Fitness fanatics living in Philadelphia never have to travel far to find a gym, park or healthy restaurant — in fact, they can often walk there. As one of the most walkable cities in the United States, Philadelphia makes it easy for residents to stay active, from their morning commute to their evening jog. If you’re looking to move to an area where it’s convenient to work out, get outside and eat healthy, these Philadelphia neighborhoods will cater to all those needs. Review Philadelphia’s five most walkable neighborhoods, according to WalkScore.com, and see what amenities are available in each location for fitness enthusiasts.
5. Washington Square West
Left: Louis I. Kahn Park (via Facebook.com/KahnPark.Phila), Top Right: Fearless Athletics (via Facebook.com/FearlessAtheltics), Bottom Right: Sabrina’s Café (via Facebook.com/SabrinasCafe)
This trendy neighborhood encompasses some of Philly’s best green spaces, including Washington Square Park, Seger Park and Louis I. Kahn Park, where residents can take $10 yoga classes and enjoy vegan treats. And if the vegan goodies from Miss Rachel’s Pantry aren’t enough, plant-powered eaters can find a plethora of options at local favorites like Sabrina’s Café, Blackbird Pizzeria and Vegan Tree. Prefer the gym to a park workout? Try SWEAT Fitness or Fearless Athletics, which offers programs like CrossFit, athletic training and personal training.
4. Center City East
Left: Washington Square Park (via Wikipedia.org), Top Right: CrossFit Center City (via Facebook.com/CrossFitCC), Bottom Right: FARMiCiA (via Facebook.com/FarmiciaRestaurant)
This large, dense section of the city is filled with gems for gym junkies like CrossFit Center City, 12th Street Gym and Lithe Method Old City. Outdoorsy types can get a workout in at Washington Square Park, which borders the south section of the neighborhood or visit historic Franklin Square to the north. Healthy restaurants range from FARMiCiA, a farm-to-table eatery serving plates made from fresh, local ingredients, to New Harmony Vegetarian Restaurant, a twist on your favorite Chinese foods located in the heart of Chinatown.
3. Center City West
Top Left: Franklin Institute in West Center City (via Wikipedia.org), Top Right: Weston Fitness (via Facebook.com/WestonFitness),Bottom: Fuji Mountain Japanese Restaurant (via Facebook.com/FujiMountainPhilly)
Center City West is home to some of Philly’s best museums, including Franklin Institute and Mutter, but the area also borders multiple parks, among them Rittenhouse Square, JFK Plaza and Schuylkill Banks, a riverfront area that offers activities like biking, skateboarding and kayaking. Residents of Center City West can also stay active at gyms like Body Cycle Studio and Weston Fitness, a training studio that offers classes ranging from Zumba to spin. Hungry after all that physical activity? Restaurants like HipCityVeg, Agno Grill and Fuji Mountain Japanese Restaurant will satisfy you with wholesome foods.
2. Rittenhouse Square
Top Left: Rittenhouse Square (via Wikipedia.org) Bottom Left: Philly Power Yoga & Thrive Pilates (via Facebook.com/PPYogaThrive), Right: Honeygrow (via Facebook.com/Honeygrow)
In the center of Rittenhouse Square is arguably Philadelphia’s best public park, for which the neighborhood gets its name. Within the residential area you can find healthy eats from restaurants like Pure Fare, Mama’s Vegetarian and Honey Grow, where in addition to having salads and stir fry you can treat yourself to a bowl of fresh fruit with honey — yum. For those who love group exercise classes, Philly Power Yoga & Thrive Pilates, Pure Barre and Urbanfront Pilates are all nearby.
1. Avenue of the Arts South
Left: Avenue of the Arts (via Facebook.com/pages/Avenue-of-the-Arts), Top: The Sporting Club at Bellevue (via Facebook.com/SportingClubBellevue), Bottom Left: Charlie was a sinner. (via Facebook.com/pages/Charlie-Was-a-Sinner), Bottom Right: Sweet Freedom Bakery (via Facebook.com/SweetFreedomBakery)
Avenue of the Arts might be known as Philadelphia’s cultural district, but it should be known as the fitness district as well. Although the neighborhood isn’t home to many green spaces, parks including Seger, Rittenhouse, Marian Anderson, Columbus Square and Kahn are all relatively close. In addition, residents of this area can get their sweat on a gyms like The Sporting Club at the Bellevue, where you can join group exercise classes as well as sports leagues. After your workout head to a local restaurant with nutritious meals like Govinda’s Gourmet Vegetarian or Tashan, for Indian cuisine. Satisfy your sugar craving with a gluten-free, allergy-free vegan cupcake at Sweet Freedom Bakery or stop by the hip plant-based bar Charlie was a sinner. on your way home.
The post Live in Philadelphia’s 5 Most Walkable Neighborhoods appeared first on The FitnessTrainer Blog.