Northeast, Philadelphia: neighborhood guide

The Northeast is the part of Philadelphia north of the Frankford and Tacony areas and east of Roosevelt Boulevard, running up to the city line. It is mostly residential: row houses in the lower section, more suburban streets and light industrial parks in the Far Northeast. It is not a sightseeing district in the way Old City or Center City is.

The area is known for bargain shopping. Philadelphia Mills (formerly Franklin Mills) is a large outlet mall in the Far Northeast and is often described as one of the most visited attractions in Pennsylvania. Around it sit big-box stores, chain restaurants and parking lots.

The Northeast is also one of the city's main immigrant neighborhoods. Port Richmond, on the western edge, has long-standing Polish and Irish roots and Polish shops and restaurants along Allegheny Avenue and Aramingo Avenue. Further out you find growing Russian, Brazilian and Indian communities and their restaurants and groceries.

Green space is the other reason to come. Pennypack Park follows Pennypack Creek for about 2.5 miles with trails, a creek and a summer music festival, and Burholme Park has playing fields and a sledding hill.

Stay if you are driving, want free or easy parking, are shopping at Philadelphia Mills, or need a base close to I-95, the Pennsylvania Turnpike or the airport. Rooms are generally cheaper than Center City, and a car makes the Northeast convenient rather than remote.

Do not stay if this is your first trip and you plan to see Independence Hall, the museums, Old City and Center City on foot. The Northeast is 30–45 minutes from downtown by car and longer by transit, and the streets around most hotels are residential with few sights within walking distance.

A middle option: stay in Center City or Old City and give the Northeast one half-day for the mall, Pennypack Park or a Polish meal in Port Richmond.

Food here follows the neighborhoods. Port Richmond is the place for Polish cooking: pierogi, kielbasa, soups and bakery counters along Allegheny Avenue and Aramingo Avenue. This is everyday neighborhood food, not a restaurant strip, and many places are small and cash-friendly.

Further northeast, the Russian, Brazilian and Indian communities support groceries, bakeries and restaurants, from Eastern European delis to Brazilian buffets and Indian vegetarian spots. Around Philadelphia Mills and Roosevelt Boulevard the options are mostly chains and mall food courts, which is fine if you are shopping but not a reason to come.

For a specific meal, pick a neighborhood and walk its main street rather than driving between scattered spots. Port Richmond is the most compact choice.

By car is simplest. The Northeast is served by I-95 (exits 27–35), Route 1/Roosevelt Boulevard and the Pennsylvania Turnpike (exit 351). Parking is far easier than downtown.

By transit, the Market-Frankford Line (the El) runs to Frankford Transportation Center, the line's eastern terminus, where 18 bus routes meet. SEPTA regional rail Trenton, West Trenton and Fox Chase line trains also stop in the Northeast. Buses cover the rest, but trips involve transfers and time.

By plane, Northeast Philadelphia Airport (PNE) handles mostly private and corporate aircraft, not scheduled airline service. Commercial flights use Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) in the southwest, a long drive across the city.

There are a few boat ramps on the Delaware River; gates are often locked around 10:30pm, so check times before you go.