Living in Cedar Park, Philadelphia, PA
Named after the small, well-tended green space at the corner of 50th Street and Baltimore Avenue, Philadelphia's Cedar Park fuses contemporary residential living with a Bohemian cultural scene. Located within the University City neighborhood in West Philadelphia, Cedar Park encompasses 46th and 52nd Streets, as well as Larchwood Street and Kingsessing Avenue. This progressive community is just three and a half miles from Center City Philadelphia and offers a complete contrast from the business district's soaring skyscrapers and heavy traffic.
Things To Do
During the day, head to Cedar Park itself, an intimate outdoor venue that hosts regular events like picnics, fairs, and jazz concerts. If you're a fan of modern art, you'll want to visit Seeds Gallery, which showcases work by local artists. Later on, relax at Dock Street Brewing Company, a local legend that claims to be the first brewery in Philadelphia since Prohibition, and enjoy their specialty craft beers and delicious pizza.
You can also head over to 50th Street and enjoy bars, delis, and restaurants serving local favorites and food from around the world. Cedar Park was once a predominantly Southeast Asian community, leading to many local restaurants that fuse Eastern and Western cuisine.
Housing in Cedar Park
Primarily a residential area, Cedar Park is famous for its Queen Anne-style architecture. In the late 1800s, the neighborhood attracted families who wanted to move away from the hustle and bustle of downtown Philadelphia, and a range of apartments as well as single-family, row, and semi-detached homes were constructed. You'll find that many of the homes for sale in Cedar Park have steep roofs, turrets, large bay windows, prominent chimneys and irregular facades; despite their beauty, property in Cedar Park carries smaller price tags than homes closer to Center City.
Transportation and Travel in Cedar Park
Originally farmland, Cedar Park flourished between 1850 and 1910 as a streetcar suburb for Center City and its many businesses, providing easy access for commuters traveling to work by horse, car and, later, electric trolley. Today, getting to and from other areas of Philadelphia from Cedar Park is simple. For example, there is a trolley line stops at Baltimore Avenue and takes you to the Tower Theater—a popular Philadelphia music venue since the 1970s. On the other hand, if you're driving from Center City or South Philly, the Grays Ferry Bridge conveniently takes you over the river to 47th Street and Baltimore Avenue. However, if walking or bicycling are more your style, you'll find plenty of company in and around Cedar Park—it's a hallmark of the neighborhood's laid-back pace of life.
