery where some of the best hoagie rolls in Philly come from. It’s secret, but you should know they make pizza on Fridays. Look down 9th and you’ll see the Italian Market where most of the original Rocky movie was filmed. The market is a few blocks long and starts, or ends depending on which way you’re traveling, with Ralph’s Italian Restaurant which reportedly has been open since 1900.
17- Keep walking on Fitzwater and you’ll see the quaint and adorable Cianfrani Park. When the weather is good you’ll find neighbors relaxing and reading on the park benches with their pets, albeit human or canine.
18- Make a right on 7th and you’ll hover around two Philly Greats; Fitzwater café, which is one of the only independently owned restaurants in Philly with a parking lot, and Saloon, an Italian Chop House with an interior that’s worth taking in.
19- If you continued down 7th outside of the catchment you’ll find John’s Water Ice, frequented by President Obama. If they have chocolate chip, order it. Make a right on Catharine you’ll find Fleisher Art Memorial which hosts a slew of art shows, classes and exhibitions. It’s also a fantastic event space.
Other incredible places in the neighborhood to discover
Queen & Rook - Grab a table, order some snacks and take your time picking out a game. All levels from simple games for young children to 4 hour adult mega strategy good times
Head House Books - Exactly how you want your neighborhood bookstore to be. Warm, inviting with people that can’t wait to help you with a new read.
Cry Baby Pasta- I’m not crying, you’re crying- but those are happy tears over how delectable each and every single bite is.
Walter Pine Studio- Want an arrangement that looks like you went into your flower garden with the most beautiful blooms ever and they happened to land in the vase in that perfectly balanced way? Fool your friends and order up from Walter Pine Studio.
Fitz on 4th- When you’re in the mood for tapas and vegan food that will make you blush. It’s that good.
Royal Sushi & Izakaya - Tiny, fun, and delish. Walk in and get casual in front, or make a reservation for the intimate back sushi experience.
La Bamba - A self-described “Quirky, down-home restaurant” that makes their own tortillas and all the classic Mexican fare you love.
Three Graces Coffee- A calm (and so pretty) coffee shop that provides elegant coffee drinks all from a hot pink espresso machine.
We hope you’ve enjoyed the walking tour and are ready to settle down in the Meredith School Catchment. Can’t wait to meet you out in the neighborhood. We’ll see you at the river and we can start the whole tour all over again! Once you’re rested that is.
With its current moniker of Philadelphia’s “Little Italy”, Bella Vista prides itself on celebrating the best of Italian history and culture. In recent years, the neighborhood has become even more diverse, with growing Vietnamese and Mexican immigrant populations. The history of Bella Vista is vast, and one of the neighborhood’s modern highlights is the availability of different cuisine options.