South Street
South Street
3.5
About
Known as Philadelphia's liveliest and funkiest strip, the street has more than 300 stores and restaurants.
Duration: 2-3 hours
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listingTours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
What is Travelers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Top ways to experience South Street
The area
Address
Neighborhood: City Center East
Reach out directly
Best nearby
Restaurants
2,864 within 3 miles
Attractions
671 within 6 miles
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
3.5
281 reviews
Excellent
71
Very good
108
Average
49
Poor
40
Terrible
13
Urius
Vilnius, Lithuania770 contributions
Jul 2020
South Street is like a vein, it carries the blood and life. It's the major entertainment and social thoroughfare of South Philadelphia. It is busy at some times, quaint and quiet at others. It has old brick, new modernist, and tons and tons and tons of urban art and creativity. The glass murals stretch out from the Magical Gardens in the surrounding alleys and streets so be curious and don't be afraid to go off and back on the street by hitting the side streets. There is every manner of fun under the sun in this all encompassing street. You cannot go to South Street without seeing the murals, Lorenzos pizza, Bob & Barbara's dive bar, and the Tattooed Mom.
Written January 7, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
daisyferret1
Bear, DE27,231 contributions
Nov 2020
We have been down to South Street a few times over the summer and early fall, during the Covid-19 pandemic. We found lots of empty store fronts and lots of litter in the streets/sidewalks. Also, several homeless people were spotted laying on the sidewalks and in abandoned store entry/doorways. We did see one improvement in that several restaurants had opened up outdoor seating on the sidewalk or part of streets during Covid.
Overall, South Street is NOT what it once was. Only reason I still go here is to get some of Lorenzo's legendary MEGA slices! I would not recommend except for the occasional visit to grab some excellent pizza.
Overall, South Street is NOT what it once was. Only reason I still go here is to get some of Lorenzo's legendary MEGA slices! I would not recommend except for the occasional visit to grab some excellent pizza.
Written November 16, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Randall A
Allentown, PA47 contributions
Jul 2021 • Couples
South Street is nowhere near what it was just a few years ago. Large number of boarded up and abandoned properties, trash everywhere, some homeless people sitting on steps of closed stores. A few stores, bars and restaurants are still open, but nothing worth wasting your time to go there for.we were there on a beautiful Wednesday afternoon and the sidewalks were basically deserted. Parking is expensive and there are no public restrooms anywhere. Don’t waste your time or your money going there.
Written July 28, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Josh D
New York City, NY945 contributions
Oct 2024 • Solo
I am a senior this year at Temple and so I feel old!! I am starting to grow gray hair and wrinkle up and some of the freshman may secretly think I should go to a retirement home!! I’m obviously being extra and I have to wait a good 50 years for all that to happen!! My mom has been telling me to go out and live life since I’m 21 and it’s my last year!! I’m very broke because I don’t budget well so I came here to walk around and look in stores!! It was a very good walk and I went into some interesting stores!!
Written October 13, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ajt141
Philadelphia, PA4 contributions
I live very close to South Street and I've seen it get worse and worse every year. The good hipster stores that made South Street notorious are now being squeezed out by ghetto trash stores and boutiques for strippers. SoHo, it IS NOT. Oh, and be on your guard at all times in the evening, because all you have to do is look the wrong person in the eye at the wrong time and you'll find yourself in a fight. Here's a hint, explore Bainbridge street or Old City to find the funky charm that South Street once was.
Written March 4, 2006
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
A Tripadvisor Member
Are you a 15 year old boy? Then you'll love South Street! More t shirt, CD shops, places to get piercings and fast food joints than you can shake a stick at! Compaing this to NYCs SOHO is like a comparison between Walmart and Barneys.
If you want a good shopping area, go to Rittenhouse Square. Nice boutiques, good reasturants and it's clean!!!
If you want a good shopping area, go to Rittenhouse Square. Nice boutiques, good reasturants and it's clean!!!
Written August 17, 2002
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Resort17390
Philadelphia, PA1 contribution
Though the fifteen year olds will love it, so did my grandma:) Great shops, lots of variety and a few good coffee shops with music. Comes alive at different times each year, go when it's more quiet:)T
Written April 15, 2003
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Catherine T
Saint Helens, OR476 contributions
May 2016 • Couples
*While parts are kitschy and weird young, the section not far from the Tomb of the Unknown is decidedly "Red Light" with sex shops, etc. NOT a place for impressionable children.
Written May 30, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
travel2006j
NY11 contributions
Anyone who uses the word "hip," "bohemian," "cool," or "funky," has got to be kidding me. Do not listen to any guidebook that says this place is worth a visit. I walked along it from 8th to 5th street and It was filled with adult stores, rasta wear, used fleabag furniture stores, pawn shops, and a coffee cafe that looks like a filthy deli. The area did not feel safe during the day either, lots of loitering. I quickly turned around and went to a nice coffee place southwest of the area.
Written May 28, 2007
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kyle F
Maple Shade, NJ655 contributions
May 2014 • Couples
It had been years since I visited South Street, because I moved to Texas. My partner and I came to Philly to venture out and look around a bit while we were in the city. Everyone mentioned coming to South Street since it was always such a landmark with interesting stuff going on all the time. I was SO disappointed. It has turned into just a grungy, city walk. It doesn't have many of the original stores and shows going on. It is looking more and more like a normal city block with trashy people coming in more and more. Disappointing.
Written July 12, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The South Street is not just a street, it's a promenade sight... There are many hotels near-by it. And all of them are rather good, and classy.
I would prefer these among others: Alexander Inn, Morris House Hotel, Doubletree by Hilton Philadelphia Center City. One could easily find them in google search - enjoy!
Written March 9, 2017
Does anyone remember "the south street walk"? It was a festival in the 1970s. They allowed vendors of antiques and other cool stuff, to set up. There were bands, etc. I'd love to see another. Even the king of hearts was in the theater.
Written September 17, 2015
Showing results 1-3 of 3
*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing