Philadelphia Shopping - PhillyWired.com

People come to Philadelphia for a variety of reasons. Some come for the history, some for the culture and some for the sports. But plenty of others come just to shop. And because there is no tax on clothing, bargain hunters can save a bundle.

Center City, Philadelphia’s downtown, is a shopper’s paradise with more than 2,000 shops, including clothing, jewelry, home accessories and more. Shop at America’s largest indoor urban shopping center, The Gallery at Market East, or visit The Shops at Liberty Place with more than 70 unique shops under a magnificent glass rotunda. Other shopping areas include Rittenhouse Row, Philadelphia’s upscale shopping and dining district; the Reading Terminal Market; Jewelers’ Row; Antique Row; the Italian Market; and South Street. Just a short distance away are the unique shops and fabulous restaurants of historic Manayunk and Chestnut Hill.

Outside the city, the King of Prussia Mall, Franklin Mills Mall and nearby Haddonfield, NJ, offer some of the best shopping anywhere in the country.

Center City
Rittenhouse Row
Located in the heart of Philadelphia’s premier business, residential, shopping and cultural district, Rittenhouse Row offers designer stores such as Ann Taylor, Jaeger, Jones New York, Nicole Miller, Lagos jewelry and more. Shoppers can also find local boutiques and specialty stores such as Knit Wit, The Children’s Boutique, Born Yesterday and Urban Outfitters. Popular stores such as The Gap, Banana Republic and Tower Books and Records can also be found along Rittenhouse Row.

The Gallery at Market East
The nation’s largest indoor urban shopping center is located in the heart of Center City. It houses 170 shops on four levels, including department stores such as Strawbridge’s and Kmart, and two food courts.

Lord & Taylor
A few blocks from The Gallery is the Lord & Taylor department store, located in the historic John Wanamaker building, site of America’s first department store.

The Shops at Liberty Place
Philadelphia’s tallest building features a glass-domed atrium with more than 70 shops, including Godiva Chocolatier, Nine West, and J. Crew, as well as a food court.

The Bourse Food Court and Specialty Shops
This landmark historic building located in Independence National Historical Park houses a food court, shops, a movie theater and a restaurant.

Reading Terminal Market
This 100-year-old farmers’ market features fresh meats, seafood and produce, ethnic foods (including the Amish of Lancaster County), crafts and local Philadelphia foods. Visit the Pennsylvania General Store in the market and pick up some locally made items to take back home.

Jewelers’ Row
Home to the oldest and one of the largest diamond districts in the U.S.A., Jewelers’ Row (established in 1851) features an unlimited selection of diamonds and other precious jewels with many at discounted prices.

South Street
Philadelphia’s most eclectic shopping district, South Street (between 10th and Front streets) is the “hippest street in town.” Here, shoppers can find everything that’s trendy, outrageous and unique, and then stop in for a drink or a meal at one of the many bars and restaurants in the area.

Fabric Row
For more than a century, Fabric Row, located along South Fourth Street (between South and Catherine streets, has been a hub for textile-related businesses. Today, the shops of Fabric Row, some of them third-generation businesses, offer unparalleled textile shopping, including clothing, drapery and upholstery fabrics, trimmings and sewing supplies.

Italian Market
Visit the oldest and largest working outdoor market in the U.S.A. featuring shops with everything from exotic spices, fresh patries and homemade pastas, to gourmet cookware, cheeses and olive oils from all over the world.

University Square
Just west of Center City lies a vibrant college district – home to the University of Pennsylvania and Drexel University featuring a mix of shops, restaurants, hotels and entertainment venues.

Get to all of your favorite shopping destinations on the Center City Shopping Spree, a bus that loops by many of the main shopping districts, including Rittenhouse Row, The Gallery at Market East, Jewelers’ Row and all of the shops in between. The buses run approximately every 10-15 minutes. A one-way ride is $2.00, or shop all day with a Day Pass for $5.50.

Chestnut Hill
More than 200 boutique shops, delightful cafes and fine restaurants are located along the cobblestone streets of this charming urban village and national historic district.

Manayunk
This historic shopping and dining district features a Main Street lined with one-of-a-kind boutiques, galleries and fine restaurants bordered by a canal and towpath.

Philadelphia’s Countryside
The King of Prussia Mall
The largest retail complex in the U.S.A., it is the only place in the world where you can find eight major department stores: Bloomingdale’s, Macy’s, Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, Lord & Taylor, Sears, Strawbridge’s and JC Penney. There are also more than 365 specialty stores, including Hermes, Louis Vuitton, DKNY, Versace, and Tiffany & Co., and the mall’s 40 restaurants offer shoppers a choice of dining experiences, from casual to elegant. The mall is located 15 miles west of Philadelphia.

Franklin Mills
Bargain hunters can spend more time than money at the “landmark of the discount shopper.” Franklin Mills carries more then 200 brand name and specialty stores, all on one floor and under one roof. The stores at Franklin Mills offer merchandise from top designers at 20-70 percent below retail. The mall also features several restaurants, food and entertainment courts. The mall’s Galleria, a family recreation center, offers miniature golf, a bowling green and a roller skating rink.

Franklin Mills offers a shuttle service that runs every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday from Center City hotels. The round trip fare is $15. Stops are at the Philadelphia Marriott at 12:30 pm and at the Sheraton Society Hill at 12:45 pm. The shuttle leaves Franklin Mills at 6:00 pm for the return trip to Center City.

Peddler’s Village
More than 75 specialty shops and restaurants can be found at this charming village located near the picturesque town of New Hope, PA.

Penn’s Purchase Factory Outlet Stores
Forty of the best names in fashion, home accessories and jewelry at 20-50 percent off everyday prices, are located in this charming country village setting.

New Jersey
Historic Haddonfield
This historic shopping district, just across the Ben Franklin Bridge in New Jersey offers great shopping, galleries, restaurants and boutiques in a small town setting of Victorian and Colonial era-homes.

Shop Center City

The Bellevue, 200 S Broad St.
The Gallery at Market East, 901 - 1001 Market St.
Jeweler's Row, Sansom Street, 7th to 8th Sts. & 8th St, Chestnut to Walnut Sts.
Market Place East, 701 Market St.
The Reading Terminal Market, 51 N 12th St.
Rittenhouse Row, Avenue of the Arts to 21st St., from Spruce to Market Sts.
The Shops at Liberty Place, 1625 Chestnut St.