Incoming Penn students have much more at their fingertips than the offerings located directly on campus. Once they step outside of the “Penn bubble,” University City has a number of businesses, parks, and restaurants to explore.
While a wide array of transportation options along the edges of the University makes a trip across the Schuylkill River into Center City appealing, don’t overlook what neighboring West Philadelphia has to offer. Just blocks from Penn, there are countless destinations to visit, and endless foods to try.
Recreational activities
The University is surrounded by a year-round selection of cultural, artistic, and nature-oriented experiences.
The Penn Museum, featuring archaeological and anthropological exhibits, is free for students to access with their PennCard. Some of the museum’s notable offerings include ancient Egyptian artifacts, collections from the Middle East, outdoor green spaces, and a library.
At Penn Live Arts, audiences enjoy performances by dance troupes, vocalists, orchestras, and more. Tickets cost just $10 for students, making international displays of artistry accessible on Locust Walk.
Within the Institute of Contemporary Art — which offers free admission to everyone — you can view installations that center on “collaboration, experimentation, and learning.” The institute will reopen with several new exhibitions on Sept. 26.
Just outside the Penn Bookstore, a farmers’ market runs every Wednesday at 36th and Walnut streets — where you can buy produce, baked goods, and plants using your Dining Dollars or other forms of payment.
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Looking to spend more time outdoors? West Philadelphia boasts multiple parks and green spaces.
Clark Park is a key community center with a playground, basketball court, and picnic areas. As the space undergoes renovations, Penn students are encouraged to engage with the neighborhood through volunteer opportunities and visits to its Saturday farmers’ market.
Nearby lies the Woodlands, a National Historic Landmark District featuring a cemetery and expansive green space. The cemetery includes the Thomas W. Evans Funerary Obelisk, which is the United States’ tallest funerary monument.
On campus, students can visit Penn Park’s sports fields and recreational facilities, as well as the nearby Penn Ice Rink, where PennCard holders can access public skating for just $8. The James G. Kaskey Memorial Park is a convenient botanical excursion that sits behind the Quad and hosts the BioPond with multiple park benches and colorful fall foliage.
Those looking to explore nature farther west should consider a trip to Cobbs Creek Park along the edge of West Philadelphia. SEPTA travel options include the L — formerly known as the Market-Frankford Line — and the 21 bus, which runs westbound on Walnut Street and eastbound on Chestnut Street.
Food and drink
From Mediterranean offerings at Renata’s Kitchen to Thai food at Pattaya, restaurants around Penn offer cuisines from around the world in a range of settings.
Students walking around campus are sure to notice the varied food truck scene as well. Featuring choices such as breakfast fare, Asian fusion, and halal options, these establishments serve a variety of cuisines with prices that are typically lower than many brick-and-mortar restaurants.
GIANT Heirloom Market at 34th and Chestnut streets and ACME at 40th and Walnut streets are helpful on-campus grocery options for those who prefer to cook their own meals. Wawa, the convenience store chain of Philadelphia fame, is open 24 hours a day at two locations — one near the Quad and the other by Kings Court English College House. And when looking for health products or household items, two CVS locations along Walnut Street come in handy.
For many students, “coffee chats” become a core part of the Penn experience. You can select from a diverse set of cafes — including Starbucks, Pret a Manger, Accenture Café, Café West, Joe’s Café, and the student-run Williams Cafe — all on campus.
There’s far more to see, however, beyond 1920 Commons and Huntsman Hall.
Other cafes close to campus include ELIXR Coffee, Haraz Coffee House, the Board and Brew, and the soon-to-open Blank Street. Or consider going out farther west to options such as Manakeesh Cafe, ReAnimator Coffee, Knockbox Cafe, or Milkcrate Cafe.
Each spot has its own specialty, whether it’s the type of coffee — Yemeni, Lebanese, Ethiopian, Greek — or its environment — from cozy couches, outdoor tables, or even a vast collection of board games.
There are plenty of locations that serve other drinks, too, such as Karak Cha House for chai lovers and a smoothie cart near Van Pelt Library that provides made-to-order options. Bubble tea enthusiasts can visit Molly Tea, Gong Cha, LULU Cafe, or Hue Boba Cafe.
If you’re craving a different sweet treat, there is no shortage of dessert options. Popular destinations include the recently opened Mango Mango Dessert, Ben & Jerry’s, Kiwi Yogurt, and Van Leeuwen Ice Cream.
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Staff reporter James Wan covers academic affairs and can be reached at wan@thedp.com. At Penn, he studies communication and computer science. Follow him on X @JamesWan__.
