The Philadelphia story
Shopping here since 1682.
The country's oldest diamond district, its oldest outdoor market and its first outdoor shopping center are all a short ride apart.
- 1682
Penn lays out five squares
William Penn plans the city as a grid around five public squares. Rittenhouse Square is one of the originals, and the shops followed.
Open Rittenhouse Row → - 1851
Jewelers' Row sets up shop
Sansom Street becomes the oldest diamond district in the United States. More than 300 jewelers work the block today.
Open Jewelers' Row → - 1884
Stalls open on 9th Street
Vendors start selling produce, meat and cheese from open-air stalls. America's oldest outdoor market has not closed since.
Open Italian Market → - 1893
Reading Terminal Market opens
A public market moves in under the train shed. Eighty-plus merchants still fill it, Pennsylvania Dutch counters included.
Open Reading Terminal → - 1928
Suburban Square opens
Ardmore gets America's first outdoor shopping center. It is still the Main Line's go-to, farmers market and all.
Open Suburban Square → - 1960s
South Street goes its own way
Vintage, records, galleries and quirky gifts make it the countercultural heart of the city.
Open South Street → - 2010s
Fishtown pulls north
Frankford Avenue turns into Philly's creative hub: vintage shops, record stores and the city's best new restaurants.
Open Fishtown → - 2026
The 250th
America's 250th-birthday year. Philadelphia is throwing a once-a-century party, and we wrote the long-weekend plan.
Open the 2026 guide →
