City living should be all about convenience. The neighborhood you live in should give you easy access to life’s necessities and plenty of fun things to do. Although Northern Liberties, or NoLibs, wasn’t always one of the hippest places to be in Philadelphia, its star power has increased significantly in recent years. In 2012, Forbes.com named it number 14 on its list of the 20 “hippest hipster” neighborhoods. And considering what NoLibs has to offer, it’s not hard to see why.

Ameities

The neighborhood didn’t always have the best selection of amenities or everyday conveniences. Until 2011, there wasn’t even a proper grocery store in the area. But that changed in 2011 with the opening of the Super Fresh, an upscale grocery store. In addition, the neighborhood now offers a large wine and spirits store, a few banks, and even a members-only 21-plus swim club.

As a bonus, Forbes points out that Northern Liberties is one of the most walkable parts of the city, meaning that you can get your daily errands done without needing a car. Along with being easily navigable by foot, the neighborhood offers plenty of public transit options, from the elevated subway to buses.

Greenery

Green space is plentiful in Northern Liberties. Liberty Lands Park, located in the heart of the neighborhood, is an ideal place to relax outdoors. If you’re into gardening, you can put your name in for a plot in the park’s community garden. During the summer, the park hosts outdoor movies and other events.

Nearby is Penn Treaty Park, which sits on the edge of the Delaware River. It’s a great weekend picnic spot — just spread out your blanket and gaze out at the river. The park also holds a number of events, including holiday caroling and arts festivals.

Dining

Northern Liberties has a huge selection of restaurants offering a mix of cuisines. If brunch is your thing, you can check out Green Eggs Café or Honey’s Sit ‘N Eat. The Cantina Dos Segundos and El Camino Real offer Tex-Mex-inspired cuisine, while Tiffin satisfies your cravings for Indian food.

Fun Things to Do

The Piazza at Schmidts offers a mix of restaurants, retail, apartments, and a large open-air plaza. The Piazza holds free concerts on occasion, as well as broadcasts of baseball games. It’s also the site of a weekly farmers market. At the end of summer, the 2nd Street Festival takes over 2nd Street and the Piazza.

Northern Liberties is not only accessible and convenient, it’s also one of the most exciting parts of town. Whether you want to live in an apartment building or a classic rowhome, if you’re in NoLibs, you’ll always be close to the action.

Image Source: Flickr/Justin Wolfe

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