Avenue of the Arts
Avenue of the Arts
4.5
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 nearby attractions
The area
Address
How to get there
- Walnut–Locust • 2 min walk
- City Hall (Philadelphia) • 4 min walk
Reach out directly
Best nearby
Restaurants
3,026 within 3 miles
Attractions
695 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.
4.5
24 reviews
Excellent
11
Very good
9
Average
4
Poor
0
Terrible
0
Elisabeth B
Philadelphia, PA1,240 contributions
Jul 2016 • Friends
If you are interested in taking a stroll along Broad Street, Philadelphia’s Avenue of the Arts, and check out its different styles of architecture, begin at the Kimmel Center (300 South Broad St.), the latest, visually most prominent and architecturally most diverse addition to the Avenue. Designed by Rafael Vinoly, the internationally renowned architect of open spaces, the Kimmel opened in 2001. An impressive barrel-vaulted glass roof hovers over the multi-purpose atrium and two stages, designed with the need for first rate acoustics, welcome a variety of musical and music-related performances throughout the year. Of these, Verizon Hall is the largest and has been the home of the world class Philadelphia Orchestra since then. There are regularly scheduled tours of the Kimmel on Saturday, but it would be wise to check on times.
The University of the Arts (320 South Broad St.) adjoins the Kimmel Center and has been a hub of teaching and of the visual and performance arts since the 1870s. Consolidated and granted university status in 1987, the University of the Arts thus became the largest institution of its kind in the nation, offering programs in design, fine arts, media arts, crafts, music, dance and theater.The Merriam Theater is the largest venue on the University campus. Its earliest affiliation was with the famous Schubert Theatre in New York and, since 1918, has welcomed an illustrious array of musicians and actors including George Gershwin, the composer; Al Jolson, once called the “World’s Greatest Entertainer”; and renowned actors John Barrymore, Lawrence Olivier, Helen Hays, Katherine Hepburn and Angela Lansbury performed here. Recent alumni include Judith Jamison of the Alvin Ailey Dance Theatre, and Irving Penn, the photographer. Artistic creativity and variety has always loomed large here.
Before the Kimmel Center was built, the Academy of Music (240 South Broad St.), lovingly called the “Grand Old Lady of Locust Street” was Philadelphia’s foremost performing arts venue. Built in the 1850s in the ornate Victorian Italianate style favored at the time, the Academy has undergone several renovations but has left the beautiful interiors with its huge glittering crystal chandelier mostly intact. The Academy was once the home of the Philadelphia Orchestra - now performing at the Kimmel - but remains the performance venue of the Pennsylvania Ballet and the Opera Company of Philadelphia. With such a glorious past, the Academy can also claim to be the country’s oldest grand opera house still in use.
The Curtis Institute of Music (18th St. and Locust), built in the Romanesque style of private residences in the city, was founded in 1924 with private support. It has grown into one of the world’s leading classical music conservatories, and the next time you hear the ebullient pianist Lang Lang perform at the piano - it is at the Curtis that he learned his craft.
Further up on Broad Street is the Suzanne Roberts Theatre (480 South Broad St.), home of the Philadelphia Theatre Company. Like the Kimmel Center it is a modern structure with a dramatic glass facade facing Broad Street and an interior seating capacity for small and larger productions. It opened in 2007.
Other architecturally interesting venues on Broad Street or around the corner are the modern Wilma Theatre (265 South Broad St.) built in 1973; the Beaux Arts/Empire-style Union League of Philadelphia, a private society since1865 (140 South Broad St.), the Library Company of Philadelphia (1314 Locust St.), founded by Benjamin Franklin in 1731 as the country’s first lending library, and on the north side of City Hall, the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (118-128 North Broad St.), founded in 1805 and now America’s oldest art museum and fine arts school .
Like Philadelphia’s civic life, the city’s artistic life has a long and prominent history. Both have always been diverse and have welcomed traditional and innovative opportunities wherever they arose. If you visited Philadelphia during the National Convention of the Democratic Party in July, you will have noticed cheerfully painted fiberglass donkeys, symbol of the Democratic Party around town. 6 of these were painted to much comment and cell phone photography by alumni of the University of the Arts.
The University of the Arts (320 South Broad St.) adjoins the Kimmel Center and has been a hub of teaching and of the visual and performance arts since the 1870s. Consolidated and granted university status in 1987, the University of the Arts thus became the largest institution of its kind in the nation, offering programs in design, fine arts, media arts, crafts, music, dance and theater.The Merriam Theater is the largest venue on the University campus. Its earliest affiliation was with the famous Schubert Theatre in New York and, since 1918, has welcomed an illustrious array of musicians and actors including George Gershwin, the composer; Al Jolson, once called the “World’s Greatest Entertainer”; and renowned actors John Barrymore, Lawrence Olivier, Helen Hays, Katherine Hepburn and Angela Lansbury performed here. Recent alumni include Judith Jamison of the Alvin Ailey Dance Theatre, and Irving Penn, the photographer. Artistic creativity and variety has always loomed large here.
Before the Kimmel Center was built, the Academy of Music (240 South Broad St.), lovingly called the “Grand Old Lady of Locust Street” was Philadelphia’s foremost performing arts venue. Built in the 1850s in the ornate Victorian Italianate style favored at the time, the Academy has undergone several renovations but has left the beautiful interiors with its huge glittering crystal chandelier mostly intact. The Academy was once the home of the Philadelphia Orchestra - now performing at the Kimmel - but remains the performance venue of the Pennsylvania Ballet and the Opera Company of Philadelphia. With such a glorious past, the Academy can also claim to be the country’s oldest grand opera house still in use.
The Curtis Institute of Music (18th St. and Locust), built in the Romanesque style of private residences in the city, was founded in 1924 with private support. It has grown into one of the world’s leading classical music conservatories, and the next time you hear the ebullient pianist Lang Lang perform at the piano - it is at the Curtis that he learned his craft.
Further up on Broad Street is the Suzanne Roberts Theatre (480 South Broad St.), home of the Philadelphia Theatre Company. Like the Kimmel Center it is a modern structure with a dramatic glass facade facing Broad Street and an interior seating capacity for small and larger productions. It opened in 2007.
Other architecturally interesting venues on Broad Street or around the corner are the modern Wilma Theatre (265 South Broad St.) built in 1973; the Beaux Arts/Empire-style Union League of Philadelphia, a private society since1865 (140 South Broad St.), the Library Company of Philadelphia (1314 Locust St.), founded by Benjamin Franklin in 1731 as the country’s first lending library, and on the north side of City Hall, the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (118-128 North Broad St.), founded in 1805 and now America’s oldest art museum and fine arts school .
Like Philadelphia’s civic life, the city’s artistic life has a long and prominent history. Both have always been diverse and have welcomed traditional and innovative opportunities wherever they arose. If you visited Philadelphia during the National Convention of the Democratic Party in July, you will have noticed cheerfully painted fiberglass donkeys, symbol of the Democratic Party around town. 6 of these were painted to much comment and cell phone photography by alumni of the University of the Arts.
Written July 26, 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.
Adrian Marano
Buenos Aires, Argentina6,399 contributions
Jul 2018 • Couples
Avenue of the Arts is a nice street with beautiful building and colorful lights. There is a typical photo from the middle of the avenue, give it a try!.
Written July 24, 2018
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.
FairyKo
Portland, ME112 contributions
Aug 2016 • Business
Went for an event at the Union League all the way down to Philadelphia, and thanks to this event I finally got a chance to explore this famous arts avenue in downtown Philly.
As an art-based signature street in Philly, it's grown to be a heart of the city in many ways. The museums and galleries are a must on your list, plenty of the theaters are worth a visit and the others like the restaurants and shopping places are great to go as well.
So regret that I didn't stand in the middle of the street and take a typical tourist photo. Anyways, it's always a reason for me to go back.
As an art-based signature street in Philly, it's grown to be a heart of the city in many ways. The museums and galleries are a must on your list, plenty of the theaters are worth a visit and the others like the restaurants and shopping places are great to go as well.
So regret that I didn't stand in the middle of the street and take a typical tourist photo. Anyways, it's always a reason for me to go back.
Written June 18, 2017
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.
corlitto
Orlando, FL145 contributions
Apr 2019 • Solo
My hotel was located on the Avenue of the Arts. The block consisted of theaters, restaurants, a subway stop, hotels, and awesome views of city hall. Unfortunately, I couldn't afford to stop and look around because as a solo traveler I didn't want to stand out as a tourist. There were lots of panhandlers and opportunists standing around. The avenue is simply is a street that houses lots of theaters, parking garages, and hotels.
Written April 9, 2019
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.
Elisabeth B
Philadelphia, PA1,240 contributions
Nov 2016 • Solo
Philadelphia is not only the city where the Declaration of Independence was signed in 1776 and the US Constitution in 1789, Philadelphia also has a splendid musical heritage.
To explore this history I followed the Philadelphia Music Alliance's invitation to stroll the Walk of Fame along more than 100 bronze plaques embedded in the sidewalks of Broad Street, with small extensions on Locust and Spruce Street. Shiny in the morning sun, these plaques are indeed silent testimony to Philadelphia’s long history as one of America’s most vibrant music cities. There are plaques for such iconic figures as Marian Anderson (1987), Mario Lanza and Billie Holiday as well as jazz greats such as Dizzy Gillespie and Stan Getz. Philadelphia’s classical music tradition is amply represented by the Philadelphia Orchestra’s legendary music directors Eugene Ormandy, Leopold Stokowski and Ricardo Muti. Many more luminaries represent other aspects of the musical arts, including contemporary music.
The Walk of Fame was established in 1986 by the not-for-profit Philadelphia Music Alliance and became an early indicator of what would soon be formalized in plans for a multi-purpose Regional Performing Arts Center, now known as the Kimmel Center.
I am glad that I took the time to walk the Walk of Fame on a sunny autumn morning, all the more appreciating the dedicated efforts of so many volunteers to keep the bronze plaques shining in the sun.
To explore this history I followed the Philadelphia Music Alliance's invitation to stroll the Walk of Fame along more than 100 bronze plaques embedded in the sidewalks of Broad Street, with small extensions on Locust and Spruce Street. Shiny in the morning sun, these plaques are indeed silent testimony to Philadelphia’s long history as one of America’s most vibrant music cities. There are plaques for such iconic figures as Marian Anderson (1987), Mario Lanza and Billie Holiday as well as jazz greats such as Dizzy Gillespie and Stan Getz. Philadelphia’s classical music tradition is amply represented by the Philadelphia Orchestra’s legendary music directors Eugene Ormandy, Leopold Stokowski and Ricardo Muti. Many more luminaries represent other aspects of the musical arts, including contemporary music.
The Walk of Fame was established in 1986 by the not-for-profit Philadelphia Music Alliance and became an early indicator of what would soon be formalized in plans for a multi-purpose Regional Performing Arts Center, now known as the Kimmel Center.
I am glad that I took the time to walk the Walk of Fame on a sunny autumn morning, all the more appreciating the dedicated efforts of so many volunteers to keep the bronze plaques shining in the sun.
Written November 11, 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.
Autumn M
Stamford, CT3,695 contributions
Jul 2021 • Family
It's a fun walk. There are plenty of places to stop and eat or shop. This street felt alive as we walked through. It does get very busy
Written July 22, 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.
PaleoGypsy
Philadelphia, PA2,347 contributions
Nov 2019 • Solo
Check out PAFA, Claes Oldenberg’s Sculpture, and MORE. There are art stores, murals, Bohemian shops, restaurants, and museums. If taking an art break gives you some peace, you may really benefit from visiting this part of Philadelphia.
Written November 29, 2019
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.
DALee8
Shanghai392 contributions
Oct 2015 • Family
The Avenue of the Arts -- the most vibrant stretch of Broad St -- runs from City Hall southwards for quite a few blocks. Many splendid buildings along the Avenue, e.g. the Kimmel Center, the Academy of Music and the Bellevue Hotel. The sidewalks are nice and broad. Pedestrians can enjoy many interesting events, most prominently the Mummers Parade when the Avenue is closed to traffic. And once in a while, protesters march up the Avenue to present their case to City Hall. The new Wawa flagship store on Walnut St is a really nice addition to the Avenue's food and drinks options. The area is very safe and practically free of petty crime, despite the presence of a few homeless people.
Written October 11, 2015
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.
TommyBoy94
Philadelphia, PA655 contributions
Sep 2014 • Solo
This is an interesting avenue as you move down Broad Street to the South but big city precautions do apply as you go further south. There are some theaters, a decent hotel, the School of the Arts and some eye-popping architecture. Once you move considrably down Broad Street and emerge into the Sports Complex neighborhood, you are pretty much home-free once again. I'd recommend a walk as far as the theaters and the hotel, but not all that much further.
Written March 5, 2015
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.
FlyyBlkGrl
Wolverhampton, UK190 contributions
Nov 2013 • Solo
There's so much to see on South Broad Street; the architecture of some amazing venues and interesting window displays from the University of the Arts.
I stayed at the Doubletree, and from my 15th floor window I was able to see and hear the constant bustle of Downtown Philly.
If you're able to, take in a Show at one of the many Theatres along the Avenue, or one of the smaller independent venues tucked away along the side streets.
It's also really nice to take a stroll along the Avenue in the evening; if you're lucky you may catch a street performer or musician in your travels.
I stayed at the Doubletree, and from my 15th floor window I was able to see and hear the constant bustle of Downtown Philly.
If you're able to, take in a Show at one of the many Theatres along the Avenue, or one of the smaller independent venues tucked away along the side streets.
It's also really nice to take a stroll along the Avenue in the evening; if you're lucky you may catch a street performer or musician in your travels.
Written November 27, 2013
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.
No questions have been asked about this experience
*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