Where is Philadelphia, PA? See Its Location on the Map and Important Landmarks

Philadelphia is a historic city in Pennsylvania where significant events in the early United States history occurred. The city has grown over the years, and it is still a great place for people that value history, culture, and good food to live and visit. So, where is Philadelphia located on a map? Find out how to get to this city, some of the best points of interest in the area, and the best suburbs near the city in which to live.  

Where is Philadelphia Located?

The city of Philadelphia is located in the southeastern part of the state of Pennsylvania in the appropriately named Philadelphia County. Philadelphia is nestled between two rivers: the Delaware River to the east and the Schuylkill River to the west and north.

Thus, finding Philadelphia on a map is easy enough considering that the Delaware River is a 282-mile river that forms a border between Pennsylvania and New Jersey for most of its run. The city of Philadelphia is easily found by locating the confluence of this river and the Schuylkill River.

Philadelphia is also a part of the Mid-Atlantic region, an area known for its blend of industry and agriculture. Throughout its history, Philadelphia has been important for various reasons. The city was the place where the Constitutional Congress took place, once served as the early capital of the United States until 1800, played important roles in the manufacturing and refinery industries, and had the first naval shipyard in the nation.

Today, the city has the sixth-highest population of any in the country with 1.6 million people living in the metropolitan area.  

Points of Interest on the Philadelphia Map

As a historic and modern city, Philadelphia has many points of interest throughout the area. Take a look at some of the places that every visitor should consider going to when they’re in the City of Brotherly Love.  

The Philadelphia Museum of Art

The Philadelphia Museum of Art is an incredible art museum that was chartered back in 1876 and opened in 1928. The museum has over 200,000 pieces of artwork from creators from many backgrounds. People can see paintings, textiles, ceramics, drawings, armor, and more. The museum is easily accessible using public transit, and people can spend hours appreciating the art within.

This building has something for everyone, and it continues to have special collections, tours, and interactive activities. By the way, people will tolerate you running up and down the steps out front as long as you refrain from doing your best “Rocky” impersonation.

Philadelphia Zoo

The Philadelphia Zoo is one of the oldest zoos in America. The zoo is home to about 1,300 animals including big cats, bears, penguins, and all sorts of reptiles. The zoo has all sorts of exhibits, and it is dedicated to educating the public about conservation and proper stewardship.

Sports Venues

Philadelphia sports fans are known for being rowdy, and they revel in the fact that other sports fans don’t like them much. However, if you want to take in a sporting event with thousands of passionate fans with access to great food and drinks, you can’t find a better place than here. All the major sports venues are in a massive complex in South Philadelphia. The whole area is rife with sports history and heartache from years past!

Dueling Cheesesteak Establishments

People take cheesesteaks seriously in Philadelphia. Every place that serves them wants to be the best, and at least five restaurants have good claims on the best in the city. Sure, you can go to Pat’s, Geno’s, Tony Luke’s, or some of the other touristy places to try a good cheesesteak. However, you can also check out John’s Roast Pork or Joe’s Steaks and Soda to have some top-tier cheesesteaks.

Now that you know about some of the places to see and experience in the city, take a look at where to live around the city.

Best Suburbs Around Philadelphia

Philadelphia has suburbs on both sides of the Delaware River. Many of the best suburbs around Philadelphia have nice homes, good schools, and access to the city. Consider some of these places if you’re looking to settle in a Philly suburb.

Ardmore

Ardmore is a nice, well-developed suburb with a rail service directly to Philadelphia. From there, people can transfer to New York City or many other cities. The area has a lot of local shops and restaurants, so there’s always something new to try in the area. Homes in Ardmore don’t have a ton of room like some suburbs farther away. Yet, the area is safe and is known for its great schools.  

Cherry Hill

Yes, Cherry Hill is in New Jersey, but the sprawling Philadelphia metro area certainly includes the western portion of Camden County. Cherry Hill has great schools along with amazing shopping and restaurants. Best of all, it is easy to get to Philadelphia from Cherry Hill either by taking a drive over the Ben Franklin Bridge or by taking public transportation.

Media

Media is a bit farther away from Philadelphia than the other two suburbs on this list. However, it still only takes an hour to get from the borough to Center City on a train. Media is a small suburb with a population of about 6,000 people. So, if a person wants to live in a small town that is close enough to the big city and has very good schools and nice homes, this is a good option.

Knowing where Philadelphia is located on a map will make it clear why the city is so popular. It’s a cultural and historical center on its own, and it’s easy to get from there to New York City and Boston to the north, Baltimore and Washington D.C. to the south, and New Jersey for a trip down the shore in the summer. The city is a beautiful, unique place that grants people access to many other amazing parts of the U.S.